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Everyone has an opinion on which is better, from your nine-year-old nephew to your ninety-year-old grandmother.
You should set aside your personal prejudices when creating your own app, even though you can also have a preference for one platform over another.
Rather, you must be guided by the tastes of your user base if you want to give your app (and business) the best chance of success.
To help you decide which platform you feel most comfortable investing your budget in, we’ll go over a number of additional macro and micro elements that you should take into account in this blog post. But you won’t make a big mistake if you prioritize the users.
Let’s dive in 👇
Google created the Android smartphone operating system. Android is the operating system used by the majority of smartphone manufacturers, including Samsung, Motorola, Huawei, and OnePlus. The platform is renowned for being open-source and for the customization options it provides to its developers.
Android apps can be launched primarily through the Google Play Store, although they can also be launched through the Amazon App Store and other stores.
Apple created the iOS mobile operating system, which is renowned for its slick UI and easy connection with the Apple ecosystem. iOS is only compatible with Apple products, such as the iPad and iPhone. Your iOS app can be opened through the Apple App Store.
| Android | iOS | |
| Market share | 70.1% market share | 29.2% market share |
| User demographics | Users spend less money and time on apps | Users spend more money and time on apps |
| Geography | Popular in developing countries like China, India and Brazil | Popular in developed economies like the USA, UK and Japan |
| Flexibility and customisations | Provides developers with more flexibility and customisation options | Developers need to follow strict design guidelines and development frameworks |
| Development costs | Costs more in the long run | Costs less in the long run |
After addressing the fundamentals, let’s examine the major aspects you should think about while deciding between iOS and Android. These factors range from user demographics and market share to development expenses.
Android holds a 70.1% market share in smartphones, but iOS only holds a 29.2% share. Still, Android has been gradually slipping behind iOS; in 2018, it held 77% of the market, while iOS held 20%.
The inexpensive starting price of Android devices contributes significantly to their considerable market share. An Android device may now be purchased for as little as $99.
But the iPhone is seen as a high-end product, costing anywhere from $599 to $1599.
Android has more than three billion active users, making it the clear market leader for mobile phones. Android should therefore be your top choice if you want to develop an app that will allow you to reach a larger user base.
The demographics of Android and iOS users diverge significantly.
iOS users tend to be wealthier than Android users, who tend to draw a diverse range of demographics, including those from lower income categories.
A research claims that those who own iPhones make up to 40% more money than those who own Android phones and spend up to seven times as much on apps.
Apple users are wealthier than Android users, and they also engage with technology more and spend nine more hours a month in front of screens.
If your primary goal is to maximize your in-app purchases, Apple should be your operating system of choice.
Geographically, the spheres of impact of Android and iOS varies from nation to nation.
iOS continues to enjoy a greater market share and maintains a dominance in industrialized nations like the US, UK, and Japan. Strong brand loyalty and increased disposable income are to blame for this.
However, because of its low cost, Android is incredibly popular in emerging nations like China, India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.
You should find out which operating system is most popular where you are if you are running your business in a specific nation.
Both iOS and Android use completely distinct frameworks for app development and design.
The open-source Android platform gives app developers a lot of customization and flexibility possibilities. Developer control over the appearance and functionality of the app is typically greater. They are able to design original user interface (UI) elements and incorporate special functionality.
iOS, on the other hand, takes a more standardized and structured approach. Strict design specifications and development frameworks must be adhered to by the developers, which reduces their flexibility and customization choices.
This might work in your favor or against you, depending on your needs. Choose Android if you want a highly customized app. Nonetheless, Apple’s stringent rules guarantee a flawless user experience for your app.
The route you follow in app development and the features you desire will determine how much your app costs, but platform selection also has a minimal impact on your overall expenses.
It is necessary to create and optimize Android apps for a variety of devices made by numerous original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). This, of course, raises the price and duration of development.
You must create iOS apps exclusively for iPhones and iPads. As a result, the development time is greatly reduced, lowering the overall expenditures.
| Android | iOS | |
| Programming language | Java and Kotlin | Swift |
| Device fragmentation | High device fragmentation causes compatibility issues | Fewer compatibility issues due to less device fragmentation |
| Design and UI | Gives a modern look and feel | Keeps apps looking minimalistic |
| Integrations | Integrates with Google services and third parties | Integrates with Apple ecosystem like Apple Watch and Face ID |
| Time to market | Device fragmentation increases the time to market | Launching the app is much smoother with fewer delays |
| App maintenance and scalability | High cost to maintain and difficult to scale | Costs less to maintain and is easier to scale |
| Data privacy | Less privacy means more data to analyse | High privacy means less data to analyse |
If you want to select the best platform for your app, you must take into account both macro and micro elements. These variables address the finer details that affect the functionality, upkeep, and appearance of your app.
You’ll mostly use Java and Kotlin as programming languages for Android development. Languages used extensively in the software sector are Java and Kotlin.
Owing to both languages’ widespread use and Android’s substantial market share, you’ll have access to a large pool of developers, making the process of developing your app quicker and less expensive.
Nonetheless, Swift is mostly used in iOS development. Swift is a programming language that was created by Apple and is renowned for its performance and safety improvements.
Because of this, there are many fewer developers accessible for iOS than for Android, which can make things more difficult and costly.
The term “device fragmentation” refers to the variety of devices that can run a specific operating system.
For example, there is a high degree of device fragmentation on Android due to the fact that several OEMs utilize it and each of them releases numerous smartphones annually. In contrast, iOS has a low degree of device fragmentation because it is exclusively utilized with Apple goods.
A major difficulty with high device fragmentation is that you have to optimize your software for a wide range of devices with varying screen sizes and hardware specifications.
It can be rather annoying for your developers to have to put in extra effort and do thorough testing of your app on a variety of devices in order to ensure that it functions and looks great across the board.
Your company goals and user preferences influence the appearance and feel of the app when it comes to design. Almost any app may be designed on either platform.
But iOS and Android have different design philosophies.
Android adheres to Material Design guidelines, which promote the use of vibrant colors, smooth animations, and layered components to create a sense of depth in the design and give the app a contemporary appearance.
iOS, on the other hand, adheres to the Human Interface Guidelines (HIG). HIG prioritizes minimalism in design through transparency, subtle animations, and simplicity.
More arbitrary than any of the previously listed considerations, there is no one correct method to develop an app.
Android excels in app features because you can design any kind of feature without many limitations. You can provide users the option to switch between the app’s custom themes for a more engaging experience or widgets for easy access to your app.
Additionally, you can take advantage of Google services like Maps, Sign-in, Assistant, and Maps, as well as integrations with other companies like Meta and Amazon.
Conversely, Apple is referred to as “The Walled Garden” since you are required to follow their design guidelines. Apple has created a seamless ecosystem for its mobile devices, despite the fact that you cannot interface with third-party services.
It is possible to incorporate Apple services within your program, such as Siri, iCloud, Apple Maps, and Apple Music. Additionally, you can take advantage of these APIs while offering a sophisticated user experience if you want your app to employ Face ID for security or Apple Watch for fitness tracking.
Different procedures are used by iOS and Android for their review processes.
Android has a less rigorous review process, and soon after they are submitted, mobile apps are usually published on the Google Play Store.
However, because Android devices are so widely dispersed, your developers must devote enough time to testing and optimizing your apps, which may lengthen the time it takes for them to go viral.
Conversely, iOS adheres to a stringent review procedure prior to the app’s release on the App Store.
Because of these stringent requirements, the creation of mobile apps is facilitated and there are typically less delays in app launches.
Updating and maintaining your Android app can be very challenging. This is because thousands of Android-powered devices exist, each with a unique set of software versions and overlays.
This is an issue, particularly if you intend to grow your app and add more features in the future. Your app’s maintenance expenses also go up significantly because your developers now have to take different Android versions into account.
Apple, on the other hand, promptly refreshes all compatible devices. On the day the firmware is released, literally every supported iPhone and iPad can update to the latest version of iOS.
Because most of your customers will be running the most recent software version, this makes it incredibly straightforward for your engineers to scale and maintain your app.
iOS has stringent policies regarding the privacy of user data. Before tracking a user’s behavior, the apps must obtain permission from them and provide them the choice of whether or not to share their location and data.
While this is good news for iOS consumers, it also means that as an app developer, you will lose the ability to follow users’ online activities and show targeted behavior-based advertisements if your app doesn’t ask for permission.
On the other hand, Android allows apps to follow user data and is more lax when it comes to data privacy. This is so because Google depends on the sale of data-driven adverts for 80% of its revenue.
This implies that you have access to more data for analysis on Android than iOS as an app owner. You may enhance your app’s user experience and better understand your customers’ behavior with the help of this data.
Let’s determine which platform is ideal for your app now that you are aware of the macro and micro elements to consider 👇
There are no real surprises here. Finding out which platform your target audience prefers should be your first priority.
You must achieve this by taking into account the target audience’s age, occupation, geography, and behavior.
Consider Android if you’re developing an app for a younger demographic in developing nations, as they might not have access to pricey iPhones.
Go with iOS, nevertheless, if you’re targeting businesspeople or wealthy consumers, as they value and are willing to spend more for a refined user experience.
On the other hand, choose iOS if you’re based in a developed country. On the other hand, Android is the better choice if you operate in a poor country.
Even if there are numerous app monetization techniques, you must determine which one is most effective for your particular app.
In terms of in-app purchases (IAPs), iOS often performs better than Android because iOS consumers spend 7X more money on apps. For example, the first apps on iOS were Airbnb and Uber, which charged for using their services.
On the other hand, you may easily earn money through in-app ads (IAA) due to Android’s vast user base. For example, Candy Crush Saga and Temple Run benefited from an initial enormous user base on Android.
Which platform you should choose depends largely on the kind of app you’re making.
You can release your Android app as a free or freemium one if it’s a game, social media, music streaming, or content sharing app where a big user base increases your revenue potential.
You can, however, release a paymium or premium app for iOS if you’re developing a productivity app, an e-commerce app, a video streaming app, or an app that helps your consumers with a specific issue.
One thing to keep in mind is that you will need to search for the special features you want to provide if you want your app to use external devices to improve the user experience.
For example, home automation apps should integrate with Google Nest, but fitness and health apps must integrate with Apple Watch.
When deciding between iOS and Android, this needs to be the most important consideration.
Android is the platform of choice if giving users functionality and freedom takes precedence over improving the product. With its increased customization capabilities, you may make an app that is specific to the requirements and tastes of your users.
Choose iOS if delivering a better user experience, flawless looks, and a well-rounded product are your top priorities. iOS will entice consumers to return because of the consistent user experience across devices.
When deciding whether to create an iOS or Android app, it is crucial to keep your users’ demands in mind. However, things might not always be clear-cut.
When your user base is divided 50/50, it becomes much harder to make this decision and it feels like you’re in a lose-lose situation.
But you’re covered by Builder.ai.
You can work with us to create apps for one of these platforms at a time or for both at once. You can take use of all the advantages that Android and iOS have to offer.
Click the banner below to find out how we can assist you 👇.
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