We often get asked about the differences between mobile app development for iOS and Android. They require two different skill sets for development, that’s probably the major difference. But the fact is, most mobile apps need to be created for both operating systems.
Android was perhaps once seen as less important due to the dominance of Apple’s iOS devices, however the rise of Samsung and other devices adopting the Android operating system has made it more important than ever.
Which Operating System Is More Popular?
According to Statcounter, in May 2019 Android held a whopping 75% of the mobile operating systems market share worldwide, compared to around 22% for iOS. If you’re instantly thinking you should rush out and develop on Android, we need to take a closer look at those numbers.
The same research shows that iOS holds a more impressive 58% of the market share in Australia, with only 41% favouring Android. The numbers are similar in the United States, with iOS holding 54% and Android 45%. So why are the global numbers so heavily in Android’s favour?
A number of budget mobile manufacturers have adopted the Android system because, simply, it’s cheaper. These devices are wildly popular on the Asian market, where Android grabs an enormous 83% of the market share.
So, while the global figures heavily favour Android, a more important consideration may be what your target audience is using.
Consider Your Target Audience
You want to reach as many people as possible, but those people need to be realistic targets for using your app. For example, if you run a services business or a food/drink business in Australia, what are you trying to achieve with an app? You might want to offer online orders, deliveries or a service booking service. All things that really only matter to customers in your local area. From that point of view, the massive dominance of Android in Asia is of little consequence for your mobile app development needs.
Which Platform Should You Build Your App on First?
You could make an argument of both operating systems, but a lot of it will depend on what you’re trying to achieve. There’s pros and cons on both sides, but it really comes down to which system is going to give you the most market penetration.
Android has substantially more users, but a lot of this is based on the fact that a lot of cheaper Chinese hardware developers use Android software. As we explored earlier, when you’re talking about a nation of 1.3 billion people gravitating towards one system, it skews the figures a little.
Take a look at your target audience, and which platform they’re more likely to use.
Is Revenue Important?
When you’re talking about generating revenue through an app, it’s hard to argue with the raw data that puts iOS miles ahead of Android. While around 75% of app downloads in 2018 came from the Google Play Store (Android), the iOS counterpart over in Apple’s App Store generated nearly twice as much income from apps.
This tells us that iOS users are willing to pay more for apps, which probably won’t come as a surprise considering Android is increasingly becoming knows as a ‘budget’ option.
Gross App Revenue 2018
Apple (iOS): $46.6 billion
Google (Android): $24.8 billion
Time and Cost for Development
The time and cost of mobile app development is reasonably similar between the two platforms. However, it is important to note that an iOS app will cost you $99 every year, compared to Android’s $25 one-off fee.
The actual cost of development is similar though, because the development phase takes roughly the same amount of time. The only thing that may take a little longer with Android is the testing phase. This is because iOS devices have fewer variations in screen size. Android is present on such a variety of devices that testing for all screen sizes can take longer.
Whether you need a mobile app for Android, iOS or both, MRU Consulting can help with your project. For genuine, unique mobile app solutions that achieve your objectives, you’ll want to deal with the best development team. Get in touch with us today for a risk-free quote and see how we can help with your mobile application development needs.