Table of Content
Table of Content
Ever since the launch of Android and iOS a decade earlier, there has been the hottest of rivalries between the two tech giants, Google and Apple. Today, in 2023, both mobile operating systems are at the top of their game, and making a comparison between them requires expert analysis.
There is no straight answer to which mobile OS is better. Both operating systems are versatile in their way, with some features being better in iOS, and some better in Android. In terms of global market share, Android wins the competition.
A detailed report from Statcounter records that Android accounts for 71.45% of the global mobile operating system market share as compared to iOS which holds a share of 27.83%. This doesn’t mean that Android is the preferred mobile OS over iOS.
It’s like saying Toyota is preferred to BMW because it cruises up in numbers. There are so many aspects such as luxury, cost, performance, etc that come into play when people purchase a given product.
First-world countries like the USA, UK, and Canada have dominating iOS market shares in comparison to Android. The United States of America accounts for 57.43% of the iOS market share compared to Android’s 42.29% market share. So you do get the point, there are a lot of factors you need to consider before judging which mobile OS is better.
In this article, we will discuss the various parameters of Android vs iOS development, giving you all the intel you need before you choose the best operating system for your mobile app development.
Let’s get started!
While in the process of choosing between Android vs iOS for mobile app development, there are several things to consider. Both Android apps, as well as iOS apps, have specific core strengths that distinguish them from each other. You need to chart out what parameters you want to cover with our mobile application.
Here, we will be exploring the different aspects of Android vs iOS apps and their development.
You know what the iPhone does best – it’s the user experience. Both Android and iOS have stunning UI where apps and widgets occupy the screen space in a distinct manner. iOS user experience is the best as it’s very aesthetic and likable. Let’s look at how the UX differs in Android devices with respect to iOS devices.
Verdict: The user experience is excellent in iOS apps as they function seamlessly with higher boot speeds in comparison to Android apps. That being said, user interface customization can be done to a great extent only in Android apps as they are based on fragment architecture compared to the fixed model view-controller design architecture in iOS.
Android apps are fully functional and available across multiple devices and smartphones making it easier for third parties to breach them. Right from its conception, iOS apps have had strict security and privacy protocols that make it hard for any malware to climb into them. There are a lot of guidelines to follow before an app can be published in the Apple app store, not to mention its strict policy of allowing only one copy of a particular app on its iOS devices per user.
The time taken to build a mobile application for both iOS as well as Android can take anywhere between 3-6 months. It depends on the complexity of the project you want to develop and how seamlessly the app development project is carried through. Having a clear vision before beginning app design and development saves time, cost, and effort.
Verdict: The time required to develop both iOS and Android applications depend on the complexity of the project. Both iOS and Android apps can be developed faster using the latest tools.
Moon Technolabs will create trending Android and iOS apps that will boost your business revenue
The major predicament for mobile app development for both Android phones and iPhones is the cost. You will have a pre-decided budget for the development of your iOS and Android apps and how much you can spend for the development process. The cost depends on many factors such as the complexity to create Android apps with advanced features, or iOS apps with versatility.
The budget to develop native iOS and Android applications can go anywhere from $10,000 to $100,000 and even more if you want to integrate modern solutions like IoT, AI, and blockchain. Both Android and iOS users prefer apps today that are trendy. So you might want to include these integrations that land more downloads in Apple’s app store and the Google Play Store.
Verdict: On a general note, iOS app development is costlier as customization, intricacies of visual design and backend infrastructure, and the number of features to develop take time.
Android developers use different programming languages like Java and Kotlin to program Android applications. Although Java gives developers more freedom to build customized elements and design features, the fragment-partition architecture of the language makes it hard to implement it.
In contrast, Swift UI and Swift need very little fragmentation and app elements can be easily implemented with a streamlined coding process.
Verdict: Depending on the tool and infrastructure the ease of the app development process can be judged or executed. It’s all about the experience of the app developers and the tools that make it so.
Google Maps is the most advanced mobile map that’s out there now. Android scores a point for map features compared to Apple’s maps which are not that advanced, in retrospect. Most iOS users have complained of technical difficulty in accessing remote locations with Apple maps. As far as Google Maps is concerned, the GPS tracking is perfect.
Verdict: Google Maps are far better than Apple Maps in almost every aspect considering upfront navigation. However, there are iOS users who prefer Apple Maps, especially in the USA.
According to a mobile app development study report, the growth in app downloads in Google’s Play Store has been 31% in comparison to Apple’s 2.5% growth rate. Clearly, there’s a great margin in Android app downloads in comparison to that of iOS apps. Technically it’s because there are more Android users than Apple users.
Verdict: Android is clearly the winner in app downloads margin. However, iOS apps are more popular amongst region-specific users.
With the latest OS releases, both Apple’s Siri and Google Assistant have become very effective. However, in the iOS vs Android voice assistant battle, Google Assistant is a head notch above as it’s an expert in identifying user intent thanks to Android’s integrated development environment. There are certain features where Siri performs better.
Verdict: Android’s Google Assistant is a clear winner in terms of understanding user intention and directing them accordingly. Apple’s Siri has reportedly a more personal touch.
Both Android and iOS software have pre-installed, stock apps that provide instant information to users about critical information like weather, temperature, and others. You can access the web, email, documents, and notes on the native OS. Apple weighs better than Google’s Android concerning pre-installed apps.
Verdict: With an iOS app, you get an audience base that’s very comfortable with Apple’s UI and pre-installed apps. On the other hand, Android application development demands a standout performance to provide the exact feel that iPhone users get.
It’s very important to customize your app to the ideal mobile application that your potential customers would love to use. Android app development allows you to customize your application way more than you could do with iOS app development. Nitty-gritty details can be incorporated into your apps with Android development.
If you’re having a mobile commerce application, you can design the frontiers of your in-app purchases. Also, the Android SDK development kit and Android studio enable app developers to facilitate the great performance of your Android application with powerful technologies integrated.
The fact that Android users get to use multiple browsers, email, and web applications in comparison to iPhone users who can only use Safari and other default applications is an added advantage. So, you know that the Android operating system is higher in this regard for native app development.
Verdict: For customization purposes, Android is the instant favorite, but that doesn’t downplay iOS as you can build powerful applications with its operating system.
Give Moon Technolabs the ‘Yes’ and we’ll develop a scintillating iOS and Android app for your business
Here’s the tech stack for Android app development. Android app developers use these tools, and programming languages to build Android apps that Android users tend to like.
Language: Kotlin, Java
Platform: XML, Android Studio
Libraries: RetroFit, Glide, Volley, Picasso, Dagger, Google Play Services, Gson, Firebase, Butter Knife
Database: SQLite, Room
Architecture: MVVM, MVC, MVP
Tools: Android SDK Android NDK
Here’s the tech stack that iOS app developers use to build powerful iOS applications.
Language: Swift, Objective C
Libraries: Alamofire, Firebase, Google Map, Kingfisher, AWSS3, SwiftyStoreKit, PromiseKit, ObjectMapper, SwiftyXMLParser, SocialMediaSDK, StripeSDK
Tools: Xcode (IDE), Git, Asana, Jira, PMS, Bit Bucket
Database: SQLite, CoreData
Architecture: MVC, MVMM, VIPER
Trademark | iOS | Android |
---|---|---|
User experience | Phenomenal user experience with minimalistic color code and seamless navigation | Decent UX with many options to customize the home screen with widgets and cool apps |
Privacy | Strict privacy protocols ensure no third-party breaches | Chances for malware if not updated to the latest software |
App development time | Depends on the complexity of the project | Depends on how much customization is required |
Cost | $10,000 to $100,000 – Varies according to project complexity and app development model | $10,000 to $100,000 – Varies according to project complexity and app development model |
Programming language | Swift UI, Swift, Objective C | Java, Kotlin |
Customization | Limited customization features because of iOS restrictions | Ultimate customization is possible owing to the immense flexibility |
So what should you choose – iOS or Android? Depending on your requirement, you can choose between Android and iOS development. If you are targeting the local market, then make sure you consider the app’s popularity in that region. For instance, North America has more iOS users in comparison to Asia or Europe which has more Android users.
If you still have doubts regarding which mobile OS you should go for, don’t worry, Moon Technolabs has the best mobile app developers who know what’s best for each individual business model. They use the latest development tools along with cross-platform development tools and develop apps that will boost your business growth. If you’re specifically looking for Android solutions, Hire Android App Development Company like Moon Technolabs for expert assistance.
Let’s get started!
01
02
03
04
05
Submitting the form below will ensure a prompt response from us.