Introduction
One of the first decisions when building a mobile app is choosing between iOS and Android. This choice impacts development costs, timeline, market reach, and maintenance. Let's dive deep into both platforms.
Market Share & Audience
Android
**Global market share:** ~70%**Regions:** Dominant in Asia, Latin America, Africa, parts of Europe**User base:** Larger, more diverse economically**Demographics:** Wider age range, varied income levelsiOS
**Global market share:** ~30%**Regions:** Dominant in North America, Western Europe, Japan, Australia**User base:** Generally higher income demographics**App spending:** iOS users typically spend more on appsDevelopment Cost & Timeline
Initial Development
iOS Development:
Faster development due to fewer device variationsEasier testing (limited device models)Typically 15-20% faster to marketAverage cost: $50,000 - $150,000Android Development:
More complex due to device fragmentationExtensive testing needed (1000s of devices)Typically takes 20-30% longerAverage cost: $60,000 - $180,000Cross-Platform Alternative
Consider React Native or Flutter to target both platforms:
Save 30-40% on development costsSingle codebase for both platformsSlightly compromised native feelGrowing ecosystem and toolingDevelopment Languages & Tools
iOS Development
**Languages:** Swift (modern), Objective-C (legacy)**IDE:** Xcode (Mac only)**UI Framework:** SwiftUI, UIKit**Pros:** - Modern, clean Swift syntax
- Excellent documentation
- Powerful Xcode tooling
**Cons:** - Requires Mac for development
- More restrictive ecosystem
Android Development
**Languages:** Kotlin (modern), Java (legacy)**IDE:** Android Studio (cross-platform)**UI Framework:** Jetpack Compose, XML layouts**Pros:** - Can develop on any OS
- More flexible, open ecosystem
- Better customization options
**Cons:** - Device fragmentation challenges
- More complex testing requirements
App Store Distribution
Apple App Store
**Review time:** 1-3 days (can be longer)**Approval rate:** ~40% rejected first time**Annual fee:** $99/year**Revenue split:** 70/30 (85/15 after year 1)**Process:** Strict guidelines, manual reviewGoogle Play Store
**Review time:** Few hours to 1-2 days**Approval rate:** Higher acceptance rate**One-time fee:** $25 (lifetime)**Revenue split:** 70/30 (85/15 after year 1)**Process:** Automated review, more lenientMonetization Potential
iOS
Higher ARPU (Average Revenue Per User)Better for premium appsStrong in-app purchase revenuePopular for subscription modelsAndroid
Larger user base = more downloadsBetter for ad-supported modelsGrowing in-app purchase marketGood for emerging marketsTechnical Capabilities
Push Notifications
**iOS:** Apple Push Notification Service (APNs)**Android:** Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM)Both offer reliable deliveryPayment Integration
**iOS:** Apple Pay, StoreKit**Android:** Google Pay, Play BillingDevice Features
**iOS:** More consistent hardware access**Android:** More flexibility, varied sensorsMaintenance & Updates
iOS
Faster user adoption of new OS versionsLess version fragmentationEasier to maintain minimum OS versionRegular annual major updatesAndroid
Slower OS update adoptionNeed to support multiple OS versionsMore backward compatibility considerationsFragmented update scheduleDecision Framework
Choose iOS first if:
Target market is US, Western Europe, or JapanBuilding premium/subscription appNeed faster time to marketTargeting higher-income usersHave limited budget for testingChoose Android first if:
Target market is global/emerging marketsBuilding ad-supported appNeed maximum reachWant more customization freedomTargeting diverse demographicsChoose both (Cross-platform) if:
Need maximum market coverageHave adequate budgetWant single codebaseCan accept minor platform differencesHybrid Approach: Phased Launch
Many successful apps use this strategy:
1. **Phase 1:** Launch on primary platform (iOS or Android)
2. **Phase 2:** Gather feedback, iterate
3. **Phase 3:** Expand to second platform
4. **Phase 4:** Consider cross-platform rewrite if needed
Conclusion
There's no universal answer. Your choice depends on target audience, budget, timeline, and business goals. Many successful apps eventually support both platforms, but starting with one allows you to validate your concept and iterate faster.
Key Takeaways
iOS: Premium users, faster development, higher revenue per userAndroid: Larger market, more flexibility, global reachCross-platform: Cost-effective for both, slight trade-offsConsider phased approach to minimize riskNeed help deciding? [Schedule a consultation](/contact) to discuss your mobile app strategy.