How to Choose the Right Mobile App Development Platform in 2024
Overview
Android OS vs. iOS- both these platforms have their limitations and benefits for modern enterprises. However, entrepreneurs must pick the best option for developing their first business applications. 00This post talks about the comparison between Android and iOS platforms from the perspective of a mobile app development company.
Comparing Android OS and iOS
Let’s begin with the market share of these prevalent app development platforms.
Market Share
Android OS (Google) and iOS (Apple) possess more than 99 percent of the global market share in the domain of mobile OS and applications. Android has maintained its top position as the global mobile operating system with a market share of about 73%, whereas, iOS possesses around 27% of the market share.
As per the Statista survey, Android OS accounts for over 70 percent of the market share worldwide, whereas its competitor iOS has a global market share of over 28 percent in 2023.
Based on this market share, in some regions, Android OS dominates iOS and vice versa. Here is a quick look at a region-wise market share of Android OS and iOS.
Region | Android Share in % | iOS Share in % |
|---|---|---|
The US | 46.98 | 52.59 |
Asia | 83.09 | 13.85 |
Europe | 72.71 | 22.23 |
One thing is clear from this table. If a company wants to target the USA-based audience it is better to start with an iOS app. If regions in Asia or Europe are what you want to target, you should go with Android app development. However, it is fair to mention that Android OS has a larger market share than iOS across the world.
Both Android and iOS platforms are useful for native app development. You can build a native app using any of these platforms with the help of mobile app development services. Let’s understand the native app development process.
Overview of Native App Development
We can classify the thriving mobile app development domain into two broad categories- native and cross-platform. Native apps, as the name suggests, have characteristics similar to the respective native operating systems.
You can hire mobile app developers to build either an iOS or Android app using their dedicated programming languages. Native app development translates to a smooth, reliable, and high-performance experience, taking full advantage of the device’s capabilities.
Let’s dig deep into the key points of differences between Android OS and iOS.
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6 Major Differences Between Android and iOS Platforms
Both Android OS and iOS rule the mobile app development domain. However, these platforms have some distinct aspects of differences across various factors. From design to development costs and compatibility to programming language, both these operating systems have the following key differences-
1. Design
iOS and Android OS have completely different design philosophies. iOS and Android OS have completely different design philosophies.
Architecture and Organization
Android
Android apps are built in parts, like building blocks, with screens and functionalities divided into “fragments.” This offers flexibility but can lead to a less cohesive experience. In other words, Android app architecture has embraced fragmentation.
iOS
iOS apps rely on centralized “view controllers” that manage the entire screen or specific sections. This creates a more streamlined and predictable experience for users. In other words, iOS has view controllers instead of fragments for better experience.
Design Languages
Material Design (Android)
Clean lines, bold colors, and playful animations are a part of Google’s Material Design guidelines. It offers a flexible framework for creating intuitive and visually appealing interfaces.
Human Interface Guidelines (iOS)
Apple champions minimalism and elegance. Its Human Interface Guidelines emphasize clarity, consistency, and intuitive interactions, resulting in a polished and user-friendly experience.
Here are the key differentiators of design guidelines of Android OS and iOS.
Depth
Apple embraces subtle gradients and shadows to create a sense of depth, while Android sticks to a flat design aesthetic with minimal elements in its Material Design approach.
Navigation
Android offers more freedom for designers, potentially leading to less intuitive UI, while iOS has stricter navigation rules, ensuring a consistent and comfortable experience.
Animation
Apple uses animation sparingly for specific functions, while Android leverages animation to enhance user experience and bring the design to life.
Clarity
Both platforms strive for simplicity. Apple utilizes subtle skeuomorphism with blurred elements, while Android relies on drop shadows to mimic real-world objects.
Typography
Roboto is the go-to font for Android, while San Francisco is prevalent on iOS screens. Both platforms prioritize readability but differ in spacing and boldness.
Ultimately, the “best” design philosophy is subjective and depends on the app’s purpose and target audience. Both Android and iOS offer powerful tools for creating engaging and user-friendly experiences.
2. Programming Languages
Native apps need to be built in a specific programming language for the respective OS. For example, iOS needs to build apps in either Objective-C or Swift, and Android apps require either Java or Kotlin.
When we hire mobile app developers, they believe that an iOS app is more accessible and easier to build as compared to its Android counterpart. The reason is Swift offers less time to code as compared to Java. However, as Kotlin evolves, Android app developers will find it convenient with high readability and developer-friendliness.
3. Development Costs
Apple has a smaller audience than Android and the App Store has fewer applications than that on Google Play. However, the App Store generates more revenue than its counterpart. In other words, iOS apps get more earnings than Android apps. The reason is simple- iPhone users afford costly in-app purchases and the app development cost for iOS apps is relatively less.
Android app development is costly because its testing period is longer and the lack of regulation in the platform brings more complications. As a result, rework attempts are more in Android app development as compared to the development process for iOS apps.
4. Ecosystem
Both platforms have dedicated IDEs (Integrated Development Environments). They are-
Android Studio
Google has developed this IDE to offer cross-platform support, high readability, and a vast library of debugging and development features. Its strength lies in generating multiple app versions for various devices quickly.
Xcode
This IDE from Apple excels in user-friendliness and offers robust bug-fixing tools. It ensures seamless compatibility across all iOS devices and provides intuitive source and assistant editors.
Here, the “better” IDE of Android Studio and Xcode depends on your needs. Consider Android Studio for its multi-device flexibility, and Xcode for its ease of use and iOS device compatibility.
5. Compatibility
One of the most distinct differences between iOS and Android OS is the former is close-ended and the latter is an open-ended platform. Simply put, iOS is compatible with all Apple devices and has nothing to do with other devices. Whereas Android OS is compatible with different devices, and therefore, Android app development takes more time than that for iOS apps.
6. Development Duration
Just like development costs, you need to consider development time. Here, the iOS app development process has a slightly upper hand with quicker completion than Android apps.
Usually, iOS apps get ready for release within 3 to 4 months. On the other hand, Android apps remain more time-consuming due to their longer release cycles and testing process. Along with this estimation, an app’s complexity and feature integration play a vital role in development duration.
Apart from native app development, entrepreneurs can opt for cross-platform app development to save big on money and resources. These are major reasons behind the rising popularity of cross-platform application development.
Rise of Cross-platform Application Development
Cross-platform app development aims to gain the benefits of cost-efficiency. This approach is useful in building an app that can run seamlessly on different platforms. It is a technological answer to the challenge of creating a separate application for different mobile platforms. In a way, cross-platform app development can save time, effort, and money when building an app that works on multiple platforms at once.
Pros and Cons of Cross-platform Applications
Pros of Cross-platform Apps | Cons of Cross-platform Apps |
|---|---|
Quicker Development | Performance Issues |
Reduced Costs | Difficult Code Design |
Wider Audience | Challenging Modification |
Cross-platform apps ensure consistency between platforms and are capable of reaching a wider audience. However, it is difficult to modify these apps for new features and their overall performance cannot remain the same as that of native apps.
Concluding Remarks
In a nutshell, choosing the right mobile development platform between Android and iOS hinges on multiple factors. Android boasts wider reach and greater customization, while iOS offers smoother development and potentially higher revenue. It is better to remember that each mobile app development platform has its own set of opportunities and challenges.
As an entrepreneur, you should compare native and cross-platform options before initiating your mobile app development journey. Moreover, you can consult a reputed mobile app development services provider to get the right advice.
Silicon IT Hub is a renowned mobile app development company that builds enterprise-level applications with desired features. You can hire dedicated mobile app developers from our in-house teams of Android and iOS developers. We ensure seamless functionality and advanced features for your business app at reasonable development costs. Wish to know more? Send us an email at info@siliconithub.com and we will get back to you.
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