I kind of really dislike the notion that you only use Linux because you are too poor for Apple.
I don’t use Apple because I don’t like to be stuck in a walled garden where a company decides what’s best for me.
I know it’s just a meme, but I think too many people actually think Linux is somehow inferior to Apple (MacOS) while I think it’s the other way around.
You’re right, although I wouldn’t be surprised that at some point MacOS will have a mandatory app store to protect you.