Android vs iOS App Development

One of the first questions people usually ask an app developer is the right platform for the planned app.

There is no universally valid answer for this and each case must be considered individually.

In this article, we would help you to get an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of the two operating systems.

The article consists of the following sections:
1. the main differences between iOS development
and Android development
2. supported devices
3. the costs of development of iOS and Android apps
4. current app usage – with infographics statistics!
5. with which system to make more money
6. which platform is the first choice?

Differences between the Development of iOS and Android Apps

First of all, we should hold what it takes for the development of native apps in this article.

Web apps look different, because apps don’t need to be developed for iOS and Android, instead an application makes all systems function.

You can refresh your knowledge of the distinction between native, hybrid, and Web apps once again.

The iOS development is made quite clear by its structure. You use the IDE on Apple devices Xcode to create applications.

This development environment is specifically designed for swift and objective c programming languages, and supports but also C and C ++.

The integration of other languages (such as Java or Ruby) is also possible, but somewhat more complex.

The layout can be created even within the code, the common is the use of an external XIB file that is responsible for the Visual design of the app but Android apps give a little more freedom in the development.

You will need the Android software development kit that provides one of the most necessary tools.

It’s the most widely used programming language in the development of Java, but also C ++ and Ruby are often used.

Just like iOS, the layout can be set in a separate file. Because much less different iOS versions as Android versions on the market and support the number of devices is much smaller (see next section), but considerably more straightforward is the testing phase for iOS apps and code respectively. The layout must not be changed to so many different conditions.

All Apple applications are to be tested before the release at the Apple store and only if you meet all of the company’s policies, that your apps are published.

This usually takes about a week. This process runs significantly faster at Google play and the app can be uploaded directly.

Supported Devices

The Apple operating system iOS runs today on virtually all
mobile devices, Apple-branded.
• iPhone (1, 3 G, 3GS, 4, 4, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6Plus)
• iPad (1, 2, 3, 4, air)
• iPad mini (1 and 2)
• iPod touch (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
• Apple Watch

Since the second generation is a Special Edition, which provides access to the app store, iOS also runs on the Apple TV.

However, iOS can be installed only on Apple devices, therefore there are no Smartphones or tablets but the mentioned devices with Apple’s operating system.

The thing about Android looks more complicated. Many major manufacturers – such as z. (B). Samsung, HTC, ASUS, and Motorola – produce smartphones, tablets, and other devices with this operating system.

The Android source code provided by Google is open-source software which is why manufacturers without great cost can use the operating system on your devices.

The list of available products is long, our listing covers only the most important.

• Smartphones (Samsung Galaxy S 5, ASUS Zenfone 4, Motorola Moto G 4 G, HTC one M 8, Amazon fire phone)
• Tablets (Acer Iconia tab A 500, ARCHOS 101 G9, ASUS Google Nexus 7, HTC Jetstream, LG G pad 8 3, Samsung Galaxy touch of 10 1, Sony Xperia Tablet Z)
• NetBook (Toshiba AC 100, Acer Aspire one D 260)
• E-reader (Sony Reader PRS t 3, Barnes & Noble nook Glowlight)
• Smartwatch (LG G watch)

However, not all products that use the Android operating system can access the Google app store.

The tablets from Amazon, for example, have only access to the app store Amazon.

The cost of development of iOS and Android development We talked in another article already more about the cost of app development and generally it can be said probably, that the cost is not very far from each other.

The cost for the developer account, which is necessary for the publication of the respective app store apps, is at Google play, $25 at Apple, and $99 a year.

NOTE: This can change any time, so, always check their website for latest price.

Thus, they are one of the lowest costs in the development of your app.

For the shops also in the sales of your apps, Pocket once, more money: 30% of your profits remain on Google respectively.

Apple

The development itself constitutes the largest part of the expenditure of course. Here, the obvious differences between the two operating systems will show up.

At the iOS development, one must reckon with a slightly higher hourly pay of the developer.

The programming of the apps is something more complicated and may take longer.

The Android development must be tested for longer. Because of the very large number of different devices on which the app must work easily and look good, which can take a lot of time and this almost compensates the additional costs for the iOS programmers.

Overall, the cost of the app development for Apple systems in most cases are slightly higher than Android.

The difference is too low but may take a great influence on your decision.

Current statistics on the app store

The sales of apps increased almost exponentially in recent years. The fastest increases were experienced in the last four years, especially in 2014 in the number of free downloads, but also paid apps and those with in-app billing sales rise constantly.

What system to make more money

The figures are quite clear: while much more apps for Android download, sales for iOS apps are much higher.

Last year, total sales in the Apple store was higher than at Google play.

This includes not only the turnover in the sales of apps, but also on the sale of additional services via in-app purchase and it has been like that in recent years.

There are, but of course a lot more ways to benefit monetarily from an app next to the app sales.

Mobile apps can be used as advertising material, for example, can contribute to a closer contact with the customers and users, a way of offering easy on fee-based, but not the app itself, services to be accessed.

In another article, we have reported about what methods, business apps can increase sales.

These indirect business models you can benefit more by the larger number of users with Android.

If you can afford to offer the app there free of charge, a significantly larger audience is open to you.

Which platform is the first choice?

If you can afford it somehow, it’s advisable to always make use of both platforms.

Nothing offered the app for the second system, even at a discount of 20% by App3.

Nevertheless, we understand of course that, maybe if someone wants to focus first on one of the platforms to test first the business model.

In such cases, iOS is usually the better choice. It seems simply to be that Apple users are more willing to invest money. So, you can benefit more quickly from the app.

If you want to know more, just try good app price calculator online So you can quickly get an idea of the cost of developing iOS and Android in US or other countries.