Major Differences Between iOS and Android?

When developing a mobile app, most business owners will expect it to be made available on both the iOS and Android app stores. After all, you want your app exposed to as many users as possible, right? 

Having a cross-platform mobile app is possible, but it’s not as easy as most business owners imagine. That’s because building a mobile app for iOS platforms and building an app for Android platforms are two completely different processes. In fact, some developers that can successfully build an iOS app might not be able to build an Android app.

This might be a confusing concept for anyone new to the subject, but we’ll detail the clear differences between iOS and Android so you can effectively choose the best one for your project. Of course, most businesses will start off with releasing an app on one operating system and have the other one developed at a later time. 

Let’s take a look at the five most prominent differences between iOS and Android app development — which include cost, programming language, design philosophy, audience, and monetization. 

Which platform costs more to develop?

When figuring the cost of your mobile app development, most developers will bill you by the hour. With that being said, the cost will largely depend on how long your app takes to complete and how much your developer is charging.

Many people are under the impression that an iOS app will cost more no matter what, but that’s not always the case. When looking at the average hourly rate for mobile app developers in the United States, Android developers typically charge more — though the difference is rather small. 

An important thing to note here is not so much the cost of development, but the cost of having your app accepted into the respective app store. For iOS apps, it will cost $100+ per year. On the flip side, Android apps will only cost a one-time fee of $25. 

For many owners, that difference in cost could be the deciding factor for going with an Android app. 

What language will be used during development?

The programming language your developer is using will depend on the operating system the app is being built for. It’s essentially a set of instructions — or code — that will tell the operating system what to do and what to display. 

For iOS apps, a majority of developers will use Swift as their programming language. It’s a rather new language that was introduced in 2014 by Apple themselves. It introduced a much easier and practical way of writing code. 

For Android apps, Java was long considered to be the main programming language. In 2011, a Java enhancement called Kotlin first appeared and it has since become the preferred language in Android development. 

Believe it or not, the programming language will have an effect on how long your project takes to complete — which could indirectly affect which operating system you choose. Swift makes writing code a lot quicker, so your developers will be able to get more done in less time.

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Are there any differences in design philosophy?

One of the largest differences between iOS and Android app development is design. In general, think about the many differences between an Apple phone and an Android phone. The features, functions, and settings are almost entirely different. 

When it comes to screen sizes, Android will make it much more difficult to create a quality app that looks great no matter what phone user is downloading it. On the other hand, iOS devices will only offer a few screen sizes. 

Other differences will include where and how the navigation button works, where you display your menu, the options you have for notifications and pop-ups, and the availability to different functions inside the phone itself. 

In this case, Android will present more freedom but will take more effort. iOS apps might leave you limited in certain design areas, but you’ll likely save money from it.

Is there a certain demographic you’re trying to reach?

Your audience will play a large role in whether your app should be hosted on an iOS device, Android device, or both. It might not cross your mind often, but there’s an extremely intense “Battle of the Devices” going on globally right now and it features iOS users and Android users. 

Similar to the Xbox vs. Playstation, Pepsi vs. Coca Cola, and the correct spelling of “grey,” these global battles will almost always boil down to certain demographics. In the case for iOS devices, a majority of owners tend to be females and above the age of 35. They are typically in the marketing and media industry, spend a lot of time in apps, and make an average of $200,000 per year. 

In the case for Android devices, owners tend to be male between the ages of 18-35. The major industry involved here will be IT, Energy, & Utility employees who make $50,000-$100,000 per year. They won’t spend as much time on apps as iOS users. 

How do you plan on monetizing your mobile app?

A monetization strategy is essential for any app that wants to see a return on their investment. After all, it would be nice to see all the money you spent developing your app eventually find its way back into your business. 

Whether you decide to offer advertising space, in-app purchases, or require users to purchase your app with an up-front transaction, there are a variety of ways to make money through your mobile app. 

If you’re comparing monetization strategies between iOS devices and Android devices, there’s a good chance you’ll make more money with an iOS app. iOS users are typically more adept to in-app purchases. 

In terms of market share, however, Android will have the upper edge. Android users will also be more adept to watching ads (or half-watching them like we all do). 

Is it possible to find success with both platforms?

It might be odd to consider only owning an app in one device store, but it’s the only option for many owners with a limited budget. Eventually, it’s always recommended to expand your audience and it can be quite rewarding!

You’ll have two options when choosing to expand — building a second native app or creating a cross-platform (hybrid) app. Creating a second native app will give you the most freedom and better experience for the users, while a hybrid app will present some limitations. 

Don’t worry if you’re still struggling to figure out which platform is best for you, you’re not alone! If you would like further advice or have any questions that only a developer can answer, contact us today!

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Photo by Xavier Wendling on Unsplash