Android and iOS both top the game regarding developers’ choice in developing applications.
The reason? Both of them dominate the market share for the most mobile users, so there are a lot of pieces of cake to share.
Still, the real challenge for app developers is to decide which one should be prioritized between iOS vs Android app development.
This article aims to answer such a long-age question. We will compare the pros and cons of Android and iOS app development in different categories.
Hopefully, once you finish reading this article, you’re ready to make a more informed decision.
Android Development vs iOS Development – A Quick Look
If you are in a quick run, here is a snapshot of Android and iOS app development
Category |
Description |
Winner |
| Market Share | Which mobile operating system has the biggest users to see which one has more offer in terms of profitability and even sustainability | Android (69.88%)
iOS (29.39%) |
| Tech Stack | Which one between iOS vs Android offers better-quality tech stacks | Tie |
| Security | Which one between iOS and Android features is more powerful in terms of security | iOS |
| Cost | Which one between iOS and Android application development cost offers more value-for-money | Android |
iOS vs Android Development Market Share
So, between iOS and Android, which one has the most users?
Until today, Android is still the most popular mobile operating system in the world, taking the majority of the market share by 69.88%.
One big reason why Android takes over the market share is most of the mobile brands existing today carry Android, including:
- Samsung
- Xiaomi
- Oppo
- Vivo
- Huawei
- Realme
- Motorola
iOS follows suit as the second most used smartphone operating system, gaining 29.39% of the market share.
Android is particularly popular in Asia and especially in India. So, if you are running a business in the Asian market, consider going for Android development.
If we are focusing on the U.S. market, on the other hand, iOS or Apple leads the market share by 61.45%, beating Android by 23%.
So, if you are marketing toward Western countries, even the United Kingdom or Canada, consider iOS development as well.
Even better, if you are looking to profit from both market shares, make sure to set up a timeline for Android development as well as iOS.
Winner: Android
iOS vs Android App Development Tech Stack
For developers, the most popular Android tech stack includes Java and Kotlin.
Although Java is still reigning the throne, Kotlin promises huge prospects to enhance your Android application performance as it is deemed to be more intuitive, modern, and easy-to-read.
As for iOS, the most common programming language is Swift. It is notably well-known in the community for its high-readability and advanced development features.
In order to find out which one is better performing in terms of tech stack, let’s compare them side-by-side in the following aspects:
- Easiness to Master. Most developers find that iOS apps are simpler to develop than Android. This is because coding in Swift requires less code and therefore more time-efficient and compact. Plus, Java is one of the most challenging languages, but it is one of the most versatile.
- Architecture or Development Environment Strength. Some developers feel frustrated with Android’s architecture due to the frequent deprecations and updates from Google, so keeping yourself aware of Android development trends is crucial. iOS, in retrospect, offers a more stable development environment with longer-lasting code, thanks to the uniformity of Apple’s device ecosystem.
- Issue Solving. Apple’s reliance on approval for app updates severely delays critical fixes, whereas Android provides a more streamlined process.
- Time-to-Market. Although the iOS tech stack is easier to learn, its absence of hot reloading can significantly slow down the development process. Java frameworks, on the other side, come in with comprehensive reload features for a range of scenarios. This can really help speed up Android mobile app development.
So, which one wins?
It depends on which app development features your team needs to focus on based on your resources (manpower and budget) or even goals.
Verdict: Tie.
iOS vs Android App Security
When deciding which one provides more powerful security, we need to look at it from the development and client perspectives.
Development Perspective
While Android is still more popular, it faces compatibility problems due to the diversity of devices carrying the operating system.
Additionally, Android’s play store may be more open, but it is also more susceptible to malware.
Compared to Apple, it has an enclosed system which allows for in-depth control and longer device support.
Plus, the Apple app store is more secure due to its exclusivity. The operating system implements a layered protection through privacy settings.
Client Perspective
For the users, Android offers more flexibility with its open-source nature. Users can bypass restrictions while still maintaining privacy.
Although the iPhone has encrypted communication and anonymous information sharing, it faces some scandals regarding information censorship.
One of the most well-known cases is the Hong Kong protest, where Apple eventually complied with government requests for data sharing, which comprised user privacy and control.
Then again, the winner boils down to the needs and preferences of your app development.
If you want to serve users with heightened security, Apple’s iOS stands out with its controlled environment, constant upgrades, and secure app store.
Still, if you think that security in the eye of users is valued from flexibility, customization, and personal control, Android may be a better fit.
What’s more important is that security enhancements are doable on both platforms, so long as developers implement the right cybercrime prevention tactics.
That’s why we highly recommend working with iOS or Android app development services, as they are the top of the crop when it comes to empowering security systems.
Winner: Apple
iOS vs Android App Development Cost
To analyze the costs and benefits of mobile app development between Android and iOS, let’s break down how they compare across different categories.
Manpower Cost
Developer rates vary globally. In the US and the UK, developers are paid expensively.
Contrastingly, the cost of Indian developers is more affordable.
Still, you can get the same quality in terms of results, regardless of where the developer comes from.
Furthermore, Android app development uses Java in general.
This programming language is more low-budget than Swift or Objective-C, which are the default tech stack in iOS.
In fact, you can save 10-15% with Android development.
Time Development
The general consensus is that, the longer the time, the costlier the development.
Android, which uses Java, is bulkier. This, in turn, leads to more time for coding.
Plus, as Android supports many devices, fragmentation comes in as an issue as developers need to do extensive testing.
Not to mention, Android emulators are slower than their iOS counterparts.
Still, you can mitigate this risk by limiting the versions of devices and operating systems your app will support.
Additionally, you cannot underestimate Java’s support in terms of documentation and community assistance.
However, one big blocker for iOS is the strict rules set by the Apple App Store, which can generally impede your time-to-market.
Google App Store admittedly offers more freedom for app submission.
Winner: Android
Conclusion
Although we have made a comprehensive comparison analysis between iOS vs Android, the decision still lies in your hands.
A clear understanding of the target market, the specific goals of your app, and budgetary constraints will help guide you in your decision.
If you need to consult which one between Android and iOS app development is more robust in providing app solutions, contact us and we will gladly assist you.
