Android and iOS App Development in 2024
When we talk about mobile app development, we’re essentially talking about building apps for one or both of the dominant mobile operating systems: iOS and Android.
At Taazaa, we’ve created many native and hybrid apps for these platforms. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the downright frustrating aspects of each, and we’ve watched mobile app development trends come and go.
In this article, we share our experiences and insights to help you better understand what goes into making the apps you use every day. Let’s get into it.
The Mobile Landscape
Before we dive in, let’s take a quick look at the Android and iOS app development landscape. Currently, Android and iOS dominate the global smartphone market.
Android, developed by Google, runs on a wide variety of devices from different manufacturers.
iOS, on the other hand, is Apple’s operating system, and it is found exclusively on iPhones and iPads.
This difference in approach—open vs. closed ecosystem—sets the stage for many of the contrasts in Android and iOS app development we’re about to explore.
Development Environments
Let’s start with where the magic happens: the development environments.
For iOS, we use Xcode, an integrated development environment (IDE) that only runs on Mac computers. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for iOS developers, providing everything we need in one package.
Our Android developers, on the other hand, have more flexibility. While Android Studio is the official IDE, we can develop Android apps on Windows, Mac, or Linux. This openness is a recurring theme in Android development.
Programming Languages
Now, let’s talk about mobile app development languages. iOS development primarily uses Swift, a powerful and intuitive language created by Apple. It’s designed to be secure, fast, and expressive.
Another iOS programming language is Objective C. While mobile app development trends have shifted from Objective C to Swift for new iOS development, Objective C hasn’t been completely replaced. It continues to be used and supported, particularly in legacy systems and certain specialized applications.
Android development traditionally used Java, but Kotlin has become the preferred language in recent years. Kotlin is more concise than Java and offers some modern features that make developers’ lives easier.
Both Swift and Kotlin are relatively young languages, and they’re constantly evolving. This means developers are always learning and adapting.
User Interface Design
Android and iOS app development approaches have different design philosophies. While developers should be aware of and familiar with these differences, the goal of both is the same: to create apps that feel natural on their respective platforms.
iOS follows Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG), which emphasize clarity, deference, and depth. In plainer language, what this means is that the UI should:
- Be easy to understand
- Defer to the content (i.e., elements should support and enhance the content, not distract from it)
- Communicate hierarchy and position in navigational transitions
iOS apps often have a clean, minimalist look with lots of white space. By adhering to HIG, developers can create iOS apps that not only look and feel native to the platform but also meet user expectations and provide a seamless experience across Apple’s device offerings.
Android, on the other hand, follows Material Design. Material Design is a comprehensive design system developed by Google to help create visually appealing and functional user interfaces for Android applications. It provides a set of guidelines, components, and tools that enable developers and designers to build high-quality digital experiences with a consistent look and feel across different Android devices.
App Distribution
Once we’ve built our app, we need to get it into users’ hands. This is where the differences between Android vs. iOS development become apparent.
For iOS, the only way to distribute apps is through the App Store (although that may change based on the outcome of two lawsuits). Currently, Apple reviews every app before it’s allowed in the store, which can take anywhere from a day to a week. This process can be nerve-wracking, but it helps maintain a certain level of quality and security in the App Store.
True to its open nature, Android offers more options. The Google Play Store is the main distribution channel, but it’s not the only one. Amazon’s Appstore, for example, is another option. Users can even install apps directly from developers’ websites, which is called “sideloading.”
The Google Play Store does have an app review process, but it’s generally faster and less strict than Apple’s. This can be a double-edged sword, however; it’s easier to get your app out there, but it also means there’s more potential for low-quality or malicious apps.
Fragmentation
Fragmentation refers to the diversity of devices, operating systems, screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware capabilities that developers need to account for when creating apps.
Addressing fragmentation is one of the biggest challenges in Android development. Because Android runs on devices from many different manufacturers, there’s a wide variety of screen sizes, resolutions, and hardware capabilities to consider.
Android developers must ensure their apps work well on everything from budget smartphones to high-end tablets. It can be time-consuming and challenging, adding significant time to the development cycle.
Apple has the advantage when it comes to Android vs. iOS development in terms of fragmentation. There are fewer device models to consider, and they all come from Apple. This makes it easier to ensure a consistent experience across devices.
Monetization
Both platforms offer similar monetization options—paid apps, in-app purchases, and advertising. However, there are some differences in user behavior.
Historically, iOS users have been more willing to pay for apps and make in-app purchases. Android has a larger user base, but monetization can be more challenging.
The landscape is constantly changing, though, and successful monetization strategies often depend more on the specific app and its target audience than on the platform.
Development Speed and Cost
When looking at Android and iOS app development, you may wonder if one is faster or cheaper. Well, the answer is not straightforward.
In general, iOS development can be faster because there are fewer devices and OS versions to support. The development tools are also very streamlined.
Android development might take longer due to device fragmentation, but the platform’s more open nature can sometimes lead to faster iteration and deployment.
As for cost, it depends on the complexity of the app and the experience of the mobile app development company or team. However, the cost of development tools is generally lower for Android, as you don’t need to invest in Mac hardware.
Android vs. iOS Development: Which Is Best?
As you might expect, the best mobile platform for your app depends on your goals and use cases.
If you’re targeting a US audience or looking to monetize through app sales, iOS might be the way to go. If you want to reach a global audience or need more flexibility in distribution, Android could be the better choice.
But the great thing is, you don’t have to choose. Many companies develop for both platforms, either with a version of the app for each or (more commonly) with a hybrid app. Hybrid apps may not be able to use every native feature of each platform, but you may not need them. The advantage of hybrids is that you only have to support and maintain a single version of the app.
The world of mobile app development is ever-changing. Whether you’re building for iOS or Android, the goal is the same—to create apps that make people’s lives easier, more productive, or more enjoyable.
That’s always our goal at Taazaa. We believe that humans deserve better software products—for business, for their health, for entertainment, and for making their lives easier. If you’re looking for a mobile app that wows you and your users, contact us today and discover a different kind of software development company.
