Both of these are completely false. Testflight distribution without a developer license is impossible. Asking users to compile the app themself is infeasible, as the XCode toolchain is upwards of 18gb and they will be required to compile it once every week to keep it on their device. The developer fee is unavoidable — even with EU intervention

Even signing for your own device (if you manage to get your users to do this) requires an Apple ID in good standing.

My own poor wording.. I'm talking about avoiding the App Store not avoiding the license.

Sounds much less generous than OP.