Introduction
Are you a budding developer who is in a dilemma about which platform to choose for app development - Android or iOS? Well, fret not, because you are not alone. It's a common question every developer faces while planning their app development journey. Both platforms have their fair share of advantages and disadvantages. So, let's deep dive into the topic and explore which platform is better suited to your app development needs.
Market Share
When we talk about market share, Android wins hands down. With a market share of 73%, Android dominates the worldwide smartphone market. On the other hand, iOS holds a 26% market share. So, if you are planning to develop an app that caters to a massive audience, then Android is the way to go. However, if you are targeting high-income customers in developed countries like the US or Japan, iOS may be the better option.
Development Tools
The development tools for both Android and iOS are excellent. Android Studio is free and available on Windows, Mac, and Linux. With Android Studio, developers can build high-quality apps for Android devices, tablets, wearables, TVs, and even cars. Apple's Xcode is also free and available on macOS. Xcode has a clean and intuitive interface, and developers can easily create iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps.
Programming Languages
Java and Kotlin are the primary programming languages for Android app development. Kotlin, which is a newer alternative to Java, is now the preferred language for Android development. On the other hand, Swift is the primary programming language for iOS app development, which is relatively easier to learn compared to Objective-C. So, if you are already familiar with Java, then Android is an excellent choice. Otherwise, iOS may be a better starting point.
Development Time
When it comes to development time, Android may require more time due to the availability of multiple devices with varying form factors, screen sizes, and resolutions. On the contrary, iOS has limited devices with consistent screen sizes, and therefore, app development for iOS takes relatively less time. However, the time required for each platform depends on the complexity of the app.
Revenue Generation
iOS is the clear winner when it comes to revenue generation. According to a report by Sensor Tower, the iOS App Store earned $22.2 billion in Q3 2021, while the Android Google Play Store earned $12.3 billion during the same period. iOS users are more likely to spend more money on in-app purchases or subscriptions compared to Android users.
Conclusion
So, after weighing the advantages and disadvantages of both Android and iOS platforms, it's clear that both platforms have their own share of strengths and weaknesses. The choice of platform depends on several factors, including your target audience, app complexity, development resources, revenue generation sustainability, and more.
We hope this article helps you in making an informed decision about which platform to choose for your next app development project. If you have any questions or suggestions, we'd love to hear from you.
References
- Sensor Tower - Q3 2021 Store Intelligence Data Digest
- StatCounter Global Stats - Mobile Operating System Market Share Worldwide
- Android Developers - Android Studio
- Apple Developer - Xcode
- Kotlin - Why Kotlin?