If it’s from the App Store, it’s at least required to be sandboxed.
Just paid the 100$ and got it notarized. Still, you're downloading software from a total stranger :p .
There is a difference though. Apple does at least some amount of malware scanning during notarizarion and they have your credit card/some personalia on file, which means that they can go after you.
I know, stolen credit cards, etc. But at least it’s something (App Store would be better due to sandboxing).