If you want to know what is the difference between iOS and Android app development, then check out this complete guide for a thorough answer.
iOS and Android are one of the most commonly used and popular operating systems available. These operating systems are generally used in smartphones. While the tech giant, Apple has a copyright over the use and installation of iOS on Apple smartphones only, Android is used by a lot of other popular development brands like Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and many more.
Just like that in any other operating system, you also need apps to get the best out of iOS and Android devices. To develop the apps for both of these operating systems, different procedures and tools are used. If you want to create an app for your business or client’s requirements, the first question that appears in which one of the iOS and Android app development techniques should be used.
You may create an app that supports a cross-platform base, but doing this is a little complicated. The procedures and attributes related to app development for Android and iOS are quite different. Hence, before you select the method of app development, you should know about the difference between both.
This is something that we will discuss in this article. Here, we will have a look at the main differences between iOS and Android app development. We will cover from the basics to the high-core differences for a better understanding. So, have a look at this guide closely for a better grip on the differences. But, before we dive into the differences, let’s start with the definition of both and then proceed to the former.
Just like the name suggests, iOS app development is the procedure concerned with the creation of apps for iOS devices. With the help of iOS development procedures, you can create apps for different iOS versions as per your requirements. Newer or latest, it’s up to the developer and the seeker to select the OS for development.
After development is complete, the developer can add the app to the official Apple App Store. Any user interested in a similar or the exact app you are providing can download the same from the store. You can either charge something for the app or provide the same for free as per your requirements.
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Just like Apple iOS app development, Android app development is concerned with the creation of apps for Android smartphones. You may also create an Android for other devices using the Android OS as well. For example, app development for Android TV is also possible. You can create the app for any version of Android as per the requirements of the developer or the client.
After the Android app is ready, you can upload the same on the Google Play Store or other platforms available for app download. Additionally, you can either provide the apps for free to the user or change an amount for the same. Then, the interested user can download and install the app for further use.
Now, let’s understand how developing apps for iOS and Android is different from each other.
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With the help of the table shown right below, you can know and ascertain the basic and in-depth differences between iOS and Android app development.
| Points of Difference | iOS App Development | Android App Development |
| OS Involved in Development | Just as the name suggests, the iOS App Development is related to the Apple iOS only. | Just as the name suggests, Android App Development is related to Android devices only. |
| Cost Involved in the App Development Process | The iOS App development procedure is generally cheaper than the price involved in Android App development. | The Android App development procedure is generally cheaper than the price involved in iOS App development. |
| Easy of Development | The iOS App development procedure is generally easier than the one involved in Android App development. | The Android App development procedure is generally more complicated than the one involved in iOS App development. |
| Languages Generally Used for App Development | Under the iOS app development procedure, generally, languages like Swift are used. | Under the Android app development procedure, generally, languages like Kotlin or Java are used. |
| App Interface Size Involved with the Development Procedure | Generally, iOS devices come in a specific and limited size. Hence it is very easy to create apps for iOS devices as the developer has to deal with limited screen size. | Generally, Android devices come in varied and unlimited sizes. Hence, it is not very easy to create apps for Android devices as the developer has to deal with multiple screen sizes. |
| Time Spent on the Development Procedure | iOS is quite straightforward and the developer does not have to focus on the fragmentation of the app. Hence, the time spent on the procedure of iOS app development is shorter than that involved in Android apps. | Android is complicated and the developer has to focus on the fragmentation of the app. Hence, the time spent on the procedure of Android app development is broader than that involved in iOS apps. |
| Age Group for App Use | Generally, the developers proceed with the iOS app development keeping in mind that the user base for such apps is younger in age. | Generally, the developers proceed with the Android app development keeping in mind that the user base for such apps is wider in age-comprising youngsters, adults, teenagers, kids, older users, and others. |
| Demographics for App Development | Most iOS users are found in Japan and the US. Hence, while proceeding with iOS app development, the developer creates the app after keeping in mind the requirements and demographics of the user. | Android users are present all over the world. Hence, while proceeding with Android app development, the developer creates the app after keeping in mind the requirements and demographics of the user. |
| Earning Potential | The iOS user base is limited to specific demographics and areas. Hence, the earning potential from iOS app development is smaller than that of Android app development. | The Android user base is unlimited to any specific demographics and areas. Hence, the earning potential from Android app development is wider than that of Android app development. |
| App Download Store Earning Potential | If you upload an app to the Apple App Store after the iOS app development, the owner will earn more with a single app download and install as compared to that in Android apps. | If you upload an app to the Google Play Store after the Android app development, the owner will earn less with a single app download and install as compared to that in iOS apps. |
| Learning Curve | The learning curve of the languages related to iOS app development is quite steeper than that in Android app development languages. | The learning curve of the languages related to Android app development is broader than that in iOS app development languages. |
| Development Environment | During the iOS app development process, the developers may use XCode which has less advanced features and is quite simple. | During the Android app development process, the developers may use Android Studio which has more advanced features and is quite complex. |
| Benefits of IDE (Integrated Development Environment) | Benefits differ for different users. | Benefits differ for different users. |
| Clickable Areas | For the iOS app development procedure, the app is created with a 44px clickable area as there is no stylus or other similar devices for the convenience of use. | For the Android app development procedure, the app is created with a 48px clickable area as there is a stylus or other similar devices may be available for the convenience of use. |
| Post Development Complexity | The apps created using the iOS app development procedure are a lot easier to handle even after the development is complete. | The apps created using the Android app development procedure are a lot complex to handle even after the development is complete. |
| Market Share | The apps created with the iOS app development procedure rule over 16% of the total smartphone users. | The apps created with the Android app development procedure rule over 80% of the total smartphone users. |
| Focus on Design | While creating an app with iOS app development, the focus of the developer is on the design of the app rather than user-friendliness. | While creating an app with Android app development, the focus of the developer is on the user-friendliness of the app rather than the design. |
| Navigation Bar Details | With iOS app development, the developer provides the navigation bar at the center of the user interface. | With Android app development, the developer provides the navigation bar on the left side of the user interface. |
| Widget support | You may not find many widgets with iOS app development services. The developer generally ignores these. | You are likely to find many widgets with Android app development services. The developer generally does not ignore these. |
| Paid and Free Apps Share | Generally, the iOS apps are paid as they are created keeping in mind the US user database. | Generally, the Android apps are free as they are created keeping in mind the worldwide user database. |
| Play Store Friendliness | From the developer’s point of view, the Apple App Store (used to launch the products created through iOS app development) is less friendly. | From the developer’s point of view, the Google Play Store (used to launch the products created through Android app development) is more friendly. |
| Security Level | iOS app development methods create a more secure product. | Android app development methods create a less secure product. |
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So, in the above section of this write-up, we had a look at the main points of difference between app development for Android and iOS. We hope that now you know both are different from each other. In the end, you can easily conclude that iOS app development is more secure, easy, and high paying than Android App development.
Alternatively, with Android app development, you can cover a larger user base, get useful widgets, and create an app for users of different age groups. Apart from these, other differences also come into play that can affect your decision to proceed with app development for iOS and Android.
If you still have any doubts related to developing for Android vs iOS development, you can ask the same in the comments sections below. We will provide helpful answers to you as soon as possible. You can also provide your suggestions and reviews for this iOS and Android app development write-up.
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