With the global market for app development sitting at over $30.3 trillion and growing, there’s never been a better time to release mobile software!
Though the market is bigger than ever, many developers still struggle when deciding between coding for the two biggest platforms, iOS and Android. So which is worth your time and money? The answer is more complicated than you might think!
Keep reading as we explore the benefits and drawbacks of both ecosystems, and hybrid programming, to give you the best possible answer.
Building for iOS
iOS might not hold the lion’s share of the market, but Apple excels at brand management and popularity. In 2021, iPhones accounted for 65% of all smartphone sales in the United States, with 6 of the top 10 smartphone models coming from Apple’s product line.
Despite lagging sales globally, iOS is still popular enough that anyone developing for a North American audience would do well to prioritize Apple devices.
Plus, iOS is extremely easy to develop for thanks to Apple’s dev tools. We’d argue that building and designing a UI for mobile platforms has never been easier, actually.
Stringent regulation is the biggest reason to consider ignoring iOS. While Apple has gotten better about helping developers get their programs on the App Store, expect to jump through quite a few annoying hoops. If your product isn’t perfect, you’ll have to make some revisions.
Building for Android
The best way to approach software programming for Android is to think of it as the inverse of iOS.
Virtually anyone can release something on the Google Play Store. However, this means that the app market on Android is extremely bloated. Getting your app noticed can be enough of a challenge that only a fraction of new apps ever make it to the front page.
Google’s dev tools are also fantastic to work with. Android studio is designed to be quick and intuitive…perhaps to its own detriment.
Of course, if your app does hit it big, you’ll have a much wider audience, as Android has a hold on over 70% of the smartphone market.
Hybrid Programming
Of course, there’s no real reason why you have to develop for iOS or Android instead of iOS AND Android. As long as you have the expertise and programming skills, it’s a great idea, allowing you to tap into both markets simultaneously.
If there’s a downside, it’s that hybrid programming can cost quite a bit of time and money. Even so, there’s a simple workaround.
If you’re not sure that you have the knowledge or resources to develop for both ecosystems, don’t hesitate to find a native mobile app development company that can handle the platform you’re not developing for in-house.
Truth be told, outsourcing is generally a better idea for small businesses. It allows you to control your costs while ensuring you’ll still get a great product in the end.
How Should You Build Your Mobile Software?
So, the question remains: how should you build your mobile software?
In truth, that depends on your goals. If you’re strictly releasing in North America, iOS is the way to go. But if you’re planning to expand, you’d be remiss to ignore Android’s massive market share.
Just remember that you don’t have to choose! Hybrid programming can be a great, cost-effective solution.
For more tips on mobile development, make sure to check out our blog.