If you own a business, you must understand the value of mobile apps. These are the future of many businesses, including yours! Because it allows you to reach an audience that would otherwise be impossible to reach. However, many startups struggle with deciding iOS vs Android app development for their apps. However, many factors can assist you in making a profitable decision. And if want to know the difference between platforms, let’s dive in.
An overview of iOS vs Android app development
Mobile apps are now widely available for almost any purpose. Apps for retail, healthcare, government, and any other industry are available. This software is available to users for a variety of purposes. And contributes to meeting user expectations for a satisfying experience. So, developers rely on languages like Java, Swift, Objective-C, and CSS.
Many times iOS vs Android app development remains the question for developers. There can be many factors to determine a platform. Although mobile apps remain the focus of many businesses. Because they can expand their reach and interact with users worldwide. You can notice successful and relevant businesses rely on mobile apps.
iOS vs Android app development: Comparison to understand
Both platforms are outperforming each other in market share every year. However, both rule the share because of their loyal user base. And mostly because iOS offers security and stability, the market is larger. So, if you want to invest in any of the platforms try to grasp the OS first. And if the talent pool allows you to pick this OS. Here’s a quick glimpse at their market share.
Market share
Smartphone users are increasing day by day. And do you know which two platforms are ruling the charts? iOS vs Android app development is in the constant rift of overpowering each other. Even many users trust these two OS for security and reliability. Android has a close market share of 71.8 percent, while iOS for 27.6 percent.
But if users choose iOS there is no going back to Android. However, market share depends on the user number on each platform. Although Android’s market share is quite higher than iOS. Want to know why?
Because Android users are high in number than iOS. So this ultimately drops the inclination to develop Android apps. Although just stating the facts without proof is just saying. But Android should be a bargain deal for startups if profit and budget matter to you.
App revenue
App revenue is also a factor of concern when choosing the desirable platform. In iOS vs Android app development, startups get confused to choose because of budget. Revenue holds the potential to take your app development to another level. If it’s correctly chosen, it profits your business and if not it degrades the value of your app.
Nonetheless, to say, you understand the monetization of your apps through Google Play Store. When you develop Android apps, try to make the most out of money and resources. So here’s a trick. All Android users are not using premium apps. But iOS users can pay money to grab the best deal they get from the App Store.
User retention
Your users drive the success of your app. And that’s a fact. The more your users like the app, the more your reach broadens. So user retention rate is crucial when deciding the best platform for mobile app development.
Users may or may not think about the platform first, but they will analyze your app closely. Try to implement the best of the designs to suffice app development. Remember user retention is not only through app design, it also depends on the app interaction. You can get assistance from Android app development services on your project.
So, you may see some apps being built on the best platform but didn’t perform as expected. You may know the reason why these uninstall rate sores. Although, Android users are more loyal and less forgiving when we talk about retention. So, startups must pay attention to even the tiniest detail when developing apps. In short, you should understand the market share before heading straight to development.
Also Read: An In-Depth Guide to Mobile App Testing Process: You Must Know
Programming language
When you talk about technical comparison, programming languages are crucial. Such as using Java, Kotlin for Android and Swift, and Obective-C for iOS app development. Although, the languages for iOS apps are much easier to learn and try. But Java can solve the issues of dynamically linked libraries. So, you may find a huge talent pool to satisfy your Android app development. Moreover, before choosing the programming language, understand the complexities of app development.
App complexity
As earlier said, decide the app complexities of your mobile app development. Because iOS vs Android app development vary in complexities. Majorly because of the languages they stand on like Java or Swift.
So, decide on different fragments like models, devices, screen sizes, etc. Moreover, this should be the major concern to make an impactful user experience. And they should test if that UI across the devices and platforms remains the same.
Like iOS, which only requires one-time resources and money. However, these complexities do not apply to Android.
Flexible features
Businesses need to understand the need for the OS for the increasing demand for smartphones and tablets. Users incline toward the idea of app development for daily use. Because users install the app with the features that suit their needs.
Features and functionalities decide the durability and popularity of the app. So, try not to overload the features on your iOS or Android app. Instead, add only the ones with user relevancy. Android can be a good choice as an open-source platform. So, it offers the developers to develop a feature-rich app for your users and business. You can get assistance from an iOS app development service on your project.
Contrary to Android, iOS is not flexible but can offer an incredible user experience.
Development cost
The cost of development remains the major concern of many startups and businesses. Because it affects your budget which may get disrupted. So, iOS vs Android app development majorly differ because of cost. But if you go to any Android app development, they may offer pricing models with different ranges. So, decide on the average scale of app development. That also fits within your app budget.
Although you need to examine the fluctuations in the app development market. Moreover, it also revolves around the developer’s skills you will hire for the project. Remember that more customization costs more money.
App security
You may know about iOS offers heightened security than Android. It may be a factor in users’ reliability. Android is an open-source platform that allows multiple devices and segments and lacks security. So, there is a chance that people may go for any infected app from the Google Play Store.
iOS apps adhere to strict rules for development and uploading apps. Because they ensure user satisfaction and privacy at every level.
But Google on the other hand may not go too deep to search for any minute details. Moreover, this adds to the high standards of the iOS platform. And proves to be more efficient than the Google store.
Post maintenance
Development is not the ultimate goal of the mobile app. Because maintenance and updates keep your app relevant. You may notice Android apps require you to maintain it even after deployment. And ensuring compatibility across the platform.
So, you need to be extra careful with Android apps. Comparatively, Android is older than iOS which makes it prone to crashes and bugs.
So, a comprehensive technical comparison allows us to focus on app development. Moreover, try to understand which platform suits your requirements and budget.
Steps of the mobile app development process
Somehow, app development is a lengthy process. But once you choose the platform, language, and talent pool, you will know how to tackle the hurdles. So, here are some steps to streamline to development of mobile apps.
Plan a strategy
If you move headless, you have a chance of striding into a disaster. So make a strategy to develop your mobile app. And it will help you choose iOS vs Android app development for your business app. Moreover, here are some steps of strategic planning.
Determine your objectives
Ask yourself or brainstorm the idea behind the app development. Try to gather information by analyzing the market, apps, internet, etc. Understand if your goals are feasible. When planning an enterprise app, you should understand the app’s goals. So, you should respond to the following questions:
- Problem your app resolve
- Your target audience
- Results in your apps will achieve
Although these answers are not new to your app. So, before you begin any development strategy, plan your objectives. You can save it as a reference for your goals. And it assists you in narrowing down your achievable results.
Analyze your competitors
Research is incomplete without knowing about competitors. So, search for your potential competitors for their strategies and plans. Check for the same apps as you or solve the same issue. So, try to dive deep to explore the market to understand your goals in a better version. Furthermore, you can map the changing landscape and launch your shot right on target.
Pick the platform
When you have already studied the market choosing the platform will not bother you. Platform defines the app’s relevancy and capability. And it also determines the budget and strategy. Regardless you choose anything from iOS vs Android app development, get your experts on the project. And go over the specifics of your idea and its actual implementation with them.
You should which platform is offering what to your app and how it will offer success. Moreover, getting experts on your side is the best way to make a profitable decision.
Analyze your plan
So, next in the line is analyzing your strategy. You should understand and align your plan with your business goals. So, here your creation gets life after a lot of strategy making. Then, you should understand the direction of your app development. You can get assistance from an Android app development company on your project. However, the practical and detailed approach is just for you. So here are a few things you should analyze before development.
Understand your requirements
So, get to know what your app will perform and how it will impact users. Try to understand if your app is for the retail industry, so it helps to manage the business. Such as payment gateways, users, products, etc. And how your app will perform in the market. So you will get a crystal clear idea of your app’s relevance.
You should understand the functional and non-functional requirements of your app. Moreover, it also impacts your app’s UI and UX.
Design your roadmap
You should be aware of your application’s roadmap. Because you cannot complete the task without being interrupted. So, this plan is quite detailed about the journey and ultimate goals.
As a result, MVP is the only way to avoid any confusion or roadblocks. It saves you money first and gives you an idea of the final product second.
As a result, this roadmap design should take you not only to flowers but also to thorns. Furthermore, it provides an idea of how to flow your app and prioritize the functions as planned.
Choose tech stack
So, here technology plays a crucial part in the analysis of your app development. And how you want your talent pool to perform. iOS is a quite secure platform and an experienced developer can handle it. Because iOS adheres to strict guidelines for app development so a proficient developer can help it. Or you need a cross-platform expert on Xamarin, and React Native for apps. You can get assistance from an iOS app development service on your project. Technology plays the foundation of your mobile app.
Select the design
When you choose between iOS and Android app development, you will understand the design. Users get attracted to presentations. Although we know the first impression is the last here! So, get the app’s design just right to please your user’s eyes. If your design interrupts the user journey the abandonment rate may jump. Or your users will turn to competitors, so what will get? Bounce rates.
Try to design an intuitive and engaging UI for visitors. Here are some factors you should check for design.
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Layout the workflows
So, the first step of the design phase is laying out the architecture. Because your website will stand on a planned workflow. And a well-designed architecture will result in design success. So, pick the data for your app and where it will be displayed. Moreover, creating this workflow helps to identify user interactions and possible outcomes.
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Design the wireframes
Wireframes offer the conceptual layout of any app or website. Business analysts help you draw these sketches. Moreover, it is a skeleton of the app, you may say. Wireframes have it all from the app’s functionality to user experience. You can get assistance from an Android app development company on your project. Furthermore, it ensures an intuitive and engaging user journey.
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Style your app
Choose the color palette wisely of your app. Because that will showcase your branding and reliability to your users. Although iOS vs Android app development may help you streamline the design process. So try to pick the perfect color palette to style your app.
And wisely choose these aspects:
- Fonts
- Color
- Buttons
- Widgets
These guides level up your design strategy. And they ensure to strike a balance between the look and feel of the website.
Develop a prototype
So, the result of all of these steps is the creation of a prototype. These prototypes assist you in comprehending the UX and workflow. So you can learn how your app will get the final development. Although this stage is intimidating for both your team and you. However, designing a prototype to detect any flaws will always be the most important. Furthermore, to critically examine the functionality accidents.
Develop your app
You may call it the final phase of your app development. However, it is just the start. So, let’s jump onto understanding the front and backend of your apps.
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Strengthen the backend
The backend is the backbone of your mobile app. So whether you choose any iOS vs Android app development, the backend should be flexible. As it involves databases and server-side controllers for apps.
So, here your experts will choose the programming language for your backend. Databases and hosting servers get enhanced by these languages. Moreover, your mobile app development stands on the reliability of backend development. Because it will define your app’s future relevancy.
Furthermore, expert assistance increases the app’s relevance. And the app’s ability to grow your user base. As a result, it will assist you in understanding the need for the app and how it will handle increasing demand.
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Present you frontend
Frontend is the face of your app. It involves UI/UX and how they will interact with your app. So, it involves these factors:
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Platform-specific
Native apps are platform-specific and enrich user experience. And these apps are not reused between platforms. Because of the availability and the user base of the platform in use. So the languages also differ from each other apps and are meant for one OS. Furthermore, it may burn a hole in your pocket when you pick one platform. You can get assistance from Android app development services on your project. But the money spent is worth spending!
Cross-platform
Many excelling languages support cross-platform apps. And these apps run on a single codebase with different OS. So, the compatibility is quite high than just the simple platform specific. But how it profits you? It saves you money and resources.
Hybrid apps
You can call the hybrid the compilation of both app types. So it helps developers to write code and execute it. Moreover, it saves you time if your app is all over multiple platforms. In short, it helps you when you don’t have time for cross-platform apps.
Test your app
Testing is one of the underestimated steps of app development. Because it is daunting and undergoes many testing types. However, these testing stages offer excellent credibility and security to your users. And ensures your app whether iOs vs Android app development is free from any future roadblocks.
So here the some of the crucial types of testing.
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Functionality
You should verify your app features and how they will align with the user’s needs. Verify if the features properly function to satisfy your users.
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Performance
Performance testing indicates the UI of your app and how your app will perform with users. Check if it behaves irregularly when multiple users interact with your app.
Security
It provides your users with privacy. So that they are comfortable sharing any information. Furthermore, if these apps are to serve well-known industries, they must demonstrate security at all levels. As a result, consumers must follow all security standards. And close any gaps in your app’s security.
Platform
New apps will welcome updates on the platform for relevance. And these updates should match your app. So, test for its compatibility with different devices.
Deploy your app
Now, finally, your app is ready to deploy to the market. Try to analyze distribution models for your platform.
So, the deployment can be a simple process to follow. But there are many tiny yet crucial undertakings. Either you will go for Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store.
So, your app goes through its checking procedures. And, then your app will get served to different users. Although checking the regulations followed by your app may take time. Furthermore, deployment is much easier with Android.
Monitor your app
Deploying is not your ultimate goal. So, you should have monitoring analytics, to deeply analyze your app. Although you don’t have to change your app, instead improve it. Check for users, bounce rate, engagement rate, performance, etc. These all pointers will help you analyze what your app potentially missing.
Also figure out any bugs, crashes, UI issues, etc. Try to resolve them as quickly as you can. Regularly update your app to accommodate any needs and stay bug-free! You can also take feedback from your users to rectify any interruptions. However, the maintenance will only make you better than before.
iOS vs Android app development: Choice for Startups
Although the selection of the platform is quite simple. You can easily go with your budget and requirements. But you should ensure the platform in use should not compromise your goals. However, Android remains the first choice for startups for less budgetary movement.
So let’s see what factors should startups look at while deciding on the platform.
Target audience
Get insights into the global market share of both platforms. Understand what your audience prefers. Although iOS dominance reaches heights in the Android mobile app market. So, it somehow depends on the location of your audience. If it’s the western nations, then iOS can go as the first choice. But Android is the first choice for worldwide users. Moreover, maybe your user age can enter the criteria. Don’t just take your geographical boundary, instead keep the world in scope.
In-app purchases
Your app business increases with the in-app purchases from the Play Store. As there are more in-app purchases on iOS than on Android. So, these purchases may differ based on geography and needs. Because all these vary from one place to another.
User fragmentation
Fragmentation based on the devices used can help you identify your perfect platform. And Android may win because it helps to expand reach and accessibility. However, it has Google’s back and multiple devices on its sides. So, you get the idea of how Android can be the best. You can get assistance from an Android app development company on your project.
Android as the open-source platform and choice of the masses can be a favorable choice for startups. So, try to understand the presence of Android and how it can evolve user experience.
Easy design
Try to figure out which platform offers you to design and develop easily. Many startups get this as their first question. Both platforms excel to offer you the best development experience. However, for startups the mobile apps the coding should be easier. So, developers might get Swift as an easier language than Java.
Although your developer skills matter more than platform design. Because they should understand your goals and how to implement them. So, less skillful efforts may kill your brand reputation and app. Furthermore, analyze the expertise before starting the project.
Release cycles
Android release cycles are quite daunting than iOS. Because iOS focuses on new versions, Android fragmentation makes it difficult. You can decide which factors can help you to decide on the platform.
Startups should focus on which platform should allow them to deliver the app faster. And that too without delays. Android may win in several cases but iOS security is unmatched at every level.
Conclusion
iOS vs Android app development will continue to be in the rift. But your mobile app development platform should not be based on popularity. Instead, try to understand your goals and budget before making a decision. For more consideration, consult an mobile app development company in Gurgaon for your project.
FAQs
What kernel is used by iOS?
The iOS kernel is the XNU kernel.
What are the top three benefits of iOS?
Advantages of iOS Operating System
- Excellent UI
- Secure OS
- Ideal for businesses
Which operating system is used in iOS?
Apple (AAPL) (AAPL) iOS is the operating system for iPhone, iPad, and other Apple mobile devices.
What factors are critical in Android app development?
You can use either Kotlin or Java—or even both at the same time—to develop apps.
What factors contribute to the success of an app?
A good app is a combination of both user and business-centric elements.
