Android vs IOS: Which Mobile Platform is Best For App Development?

In the digital world, before taking a decision to run a business, it becomes inevitable to complete your research and then proceed with the implementation. Mobile App Development is a process that requires detailed considerations to choose what technologies and OS you need to develop your mobile app. Android and iOS dominate the smartphone market. Generally, you can go with cross-platform app development, i.e. both iOS and Android but with some apps, going with native app development is a better choice.

In the case where you need to choose between Android vs iOS apps, it becomes a difficult decision to make. One should always go through detailed research for both operating systems which will make it easier to choose which one will go successful for your business. This depends on multiple factors but let’s start by looking at some market statistics.

What is Android App Development?

Android and iOS are the two most widely used mobile operating systems. Android, developed by Google is most compatible for touchscreen devices, such as tablets and mobile phones. Assembler language, Java, JavaScript, C++, C, Go, and Kotlin are among the programming languages used by this Unix operating system. Developing Android mobile apps for the stable and adaptable Android platform is known as Android app development.

Benefits of Android App Development

Android app development is the most preferred option for creating mobile apps since it provides a number of benefits. The following are some of the main benefits of developing Android app:

1. Highly Customizable

Android offers developers a platform that is highly adaptable. Developers can customize every aspect of their apps, from user interfaces to system features, to meet individual requirements.

2. Simple Publication Process

Publishing Android apps on the Google play store is a simple process. Because of how easy and uncomplicated the process is, developers can easily connect with their intended audience.

3. Open Platform

Since Android is an open-source platform, a wide variety of tools, resources, and libraries are available to developers. Within the programming community, this promotes creativity and teamwork.

4. Cost-Effective

Compared to other platforms, developing apps for Android is typically less expensive. Due to its open-source nature, Android is a cost-effective option for startups and small enterprises as it does not require costly license fees.

5. Developer Availability

As Android devices gain in popularity, there is a growing need for qualified Android developers. For developers wishing to pursue a career in the mobile app development sector, this presents fantastic career opportunities. Additionally, you have the opportunity to select and hire the top developers from a competent pool.

iOS/Android Market Statistics

• App store by Apple consists of 1.9 mn apps for download
• Google Play store has 2.87 mn apps available for download
• In USA, iOS dominates the smartphone market share for mobile devices, i.e. 57% of all the country users
• While iOS dominates USA, Android dominates in the world market, having 71.45% of the global mobile OS market
• The count of Android users is 3 Bn in the world while iOS is 1 mn

What Are The Pros & Cons of Android Vs iOS?

Android Pros and Cons

Pros

• Flexibility and Customization

With Android, a programmer can create various customized functions and apply creativity to the app since it has an open system, and infrastructure developers. It is not as restricted as iOS which gives it an upper hand in creating more smart and interesting applications.

• Fast Approval

For android vs apple app development, releasing apps on Google Play Store is much simpler though the process is almost the same. In Google Play Store, the app gets launched in a few hours and much earlier than in App Store by Apple.

• Cheap developer account fee

A Google Developer Account costs starting from a one-time fee of $25 which is much cheaper than an iOS developer account.

• More developer resources

Google offers various helpful resources including attractive layouts and templates for beginner developers. These can be chosen according to different levels of complexity as required by the developer. Besides, Google gives useful guidelines to developers to make an app more appealing to users.

• Larger market share

Google consists of around a 3:1 market share of OS worldwide, giving it an edge over the number of Apple users. Apple can be seen dominating in developed economies but in the rest of the parts, Android is more in use.

Cons

• Safety

Android apps are less safe as sometimes duplicate apps get downloaded that might steal your data from the phone.

• High Device Fragmentation

Due to a large range of screens, resolutions and devices existing in Android, there is increased device fragmentation for android apps. This makes it harder to design UI/UX for different versions.

• Possibility of apps released with bugs

Android has a vulnerable system that can be easily hacked and sometimes the apps might be released with bugs as Android doesn’t have an extensive check system like iOS. This can harm your phone or data.

What is iOS App Development?

Apple Inc. created the iOS mobile operating system specifically for its hardware, which includes iPhones and other Apple mobile devices.

Making mobile applications especially for devices running Apple’s iOS is known as iOS development. Consequently, to create apps for iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices, developers must make use of Apple’s development tools and programming languages, mainly Swift.

High security and privacy are features of the Apple ecosystem, due to its apps. Not to mention its family-sharing features, usability, and prompt OS updates—the main benefits of iOS development.

iOS apps have a relatively small market share because they are developed only for Apple products. Nevertheless, reports indicate that it generates 85% more money than its Android equivalents.

Benefits of iOS App Development

Due to various advantages over Android vs iOS app development is becoming more and more popular among companies and game creators.

1. Outstanding UI and intuitive UX

iOS provides a smooth, aesthetically pleasing user interface that guarantees an excellent user experience. iOS apps have extremely well-polished and consistent design components, which improve the overall aesthetics of the app. It makes navigating and interacting with apps easier for users by providing a uniform user experience across devices.

2. Fluid responsiveness

Apple products are renowned for their responsive and fluid operation. Apps that need accuracy and speed are ideal for the operating system because of its optimized performance for quick and seamless interactions.

3. Business Suitability

Data protection and encryption are only two of the security features that make iOS so popular in the business world. Its smooth connection with enterprise systems makes it the ideal platform for creating unique business applications and effectively managing workflows.

4. Gaming Experience

iOS offers a strong foundation for gaming apps thanks to its potent hardware and vast game libraries. You can use cutting-edge gaming features in your app, such as Game Centre integration and Metal Graphics, to improve the overall gaming experience.

iOS Pros and Cons

Pros

• Clean Designs

Apple believes in clean designs with more white space and gives guidelines in the same way. Hence, all the iOS apps are easy to eyes and have smooth UI/UX.

• Safer

iOS is known for its security since passing through iOS’ approval process takes time but once your app passes through it, users download it fast.

• Users are more in Rich countries

iOS devices are sold more in developed countries as people in such countries can afford apple accessories and in-app purchases of iOS devices.

• Apps can be developed faster

As iOS is supported on a few devices only, there is much less device fragmentation than in android devices. Hence, app designs for different screens and devices take lesser time to develop, making the iOS app development process faster.

Cons

• Higher developer account fee

The developer account fee for iOS costs $99 a year which is much more than an Android developer account fee.

• Closed source code

iOS consists of closed-source code which means you cannot do as much customization as in Android. It has certain standards for coding and development which make it hard to compete in the iOS market as well.

• High Review Standards

iOS reviews every app on a deeper level and has really high standards for approving an app. Due to this, there are higher chances of an app getting rejected because of minor reasons like less security, slower performance, etc.

Key Differences Between Android and iOS Development

Android vs iOS app: Which is Better?

The decision between developing an iOS vs Android app development depends on several variables, including your target market, operating territories, and business requirements. In addition, considerations like maintenance, finance, and development time are important when determining whether to create an app for a specific platform or not.

You can select an iOS mobile app development if you want to release it in nations like the USA or Japan or if you want to market it to affluent consumers. Mobile app development for iOS and Android smartphones is your best option, nevertheless, if your target market consists of nations with comparatively lower per capita incomes or if you are aiming for international markets.

1. Android Vs iOS Programming Language

Android

The first choice of programming language for developing an Android app is known to be Java. However, a variety of extensions makes Java a complex language to learn and apply. Usually, beginners find it hard to adjust aptly to its coding. That’s why many Android app developers also use Kotlin as Google has officially announced it to be a first-class language for Android app development.

iOS

iOS apps are developed in Apple’s primary language, Swift. It is a fast, safe, and high-performance language with a decreased learning curve, hence making development faster. Apple used Objective-C earlier but Swift has gained popularity since its advent in 2014. Sometimes. C++ is also used by developers for iOS app development.

The above given are native languages but other languages allow cross-platform app development i.e. developing apps on both iOS and Android. These hybrid applications support multiple devices be it a phone, tablet or laptop.

2. IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

Android

For Android development, the most commonly used IDE is Android Studio, which is developed and maintained by Google. Android Studio is based on the IntelliJ IDEA platform and provides a wide range of features for Android development, including a code editor, a layout editor, a debugging tool, and an emulator. Other popular IDEs for Android development include Eclipse and Visual Studio Code.

iOS

Xcode is the most used IDE for iOS. It is much easier to use and offers. Xcode provides a wide range of features for iOS development, including a code editor, a layout editor, a debugging tool, and an emulator. Xcode also includes a feature called Interface Builder, which allows developers to create user interfaces for their iOS apps by dragging and dropping UI elements onto a canvas. However, the IDE is found to be very buggy.

Comparing Android vs iPhone development, it is never said that one is better than the others. Both environments come with their set of advantages and drawbacks.

3. Cost

The cost of developing iOS apps tends to be more than that of Android since the costs of development and tools are higher for iOS. However, since Android has higher device fragmentation, it can cost more depending on the functionalities added.

The cost calculations are based on two common factors i.e.

• Development hours
• Hourly costs of hiring an Android/iOS developer

Multiplying the above-given numbers brings the total development costs of a project. These two things depend on multiple other factors like app complexity, no. of features to be added, the country of developers, type of hiring model, etc. for Android vs iOS development.

4. Design

The designing for iOS vs Android has to be done according to their specific design guidelines. For developing Android apps, one needs to follow Material Design while for iOS, Human Interface Guidelines have to be followed.

For iOS, The guidelines suggest that apps should prioritize clarity and use white space effectively to make the content of the app easy to read and understand. UI designers commonly use shadows and gradients to create a sense of depth and hierarchy within the app, drawing attention to important elements while creating a visually pleasing experience for the user.

A well-designed iOS app should be intuitive and easy to navigate, with a clear and simple layout that allows users to quickly understand the purpose of the app and find the information they need. It’s important to note that the design of an iOS app is not only about aesthetics but also about creating an intuitive and user-friendly experience.

In Android, there is more emphasis on a rich and intuitive user experience in the app, it works more with motion and color. Android has broader guidelines and tools available for designing and can have much more complexity than iOS.

Colors are used to convey emotions, create contrast and hierarchy, and to guide the user through the app. On the other hand, motion is used to create a sense of continuity and to help users understand the interactions within the app. The use of light and shadow can also be used to create a sense of depth and to draw attention to important elements.

5. Play Store vs App Store

These are the two largest marketplaces for mobile apps. Google Play Store i.e. play store is for Android apps while App Store by Apple is for iOS apps. Both marketplace applications are quite similar in terms of UI/UX as both provide an overview of the app with reviews and ratings.

The App Store generates more revenue than the Google Play Store, but the Google Play Store has a larger user base. Both stores have a wide range of apps and games that can be downloaded and used on smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices.

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6. Revenue

Talking about the revenue of Android apps vs iOS apps, although the Android operating system has a larger user base than iOS, the App Store generally generates more revenue than the Google Play Store. This is because iOS users tend to have higher spending power and are more willing to pay for apps and in-app purchases.

The App Store has a reputation for offering high-quality, premium apps, which can also contribute to its higher revenue. On the other hand, many Android users are accustomed to getting free apps and may be less likely to make in-app purchases or pay for apps.

Additionally, many Android users are from emerging markets, where people have less spending power and are less likely to pay for apps. This means that the revenue generated by the Google Play Store is more concentrated among a smaller number of apps, while the App Store generates revenue from a larger number of apps.

7. User Retention

Android apps are free and can be found in large numbers like you can find multiple apps for a particular use. This decreases the user retention span because users can download the app whenever needed and there are always better options available for free.

iOS users have a higher retention rate since they have fewer options compared to Android users, leading to a higher level of satisfaction with the apps they use. This results in the users being less likely to switch to other apps.

8. Security

In terms of mobile operating systems, both Android and iOS have their own security features and mechanisms in place to protect user data and privacy.

iOS is considered to be more secure due to its closed system and strict review process for apps that are allowed in the App Store. Apple also releases regular software updates to address security vulnerabilities, and users are prompted to install these updates automatically.

On the other hand, Android’s open-source nature and wide range of devices make it more vulnerable to security threats. Google has been working on improving the security of Android by introducing features like Google Play Protect, which scans apps for malware before they are downloaded, and by releasing more frequent security updates. Additionally, both iOS and Android have security features like biometric authentication, encryption, and sandboxing to keep the user’s data safe and secure.

9. Development Speed

The time taken for developing android apps is mostly faster than that of Android. It depends on the complexity of the app.

Developing apps for Android devices may take longer than developing apps for iOS devices due to the variety of mobile devices and screen sizes that need to be considered. Additionally, the complexity of the code and the use of different programming languages and tools can also add to the development time. However, it’s worth noting that after the development process is complete, the app will need to be submitted to the App Store or Google Play Store for review. In the case of the Android app, the review process is generally quicker, allowing for faster deployment.

For iOS, during the review process, the app may be rejected or require revisions, which can further delay the release of the app and increase development costs. This is an important aspect to consider for iOS development, as it can impact the overall development time and the return on investment for the developer.

It’s important to keep in mind that the review process for iOS apps is in place to ensure that all apps meet a high standard of quality and security for the user, but it can also add additional time and cost to the development process.

What Should Be The Business Goals And Revenue To Build A Business App for iOS Or Android?

It is the first thought that comes to mind even before deciding to build a business app. It generally depends on five factors, such as who is your audience, the project timeline, desired app features, app maintenance budget, and revenue goal. But if you’re goal is to create an application for both platforms, then it might be quite expensive. Instead, build an app for a platform the user is looking for, and when your first version is successful and well-established, you can move on to another platform.

Top 5 Factors To Consider

• Audience: Talking about the audience, iOS has 40% more users than Android. Several Women tend to use the iPhone. It comes with a higher share of the 18-24 year old market. Apple users possess higher degrees, and their leads are in Europe, Australia, and North America.
• TimeLine: iPhone apps are faster, cheaper, and easier to develop, but ultimately it takes 30-40% of the development time than Android. One key reason to develop in iOS is due to its code where Android apps come with extended code and are written in Java language. Whereas, users write iOS code in Swift language.
• Desired Features: As Android comes open-source, it offers more flexibility compared to iOS. Moreover, you can customize your application by adding features and functions your audience is seeking. On the other side, iOS is more secure and has a closed nature, so more audience is attracted to it.
• Budget for maintaining application: You need to spend more time developing Android Apps to ensure compatibility with the platform and avoid bugs for users. Android users prolonged to adopt a new OS. The study found that Android users are running an OS that is two years old, whereas iOS users are more likely to update its OS.
• Revenue Goal: If you have an app monetization goal, then Android will pay less for apps than iOS. But they offer free apps using in-app ads. While moving on to iOS, it generates twice as much total revenue as Google Play despite half downloads.

Top 5 iOS Apps

If you want to look at the best iOS apps in the market right now, here are the top 5:

Top 5 Android Apps

Here are the top 5 Android Apps to look at:

Top Countries Using Android/iOS

Source: https://www.statista.com/chart/22702/andoid-ios-market-share-selected-countries/

Some of the top countries using Android OS are India, Nigeria, Brazil, China, and Germany while iOS dominance can be seen in Japan, USA, UK.

Conclusion

Before choosing any one of the OS systems, your goal and vision must be clear. If you are looking to cover the whole market, cross-platform app development becomes a much more attractive option. However, if you are sure that native app development is going to work for your business, then first, starting with the market you want to target first becomes the key decision maker.

Concetto Labs here is one of the leading mobile app development companies with a team of top Android and iOS app developers for hire. Our consultants understand your requirements, budget, and vision and then suggest the best pathway to achieve your app development goals.

We are ace at both Android app development and iOS app development. Given our experience in both and years of leadership in the market, you get the best apps for your business idea. Contact us today at info@concettolabs.com.