Android vs. iOS: Which App Should You Develop First for Your Business?

Developing the first mobile app for your business can be an exciting endeavor.

Google Android and Apple iOS are two of the most popular mobile app development choices. According to the latest report published by Statista, both operating systems possess 99 percent of the total global market share.

So, how do you choose between Android and iOS?

Google Android leads the mobile operating systems worldwide with a market share of 74.6 percent – this makes it an obvious choice. But, Apple iOS seems more lucrative when looking at the high monetization prospects it offers.

Let’s discuss the differences between iOS and Android. We will evaluate the pros and cons of choosing either OS. By the end of the post, you will know which OS is a better fit for your first project.

Android vs. iOS: Which one Should You Develop First for Your Business?

Apple Inc. created, developed, and released the first version of iOS in 2007. Major versions of iOS are released every year. The current version of iOS released in September 2020, is 14.0.1.

Google released the initial version of Android in 2008, 12 years ago from now. The latest version of Android released in September 2020, is 11.

1. What Does Market Insights Say?

The market insights tell us that while there are more Android smartphone users and more Android apps available, the iOS apps fare better in terms of monetization.

Let’s have a look.

Smartphone Units Sold

A Statista report published in August 2020 tells us there are more than three billion smartphone users in the world today. The United States is one of the three leading countries globally in the number of smartphone users.

The US has more than 260 million smartphone users. Out of this, 105.2 million are iPhone smartphone users, whereas 124.4 million are Android Smartphone users.

Number of Apps

By the second quarter of 2020, it was found that Google Play Store offered the maximum no. of apps for Android users, reaching 2.7 million apps.

In comparison, Apple’s App Store was the second-largest app store, with 1.82 million available apps for iOS.

App Downloads

Android apps always perform better when it comes to comparing the number of app downloads.

In the third quarter of the year 2020, 28.3 billion Android apps were downloaded from the Google Play store. In contrast, only 8.2 million iOS apps were downloaded in the Apple App Store.

Average Revenue from Apps

iOS fares better in terms of revenue than Android apps. Apple’s App Store generated $32.8 billion globally from in-app purchases, subscriptions, and premium apps during the first half of 2020.

This was nearly twice the estimated gross revenue on Google Play, which touched $17.3 billion.

2. How Complex is App Development?

Let’s check the various advantages and disadvantages of Android and iOS app development.

Android:

\\*\\*Advantages\\*\\*	\\*\\*Disadvantages\\*\\*
\\*\\*Open System\\*\\*: Some essential features that are restricted in iOS are usually open in Android. This gives flexibility to the \[Android app developers](/services/android-app-development/) that are not experienced by iOS app developers.	\\*\\*Fragmentation leading to more development time\\*\\*: Many Android devices are available nowadays with varying screen sizes, resolutions, etc. More time is thus needed to adjust the app’s features for devices.
\\*\\*Design\\*\\*: Google provides design guidelines to create an easy and pleasing interface.	\\*\\*Testing\\*\\*: Testing multiple Android versions on Multiple Android devices requires more time and thus increases app development complexity.
\\*\\*Fragmentation:\\*\\* One responsive app can be run on an extensive number of different devices.	\\*\\*App development can be costly:\\*\\* More time in development and testing would mean higher Android App price.
\\*\\*Ease in publishing apps:\\*\\* Once the app is ready, the Android PacKage (APK) is uploaded easily and is ready for download by users within a few hours only.

iOS:

\\*\\*Advantages\\*\\*	\\*\\*Disadvantages\\*\\*
\\*\\*Revenue for the business:\\*\\* Apple users tend to spend more money on app purchases than Android users. Therefore, revenue generation for businesses won’t be an issue.	\\*\\*iOS App release isn’t as easy as Android app release\\*\\*: App Store has stricter review guidelines. The app store can reject a new app due to security issues, poor performance, and a lack of valuable content. Also, real-life testing of the app after submission usually takes a few days. So, the process takes longer than for Google Play Store Android apps.
\\*\\*Limited no. of devices\\*\\*: iOS is to be used only on the Apple devices.	\\*\\*Low on flexibility\\*\\*: iOS platforms have many restrictions; therefore, the apps are difficult to customize.
\\*\\*Design:\\*\\* Apple usually provides developers with a detailed style guide for the app User Interface. This leads to quick and timely app development.

3. Comparing the App Development Costs

A mobile app lifecycle usually consists of development, *deployment,* and maintenance.

Talking only about the app development cost right now – the difference in development cost between an iOS app and an Android app is not easy to estimate because there are various factors one needs to consider.

These factors range from:

• Platforms (iOS, Android, Windows)
• Type of app (Native, Web, Hybrid)
• The app-development timeline.
• Hardware used for the process.
• Design (Basic, Custom)
• Number of pages
• Features and infrastructures

(Check out our detailed blog to learn more about the mobile app development costs.)

While the Android apps might have a higher development cost because of the long development time, the Android Studio application that is used for app development can be installed on any standard PC, which does not usually incur an additional cost.

On the other hand, iOS apps are developed using Xcode, which works only on the Mac. This can be an additional cost because the investment in buying a Mac, as well as an iPhone or iPad, can significantly add to the cost of development. Otherwise, the development time is less. Therefore, it leads to less time and cost for development and testing.

4. Android vs. iOS Apps Testing

Android:

You can download Android apps from multiple sources, the Google Play Store and some other websites too. There is a large number of Android devices available in the market. Hence, the testing process usually takes longer.

The complexity of the testing process can also increase because of the availability of a large number of Android devices by different manufacturers – that have varying designs and functionalities.

• Android is Google’s open-source OS and uses mostly Linux OS. Open-source platforms are generally less secure. Sometimes, some updates can get blocked by mobile network operators.
• Depending on the different devices and their manufacturers, Android updates take longer to be available.
• Varying screen sizes and layouts increase the chances of bugs and errors

iOS:

iOS apps are available for download from a single source only – Apple’s App Store. Testing an iOS app would take relatively less time than a significantly smaller number of iOS devices.

• iOS is developed by a single manufacturer – Apple. Therefore, testing doesn’t become complicated.
• It is a closed-source operating system, making it stable but with many restrictions.
• iOS users can install the available updates on all iOS devices in a single go, as there is only one manufacturer.

There are fewer chances of bugs and errors due to the limited number of devices with resolutions and screen sizes as compared to Android devices

5. Android vs. iOS Apps Publishing

iOS apps may seem faster to design, but Apple has a strict and lengthy app approval process before it publishes any new app to the store. A fee of $99 is paid annually to the Apple app store to publish the app.

It is relatively easier to upload Android apps on the Google Play Store. A one-time registration fee of $25 must be paid for it.

Talking about the apps’ updates and modifications – It takes longer to make modifications and updates on an iOS app as every change needs to go through a long and stringent approval process.

On Android, once published, the app is available on the store within a few hours, and one can perform beta testing or update the app easily and quickly.

6. Apps Monetization

Making money is an essential purpose of any mobile application.

Your mobile apps can help you make money by:

• Subscriptions
• In-app purchases
• Advertisements
• Pay per download

Let’s take a look at how both OS fare in these aspects.

Apple

Are you going to charge your users for downloading the app?

If yes, then go in for the iOS app first.

As per a September 2020 report published by Statista, 3.5% of the Android apps on Google Play Store are paid in comparison to 7.7% of the iOS on the Apple App Store.

So, if you plan to charge your users for downloads, the Apple App Store is the place to do it. That’s because iOS users are accustomed to seeing more paid apps and less free apps when searching for apps to download.

Whereas Android users usually do not see as many apps that require payment to download. So, if they see your paid app, they might consider finding another one with similar functions and is free.

Please remember that if you plan to charge Apple users for downloading your app, it can be an expensive strategy. You will have a much higher customer acquisition price than if you offer your app for free.

Your users will be much more engaged. If they’re willing to pay for it, that means they probably won’t abandon it.

Android

Android must be considered if you plan to make use of advertisements and in-app purchases for monetization.

This can generate less money per purchase, but since Android users dominate the market, it will be many users per purchase.

Android users are not as engaged since they’re not investing anything into the download.

7. Data Privacy and Security

For Android apps, data privacy & security can be an issue. The controls on app access to users' data are not as strict as on the iOS app.

iOS is the most secure platform and, thus, best protects user privacy.

8. Customization

App customization is more difficult in iOS than in Android apps.

What Should You Choose as Your First App– Android or iOS?

Android

• Android users dominate the market, and thus, Android has a broader reach. So, if you want your app to reach a wider audience, go in for Android.
• If you have a limited budget for CPI (Cost per Installation), go in for Android. As per a Statista report of 2017, the CPI of Android apps is $0.44 and is almost 50% of the iOS apps.
• If you have a regular PC and you don’t want to incur additional investment in Apple devices for iOS app development, go in for Android.
• If you have a great strategy for mobile ads, developing on Android first could benefit you.
• Start with the Android first if your app needs a lot of customization.
• An Android app has a shorter wait time for publishing. Choose Android if this is an issue.

iOS

• The US has one of the largest iPhone users worldwide. iPhone users are typically younger in age and well-to-do than Android users. If your primary target audience matches these criteria, iOS can be your first choice.
• Select iOS if you want a higher revenue per user.
• iOS development is a good idea for your company if you can make consistent updates for your app to keep up with Apple’s latest software requirements.
• Go in for iOS if the privacy and security of the user’s data is a priority.
• If you already have the MAC hardware for app development, choose iOS.
• If you opt for a less complex development process with less time and reduced malware risk, then go in for iOS.
• iOS will give a better user experience.

The Third Option – Hybrid

You can also choose a hybrid app solution for your business.

Hybrid development allows you to develop on both OS at the same time.

Turn Your Ideas into Successful Digital Reality with Imaginovation

Remember, both iOS and Android OS are popular mobile app platforms. What you must choose for your business largely depends on your requirements, budget, and preferences.

Still confused?

Do get in touch with us to discuss your project requirements. We will help you select the right option for your business.

We are an award-winning web and mobile app development company with vast experience in crafting remarkable digital success stories for diverse companies.

Let’s talk.