I never had any issues installing software on macOS. In the worst-case scenario, I need to press an extra button in the security panel agreeing with installing software that is not from an identified developer. I agree with the sentiment from OP, but this seems to be an inaccurate extrapolation from the Nostr-being-censored-on-iphones thing. Not saying this might be the direction macOS is going, but it's not the present. I don't think macOS being as restricted as iOS is viable as many professionals rely on macOS where most of the software does not come from the Applestore.

I was setting up a macbook air using Ventura 13.4. Installing software that I've never had an issue setting up on previous macs became a real headache. Here's the list;

Piezo - sound recorder. Needed cli for it to work. I was lucky the instructions from the creator were super clear Cryptomator - Took longer than usual to install because of permissions etc. I have issues now accessing the virtual drive. It no longer just appears in my finder window under local host. I got to fumble around with the system preferences and approve permissions most of the time.

I've also noticed that software now needs to be signed by a person for it to operate on Ventura. Is this something that prohibits developers from creating software for Mac? Say the Samourai guys? When you look at where the puck is going, it ain't to save me time and it feels it's to secure the machine for Apple's sake, not mine.