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Blue Label Labs offers an experienced perspective on developing apps for the key mobile platforms available for developers today.
No matter what kind of app you’re looking to create, your first question is likely whether to focus on iOS or Android development. These are clearly the two most important mobile platforms, with relatively equal market shares in the US and Android dominance in many areas of the world.
In this article, we’ll cover three of the most critical factors to consider when deciding between iOS and Android app development. While you can have a successful launch on either operating system, this is one of the most important decisions you’ll make in the development process.
Audience
As mentioned above, the relative market shares of iOS and Android vary dramatically depending on your location. iOS is particularly popular in the US, Canada, England, France, and Australia, while Android has a significant lead in Asia, South America, eastern Europe, and some other regions.
With that in mind, the first criteria you should look at is simply whether more of your users are on iOS or Android. Along with demographic research, you can also ask audiences directly in order to get an idea of their preferences.
Features
Android is famous for supporting a wider range of features, settings, and functions compared to iOS, and the opportunity for full customization is one of the main reasons why developers choose Android. As an open-source platform, Android gives you much more control over your app’s tools and integrations with the rest of the operating system.
One key downside of that approach is that Android apps tend to be more vulnerable to things like malware and piracy. Apple keeps its own apps on a much tighter leash, preventing them from adding certain features but protecting its users and developers from a variety of security risks.
If you’re comfortable with Android development, that may be a better option if your app could benefit from features and tools that aren’t available on iOS. On the other hand, iOS is generally a simpler choice, particularly for people who don’t have much experience with mobile app development.
In-App Purchases
One of the most underappreciated mobile app stats is that Apple users are far more likely to make in-app purchases than their Android counterparts. If your app depends on in-app purchases to generate revenue, iOS may be a more sustainable option.
Similarly, you may find that iOS users are willing to spend more in ecommerce apps relative to their Android counterparts. This may vary from one field or price point to another, but you should probably lean toward iOS if your business model depends on users spending money inside the app.
Unsurprisingly, many Android developers have responded to this trend by using in-app ads rather than asking their users to pay for particular features. The right monetization strategy for you depends on the content of your app as well as the preferences of your target market.
Development
Finally, there are a few major differences in the development process on iOS compared to Android. While Apple’s closed ecosystem gives developers a smaller range of tools, this standardization can also help streamline development. Many developers also prefer Apple’s Swift to Android’s Java.
Some people estimate that Android development takes up to 30% or 40% longer compared to comparable development on iOS. With that in mind, iOS may be a more approachable option for developers with less experience or those who want to get their app out more quickly. Developing for Android can be more complicated since there’s less standardization between the various Android devices.
On the other hand, Apple tends to be stricter than Android when it comes to getting approval for new apps. Make sure to leave some time for the review process when scheduling your next app launch.
Another issue with Android development is that Android users aren’t as reliable with respect to updating their devices. With the majority of Android devices running an outdated operating system, you could end up spending a lot of time simply fixing compatibility issues for users on older versions. iOS users are much more likely to be on a current operating system, facilitating a smooth development process that focuses on a smaller range of hardware and software.
There’s no easy answer when it comes to iOS vs. Android, but that doesn’t mean that the two platforms are exactly the same. In fact, the development process can go very differently depending on which operating system you’re working oOf course, you may eventually want to publish your app on both operating systems in order to maximize your overall outreach. In general, we recommend focusing on iOS or Android based on your initial development needs, then developing for the other once you have an established audience. These tips will help you make a more informed decision and target the right OS for your app.
