Both Android and iOS are quite different as mobile operating systems, and businesses must understand the nuances of Android vs iOS development to choose one for their next project.
Updated 27 March 2024
Global Delivery Head at Appventurez
Almost every company looks for a mobile application to boost their business processes in the current technological landscape. However, when they strive to tap into the digital sphere, they often feel puzzled about whether to develop an Android or iOS app.
Due to this, it becomes imperative to understand the key nuances of Android vs iOS development. With a clear understanding of both platforms, businesses can easily pick and partner with an iOS or Android app development company for their project.
Considering that, we will discuss the significant differences between iOS and Android development approaches in this blog. The insights can help you choose the app development services that are best for your business.
The prominent difference between iOS and Android app development lies within the technical aspects. Android app development frameworks are specifically leveraged for the Android platform. They are different from the ones used in iOS. Similarly, the programming languages used for building an iOS app will differ from the Android ones.
Here are some of the major parameters that distinguish the process of app development for iOS and Android:
| Parameters | Android | iOS |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated Development Environment | Android Studio | Xcode |
| Programming Language | Java or Kotlin | Swift or Objective-C |
| App Distribution Platform | Google Play Store | App Store |
| User Interface Design | Follows Material Design Guidelines | Adheres to Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) |
| Device Fragmentation | Apps run on an extensive range of devices manufactured by different companies | Apps operate on a limited range of devices specifically developed by Apple |
| Development Complexity | Requires more time to develop apps due to device fragmentation | Development is generally faster due to consistency across devices |
| OS Updates | Slower adoption of the latest OS updates | Faster adoption of the latest OS updates |
To understand Android vs iOS development in detail, let’s delve into the advantages and challenges platform-wise.
As already mentioned, Android is the most popular platform worldwide, making Android app development a preferred choice for businesses. Here are some of the prominent benefits of Enterprise Android app development:
Android has an extensive market share compared to any other app development platform, especially iOS. It allows businesses to connect with a wider audience, giving Android a preference in the iOS vs Android development battle.
Based on the Linux Kernel, Android is an open-source platform. Due to this, developers get greater flexibility, customization options, and numerous free tools for Android app development.
Android is supported and preferred by several smartphone manufacturing companies. This makes it easy for developers and businesses to target an extensive range of devices with different resolutions and screen sizes.
In addition to Google Play Store, Android applications can also be published and distributed over several third-party websites and mobile app stores. Unlike iOS, this makes it easy for businesses to distribute their applications on multiple platforms, giving Android apps an edge in Android vs iOS development.
Although Android app development is advantageous, several drawbacks are also associated with it.
While device fragmentation offers opportunities for businesses, it also poses challenges in terms of developing an app compatible with multiple devices. For different versions and screen resolutions, the apps need to deliver consistent user experience across diverse devices. Consistently, this increases the overall development time.
When it comes to the Android app development cost, the overall expenses become slightly higher than building an iOS application. The major reason is device fragmentation again since additional QA testing is required to evaluate the app compatibility across devices.
Therefore, when it comes to Android vs iOS development, the latter is more affordable in terms of development complexity.
User data security is one of the prime concerns for businesses looking to build a mobile app. When we talk about iOS vs Android app development, the latter is more vulnerable to security threats due to its open and over-flexible nature.
Renowned for its exemplary performance and security, iOS app development has gained widespread popularity in the last few decades. Here are some benefits of opting for an iOS app for your business.
As per many research and surveys, iPhone users are found to be spending more than Android users, generating higher revenue opportunities. This gives the iOS app industry a competitive advantage in the duel between Android vs iOS development.
The review process followed by Apple’s App Store is strict, allowing only high-quality and secure applications to be published. Due to this, users get intuitive UI-integrated apps, resulting in better experience, engagement, and satisfaction levels.
From biometrics to AI-based assistants, Apple has been known for embracing and incorporating cutting-edge technologies. This helps iOS developers build immersive applications integrated with advanced features, offering iPhone apps an edge in Android vs iOS development.
As already mentioned, Apple positions security and privacy as its utmost priorities, enforcing robust app protection measures and privacy policies. iOS development companies must adhere to these guidelines to ensure the complete security of user data and privacy.
Despite having numerous advantages of iOS app development, it has certain drawbacks that must be addressed before considering it.
The iOS app development ecosystem provided by Apple offers a great deal of consistency. However, it also restricts the levels of customization, making the developers work within the specific framework. This can result in limited design functionalities and choices, making Android a winner between Android vs iOS development.
Apple follows a strict app publishing review process that helps ensure security. However, ensuring complete compliance can be a challenging task, as even minor violations and deviations can lead to rejections. Also, the approval process is generally time-consuming as detailed aspects are analyzed.
Prominently, Swift is in use to develop iOS applications, and the company frequently brings new and updated versions of the language to make it more functional. However, maintaining compatibility with older versions of iOS is not easy with the latest Swift versions, leading to severe complications in the development process.
While choosing one from Android vs iOS development to get your business app developed, you need certain frameworks, programming languages, and IDEs for a seamless app-building process. Here is a specific set of tools required for app development for Android and iOS.
Android Studio is the official IDE (or integrated development environment) used for developing Android apps. The IDE provides development companies with specific tools and features, such as code editors, emulators, debugging software, and visual layout editors.
The primary integrated development environment for iOS application development is Xcode. It offers an extensive range of top iOS development tools, such as interface builders, performance analyzers, debugging tools, open source iOS applications, libraries, etc., to upscale app performance and stability.
The two primary programming languages used for Android app development are Java and Kotlin. Java has been there for years, emerging as one of the widely used languages for developing Android apps. However, in the current landscape, Kotlin has gained widespread popularity due to its newfangled features and increased productivity.
Regarding Java vs Kotlin, recommending one is a tough job, especially when both have a unique set of benefits and drawbacks. Also, C++ is used for operating some critical parts of the application.
Swift and Objective-C are two prominent languages used for seamless iOS app development. Objective-C is a legacy programming language, which is one of the earliest ones used for creating iOS apps. However, since its inception in 2014, Swift is predominantly used for iOS app development.
Due to its predominance, businesses often migrate their projects from Objective C to Swift. However, the former is still used in several legacy projects and libraries.
Android SDK provides a set of unique tools and APIs to handle UI elements, manage system interaction, and access hardware components in Android apps.
iOS SDK (or Cocoa Touch) is a collection of frameworks and UI tools provided by Apple for crafting impressive iOS apps. It includes Core Data, Core Motion, and UIKit for managing data and integrating several iOS application development services.
There is no doubt in saying that Android and iOS are the two dominant players in the mobile app development market. However, when it comes to market share, Android is the clear winner. Here are some noteworthy statistics depicting the current market picture of Android vs iOS development.
Since now you know the pros and cons of Android and iOS along with the differences between them, it’s time to pick the one for your app development project. Here are a few parameters to consider for choosing one between Android development vs iOS development.
If you want to connect with a wider audience base and have greater exposure, it’s better to go for Android, considering it has a bigger market share.
If you want a high-performing app to be available soon for your business, consider iOS app development, as the app-building time is relatively shorter.
Well, it completely depends on the kind of functionalities you need in your app. Generally, the iOS app development cost for an application with basic features will be more affordable than an Android one. But again, this can be reversed based on the project scope.
In case your app needs external third-party integrations offering high customization features, Android should be your choice for its flexibility.
Surveys reveal that iOS users spend more compared to their Android counterparts, providing the former an edge in Android vs iOS development.
If you have made it to this point, you might have understood that there are numerous differences between Android and iOS development. But in Android vs iOS development, which one’s better — that completely depends on your business requirements.
Since each platform has its own set of unique features, advantages, and drawbacks, having an idea about them is crucial to delivering great experiences to your target audience. That’s why it’s imperative to consult with a reliable and experienced mobile app development company to help you choose the right platform for you. That’s what Appventurez is for!
Appventurez is a professional iOS and Android mobile app development partner with over a decade of experience in delivering seamless software solutions. With strategic approaches tailored to your app’s objectives and targeted user preferences, our expert team of developers ensures to create a robust and profitable app solution.
Q. How to develop an app for both Android and iOS?
The best way to ensure app development for Android and iOS is by leveraging cross-platform frameworks, allowing the creation of apps suitable for both operating systems.
Q. What's the difference between Android and iOS as app development platforms?
iOS as an app development platform is more restricted and secure but less customizable. On the other hand, Android apps are more open to customizations. However, its over-flexible nature makes it easily vulnerable to cyber attacks if the apps lack security.
Q. Which is more profitable in iOS development vs Android development?
In overall terms, iOS applications generate more revenue than Android ones. Despite having fewer downloads, iOS users appear to spend more on in-app purchases, subscriptions, and Apple-paid services. However, with an extensive user base, Android is no less in terms of profitability.
Q. What do developers prefer between Android and iOS app development?
Whether it’s Android or iOS development, what developers choose will largely depend on their interests and expertise. Android is believed to be more developer-friendly because of its organized nature. iOS also offers great features, but they all are cluttered.
Elevate your journey and empower your choices with our insightful guidance.
Global Delivery Head at Appventurez
Ashish governs the process of software delivery operations. He ensures the end product attains the highest remarks in qualitative analysis and is streamlined to the clientele’s objectives. He has over a decade of experience as an iOS developer and teams mentorship.
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