Android vs. iOS app development: Key factors to consider

The Android development vs. iOS development dispute remains a heated topic for discussion among businesses and programmers, with loyal advocates on both sides asserting that it is their preferred platform that delivers the best results. The truth is, each has its own strengths and hurdles that can influence an app’s success.

This guide crafted by Touchlane’s mobile team explores the topic of iOS and Android development, weighing the merits and limitations of each and outlining essential criteria to support your judgment if iOS or Android best fits your company’s objectives.

01.

The current state of mobile app development – Android vs. iOS

As a starting point for the examination, we explore two pivotal points for each platform.   

Analysis of market share trends

In the second quarter of 2024, Android held its place as the world’s top mobile operating system – it has captured around 71.65% of the market. The chief competitor, Apple’s iOS, accounted for approximately 27.62% of the market over the same timeframe.

In general, over the last 10 years, Android has increased the gap from its competitor by approximately 25% – in the beginning of 2014, Android’s market share was around 47%, and iOS held approximately 24% of the audience. 

But it is important to take into account the fact that the numbers above are global. Regionally, the division can differ dramatically. For instance, in the United States, it captures a bigger stake in the market, since almost 60% of smartphone users utilize iPhones. This indicates a strong need for a well-performed audience analysis before initiating the mobile application development cycle.

Audience profiles and revenue potential

It is challenging to pinpoint whether one consumer segment of your customer base is more inclined toward iOS or Android devices. Customer inclinations vary by country, shift over time, and are affected by a range of factors. Even so, recent global data reveals some key distinctions between Android and iPhone users:

• Sixty-eight percent of the Statista survey respondents aged 18 to 29 reported that their smartphone was running iOS 
• Generally, iPhone users are still more likely to be Gen Z and Millennials
• The average wage for iOS (iPhone) users outpaces Android user figures by 43.7%.

The last point says a lot about how much money an iOS app could make in comparison to an Android app. There is a projection that the App Store will hit $161 billion in annual earnings by 2026. In contrast, customer expenditure on Google’s platform is expected to reach $72 billion by the same period. This discrepancy demonstrates iOS’s larger income prospects in spite of its lower user base.

Furthermore, it is common for Android users to be more accepting of ads, iOS users are more prone to purchasing apps and carrying out in-app purchases.

02.

Challenges faced during mobile development

iOS and Android development roadmaps present their own difficulties. Below, our mobile team outlines the most common ones. 

DEVICE FRAGMENTATION AND TESTING PREREQUISITES

Android – This is one of the most significant obstacles for Android programmers. The environment of the OS encompasses a broad spectrum of devices, and they feature varying specifications and OS versions. This diversity complicates testing and optimization, turning it into a labor-intensive and costly process.

iOS – Unlike Android, iOS is supported by a managed ecosystem with a reduced selection of gadgets. This setup enhances testing efficiency and allows engineers to concentrate on fine-tuning for specific models. Yet, such limited selection can also mean a narrower pool of possible users in contrast to Android’s broader reach.

App Store approval 

iOS – Strict rules in Apple’s App Store guarantee safety and reliability, but they can limit creativity and make updating apps more difficult.

Android – While Google Play offers a slightly less demanding submission process, quite often, Android programmers face challenges like app piracy due to the platform’s open nature, which can threaten intellectual property and the app’s profit. 

Budget Constraints

iOS – Designing iOS applications is commonly higher-priced since it requires Mac hardware. In addition, Apple imposes a $99 developer fee per year, which adds up to the cost. 

Android – Producing an Android app can seem like a more economical choice in the beginning, as it frees engineers to work on almost any device. In addition, Google only asks for a one-time $25 fee. But when the development reaches the testing phase, the first issue in our list – device fragmentation – comes to life and slows down the process, contributing to the final cost.

03.

What are the major factors to evaluate when selecting a mobile app platform?

Now that you are aware of the issues that you may encounter throughout Android and IOS app development, other elements need to be addressed. 

App performance

iOS – Apple’s OS is more consistent overall due to the reduced number of gadgets and robust hardware, as well as software that can be easily optimized.

Android – Device quality can affect performance. While low-end Android devices may have issues with their performance, newer, flagship devices operate exceptionally well.

Talent availability and rates 

iOS – To build high-performing native iOS apps, developers employ Swift. There is language that is still relevant but way less common for new projects – Objective-C. Depending on geography, job kind, and experience, Swift programmers’ hourly prices vary greatly, starting from a median of $27 on specific job platforms to $150 for a senior-level iOS developer in the US. 

Android – Kotlin serves as the standard language for Android development. Engineers employ it in most of the modern projects for Android. The second choice, Java, remains a trustworthy option, too. As reported by Glassdoor, the median salary of an Android programmer is around $111,000, and the rates vary greatly between $25 to $120. 

! Costs are subject to fluctuations based on iOS and Android developer global demand.  

Infrastructure and integration options 

iOS – Delivers smooth synchronization with other Apple products and services. If your business caters to the Apple environment, this should be the preferred – the only one, really – option.

Android – This is a solid option if you intend to use Google’s cloud, AI, and similar tools because it offers robust integration with Google services.

Maintenance

iOS – Devices that run iOS are typically easier to maintain since there is a smaller array of device configurations to manage.

Android – This is yet another case where fragmentation becomes a downside as Android engineers must account for multiple gadgets and OS versions.   

04.

Benefits and drawbacks of Android vs. iOS 

Both operating systems present distinct benefits. This is why making the selection between the two options is extremely dependent on a business’s goals and assets. Based on the factors above, we compiled a comparison chart which you may find convenient for your decision-making process. 

05.

Notable Android-exclusive apps

While iOS consumers generally have access to all popular apps, there are still a few that are unavailable on the App Store:

• Buzzkill, an Android-unique application for tracking and managing notifications.
• ML Manager, an app that extracts APK files from installed apps to share with others or back them up.
• RedReader, an unofficial client for Reddit. It obtained a waiver of Reddit’s app ban and is well-known for its functional UI.

06.

Most prominent iOS-only apps

At the same time, iOS users are often spoiled for their app choice. These are the trending apps that are iOS-only:

• Procreate. Often cited as the reason artists choose iPads instead of tablets that run Android, this graphic editor is popular for practicing sketching and digital paintings. 
• Halide. Another widely used application for creative people – this time, for those who like smartphone photography. Halide gives pro-level access to the smartphone camera features like AI-powered macro mode and a RAW shortcut. 
• GarageBand. Designed solely for Apple devices, GarageBand is a portable recording studio that supplies users with tools to create music or podcasts.

Conclusion – How to decide on the most suitable platform for your business?

Given these insights, is OS or Android best suited for you? If you have a bigger spending plan and some time to spare, cross-platform development might be a viable path. But if you need to cover one platform only – and you cannot make a definitive choice, examine your intended audience and future plans for the app. 

iOS is best-suited for mature markets like the US, presents a more regulated environment, and is generally simpler to maintain. Android spans globally and is a good option for serving diverse market needs. Upfront, Google’s OS may seem like a more cost-effective option but do keep in mind that the fragmented nature of devices is a strong factor that can slow down your project flow. Furthermore, in terms of iOS vs. Android performance, the growing variety of Android-powered devices may impact the reliability of your application across gadgets.          

Alternatively, you can turn to a trusted iOS and Android development company for an in-depth assessment of your tech needs and for helping make the process smooth and fault-free. While your tech partner will not determine that choice on your behalf, it will aid you in avoiding the pitfalls and producing a quality app for ages.