Android vs. iOS- this ongoing battle offers many shades and benefits to modern enterprises. However, entrepreneurs must pick the best option for developing their first business applications. This requirement compels us to write a post on the comparison between Android and iOS app development from the perspective of a mobile app development company.
Let’s begin with the market share of these prevalent mobile app development platforms.
Android OS (Google) and iOS (Apple) possess more than 99 percent of the global market share in the domain of mobile OS and applications. Android has maintained its top position as the global mobile operating system with a market share of about 73%, whereas, iOS possesses around 27% of the market share.
As per the Statista survey, Android OS accounts for over 70 percent of the market share worldwide, whereas its competitor iOS has a global market share of over 28 percent in 2023.
Based on this market share, in some regions, Android OS dominates iOS and vice versa. Here is a quick look at a region-wise market share of Android OS and iOS.
| Region | Android Share in % | iOS Share in % |
|---|---|---|
| The US | 46.98 | 52.59 |
| Asia | 83.09 | 13.85 |
| Europe | 72.71 | 22.23 |
One thing is clear from this table. If a company wants to target the USA-based audience it is better to start with an iOS application. If regions in Asia or Europe are what you want to target, you should go with Android app development. However, it is fair to mention that choosing an Android OS is a better option to address a huge audience worldwide.
Both Android and iOS platforms come under native app development. You can build a native app using mobile app development services. Here is a brief introduction to the native app development process.
We can classify the thriving mobile app development domain into two broad categories- native and cross-platform. Native apps, as the name suggests, have characteristics similar to the respective native operating systems. You can hire mobile app developers to build either an iOS or Android app using their dedicated programming languages. Native app development translates to a smooth, reliable, and high-performance experience, taking full advantage of the device’s capabilities.
Native apps are highly user-friendly and rich in features. Here are the top business benefits of native app development.
Native apps leverage the full potential of a specific platform’s hardware and APIs, leading to smoother, faster, and more responsive experiences compared to cross-platform options. This is especially useful for performance-driven applications like gaming apps.
Mobile app development companies build native apps by using platform-specific software development kits (SDKs). As a result, these apps naturally adopt the look and feel of their respective operating system with a consistent and smooth user experience.
Native apps can integrate the latest features and functionalities seamlessly. This eliminates the need for wait times or compatibility issues with third-party plugins, keeping your app capable of giving early access to advanced features.
Native apps can readily store data and function offline, unlike some web-based alternatives. This is essential for apps requiring access to information regardless of internet connectivity such as travel guides, maps, or document editors.
Customized native apps have robust security features to offer greater protection against vulnerabilities and malware. Additionally, their code is compiled directly for the specific device to reduce performance issues.
A mobile app development company with a proven track record can help you leverage these benefits for either Android OS or iOS.
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Differences Between Android App Development and iOS App Development
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Both Android OS and iOS rule the mobile app development domain. However, these platforms have some distinct aspects of differences across various factors. We will dig deep into these differences in design, programming languages, app development cost, development ecosystem, compatibility, and timeline.
iOS and Android OS have completely different design philosophies. Let’s dive into these differences.
Android apps are built in parts, like building blocks, with screens and functionalities divided into “fragments.” This offers flexibility but can lead to a less cohesive experience. In other words, Android app architecture has embraced fragmentation.
iOS apps rely on centralized “view controllers” that manage the entire screen or specific sections. This creates a more streamlined and predictable experience for users. In other words, iOS has view controllers instead of fragments for better experience.
Clean lines, bold colors, and playful animations are a part of Google’s Material Design guidelines. It offers a flexible framework for creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces.
Apple champions minimalism and elegance. Its Human Interface Guidelines emphasize clarity, consistency, and intuitive interactions, resulting in a polished and user-friendly experience.
Here are the key differentiators of design guidelines of Android OS and iOS.
Ultimately, the “best” design philosophy is subjective and depends on the app’s purpose and target audience. Both Android and iOS offer powerful tools for creating engaging and user-friendly experiences.
Native apps need to be built in a specific programming language for the respective OS. For example, iOS needs to build apps in either Objective-C or Swift, and Android apps require either Java or Kotlin. When we ask app developers, they believe that an iOS app is more accessible and easier to build as compared to its Android counterpart. The reason is Swift offers less time to code as compared to Java. However, as Kotlin evolves, Android app developers will find it highly convenient with high readability and developer-friendliness.
Apple has a smaller audience than Android and the App Store has fewer applications than Google Play. However, the App Store generates more revenue than its counterpart. In other words, iOS apps get more earnings than Android apps. The reason is simple- iPhone users afford costly in-app purchases and the app development cost for iOS apps is relatively less.
Android app development is costly because its testing period is longer and the lack of regulation in the platform brings more complications. As a result, rework attempts are more in Android app development as compared to its iOS process.
Both platforms have dedicated IDEs (Integrated Development Environments). They are-
Here, the “better” IDE of Android Studio and Xcode depends on your needs. Consider Android Studio for its multi-device flexibility, and Xcode for its ease of use and iOS device compatibility.
It is one of the most distinct differences because iOS is close-ended and Android OS is an open-ended platform. Simply put, iOS is compatible with all Apple devices and has nothing to do with other devices. Whereas Android OS is compatible with different devices, and therefore, Android app development takes more time than that for iOS apps.
Just like development costs, you need to consider development time. Here, the iOS app development process has a slightly upper hand with quicker completion than Android apps. Usually, iOS apps get ready for release within 3 to 4 months. On the other hand, Android apps remain more time-consuming due to their longer release cycles and testing process. Along with this estimation, an app’s complexity and feature integration play a vital role in development duration.
Cross-platform app development aims to gain the benefits of the native app cost-effectively. This approach is useful in building an app that can run seamlessly on different platforms. It is a technological answer to the challenge of creating a separate application for different mobile platforms. In a way, cross-platform app development can save time, effort, and money when building an app that works on multiple platforms at once.
| Pros of Cross-platform Apps | Cons of Cross-platform Apps |
|---|---|
| Quicker Development | Performance Issues |
| Reduced Costs | Difficult Code Design |
| Wider Audience | Challenging Modification |
Though cross-platform apps ensure consistency between platforms and are capable of reaching a wider audience, it is difficult to modify these apps for new features and the overall performance of these apps does not remain the same as that for native apps.
In a nutshell, choosing the right mobile development platform between Android and iOS hinges on multiple factors. Android boasts wider reach and greater customization, while iOS offers smoother development and potentially higher revenue. It is better to remember that each mobile app development platform has its own set of opportunities and challenges. Therefore, as an entrepreneur, you should weigh them carefully before embarking on your mobile app development journey. Moreover, you can consult a reputed mobile app development services provider to get the right advice.
Silicon IT Hub is a renowned mobile app development company that builds enterprise-level applications with desired features. You can hire dedicated mobile app developers from our in-house teams of Android and iOS developers. We ensure seamless functionality and advanced features for your business app at reasonable development costs. Wish to know more? Send us an email at [email protected] and we will get back to you!
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