Difference between iOS and Android app development

Do you want to create a mobile app but need help understanding which platform should be chosen? It is the most common question that many startups and businesses hear. Here you will have a detailed guide to get the answer to all your questions. 

IOS and Android are operating systems used primarily in mobile technology like smartphones and tablets. They are ranked as the most well-liked smartphone operating systems worldwide. However, many other operating systems are commonly used, such as Microsoft Windows, Linux, Android, Apple iOS, macOS, etc. 

But iOS and Android are the most powerful operating systems developers use to develop mobile apps. As per the latest report of Statcounter, Android has a global hold of 71.45%, whereas iOS holds a 27.83% share of the global mobile operating system market. 

Deciding whether to make an app for iPhones or Android devices is essential for businesses. The apps created for the Apple app store differ from those designed for the Google Play Store. Despite this, it is challenging to make cross-platform apps. Publishing an app on both the technology requires additional effort and costs. Please understand your target audience and plan accordingly. 

Let’s scroll down your screen to learn; 

• A detailed comparison between iOS and Android App Development
• What are the pros and cons of iOS app development?
• What are the pros and cons of Android app development?
• Additional aspects about both Operating Systems
• Google play store vs Apple app store 

7 Main Differences Between iOS and Android App Development

Look over seven significant differences developers typically observe when developing Android and iOS mobile applications.

Programming Language

There are significant differences in the programming languages used for app development.

For iOS app development, the primary programming language is Swift. Swift is a powerful and modern programming language developed by Apple. It is designed to be easy to read, write and maintain, making it an ideal choice for building iOS apps. Another programming language used in iOS development is Objective-C, which has been around for a long time and is still used in many legacy apps.

On the other hand, Android app development is primarily done using Java and Kotlin programming languages. Java has been the primary programming language for Android development for a long time, and it is still widely used. Kotlin, on the other hand, is a newer language that has gained popularity in recent years due to its concise syntax and powerful features.

Integrated Development Environment

The next significant factor that provides a noteworthy difference between iOS and Android app development is IDE (Integrated development environment). In the beginning, the setting used for Android development was Eclipse. However, after the launch of Android Studio released by Google, the support for Eclipse ended. And all the developers who want to build apps for android OS now use Android Studio due to its excellent possibilities of cross-platform, simple packaging, great functionality, and restoration. 

For iOS, the developers use XCode, which is best for the “Apple app development experience.” It gives a compelling product environment to developers. Using this environment, the developers can look for mistakes and errors in both syntax and logic and even get the code fixed. 

App Design Principles 

This is the point where you come to know about the visual differences between iOS and Android apps. This is because different design principles administrate both operating systems. 

Screen Sizes and resolution

The Apple-backed iOS devices have two significant screen sizes (iPhone/iPad) with more than three resolutions for iPhone and a few for iPad. Meanwhile, Google-backed equipment that only runs on Android has a variety of screen sizes that individually lead to a wide range of screen resolutions. 

Navigation 

Android devices always have visible navigation at the bottom, allowing the users to view all open apps, return to the home screen, and return to the previous screen. Whereas iOS doesn’t let its users return home or go back. They can, however, view all open apps by swiping up from the bottom left. 

System Fonts

iOS and Android have different choices of fonts. For example, iOS system fonts use San Francisco, while Android uses Roboto. 

 The ‘Go Back” Button 

The Apple-backed platform does not contain the actual ‘Back button,’ while Google-backed users have the option of the top left button. Through the choice, they return to the previous page earlier opened.

Development Costs 

The significant part of mobile app development is that you can get started for nothing. The pricing between Android and iOS is the same, as they offer free tools and documentation. Also, there is no cost involved in the process of coding. The only difference that appears in the development cost of Android and iOS is when you publish your creation in the market. 

The annual charge for iOS apps is $100, while the Google play store charges $25. Before developing the app, it would be great to consider the cost for both operating systems. 

The Audience Base

The target audience is a significant iOS and Android app development role player. Demographic statistics provide more valuable information about end-users practising Android or iOS-powered gear. It is the true direction to know the users’ problems you are trying to solve and the needs you are trying to meet. Initially, it would not be wrong to say that iOS app users are more loyal to the brand, while Android devices are less pricey. 

As a general rule, the iOS app device users tend to be 35+ years old females who have an average annual income of $200k. In contrast, the Android users are males 18-35 years old with an average income of $50k to $100k. Knowing these universal trends allows you to avoid going to the wrong platform. 

Monetization Strategy 

If you wish to boost your income with your work, you must focus more on the method you select for each platform. For example, apple users mainly concentrate on in-app purchases, whereas Android users rely primarily on ad-supported apps. 

Downloads across these two significant stores, Apple’s Store and Google Play Store, have crossed over 235,261.9 million worldwide. Moreover, the estimation for the mobile app market is for continuous growth, hitting a staggering $935 billion in revenue in 2023.

Well, worldwide consumer spend is continuously thriving. In such a way, the only way to get success is to portray the relevant products or ads for your target audience that convince them to focus on your marketing strategy. According to app development California, for iOS adepts, you can go with paid or freemium apps, which has proved the great results. 

Development Complexity 

Lastly, there is no such complexity between Android and iOS coding languages compared to OS fragmentation. However, Apple has a limited of devices that run iOS, while Android-powered devices have a diverse range of systems that work on machines. 

As a result, the Android-based gears can be more complex and runs slower due to the wide range of the operating system. Whereas the iOS-powered loads with a narrow range of Oss. Also, you have to keep it and remember that Android has a wide range of different screen sizes. So, when developing an app, it is necessary to consider this point. 

What is the Current Market Share of iOS and Android App Development?

Did you know that Google Android is the most famous operating system globally, with more than 2.5 billion active users and crossing over 190 countries? Apple’s iOS, however, leads m, majorly in the United States. 

As per the recent report, Android has achieved the top spot at 71.95% market share worldwide, beating iOS by 43.94%. In addition, Apple continues to dominate the US market at 57. 78% market share, thrashing Android by a 15.9% share. 

Notably, the above-shown picture gives you an idea of the market share of iOS and Android app development. 

What Are the Pros and Cons of iOS App Development?

Pros of iOS App Development

• High-end devices: iOS devices are known for their high-end hardware and superior performance, making creating more complex and sophisticated apps easier.
• Profitability: iOS app development has the potential to generate higher revenue due to Apple’s market share and user demographics, which tend to have more purchasing power.
• App Store: Apple’s App Store has a demanding approval process that ensures high-quality apps, giving users confidence in their downloads.
•  Development tools: Apple provides robust tools like Xcode and Swift, making app development more manageable and efficient.

Cons of iOS App Development 

• Cost: iOS app development can be more expensive due to the need for Apple devices and the fees associated with publishing on the App Store.
•  Approval process: While the App Store’s approval process ensures high-quality apps, it can also be time-consuming and strict, leading to potential delays and frustrations.
•  Limited customization: iOS app development can be limited in terms of customization due to Apple’s strict design guidelines and restrictions on certain features.
• Limited market share: While iOS has a dedicated user base, it only makes up a portion of the overall smartphone market, limiting the potential reach of an iOS app compared to an Android app.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Android App Development?   

Pros of Android App Development 

• Large User Base: Android is the most popular mobile operating system, with a large user base. This means that there is a vast potential audience for your app.
• Open Source: Android is open source, meaning the platform is highly customizable, and developers can access a wide range of tools and resources to build their apps.
• Easy to Get Started: Android app development is relatively easy to get started with, as the Android platform is well-documented, and many tutorials and resources are available online.
• Flexibility: Android offers a high degree of flexibility to developers, allowing them to create apps with a wide range of features, including multimedia, graphics, and interactive elements.
• Monetization Options: Android apps can be monetized in several ways, including in-app purchases, advertising, and paid downloads.

Cons of Android App Development

• Fragmentation: Android devices come in various sizes and shapes, with different screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware specifications. This can make developing apps that work seamlessly across all devices challenging.
• Testing: Due to the fragmentation of the Android platform, it can be challenging to test apps thoroughly on all devices, which can lead to compatibility issues and bugs.
• Security Concerns: Android apps can be vulnerable to security threats, such as malware and hacking, due to the open nature of the platform and the large number of devices in use.
• Approval Process: The approval process for publishing apps on the Google Play Store can be strict and time-consuming, with apps often rejected for minor issues.
• Revenue Share: Google takes a 30% cut of all revenue generated by apps on the Google Play Store, which can significantly impact the profitability of an app.

Additional Aspects to Take into Consideration 

When developing apps, differences between operating systems are noticed not only on a technical level. They have an impact on management and marketing at a fundamental level. Let’s look at how to handle these distinctions.

Cost 

It is already described above the development cost of Android and iPhone. However, the iOS project plan is more costly than the Android project development since there is less demand for iOS apps. Furthermore, the requirements for deploying an app on apple devices are incredibly high.

App Store Optimization 

App Store Optimization (ASO) for an Android app differs from an iOS app. It would help to consider this when promoting the app for market placement. You’ll have to pay close attention to the differences in title and description. And the other factors in app store optimization are nearly identical in both cases.

Monetization and ROI 

The profit margin for an Android app is sometimes different than an iOS app. When you look at the revenue source, it can be seen that iOS apps are more likely to charge consumers for uploading them and in-app purchases. On the other hand, Android applications are typically free to download and are monetized through advertisements integrated within them.

The Key Takeaways 

After reading the blog in detail, you might have observed that there is no straightforward answer for understanding the difference between android and iOS app development. Therefore, pay attention to some finer details while selecting a platform. 

All app owners and those who wish to create an app must analyze their resources, and know about the pros and cons, to decide accordingly. 

Author: Amit Kumar Khare

Amit is a tech enthusiast and loves writing about it. He is a senior developer with good hands-on experience in digital marketing.