If you want to avoid the apple-tax then you can download Sweet Home 3D for free and make a donation using the donate button. Sweet Home 3D is open source after all
I think the app-versions come with some extra furniture but as far as I know nothing you can't download and import anyway.
I read in the blog that the IOS version now has the Tape Measure app included but you can download and install that separately anyway if you want it.
The "Cannot connect to app store" message is probably a temporary connection problem that has nothing to do with Sweet Home 3D.
ETA: "...7 days trial and the yearly subscription..." for open source software
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