Which One Should You Go For; Android V/S iOS Mobile App Development?
The internet and its popularity have made it mandatory for any business to have an online presence. Customers these days check out a company online first before making a purchase. But, simply having a website is not enough. With the growing number of mobile phone users, having a native mobile app for your business has become essential.
You can reach a broader audience base and engage your customers better with mobile applications. Mobile apps let you market your products more efficiently, as they use features native to a mobile phone, like camera and geolocation.
But before you approach a mobile app development companies, you have to decide which platform you want to launch your app on. Several factors will determine if you wish to launch your app on the IOS platform or Android.
So here is a list of things to keep in mind before you hire either an Android App Development Company or seek IOS App Development Services.
IOS App Development vs Android App Development
Google created Android. It is an open-source operating system used across smartphones, smart devices, speakers, etc.
Android app development previously required to be built using Java, a modern programming language. But since 2019, Kotlin has become the preferred language for Android app development.
IOS is an operating system exclusive to Apple devices. This platform offers fewer customisations but guarantees an aesthetic user interface design. IOS apps are built with Swift, a programming language.
Android mobile development and IOS App development are significantly different from each other. Apple’s products are also more prevalent in wealthier parts of the world, which makes the customer base of Android and IOS apps widely different.
The benefits of developing an Android app
Flexibility
Android, as an operating system, is much more flexible than IOS. Every Android device supports Android apps. You are unlikely to encounter any hardware incompatibility issues.
Also, the Android app development process is very flexible. Java is used to develop Android apps, and Java is a universal language supported across different operating systems.
Launching the app
Google helps Android developers offer courses and interactive exercises. New users who want to launch their apps on Google Play have to pay $25 as relatively low registration fees.
A much more diverse audience base
Android has a much larger number of users than IOS. Android is integrated across devices, regardless of whether it is cheap or expensive, big or small.
Over 82% of people in Africa, 83% in Asia, and 89% users in South America use Android devices. Android devices are also used in Europe, although it is lesser in number. These numbers show how large an audience you can reach with an Android app.
The problems of developing an Android App
Device Fragmentation
Android apps run across different devices. Thus, developing an app that works with the same efficiency across other devices might get complicated.
Optimising the layout and display to suit different screen sizes might get challenging. Your app can perform in unpredictable ways on other devices and might slow down on cheaper Android devices.
These factors may ultimately push up the overall cost of developing an Android application.
Android users spend less time on apps
Studies show Android users spend significantly less time using apps than IOS users. Since Android has a much more humble audience base, they prefer free apps more than IOS users.
Security
Android is more prone to cyber-attacks and security glitches since it is open-source.
The benefits of developing an IOS App
Performance of Apps
IOS apps, by all means, perform much better than Android apps. There are fewer bugs in the app’s final version, and this platform is fast and reliable.
Monetising apps
Since the user base of Apple is more affluent; users are more inclined towards paying for an app than Android users. The only way to earn from apps is to place advertisements for Android apps.
However, ads might slow down the app and compromise the overall performance. Since IOS users are more likely to pay for the app, the app’s performance does not get compromised due to advertisements.
Development costs
Developing an IOS app lowers the development costs significantly. Unlike Android, developers don’t need to develop and test out apps on multiple devices. Apps can be developed only for iPhones and iPads.
The credibility of your app
Your app has to pass through rigorous testing to be allowed to be published on the IOS platform, as Apple has very high standards of app development.
Once it is published, you automatically get the credibility and reliability of posting on this platform. Also, IOS is a closed-source platform, which makes it more secure against cyberattacks.
The problems of developing an IOS App
Rigid development requirements
To develop an IOS app, developers and app builders need at least one other piece of Apple technology. Developers need software like Xcode. Xcode runs only on Mac devices.
Difficulty launching the app
Launching an app on the IOS platform is a much more complicated process than throwing it on Google Play. You might build an app that follows all the guidelines yet get rejected because it was deemed an unnecessary app.
Limited customisation
Apple restricts app customisation. If your app requires third-party software to integrate any new features, it can become challenging to do so.
Final Thoughts
Developing an app for the IOS or the Android platforms comes with its own set of pros and cons. You have to consider the deadline, the maintenance risks, and the budget and then decide which platform would be more appropriate for your app.
If budget is not a significant concern for you, and you want to target a premium set of audiences, then IOS is a better platform of choice. You can build a fully monetised app, and IOS users will be ready to download it.
If you are working on a low budget and want exposure to global audiences, Android is the way to go. By making your app available to international audiences, you increase your chances to get noticed.
Exposure to a global market will help you better understand the trends of the app market and the customers’ demands, and it will help you gain experience. Exposure to a global market increases your chances of earning good revenue even at a nominal budget.
It is best to discuss your priorities and requirements with your mobile app development company and then decide which platform to launch your app.
