Cell phones are currently used by
5 billion people globally, and this number is projected to increase over
the next few years. This tendency will lead to a growth in the demand for better
mobile apps from businesses and consumers, which would boost the iOS and Android industry. Additionally, 3 hours a day are spent using
smartphones on average. Mobile applications' updating and upgrading procedures
will thus be sped up to remain relevant over time. Software developers can have
trouble deciding whether to create for iOS or Android. Although the two
systems' structures are similar, they nonetheless use different design and
support methods. The two systems differ not just in production but also
branding and development approach. Which app platform should you use when
creating an iOS vs. Android app? let’s discuss
Comparison of the iOS and Android App Markets
The marketplaces for mobile
applications for iOS and Android have developed significantly in recent years.
The Android App Market is still significantly bigger than the iOS App Market,
though. For making a choice, though, that is insufficient. Therefore,
entrepreneurs must consider this before choosing a software developer while
determining whether to create an iOS or Android app. Let's compare the market
data for Android and iOS to better grasp iOS vs. Android: Which is most
suitable for your company?
In terms of market share
in terms of market share, Android
holds the lion's share with a global market share of 76.8% while iOS has a
market share of 22% as per the data 2020. This means that Android has a broader
reach, with a larger potential audience for your app. Furthermore, developing
for Android also means supporting multiple device types with various screen
sizes and resolutions, which can be a challenge for developers.
Revenue generation
In terms of revenue generation, iOS
generates more revenue as per the data of 0. The App Store generated five times
more revenue than the Google Play Store. iOS users also tend to be more
affluent and have higher purchasing power, which can be beneficial if your app
is a paid one or have in-app purchases.
User Engagement
In terms of user engagement, iOS users
spend more time on their devices compared to Android users as per data from from20.
The average iOS user spent 3 hours and 35 minutes per day on their device,
while Android users spent 3 hours and 18 minutes per day on average.
Technical Comparison between iOS and Android
Programming Language
·
IOS app development is developed using
defective-C or Swift programming languages. Objective-C was the primary
language for iOS development for many years, but in recent years, Swift has
become more popular among iOS developers due to its improved performance and
ease of use.
· Android app development is typically developed
using the Java programming language. Java is a popular language for Android
development because it is easy to learn and has a large developer community.
Additionally, many developers are already familiar with Java because it is a
widely-used language for general-purpose pose programming.
Both iOS and Android also support
development using cross-platform frameworks such as React Native and Xamarin.
These frameworks allow developers to write code in one language (usually
JavaScript or C#) and then deploy it on multiple platforms, including iOS and
Android.
Complexity
The difficulty of the app development
process differs substantially between iOS and Android. Because Android app
development must use Java, they are often more complex than iOS app
development, which uses Objective-C or Swift. The Android platform is also far
more fragmented, with a wide range of device makers, models, and screen sizes.
As a result, developers must create their programs to run on as many different
devices as they can. The user experience will suffer if they don't do this. It
is considerably simpler and less complicated to design your app once
specifically for the iOS platform rather than being required to develop it many
times for various device models and sizes on the Android platform. Apple's
lower market share than Android's might be a drawback.
Flexibility
The flexibility of features in iOS and
Android apps can vary depending on the specific requirements of the app, as
well as the development framework and tools being used. In terms of flexibility
with features, Android app development tends to be more flexible than iOS
development:
·
Android's open-source nature: The Android
operating system is open-source, which means that developers have more freedom
to customize the look and feel of their apps.
·
Android's Permissions System: android uses a
permission system that allows users to grant specific permissions to the app to
use certain features and access certain data on their device.
On the other hand, iOS development can
be considered less flexible than Android development with features.
·
iOS's closed nature: The iOS operating system
is closed-source, which means that developers have less freedom to customize
·
iOS's Permissions System: iOS uses a
permission system, but the permissions are pre-determined, meaning the
developer has less flexibility to use certain features as they have to be
pre-approved by Apple.
Development cost
the cost of iOS app development can be
higher than that of an Android app due to several factors. iOS app development
requires a Mac which can increase cost, and developers must pay a $99 annual
fee to become an Apple developer and a 30% commission on app revenue when
publishing to the iOS app store. On the other hand, Android app development
does not require a specific computer, and developers pay a one-time $25
registration fee and 30% commission on app revenue when publishing to the
Google Play Store. Additionally, the streamlined development process for iOS
apps can be more time-consuming and increase the overall cost of development,
while the more complex development process for Android apps may take less time
and lower the overall cost of development.
Security
In brief, iOS apps are generally
considered more secure than Android apps due to the closed nature of the iOS
ecosystem and the strict guidelines for app development, which include
Sandboxing technique that isolates apps from one another, and App Transport
Security (ATS) that encrypts data in transit. While Android apps are generally
considered less secure due to the open nature of the Android ecosystem,
fragmentation, and the presence of third-party app stores, which may have less
stringent security checks. However, it's important to note that no app is
completely immune to security breaches and it's crucial to follow industry best
practices and guidelines to minimize security risks.
Conclusion
in brief, both iOS and Android are
popular platforms for app development and each has its strengths and
weaknesses. iOS apps tend to be more expensive to develop and have more
restrictions but generate more revenue and have a more consistent user
interface. Android apps are more flexible and have a larger reach, but can be
more complex to develop and have security concerns. The choice of the platform
will depend on the specific project requirements, development budget, and
target audience.