Which Platform Should You Build An App On First (Android or iOS)

If you are in the mobile app development space, you are probably aware by now that there are two major operating systems for you to explore your idea with. These two major platforms, iOS and Android have app stores that are home to millions of mobile apps. Choosing between one or using both is one of the critical decisions you have to make as an app developer. 

Many factors influence the decision of developing apps for either Android or iOS. Some of the factors include budget, audience, phone features, and other critical factors. We are going to have a discussion on some of the things to consider when you are planning to build an app for both platforms. The following are some of the factors that help you to decide on which platform fits perfectly for your app.

android versus ios

Audience:

As an app developer, you are already aware that Android is the largest operating system in the mobile phone market. According to the latest statistics, Android has about 73 percent of the market share, leaving about 27 percent for iOS and the rest for minor operating systems like Samsung. 

Even though Android has a large audience than iOS, the revenue generated from their app store is the opposite. iOS generates more revenues through its app store than Android, mainly because the average iOS user has more money to spend on a smartphone than the average Android user.

Also, the decision on which platform is better for your app depends on where your audience is located. If your audience is located in continents like Africa, Asia, and Latin America Android might be the right platform for you because most people living there use Android smartphones. If they are located in Australia, Europe, and North America, then iOS might be the platform for you because iOS has a larger audience in such continents.  

Most developers prefer developing apps for both Android and iOS but that means double the work and costs to develop the app, so you have to decide on which audience you prefer to develop your app for. 

Timeline:

The fact that Android has a large audience means that there are a lot of devices available compared to iOS devices. Developing an app for Android phones takes twice as long as developing one for iOS devices. This because you have to make sure your app satisfies almost every Android device, especially if you want your app to be used by a large audience. This does not mean that developing an iOS app is easier by any means though. 

Apple has standards that every app on its platform must satisfy. You cannot launch an app on their app store without meeting these standards.  This means you have to develop an app that meets all of their requirements. The review process of Apple is long and strict, which can slow you down. If you don’t meet Apple’s quality standards, they will reject your app.

Revenue Goals:

Working in the mobile app development industry means that you want to generate income with your app. This can be done through in-app purchases, ads, and other sources. In the beginning, we made mention that the average iOS user makes more income than the average Android user. This means iOS users are more likely to pay for in-app purchases than Android users. That is why you mainly see Android apps for free that contain ads. For many Android Apps ads are the only monetization option that is available to generating revenue. The Apple app store generates twice as much revenue than the Android Play Store does. If your app is aimed at generating revenue (which it should be of course), you have to decide on which platform can help you do this the best.   

Each platform has features to offer you as a mobile app developer. As an app developer, you probably have ideas about the mobile app’s features that is going to depend on certain attributes of the mobile phone. Depending on those attributes, you have to decide on which platform would deliver these features the best. For example, if you want to develop an Android app, you have to develop apps that can use the folding screen feature.  This is a new trend that many tech companies like Samsung are adopting. A prime example of this is the release of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 happening now across the world.

Making the final decision on which platform is best for you can be tricky. We will suggest that if you have can choose only one platform, choose the platform that allows you to generate revenue faster. This is also dependent on where you live, and where your audience is located. If your audience is mainly Android users then develop an app that serves them. After the Android app is released and you are generating revenue, you can develop the iOS app to accommodate iOS users also. 

App Features:

Another choice is to develop your app for both platforms. This is also dependent on the type of app you are building. For example, if you are building a banking or eCommerce app, the best thing to do is develop the app for both platforms because you have consumers who use both platforms. If you are building a gaming app you can focus on one platform.

Final Thoughts:

As you can see from this article, there are very important factors to consider when trying to decide which platform to use to build your initial app on.  By doing your market and target audience research you can discover which option is best for you.  If you need help with this research we are here to help.  You can also leave a comment below and we will give you our best advice.  In the end the decision is ultimately up to you.  We hope this article has helped you understand the key factors involved in deciding which platform you should build you app on first.

About 5280 Software LLC:

5280 Software LLC, located in Denver, Colorado is a premier software development firm.  We have worked with a variety of clients over the years.  Our expert team of developers have helped small to medium sized businesses, startups, as well as enterprise level clients such as RingCentral.  If you are looking to build a mobile app, we can deliver flawless apple ios mobile apps as well as android mobile apps.  Our mobile app development agency designs apps for smartphones, ipad and android tablets, wearable such as smart watches, and even smart TVs.

The power of a well-designed app to gain new customers is key in today’s market. Our cutting-edge mobile app development solution is what your business or startup needs! Our developers are adroit with any mobile app development platform you need. We help execute your app development to perfection. If you need the best mobile app development companies, you have found them!

We offer a complete solution with the latest technologies to solve your obstacles and scale your customer base.  From the start of any project (and at every stage, step, phase, and release) we focus on the client and always ask for feedback while we develop the project.  Creating a quality solution for a business or startup is our end goal.  Our strategy and processes are based on solid communication with our clients.  5280 Software LLC is one of the top mobile app development companies in the USA.  We are far better than other mobile app development companies that charge more money for lower quality.

All projects are built according to a clearly defined scope of work.  If you need assistance with scope creation, we offer this as a service. This scope of work will be used in the provided development contract.  Make sure whomever you hire for your project provides you a development contract with clearly defined pricing, development timeline, payment schedule, and deliverables.  We would like to learn about your project and help refine your scope of work.  Our custom website, software, and mobile app development agency is here for you every step of the way.  We are one of the most renowned mobile app development companies in the USA.

If you have an idea for a mobile app, please emails us your full name or company name and we will send you a signed NDA.  We send NDAs to all potential clients to guarantee your ideas and documents will be kept in confidence.  Once an NDA is in place, feel free to book a free discovery call.  You can also fill out our app development questionnaire to share the details of your project before your call.  We are the leading firm specializing in building solutions for the web, iphones and other smart devices including IOT.  Our company can create a custom solution on a variety of platforms using the most current popular programming languages.  Weather it is a cross platform hybrid app or a natively programmed solution, we have you covered!

We look forward to speaking with you about your project.  Learn why clients around the world trust working with 5280 Software LLC.  We support our clients from mockups, sketch, wireframes, and graphic design, development, product launch and ASO when we publish your app, and even code updates at a competitive price point.  Feel free to visit us on our social sites Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, or send us a LinkedIn connection request to learn about our offers to get answers to your questions.  Want to hear firsthand from our previous clients the superior service we offer?  Check out our testimonialsCall us today at 888.510.0833 to learn about our mobile app development services!  You can trust in the best mobile app developers at 5280 Software LLC to design and develop your mobile app to perfection!

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