Android vs iOS Development: Choosing the Right Platform for Your App

Often among developers and dev forums, there is a one-million-dollar question that is under constant debate: Which is better (or easier) between Android vs iOS Development? Believe it or not, it is also a common question of social talk in an app development company. It is getting more hype as smartphone usage increases.

According to a research study, there are more than 7 billion smartphone users as of 2024. Another study reveals that an average smartphone user uses 10 apps per day. As a result, in the same year, researchers believe that mobile app revenue will be over $930 billion.

Unfortunately, the question is not that easy to answer. It is mostly a matter of user preference. However, we will not leave you hanging with just that.

Android vs iOS Development Statistics

From a broader perspective, both iOS and Android development have their advantages, drawbacks, and use cases. Also, both of them are profitable in their own respects. If you must know, worldwide, consumers spent over170 billion US dollars on apps in 2023. In the same year, mobile users’ app usage was about 16 billion hours. So, it is better not to waste time comparing both, and it is wise to read through our blog and decide which suits you best.

Also, for a better understanding of the platform that perfectly aligns with your business goals, its best to partner with any trustable cross platform app development company today.

We will go over some of the latest stats, pros, and cons and put forward some points to consider before choosing one. It will help you decide which better suits your needs and demands and move forward with learning and application.

Complexities in Android vs iOS Development

Choosing between Android vs iOS development is challenging. Typically, developing for iOS is easier for programmers of every skill bracket. Apple has its own programming language, Swift, which is easier and faster to learn and use. So, it takes less time and money to design and launch the app and maintain it over the course of its life. 

On the other hand, Android developers utilize Kotlin, Java, or both to make apps. It takes more code work, and thus, more time and money, to develop an app and maintain it.

However, keeping ease aside, generally, Android holds the bigger chunk of the market. So, it is more profitable and better to learn Android development. If you don’t want to carry the burden yourself, you can contact a reliable Android app development company to develop the app.

Other than that, both have their advantages and disadvantages. Any developer who is comfortable with any language, whether it be Java, Kotlin, Swift, or Objective-C, can easily work with it.

Still, there is one major difference. You can develop an Android app on any laptop or computer utilizing the languages mentioned above using Android Studio. However, to work with Swift, you will need a Macbook to run Xcode, and that is costly enough itself to make up for the saved time and money.

Finally, App Annie’s report reveals that iOS apps generate 85% more revenue than Android apps. So, if you integrate your app with in-app purchases or put a price tag on it from the start, you may end up earning more in the long run.

Differences between Android vs iOS Development

Both Apple and Google offer different toolkits and freedom to developers. 

• Using these tools, programmers can create apps and effectively release them on the respective platforms. 
• Some believe that Google’s developer’s toolkit is easier to set up and use as compared to Apple’s, while others believe otherwise. 

Another issue for Android vs iOS developers is the execution and overtime maintenance of the app. 

• Android apps require more customization and long lines of coding. As a result, it takes longer and costs more to develop Android applications. 
• On the flip side, developing and maintaining apps for iOS consumes less resources and time. 

The cost and time also depends on the number of devices that app has to support. 

• Since there are many different Android OS versions running across several different devices and companies, Android app development is more demanding. 
• If you look at Apple’s side, you already know the answer to this one. Apple has its own ecosystem, and apps are more manageable and easier to update.  
• Still, the cost varies more according to your needs and choice of platform, get a quick estimate of average cost through mobile app development cost calculator and see how much you have to save.

Pros and Cons of iOS App Development

We will now move on to the pros and cons of iOS app development. First, we will discuss the advantages of iOS app development.

Pros of iOS App Development

• Quicker Development

As compared to Android, iOS app development is rapid and much simpler. Swift and Xcode are the main platforms iOS developers use. It simplifies the coding process and cuts short the code to fewer lines. 

• Design Guidelines

To assist developers, Apple developed Human Interface Guidelines or HIU to ensure the apps offer seamless user experience. It is a powerful infrastructure that helps design elements, patterns, and foundations with a bigger visual index section.

• Less Time to Test

Since only Apple devices use iOS, developers and testers have fewer devices to optimize the app for. Moreover, most Apple users upgrade to the latest operating system as soon as it rolls out, making it easier and simpler to test. 

• Better Security

The iOS platform itself and the programming languages that developers use to develop iOS applications, Swift and Objective-C, are much safer. It helps remove errors and vulnerabilities that may result in the program to error out and crash. 

Cons of iOS App Development

Similar to Android app development, iOS app development also does not come without drawbacks. These are as follows:

• Long Time to Deploy

Apple has strict guidelines when it comes to releasing your app on its App Store. It is difficult to get their seal of approval, and thus, it takes longer to deploy your app. If, by any chance, your app fails to meet the requirements and guidelines mentioned by Apple, has performance issues, or is simply not useful enough, they will reject it.

• App Customization is Challenging

Apple requires developers to follow strict guidelines and has set several restrictions, which makes it challenging to customize your app. It also makes it hard to experiment with new concepts and eventually difficult to stand out in the crowded market.

• Closed Development

Apple is very strict about its ecosystem. As a result, you cannot use any other device or platform to develop iOS apps other than a Mac OS.

Pros and Cons of Android App Development

First, let’s talk about the advantages of Android app development. 

Pros of Android App Development

• Open-Source Platform

The first major advantage of developing for Android is that it is an open-source platform. Developers and manufacturers can easily access the code and adjust it to meet the requirements of their device’s hardware. 

• Software Development Kit or SDK

The next advantage is linked with the Software Development Kit or SDK. It is a group of tools providing assets for developers, including frameworks, debuggers, emulators, libraries, and others. The Android Studio comes with Android SDK, but you can download it independently and use it with other IDEs or Integrated Development Environments. It helps the developers reduce repetitiveness and improve the app’s performance. 

• Constant Improvements and Old Features Take Down

The Android user base is massive. Many people post reviews and feedback about areas of improvement in the operating system and the app. This causes continuous improvements and changes with the help of upgrades and updates. Also, it makes Google add new features and improve the quality while removing the things that people don’t like.  

• Quicker Deployment

Last but not least, the next massive benefit that Android developers get is the faster deployment time for apps on Google’s Play Store. It usually takes only a few hours. It really helps developers and businesses looking to market faster and get responses quicker. 

Cons of Android App Development

Even with all the benefits, Android app development does not come without its fair share of disadvantages, and that is what we will talk about next.  

• Long and Slow Development

Java and Kotlin are the two main programming languages that Android developers use. It requires them to write longer codes and perform multiple tests on different devices. As a result, Android development is a slow and lengthy process.

• Less Security

It is kind of known among people that Android is less secure than iOS because of the open-source functioning. It is easy for hackers to exploit a vulnerability in the code due to any customization or updates. So, security is a major concern for Android app developers.

What to Consider When Going For App Development for Android and iOS?

According to a report, the app development industry is seeing massive growth year-over-year and doesn’t seem to slow down any time soon. The report reveals a growth rate of 7.89%, reaching a staggering US $218 billion by 2027.

So, if you are thinking about becoming an iOS developer or an Android developer, you are on the right track. It has a great scope, but first, you need to decide which one to approach. Below, we have mentioned some points that will help you make a confident decision

• Market share

The first and most significant thing to consider is the market share. Both iOS and Android hold 99% of the market, with Android standing tall between the two with the bigger share. However, in the US market, iOS is more popular. Still, there is substantial profit in both operating systems, with Android having a little more edge.  

• Learning Part

iOS development needs Swift, its own powerful platform. On the other hand, Android developers use Java and/or Kotlin. Although learning a new programming language is always a bit difficult, Apple’s Swift is relatively easier and simpler to understand. It uses less coding, resulting in faster development. Java and Kotlin are somewhat challenging to master, which can become time-consuming. 

However, Apple’s strict guidelines take longer to approve an app, while Google offers faster deployment. Still, it is easier to develop for the App Store because Apple’s ecosystem is small, whereas there are thousands of Android devices to keep in mind. 

If you are new to development and programming languages, there is more scope for learning Java. It is usable not only for developing Android apps but also for web development, enterprise applications, and others. However, if you only want to be an app developer, Swift might be better to go with. 

• Salary

On average, the salary of a mobile app developer in the US is $116,025 a year, with $90,002 being the lowest and $156,000 being the highest. 

So, whether you become an iOS or Android developer, the pay is decent. The main difference is that your salary is based on your experience, skills, and location.  

• Hardware Requirements

You will need a capable enough computer to handle the app development process. Android Studio and Xcode are both demanding software and primary tools for app development. Android Studio gets a win here because of its compatibility with Windows, Macs, and Linux-based computers, while Xcode is only available for Macs. 

Here is the detailed breakdown of system requirements for either tool.

Android Studio System Requirements:

Need Help? Learn about system requirements in detail and how to install Android Studio. 

Xcode System Requirements:

These requirements are for the latest version, Xcode 15.3. Learn about the complete system requirements for previous versions of Xcode.

• Android vs iOS Development Toolkit

When developing, it is essential to keep IDE or an integrated development environment in mind. 

The iOS development tool Xcode offers the following benefits.

• A fully-fledged and intuitive tool with powerful support.
• Supports app development for all devices, including iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacOS, and Apple Vision.
• Offers Code Completion for quicker development.
• Integrated features for managing the hierarchy of directories, debugging, and management. 

Android has support for several development tools and offers the following benefits:

• Android Studio offers automation and a customizable app creation layout. You can also define individual build variants with separate code and resources, including other tools. 
• Eclipse is a Java-based tool developers can use to create apps and test codes from different programming languages.
• Visual Studio is an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that helps create cross-platform apps. Using this tool, you can write and adjust source codes, debug, and create executable files.  
• Thunkable is a no-code tool to create native mobile applications. 

Overall, Apple’s Xcode and Swift are much better, easier, and simpler choices that offer a better user experience for developers and users. On the other hand, Android has more options for development tools.  

• Costs and Expenses

The Android app development cost and iOS app development cost is another significant factor to consider, including the expenses for licensing and membership.

• In the case of the Apple App Store, although it is cost–friendly to develop, developers must adhere to the strict guidelines and requirements of the Apple Development Program. It is necessary if you want to put your app on the store, use beta software, and integrate features such as Siri, Apple Pay, and iCloud. The Apple Development Program fee is $99/year.
• In the case of the Google Play Store and Android, there is no monthly or yearly subscription fee. You just have to pay a one-time registration cost of $25 from Google Play Console. 

The total mobile app development cost varies based on your needs and choice of platform, still, the above cost brief tells us two things. One is that Apple has a yearly subscription plan, while Android has a one-time registration fee. Also, between Android vs iOS development, it is much harder to get your app approved by Apple than by Android authorities.  

• Coding

Finally, we have come to the last and most crucial step: coding. Both iOS development and Android development provide different roads. 

• Initially, Objective-C was the primary programming language for iOS apps until Apple decided it was too complex and introduced Swift. It is much simpler and easier than its predecessor. Moreover, it is quicker to develop apps with Swift. 
• Conversely, Java was the main programming language for Android until Kotlin came to combine with Java and improve security and syntax.

Why Choose Trango Tech For Your Next App Development Project?

We create digital experiences that cater to the needs of every business in almost every industry. Here is why Trango Tech is a leading app development company. 

Modern Approaches

Trango Tech keeps itself updated with the latest trends and technologies in the market. We use the most advanced tech and tools to provide top-notch service to the customers.  

Dedicated Client Focus

We believe in creating long term relationships with our clients. For that, our team work like a family and collaborate closely with every client to produce great results, efficiently. 

Skilled Team

Our team consists of developers, designers, and engineers who are expert in their relevant fields. They take every project as a challenge and work hard to produce spectacular results.

High Experience

Trango Tech has been helping small, medium, and big scale companies digitally transform themselves for over 15 years. Our experience is our advantage over competitors.

Fast and Affordable

We aim to provide excellent services with efficiency every step of the way. Not only that, we work for our client’s success and provide every service at an affordable rate.

Summary

In Q1 2023, researchers estimated the total app downloads from the App Store and Play Store to be approximately 35 billion. Currently, the total number of apps on Apple’s App Store is over 1.8 million, while Google’s Play Store hosts over 3.4 million apps. 

It means both Android vs iOS development has advantages and disadvantages. We have highlighted the differences and requirements for each app development platform, and now it is up to you to decide. If you are a beginner, Apple’s Swift will be your best choice, and if you have web and other development in mind for the future, Java and Kotlin will suit you well. If you need help, you can get it from a reliable Android and iOS app development company. They have professional expertise and skills to build powerful apps creatively.

We hope you decide the best. Good Luck Developing!

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions from the public and developers 

What programming languages do you need for Android vs iOS development?

For iOS, you will need to learn Apple’s own Swift programming language and work on Xcode to develop sound iOS applications. For Android, you will need to opt for Java and/or Kotlin and utilize Android Studio.  

Is it easier to develop for Android or iOS?

There is no definite answer to this question, but in general, an iOS dev has a much easier time working with Swift than an Android dev working with Java and/or Kotlin. Also, it is much faster to develop an app for the Apple App Store, but much faster to deploy an app on the Google Play Store.  

Which is more in demand: Android development or iOS development?

In general, Android has a bigger chunk of the market in terms of both revenue and users. However, Apple has its ecosystem in more control and has a better market share in the US. So, great profit is inevitable, and it is your own preference to either go for Android app development or iOS app development.  

Who earns more: Android vs iOS development person?

As we discussed above, on average, an app developer can make over US $100 K annually. Although Android has a bigger market share than iOS, the earning is more or less the same. On average, an iOS app developer’s highest salary is around US $115 K per year, while an Android app developer’s salary is around US $113 K per year.