Android vs. iOS: How To Choose The Right Platform To Build For
The ideal approach to mobile app development would be to create both Android and iOS apps from the get-go to reach the widest user base possible. However, this isn’t always feasible, for a number of reasons ranging from timeframe, to budget, to resource constraints, etc.
Sometimes, these limitations mean that companies need to choose one platform to develop for over the other (at least initially). The issue here is that in the Android vs. iOS development debate, there are many variables. For some companies, Android may be the better choice, but for others it might be iOS. How do you choose if Android or iOS is the right platform to begin with?
This post is going to present you with the data you need to help make that decision.
The App Landscape
Google Play Store — over 1.6 million apps
Apple App Store — over 1.5 million apps
Currently, 37% of all mobile developers target both iOS and Android. The majority target one platform or the other. However, competition is tight on both, meaning there is no clear distinction on which platform is easier to succeed on.
From a volume standpoint, Android has a much larger user base, but as we’ll touch on below, this doesn’t mean they are the right users based on your objectives and business model.
Demographic Information
If you are focused on a global market, Android is the clear leader in app downloads. In Q3 2015, worldwide downloads on Google Play were about 90% higher than the iOS App Store. App Annie attributes this rise to the prominence of inexpensive smartphones in emerging markets like India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
App Annie Index: Market Q3 2015
While iOS users occupy a smaller share in the global market, as a group they have higher incomes, exhibit higher app engagement rates (spending up to 4x longer in-app than Android users), and importantly, spend more money per app — three key demographic attributes that cannot be ignored when choosing between platforms.
Profitability
From a pure revenue standpoint, the Android or iOS debate becomes more black and white; iOS apps make more money. In fact, the App Store generates about 80% more revenue than Google Play.
App Annie Index: Market Q3 2015
This can be partially explained by the app monetization models that are typical to each platform. iOS has a higher number of paid apps and apps that are driven by in-app purchases, whereas Android has a higher volume of advertising-based applications (this is important because your monetization strategy can help inform which platform would be a better fit). It may also be attributed to the income differences between iOS and Android users, or the fact that credit cards — the accepted form of payment on Google Play — are far less common in emerging markets where Android devices are more popular.
Development Cycle
There has been evidence that it takes longer to develop an Android app due to device fragmentation, but this isn’t necessarily true. Yes, there are more than 24,000 different Android devices in use, with a variety of screen sizes and OS versions running. In comparison, since Apple makes all the hardware and the software, there are fewer devices developers have to worry about, and the adoption rate of the latest iOS version is higher than it is on Android (as Apple likes to point out).
That said, it depends what devices and OS versions are being targeted. If you are developing an Android app you will in all likelihood be limiting the supported devices and versions to those with the highest usage. Testing is usually where time is more imbalanced. With fewer devices to test on, iOS is less complex and typically quicker.
Release and Approval
Android is the clear winner when it comes to release and approval processes. For iOS the release and approval process is typically between 2–3 weeks (longer, if the app is rejected). Furthermore, updates to the app require approval as well, meaning it takes longer to get updates to users. Android apps typically take a day or two to get approved and updates can be pushed within a matter of hours.
Cost Of Development
The cost of mobile app development comes down to the scope and complexity of the project; the larger and more complex a project is, the more it is going to cost. There is nothing inherent to iOS or Android development that makes one more expensive than the other.
That said, if you are aiming to cover a large number of devices and OS versions on Android, apps will require more time and resources, and thus incur higher costs. If the scope is more aligned with supporting an equal number of devices and OS versions on iOS and Android, the cost of development will be similar.
Making The Decision
Ultimately, your decision to build for iOS or Android first is going to come down to what works for your business. You should look at:
- The type of app you are building
- Monetization model (paid download, in-app purchasing, etc.)
- The market you’re aiming for (North America, global, etc.)
- User demographics
- Project timeframe and budget
For example, if your target user is North American, higher income, and you plan to monetize from in-app purchases, you likely want to go with iOS first. If you’re aiming for a broader, global market and plan to monetize through advertising, Android may be the better bet. It comes down to looking at the market and user demographics, and choosing the option that best fits your business.
Originally published at clearbridgemobile.com on November 24, 2015.