With Android and iOS dominating the mobile market, it can be a daunting task to decide which platform you should build your app for first. We will help you make that decision!
Few dilemmas outrank the eternal one of iOS vs Android when it comes to developing an app. App owners – businesses, developers, and marketers alike – have long debated the merits of each platform.
In this blog post we will discuss some points to consider when deciding between these two platforms. Hopefully, by the end of this post you will be able to better decide which platform is right for your app.
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By the market, we mean your audience.
These are the people who will ultimately use your app. And as with any product, it is important to know who you are building your app for.
Here are some key stats to consider:
As of July, 2021 according to Statcounter.
This means that the majority of people use Android globally.
If you are targeting the global market, then this may be a good indicator that Android is the way to go.
However, if your app is targeting a more affluent market segment, such as people in North America or Europe, then you may want to consider iOS as your first platform.
A note of warning:
When discussing cost, do know that a quality app would require a considerable investment of time and money, no matter which platform you are developing for.
If your budget is a concern in terms of development costs per se, then iOS may be the way to go. It is also easier and cheaper to make an app for iOS compared with Android.
There are 2 main reasons for this.
Firstly, Android is an open source platform. Developers would have to account for a wide variety of devices, third-party tools, devices, and software fragmentation, unlike on iOS. More tests are often needed to make sure the app is functioning correctly on all devices.
Secondly, the programming language for iOS – swift is a simpler and more straightforward language. Android app developers often have to use Java, which can be time-consuming.
Taken all together, iOS may be a better starting place for app developers if affordability is a concern. The iOS development process has far less room to experiment with the technology and what developers can do is comparatively limited. That might sound like a negative but it actually makes for easier app development, which means developers can get to the point of launching their app faster.
When building your app, it’s worth thinking about the features you want to include and how they’ll affect usability for your target audience.
Android relies heavily on features as a selling point. Android being an open source platform translates to a lot of choice for developers.
In other words: Android apps are more customizable and as such you can easily adapt to your target audience. Sadly, this “open” nature of the Android platform also means that it’s more susceptible to malware and other security vulnerabilities
iOS, by contrast, is more restrictive in terms of what developers can and cannot do with the technology – but that’s by design. This is to ensure that the apps are reliable, stable (less likely to crash) and more secure.
The drawback to this is that there are fewer third-party apps available on iOS and it’s harder for developers to create a unique experience.
Android has a larger market share, which translates to more potential revenue.
iOS is the most lucrative platform for developers, but it’s also the most difficult to get into. This is because iOS requires being accepted by Apple – which can be a lengthy and arduous process, so it’s best to be prepared for it.
Then there is the spending habit of the users on each platform.
Historical data shows that Apple users are more likely to spend almost twice as much money on in-app purchases than Android users.
So if you’re looking to monetize your app, it’s more likely to be successful with iOS.
The launch of an app does not end with the release on either Android or iOS – it continues onto both, where a developer must maintain and update the app as new features become available, bugs arise and users ask for more.
Typically, as long as users update their OS when a new version is released, the less maintenance an app will need. Android users are culpable as far as updating their OS; however this is not the case for iOS users.
In this Business Insider article, it was revealed that “over half of all Android devices, or a billion, are more than two years out of date.” Do you know what this means? It means it is more likely to experience more bugs and crashes even if your app is otherwise perfect. This is the primary reason why Android apps are more expensive to maintain.
The world is now more mobile than ever before and the demand for apps has never been higher and the prospects for the two platforms are very good.
It’s hard to say which one will be the most dominant going forward. Android has a bigger market share than iOS meaning that it’s currently the more popular operating system. However, iOS apps are more lucrative than Android apps, cheaper to develop, and therefore would continue to become more popular.
So, which platform should you build your mobile app for first between Android and iOS?
If you’re looking to make as much money possible in the shortest amount of time, iOS is the way to go.
If you’re targeting emerging markets and looking for more freedom with your app design, Android would be a better choice since it has a larger market share and it’s more open than iOS.
At the end of the day, there isn’t really a “right” answer – it all depends on your target demographic and what you’re looking to accomplish.
However, one thing you should never compromise on is the quality of your product. And that’s where Top developers come in – they will have experience with both platforms and know how to build an app that will perform in the most efficient way for your target audience.
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