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Whenever a company decides to develop an app, the first question that bugs them is whether to choose iOS or Android. Well, if you are in a similar dilemma, in this blog we shall be talking about the development process of both platforms.
It may seem that the development process of both these platforms is similar, but in reality, it’s very different. This blog will explore in depth the differences.
App Development: iOS vs Android
Let’s discover the differences between the development of apps in iOS and Android.
Programming Language
It is evident that iOS and Android use different programming languages. iOS uses the Objective-C/Swift language, whereas Android apps use Java. The languages used are the most significant differences and also it goes without saying that they both use different tech stacks. iOS employs the Swift proprietary app development language, Android relies on Java or Kotlin.
Which tech stack is quicker and more comfortable to use?
Many app developers will advise that creating an iOS app is easier than creating its Android version. And the reason for that is:
- Swift is More readable than Java and therefore,
- Relatively quicker to formulate.
But that is half the picture. Kotlin is evolving every day and may replace java soon. It is modern and easy to read.
Now talking about cross-platform apps. These instruments let app developers compose a single code that functions on both Android and iOS. This is a huge time and money-saver, although cross-platform apps may not always operate well as native apps.
Development Environment
The incorporated development environment is another significant difference between iOS and Android development. Android innovators use Android Studio, a Google-developed platform that has a wide range of capabilities. iOS developers employ Apple’s XCode software which again has numerous features.
What is the best IDE?
When you draw a parallel between Android Studio vs XCode, you won’t be able to determine which is better. They both have their benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a quick look at their features.
Android Studio:
- Retains a versatile build feature.
- Authorizes you to quickly develop multiple variants of your mobile application for various devices.
- Has a very powerful code editor and configuration architect.
- Consumes too much RAM
Xcode:
- Has a sufficient source editor as well as a junior editor, and
- Is super easy to start.
- However, larger projects generate this IDE too hard to use.
Operating System
This characteristic is closely connected to what we examined in the previous section.
Android Studio is presently the least advanced mobile app development tool among the significant IDEs. The 5 categories it is still nascent in include: Languages, Editors, Platforms, Testing, and Gaming. When evaluated, Android Studio comes to 13, whereas XCode is 22.
Additionally, Android apps can be written on any platform: Windows, Linux, or even Mac OS.
Sadly, the same is not true for iOS apps. Any coder who wishes to develop iOS apps must have a Mac system.
Complexity
iOS is easier when it comes to this part. The reasons for this are as follows. Apple launches a very small range of gadgets each year. So, innovators only have to ponder about small screen dimensions at a certain point. When it comes to Android, there are numerous Android gadgets. There are packs of distinct screen styles to think of based on the display extent, resolution, and OS version.
To formulate an Android app, the app creator will have to revise the graphics countless times. All so that the app appears the same across all Android devices. Hence, iOS is surely easier to work with.
App Design
Android and iOS apps are supervised by distinct design guidelines. While Android adheres to Material Design, iOS apps follow Human Interface Guidelines.
Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines
Apple emphasizes the app’s content over its look. For this reason, the apps look greatly cleaner and have ample use of white space. Hence, UI designers play with gradients and shadows.
Android Material design
Android material design can be forceful and swarm the interface. Also, the animation is a thing for material design. However, these animations help the users to be interested and grab their attention.
Cost and Return
This is presumably the determining factor when it comes to making the final choice. If you are deciding to start your own app, you have to think about the cost and return for the app.
There are three main facets to keep in mind. They are:
1. App Development Costs:
Three factors that affect app development costs are:
- The time needed to build the app: It goes without saying that the additional hours needed, the elevated the charges will be.
- The tech stack and level of complexity: Obviously, more complex apps will require more time to create and increase the costs.
- Price of uploading the app: currently, you require about $99 to publish your app on the Apple App Store, and $25 for Google’s Play Store.
2. App Monetization
This is another characteristic to contemplate when making the choice between iOS and Android.
3. Market Share
Overall, iOS has a better return on investment. But there’s another major facet where Android clearly takes the cake. And that is market share.
Conclusion
It is difficult to make the pick between Android and iOS. In the end, the 2 main factors become budget and time. If you wish to cater to a narrow top audience and do not have a restricted budget, iOS is better. Whereas, if you want to cater to a global audience or are on a limited budget, Android is the better alternative.
Looking for an app development company, contact us.
Now that we have talked about iOS and Android and what are the major differences between them, it is time to build your app. If you are looking for a mobile application development services that helps you in this process, contact Sysvoot. Our team shall assist you in building iOS and Android apps and help upscale your business.
Still, have questions? Well, contact Sysvoot and let our representatives help you with this dilemma.
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