In
October 2020, Android and iOS jointly contributed to almost 99% of the global
market share, as per a report shared by the renowned market research portal-
Statista. Android alone contributed to 72.92% of the market due to its
affordable costs and ease of use as compared to other platforms.
These staggering numbers indicate the huge
popularity of Android and iOS platforms in the mobile
app development world. But when it comes to developing the apps, the
majority of businessmen and entrepreneurs find difficulty in choosing the right
platform. Due to the lack of knowledge about each platforms, they prefer at
times creating apps on both platforms; however, it is always smarter to
initially go with one of them as it reduces risks and keeps the costs to the
minimum.
So this blog will help you to gain insights
on choosing the apt platform for your app. Through this blog, we will compare
some significant factors like target audience, budget, features, timelines, and
many more for both these platforms. It will help in making an informed
decision. But before starting, let us have a quick look at the pros and cons of
both.
Pros and Cons of Android App
Development
Pros:
- Hardware independent as Java is
being used for development
- Higher flexibility and fewer
restrictions in this operating system
- Wider community and user-base
- Ready-made templates, plugins,
etc. for easier design and development
- Simpler app acceptance and
release process while publishing
Cons:
- A large number of devices
having different screen sizes and resolutions
- Complex and time-consuming
testing process
- Costlier due to extensive
testing requirement and fragmentation
- Security concerns
Pros and Cons of iOS App Development
Pros:
- Outstanding performance and
stability
- Easy integration of devices
- Intuitive user interface and
user experience
- High-class users leading to
better revenue
Cons:
- The stringent and difficult
release process
- Difficult customization due to
the restrictions imposed by iOS
- Smaller market share
Android or iOS App Development?
Choosing the Best Platform for Your Business!
Target
Audience
Where is your target audience located?
Usually, Android is preferred more in the
developing nations while iOS is highly used in the developed nations. Android’s
presence is much stronger in Asia, Latin America, Africa, etc. while iOS is
dominant in North America, Western Europe, etc. So, to reach the global
audience, businesses should consult Android
app development services that have a global outreach.
Also consider factors like the average age of
your audience, their income ranges, educational backgrounds, etc. The audience
with higher incomes and better educational backgrounds tend to prefer
technically advanced iOS devices. Younger customers focus more on in-app
purchases while older customers are willing to buy the apps altogether.
Budgetary
Constraints
Cost is one of the most significant
considerations for mobile app development. It depends on the scope of the
project, features to be embedded, complexity of the app, how many OS versions
and devices are required, etc. So, at times, both iOS and Android
app development can be equally expensive.
Yet, iOS app development is considered
somewhat cheaper than Android. This is so because coding in iOS is
comparatively easier. Android apps need to be written in Java which requires
more writing than Swift language for iOS.
But when it comes to publishing the app,
Android charges a one-time fee of $25 while iOS charges an annual fee of $99
for individual iOS app developers and $299 if a company publishes the app.
Features
to be Embedded in the App
What features are you looking for to be
integrated into your app?
If security and superb aesthetics is your
priority, iOS is the perfect pick. But if you are looking for highly
customizable apps that meet the end-users expectations, Android should be your
choice.
Development
Complexity
When it comes to the complexity of mobile
app development, iOS is a clear winner over Android due to the difference in
device fragmentation and programming language used.
iOS development is quicker than Android. In
the case of Android, there are a host of devices like smartphones, tablets,
etc. with diverse screen sizes available in the market. As a result, creating
an Android app that is compatible with all of these, becomes a complex process.
Time-to-Market
How early do you want your app to be
released in the market?
Well, as we already know, Android has a bit
complex development process due to a variety of devices available. Also, an
Android app needs to be tested on all such devices which again is a
time-intensive process. So, comparatively, Android app developers need to do a
lot of work increasing the time-to-market. Consequently, businesses who want
their app to be out in the market at the earliest prefer iOS development.
Revenue
Generation
To make your app lucrative, you need to
choose the platform that will prove to be more profitable. Android has a bigger
market share, however, iOS contributes to higher revenue generation. In 2017,
Revenue generation for Apple Store was about $38.5 billion while for google
play it was $20.1 billion. So, it is quite clear that iOS apps generate better
revenue.
Key Takeaways:
Selection of the right platform plays a key
role in the success of your app and your business. Both- Android and iOS
platforms have their pros and cons and so, we cannot comment on whether one of
them is a perfect choice. They have diverse purposes to serve. Android app
development is a great pick if you aim to reach a broader market while iOS
app development is perfect when your target audience belongs to a region
where iOS devices are being used extensively and quality is your top-most
priority. So, this decision depends completely on your business goals and the
requirements of your target audience.
I
hope the blog was insightful and will help you in the decision-making!
Feel
free to share your thoughts, experiences, and queries with us in the comments.
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