The digital space is filled with apps – it’s hard to imagine life without them, right?
We feel the same way!
But if you’re thinking about creating your own app or just curious about how it all works, the first big decision is choosing the right platform…
iOS or Android?
Both are incredibly popular, but they come with key differences that can impact your development journey – for better or worse.
So, what sets them apart?
In this article, we’ll break it down in the simplest way possible. Get ready for some insider insights straight from app development experts!
1. Coding
I think it’s better to go all the way back and start from the base…
The technology stack. Which is a collection of programming languages used to build and shape your application.
In Android app development, the primary languages used are Java and Kotlin. These languages are quite adaptable and can be used in many different types of projects, not just for Android apps.
This flexibility makes them the very first and most popular choice for programming.
Java has been around for a very long time and is known for being very reliable, while Kotlin is a little new to programming, and it offers a set of more modern features. On the other hand, iOS development uses Swift or Objective-C. Swift is powerful, and Objective-C was the main programming language used by iOS developers before Swift.
You’ll find it easier to find an experienced Android developer because Java and Kotlin are used in so many projects, which is why there are so many skilled developers.
In comparison, there are fewer iOS developers, but those who work with iOS have more expertise in the specific tools and technologies needed for speedy and efficient iOS app development.
2. Ease of Development
After knowing about the programming languages and their main differences, let’s move forward to the tools used for application development.
What exactly is an integrated development environment, or IDE?
You might have heard about Visual Basic, Microsoft Visual Studio, Delphi, NetBeans, and so on…
These are all examples of IDEs.
To put it simply, an IDE is a space where you can put your programming language skills to use and start building something.
Currently, Google and Apple recommend two development tools. These are the relatively new Android Studio and the latest version of Xcode.
Back in the day, Android app development was carried out in the Eclipse IDE using the Android Development Toolkit. But then the company chose to switch to the Studio because it was easier to use. One thing to note here is that there’s one similarity between these two: they’re both available at no cost.
When we talk about iOS, the process is mostly simple and straightforward. This is because of the simplicity of the code and the minimal design of iOS development tools. These apps are typically developed using Swift or Objective-C in the Xcode IDE.
Xcode provides a whole set of tools designed to work together easily and that makes the development process smooth. While Android offers more flexibility and customization options.
Android apps can be developed using Java or Kotlin in the Android Studio IDE. Android Studio, similar to Xcode, provides a well-rounded set of development tools.
3. Security
Security in the context of mobile apps is a shield that protects your apps from many threats/viruses, and I think that it’s really important to consider it because it’s about your users’ precious information getting accessed or manipulated by unauthorized networks.
iOS is often considered more secure than Android because Apple has a very strict review process and before an app is allowed to enter the App Store, it undergoes a rigorous review process where it is checked for compliance with Apple’s guidelines.
Now, Android is an open-source platform and is automatically seen as less secure because it allows side-loading of apps like installing apps from sources other than the official Google Play Store, which can potentially introduce security risks.
But let’s not overlook the significant improvements that Android’s security has made in recent years. Google has implemented many security measures, such as Google Play Protect, which scans apps for malicious activity, and the Android Sandbox, which isolates app data and code execution. On top of that, Android regularly releases security patches and updates to address any vulnerabilities.
4. Profitability
One thing we all can agree is that Android leads in terms of sales but it doesn’t necessarily mean massive profits, boom!
Allow us to get deeper into the sales numbers…
Google has been aggressively penetrating new markets like Indonesia, Vietnam, and India, while Apple has been doing the same in China, which shows that the Asian app economy significantly influences both the Apple Store and Google Play and considering that the countries mentioned above are generally seen as developing countries except China, it’s clear that users are unlikely to spend a lot on apps.
An analytics firm generously provided the report suggesting that Google should focus on older and wealthier markets, such as the USA and Europe, as they still contribute significantly to the company’s revenue.
Though the exact reason is unclear but, according to a renowned gaming company, DAU-U, the average revenue per user for Android games steadily increased by the end of 2014, and it’s only 20% of what Apple had at the start of the year. By the end of the year, Android reached 65%.
Despite these impressive results for Android, Apple users still spend and download more.
Who can tell? Perhaps you or your company will pioneer a new application tomorrow, and Google will strike it rich.
5. Cost
This is another important factor to keep in sight.
The Android developer community is large and competitive, and this competition can drive down development costs as developers and development agencies compete for business.
It’s important to keep in mind that even if Android development is cheaper, it does not really mean that it is the best choice for every situation. Things like your target audience, intended app features, desired app quality, and security requirements should also be considered when choosing a platform for your app.
In some cases, the benefits of iOS development may outweigh the cost savings of Android development.
6. Market Share
To make it very clear, if you had 100 smartphone users in a room, 70 would likely be using Android, and 30 would be using iOS. That’s a 70% to 30% global market share split, but in the US, iOS leads with nearly half of the users.
So, let’s say that you chose Android for your app because it has a larger market globally, your base will definitely be larger than if you were to develop for iOS, but this doesn’t always mean that you should choose the platform with the largest market share. It’s also very important to consider your target audience.
For instance, while Android has a larger market share globally, iOS is more popular in regions like North America and Western Europe, and if your target audience is primarily in these regions, it might be more advantageous to develop for iOS despite its smaller global market share.
Then different audiences may have different preferences and behaviors like, iOS users are typically reported to have higher engagement rates and spend more on in-app purchases compared to Android users. If your app relies heavily on user engagement or in-app purchases, this could be an important factor in your decision.
Choosing Your Platform
In conclusion, the decision between Android and iOS is a strategic choice that should be based on your specific goals like global reach – if you want to reach as many users as possible, then Android’s larger market share could make it a better choice.
If cost is a major factor, Android development might be more affordable due to the availability of more resources and competitive pricing among developers or if your app requires high security or specific features, iOS might be the better option, but if you’re looking for flexibility and customization, Android could offer more possibilities.
The best way to make this decision is to seek professional advice. The Apptitude can provide valuable insights. We’ll take a look at your specific goals, and target audience and recommend the platform that matches best.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to The Apptitude at (512) 885-0379
