iOS or Android – What platform should you use?
Choosing the right technology for your mobile app development can be a daunting task. It is essential to understand the advantages and disadvantages of each platform and compare them on an equal basis. In this article, we will discuss the popularity, future prospects, and position of Android and iOS platforms, which can help you make an informed decision.
Popularity
Android and iOS are the two most popular mobile app development platforms in the market. Android has a larger market share, with over 72% of the global smartphone market, while iOS accounts for about 26% of the market share. Despite having a lower market share, iOS has a more affluent user base, which means that users are more likely to pay for premium applications.
Future Prospects
Both Android and iOS platforms have a promising future, and it’s challenging to predict which platform will dominate in the future. However, Android’s open-source nature and flexibility make it more popular among developers. On the other hand, iOS’s strict policies and guidelines make it a more secure platform. The future prospects of both platforms will depend on their ability to provide users with innovative and user-friendly applications.
Let’s look at both iOS and Android advantages and disadvantages.
Android Development:
Advantages:
- Easy Access: Access to thousands of pre-coded libraries and free-of-cost SDKs and libraries make coding much more effortless.
- Flexibility: Android provides more flexibility to install your app on every smart device running with Android.
- Easy Maintenance & Release: Effortlessly publish and keep updating your app using the Google Play store.
Disadvantages:
- Fragmentation: App development for all Android devices can be fragmented, requiring developers to solve errors or bugs that arise for every device.
- Time-Consuming: App development in the Android platform can be time-consuming as developers have to consider coding for thousands of devices.
- Less Preferred: Most android users are more likely to prefer freeware applications, making it harder for developers to monetize their applications.
- Cyberattacks: Android apps are more likely to fall prey to hackers due to their open-source nature, making them more vulnerable to data breaches and attacks.
iOS Development:
Advantages:
- Affluent Users: iOS has a more affluent user base, making it more profitable for developers to create premium applications.
- Fewer Devices: iOS launches very few and similar devices with mostly identical screen sizes, making it easier for developers to create applications that work on all models.
- User Interface: Apple provides app developers with their guidelines for user interface, which helps a lot in designing user-end.
Disadvantages:
- Strict Policies: iOS has strict guidelines and policies that developers must follow, and violating them can result in the app’s removal from the AppStore.
- Fewer Resources: Compared to Android, iOS has minimal coding material and resources for developers, making it more challenging to design and test specific app functions.
- Time-consuming: Developers may find it challenging to develop an iOS application as they have to focus more on the AppStore guidelines while coding, even for essential functions.
Conclusion:
Choosing the right technology for your mobile app development depends on your project’s specific needs and goals. Android and iOS platforms both have their advantages and disadvantages, and it’s crucial to weigh them against your project requirements. It’s always a good idea to consult with a Metrix representative to determine which platform will best suit your needs.