Android vs iOS App Development Which One Should You Choose

Android vs iOS App Development: Which One Should You Choose?

Mobile apps have become an important business tool today. The two platforms with the most mobile apps are Android and iOS, consequently, companies trying to enter the mobile application market often have to make a tough choice about which platform to go with first.

Choosing between Android and iOS app development isn't just a technical decision—it’s a strategic one that can directly impact your business's market presence, revenue model, and user engagement. Each platform has its own set of advantages, challenges, user demographics, and technical requirements. Understanding these factors is essential to make an informed choice that aligns with your business goals.

Let’s compare iOS and Android app development to help you make your decision between the two.

Market Share and Audience Reach

Market size and audience reach of either platform need to be some of the key things to look into when focusing on iOS and Android app development. As per a survey analysis, developed by Google, Android dominates the worldwide mobile OS market with over 70%. Apple's iOS has a smaller foothold but is in a stronger position than others in the United States, Australia and parts of Europe.

Android:

Android’s global supremacy can be explained to a large extent by the many different devices that are in the Android system, from inexpensive phones to very large devices. These factors, therefore, make Android a better option for businesses that want to cater to a global audience, particularly in the growing economies like India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia.
Android phones are available across all price segments—budget, mid-range, and premium—allowing businesses to reach broader socio-economic classes. Moreover, manufacturers like Samsung, Xiaomi, Vivo, and OnePlus contribute to Android’s penetration by constantly innovating and launching devices at competitive prices. This has made Android a go-to choice for businesses aiming to scale quickly and achieve higher downloads in emerging markets.

iOS:

In contrast, however, iOS devices have a more premium audience in developed countries, especially countries such as North America and Western Europe. Owners of iPhone and iPad devices are able and willing to spend more money when it comes to in-app purchases as well as in premium applications, which makes deploying in iOS a more profitable option for businesses who are targeting creating more revenue per user.
Additionally, iOS users are often perceived as more brand-loyal and engaged, which means higher customer retention rates. This engagement is crucial for apps that depend on subscriptions, e-commerce, or content consumption. Thus, if your business is focused on customer lifetime value over volume, iOS might be the right starting point.

Development Costs and Time

Another important aspect that needs to be taken into account while comparing iOS and Android app development is the cost as well as the duration for developing an application on each of the stated platforms.

iOS: Low-Cost and Fast Development

In general, iOS app development is not only quicker but also less expensive than Android development. Reasons why Apple provides a small number of devices (iPhones and iPads), thereby narrowing the number of screens and resolutions for which the application will need to be optimized. In addition to that, Apple’s policies and the commonality of the hardware specifications prevent problems with fragmentation and consequently make the development process more efficient.
This efficiency can significantly reduce time-to-market, which is critical for startups or businesses working on tight deadlines. Furthermore, iOS apps are typically developed using Swift, Apple’s powerful and intuitive programming language that reduces the amount of code and speeds up development. This not only leads to faster development cycles but also helps in maintaining cleaner codebases for long-term scalability.

Android: Difficulty in Development Due to Fragmentation

On the other hand, the situation is different for Android app development. Android app development is more complicated and lengthy. This is due to the high fragmentation of the Android ecosystem which has numerous devices that have different screen sizes and hardware and even software versions.
Because Android supports thousands of devices, developers must spend extra time testing the app across a wide range of screen sizes and configurations. This involves developing multiple layouts and testing them on various emulators and physical devices. Also, backward compatibility becomes an issue, as not all users update to the latest Android versions, forcing developers to support older versions, which increases complexity and cost.

User Interface and User Experience

The UI and UX focus are key components that determine whether or not an application will be successful. With the presence of both iOS and Android operating systems, they differ in their specific UI designs which force developers to follow specific design guidelines when building an application in order to achieve user-friendliness.

iOS: Aesthetics Over Everything

Apple focuses on creating simple, uniform designs and patterns. In iOS application development, the Human Interface Guidelines, or HIG for short, are followed, with the intent of helping mobile applications maintain a uniform design consistency. iOS apps are also well organized with a simple, user-friendly design which has been enhanced by great attention to detail. Therefore, for any businesses that are targeting customers who appreciate a more luxurious look or perfect experience, iOS is the ideal platform.
Moreover, the consistency of iOS devices means that animations and transitions look smoother and more polished. Apple’s unified ecosystem also allows seamless integration with other Apple devices, enhancing the overall user experience. For example, apps can be extended into Apple Watch or macOS without major overhauls.

Android: Prepare to Change the Game

With that said, Android on the other hand does not suffer from the same fate, and therefore offers its users a lot more opportunities for customization. The developer may customize the interface and the functions of the application to meet the needs of the target audience, and therefore be more creative when it comes to the design aspect.
Material Design, Google’s design language, offers a rich toolkit of components and animations to help developers craft intuitive experiences. This flexibility allows brands to infuse their own identity into the app’s interface. However, designers must exercise caution to ensure the app behaves consistently across devices and OS versions, otherwise, it can lead to usability issues.

Monetization Opportunities

Another key factor while comparing iOS and Android app development is the monetization point of view. Various revenue models are available on both platforms like – paid apps, in-app purchases, subscription-based models, and advertisements.

iOS: Spending More

It has also been observed that iOS users are likely to spend more than Android users on apps and paid content within apps. Various researches show that while there is a bigger share of the Android market, iOS apps earn more revenue. This is because most iOS users tend to purchase premium apps and subscribe to services. So for businesses whose intention is to monetize by selling the app and through in-app purchases, iOS is the better platform.
In fact, the Apple App Store generates nearly double the revenue of the Google Play Store, even though Android dominates in terms of downloads. Subscription services, like streaming apps or fitness platforms, see better conversions and renewals on iOS, which is essential for recurring revenue businesses.

Android: Potential For Advertising

There is, though, the potential for monetizing through app advertising as an in-app purchase monetization approach due to the high number of users, although Android users are not as high with the tendency to purchase apps themselves. Android apps also have a better potential due to the number of people who have a higher rate of smartphone ownership than the poorer people.
For businesses targeting mass-market solutions, Android’s large user base offers excellent opportunities for ad-supported models, especially in entertainment, gaming, and utility apps. Google’s ad ecosystem, including AdMob and Google Ads, integrates well with Android apps and can generate steady passive income when done right.

App Store Publishing Guidelines

The process of getting approval for App submission in the App Store (iOS) and Google Play Store (Android) is in fact, another key differentiating aspect of the two platforms.

iOS

Apple is quite notorious for having strict standards during its app submission process. Abiding by Apple's strict measures is important. The app review procedure may last for days or a week. This time may be frustrating for developers.

However, this rigorous process ensures a higher standard of app quality in the App Store. It filters out malware, spam apps, and buggy software, thereby ensuring user trust. While this may slow time-to-market, it improves the perceived credibility and safety of your app in the eyes of users.

Android

On the other hand, Android has a faster and more flexible app submission procedure. Google Play Store has less stringent guidelines and within a couple of hours, there are high chances that the apps can be accepted. This gives the developer an advantage of getting into the market faster. Thus, the Google Apps Store has a larger number of applications. This may make it quite difficult for recent applications and increase the competition.

This open approach allows quicker iterations and faster bug fixes but can also result in lower app quality if not managed well. It also raises the bar for new apps to stand out, making ASO (App Store Optimization) more critical than ever.

Maintenance and Updates

Any app needs to be maintained and its updates provided after the first launch to enhance smooth operation and user satisfaction.

iOS

Updating and supporting the iOS Application is not particularly challenging due to Apple’s limited number of devices and operating system versions. More often than not, Apple’s devices are updated to the latest version soon after its introduction, which means developers will only be working on the most contemporary version of the OS.

This consistent adoption rate makes iOS an attractive platform for developers who want to minimize legacy support and focus on innovation. It simplifies QA (Quality Assurance) cycles and ensures that most users get access to the latest features and updates quickly.

Android

Android's fragmentation applies not only to hardware but also to software updates. For example, a considerable part of Android users don't upgrade their OS right after the latest version is available, which means that developers need to make their apps functional across numerous OS versions. This may make it more difficult to implement the updates and broaden the range of testing that is required.

Additionally, manufacturers and carriers often delay Android updates, which leads to inconsistent experiences across devices. This lag can pose challenges when launching new features that depend on the latest APIs or hardware capabilities.

Go for Quantum IT’s App Development Services

Whether to develop an application for iOS or Android Platforms comes down to the objectives of the business, the intended audience, and the time and budget available for development and marketing. Therefore, if your target audience consists of users from high-value economies such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, the Middle East, and you intend to derive revenue from in-app purchases or selling the app, then developing the app for iOS should be considered.
At the same time, for those who want to capture an international audience, especially in developing countries, and intend to monetize through advertisements, the Android platform is relatively more beneficial because it has a larger market reach for app developers’ audiences.
Both platforms have their unique strengths and are viable in their ways. Many businesses today choose to eventually launch on both platforms to maximize outreach and revenue. However, making the right choice for your initial launch could define your app’s trajectory and profitability.
If you want to go ahead with iOS and Android app development, Quantum IT is ready to help you implement your idea. Our highly qualified team of developers designs and develops functional and convenient apps for specific business requirements. We provide a full app development cycle, from the first depiction through to development and maintenance. Contact us now for iOS and Android app development.

FAQs

1. Which platform is more cost-effective for app development, iOS or Android?

iOS is generally more cost-effective due to fewer device variations and screen sizes, resulting in faster development and less testing. Android, due to its fragmentation across many devices, often requires additional time and resources to ensure compatibility, making it slightly more expensive and time-consuming to develop for.

2. How do monetization strategies differ between iOS and Android?

iOS users tend to spend more on apps and in-app purchases, making it ideal for paid apps and subscription models. Android, while having a broader user base, sees higher success with ad-supported models due to user preferences for free apps and lower engagement with premium purchases.

3. Which platform has a faster app approval process?

Android offers a quicker and more flexible app approval process through the Google Play Store, often taking just a few hours. iOS, on the other hand, has a more rigorous and lengthy review process, sometimes taking several days, but it results in more secure and polished app offerings.

4. Is it easier to maintain an app on iOS or Android?

iOS is easier to maintain due to consistent hardware and faster OS adoption among users. Developers usually only need to focus on the latest OS versions. Android, with its fragmented ecosystem and slower OS update cycles, requires broader testing and support across multiple versions and devices.

5. Should startups choose iOS or Android for their first app?

Startups should base their choice on the target market. If targeting premium users in regions like North America or Western Europe, iOS is better for generating revenue. For startups aiming at a global audience, especially in developing countries, Android offers wider reach and faster user acquisition opportunities.