Android vs. iOS: ON WHICH PLATFORM YOU SHOULD BUILD MOBILE APP FIRST

In this era of mobility and changing time, development is taking place faster than anytime. We have a lot to dig in. 

Mobile application is ruling the era and this era is being ruled by Android and iOS. In the fourth quarter of 2020, around 2.9 million apps were available in the Apple App Store. It would be astonishing for you to know that till February 2021, Android has 71.9% Market share Worldwide. 

Now you can imagine how much good you will make when you choose to build an application of your own. 

If you’re creating an application, developing for iOS or Android is one of the first decisions you need to make.

Why can’t you develop mobile application on both platforms? 

Well you can, but it’s too risky if you are just starting with your business. 

We know that your ultimate goal is to launch an application on both platforms, before you decide anything, you need to think about the risk factors you’ll face if you select both platforms. 

Creating an app in both iOS and Android can cost you way too much. Here, you’ll be putting a high amount of money at stake. 

Instead of that, you can launch your app on any one platform, once it is successful; you can launch the app on another platform. 

So, how will you decide between Android and iOS to launch your app?

There are pros and cons of both platforms, but your choice depends on 7 factors:

1. Hardware Requirement
2. Target Audience
3. License Issue 
4. Features
5. Integrated Development Environment
6. Monetization 

Without wasting any time, let’s start with how these factors will affect your application. 

Let’s start!

#1 Hardware Requirements

Depending on the country in which you are, the hardware requirements are obvious to have or not so obvious to have.

In countries like India Windows is the dominant operating system, rather than US and Uk, where Mac Operating systems are mostly preferred. For the people in the USA and UK, it is pretty much common to develop iOS App rather than Android App. 

In India, Android Mobile Application development is much more preferred because the hardware you need is easily accessible and cheaper than iOS hardwares. 

The hurdle you’ll face is, for the MAC or iOS Mobile Application Development, you’ll need to have an iMac, Mac Mini or Macbook Pro. 

Where Android hardware is easier to get or upgrade. 

Thus, it is your choice to choose the hardware requirement according to your need. 

Important Features for perfect hardware for developing Mobile Application:

• Top processor (Core i9/ Ryzen 9 Processor is new in market). Choose i3 Processor / ryzen 3 Minimum. 
• Minimum 8GB RAM is preferred, if you purchase 16 GB RAM, it will be a good decision. 
• Minimum 256GB SSD Hard Disk is required.

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LogicRays Recommendation:

Whatever you choose, choose wisely because your Hardware requirement will be the base of your Application and both Android and iOS have their pros and cons. 

If you got big bucks to spend for your application, go for iOS App Development. 

And, if you want to make your Application under the budget with good features, Android App Development is what you should prefer. 

#2 Target Audience 

First thing you need to know is that your users will either belong to Android or iOS platforms. 

Your App will depend on your idea, and your idea will decide your target audience. 

For Example, If my idea is to make a Food Delivery app, then I will have to create apps on both iOS and Android platforms because my target audience will be everyone. 

But if my idea is to create a Music app, then it will depend on the audience, whether my audience is using iOS / Android / Both platforms. 

If you’re targeting a global audience, Android will be your best choice. But if your audience is in the UK or US, Apple will be a better choice.

LogicRays Recommendation:

Depending in which country your user base belongs will help you make this decision. 

Go through your idea and observe, where you will be able to get more traffic on your application depending on your country you’re living in. 

#3 License Issue

License issues with Android and iOS are completely different. If you’re making an Application in iOS, it will cost you more than Android. 

iOS charges $99 per year to upload your application in the App Store. 

Where Android charges $30 for lifetime access to upload any Apps you want to upload in Google Playstore. 

iOS is very precise when it comes to choosing an application to upload in the Apple store because. iOS is very precise about the quality of application you’re uploading because Apple does not accept low-quality applications in their store. These conditions help them keep their standard high in the world. 

iOS goes pixel-to-pixel to check your Application. It is far more strict in App development, checks memory leaks, and Graphics of Application. 

In Android it is much easier for any application to get selected to be in Google Playstore. 

The Lifetime usage with affordable rates, make Android a much preferable choice for everyone because, not everyone can afford $99 every year unless their App runs successfully in iOS.

LogicRays Recommendation

Doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner or an Expert Mobile App Developer, Apple is much recommended because Apple is far more strict in accepting the app and renewing the license on a monthly basis. Thus, Apps in Apple are much more refined, strict, safe & secure. 

Android on the other hand comes with less price but less price means more users, more apps, more competition, and every type of apps. 

#4 Features

The feature of your app depends on the main idea behind creating this application and what your audience will need out of it. 

So, the main question for you is that “What features will you provide through your Mobile App?” Because Android is open source and it provides more flexibility compared to iOS. 

Building the features and functions that your audience wants is in your hand. 

Open source means Android has higher risk to pirate apps and malware. When you compare Apple with Android- Apple is more secure because of its closed nature. This is the reason why iOS has a bigger audience base in the enterprise market. 

It keeps the data of enterprise safe & secure.

LogicRays Recommendation:

For the enterprise market it is much more recommended to use Apple because it is much more secure & safe. Where Android is open-source, there are a good number of chances that a bug or malware can attack your application. 

Thus, if your application is for your personal purpose, then using Android for your App development is much preferred. 

#5 Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Now when you write code for iOS, you use Xcode and when you write code for Android, you use Android studio. 

When you compare Xcode with Android Studio, Xcode is far more dominant than with the Android Studio. Since the things have now changed for Android Studio version 4.1, you don’t have to use third-party software like genymotion to speed up your performance of the emulator in the end right now. 

The default emulator is quite better than the previous version. 

On the other hand, Xcode is quite mature software because it has been through quite a lot of phases in every update. Thus, working on the Xcode is far more easier and less buggy, compared to the Android Studio. 

Also, the Android Studio has its own benefits like: arranging the things in layout is far more easier in the Android compared to Xcode because it comes with the linear layouts and compound layouts. 

At the end it is always your choice.

LogicRays Recommendation:

Apple has been dominating the market because of its ease of developing apps in Xcode. 

Since Android studio version 3 came out in October 2017, the issues related to bugs and lagginess got solved and the working with it became way more better than it used to be. 

Now that you’re getting a IDE at low rates, then why not choose it. 

#6 Monetization 

When you’re building an application, at some point you also hope to get your App monetized. 

Apple App store generates twice as much revenue compared to Google Playstore despite having half many downloads. 

Apple users are more likely to make in-app purchases and spend more on it. 

The likelihood of making purchases on iOS or Android determines how much money your app can make.

When you compare iOS users with Android users; Android users are less willing to pay for the apps. 

Thus, free apps with in-app-ads are more common in Android. 

Whereas, Apple App store brings in twice as much money as Google Play, despite the fact that there are half as many downloads. 

Apple users are more likely to make and spend money on in-app purchases.

LogicRays Recommendation:

Apple could be the best bet if you want to monetize your app without ads, freemium models by subscriptions, or in-app purchases. Here eCommerce Applications are no exception. 

In The End!

Android vs. iOS: Which Platform to Build Your App for First? 

Everything depends on where you are living, where your audience lives, what are their preferences, their feature requirements, license issue, and budget to determine where you should build a business app for iOS or Android first. 

If your product has minimum requirements, then Android can be the “Way to Go!” option for you. 

As well as, if you are looking forward to generating big bucks with your app or building an eCommerce app, iOS is the best option for you. 

Moreover, if your target is an emerging market or global market, depending on the region and features of your app, Android will be your best bet here. 

It doesn’t matter which platform you’re choosing.

Both platforms are on top and equally fantastic! 

We gave you perspective, now choice is yours!

With the help of LogicRays Technologies, you can now Hire Android Developer or Hire iOS Developer for creating the best business application you dreamt of.