With the increasing usage of the internet and smartphones, app development has gained tremendous momentum in recent years. As technology advances, so do the trends and needs of users largely dependent on smart technologies. App development provides an innovative solution to meet these needs while providing a platform for businesses to reach out and engage with their customers.
With the increasing demand for mobile apps, companies have invested heavily in mobile app development. Companies can now create custom mobile apps by hiring a dedicated mobile app developer and releasing their apps on multiple platforms like Google Play Store, Apple App Store, and Windows Phone Store.
Two of the most renowned mobile app development platforms include iOS and Android. While both operating systems have their advantages, there are some key differences between them. In this blog post, we’ll go through some of the key differences between iOS and Android app development. So, let’s begin.
Budget-Friendly App Development
App development needs a lot of investment and resources. That’s why companies need to consider their budget before deciding on which platform to develop the app. Android apps need more maintenance and engineering costs compared to iOS apps. It is because the Android platform has a huge market share, and its devices have different designs and hardware configurations.
On the other hand, iOS apps are cheaper to develop because Apple devices have more consistent hardware and designs, so developers don’t need to spend extra time on maintenance and engineering.
Another aspect to consider while analyzing the app development budget is the cost of Android and Google developer accounts. An iOS developer account costs $99/year, while a Google Play Developer Account will cost you around $25 once.
Publishing Mobile Apps
Publishing an app on Apple App Store is a rigorous process that requires detailed selection criteria. The approval process for Android apps in the Google Play Store is much faster than for iOS, and developers don’t need to wait long for their apps to be published. iOS developers have to wait for days and months to get the app approved and published. Its rules, reviewing system, and selection criteria are much more stringent than Android. It makes it more difficult for developers to publish their apps on Apple App Store than Google Play Store.
However, the high approval standards of Apple make your app more secure than Android because of its strict reviewing process. The strict reviewing standards make your app more secure, unlike Android apps that can be easily hacked due to their open-source nature.
Programming Languages for App Development
Understanding the programming languages is essential for developing an app. With so many languages available for app development, it is important to understand which language fits best with the desired platform. For iOS, developers mostly use Swift, a modern and powerful language that is easy to pick up. If you are up for developing an iOS app, you need to hire Swift experts who can efficiently build your app.
On the other hand, Android apps are usually developed using Java or Kotlin. Java is an old programming language but is still widely used for Android app development. While Kotlin has advantages over Java, it can take time to pick up if you’re new to the mobile app development world.
Developer Toolkit and Resources
When it comes to developer toolkits, Android and iOS are both equipped with powerful tools that allow developers to create efficient apps. Apple provides Xcode, a powerful and intuitive interface that enables developers to create great user experiences. On the other hand, Android provides Android Studio, an advanced development environment that helps developers create apps quickly and easily.
In terms of resources, both Apple and Android provide access to their respective SDKs (software development kits), which include documents, libraries, and tools to help developers create apps. However, Android development tools are convenient to use and provide better overall resources for developers compared to Apple.
Open and Closed-Source Code
The choice of app development platform also depends on the open or closed-source code requirement. iOS apps are closed-source, meaning the source code is unavailable to the public. It makes iOS more secure and reliable than Android because of its closed-source nature. On the other hand, Android is open-source, meaning anyone can access and modify the source code of an Android app. This increased accessibility makes it easier for hackers to breach the security of Android apps.
Audience Demographics and Market Share
Understanding an app’s demographics and target audience is also important before deciding on the platform. iOS users are mostly from the US and Europe, while Android users are more widely spread worldwide. If you target US and European users, then iOS is the better option. On the other hand, if you want to target a global audience, Android is the best option.
When it comes to market share, Android currently has 71.6% of the total mobile OS market share, while Apple has just 27.73%. If you want to reach more users, then Android is the best choice.
