Should you develop an Android or iOS app? This might be one of the most important questions that many businesses have. Furthermore, it’s a challenging question to answer.
This is due to the fact that iOS and Android each have unique strengths, weaknesses, and use cases. Therefore, your choice will depend on the specifications of your project.
Nevertheless, it’s helpful to consider the distinctive benefits Android has over other mobile operating systems.
What is Android development?
Android has grown to be the most widely used mobile operating system in the world since it was introduced in 2003 as an open-source project based on the Linux kernel. Over two billion devices worldwide currently run Android, and approximately four million apps have been released by developers. Android is used by several of the top phone manufacturers, including HTC, Huawei, Lenovo, LG, Samsung, and Sony.
Regardless of whether you have prior Android development expertise, you are aware that planning is key to the success of your project. The correct knowledge and tools are essential for a successful start and an effective, productive process.
Advantages of Android App Development
Check out the benefits of Android app development.
Expanded market reach
Android is by far the most widely used mobile operating system available.
It held a 71.44% share of the global market as of Q1 2023. iOS only accounts for 27.89% of all mobile phone users, far short of this number.
Thus, if you want your app to be downloaded by as many people as possible worldwide, Android is the way to go.
This is particularly true in underdeveloped countries where a large portion of the populace cannot afford the greater cost of iOS devices.
In India, for instance, Android has a nearly monopoly-like 93.67% market share as of May 2023. Only 4.93% of mobile devices are iOS-based.
But Android is still widely used in nations with greater incomes.
Even though iOS may be the market leader in the UK, its share of the whole market is only 55.98%. That only gives Android a small advantage over its 43.48% market share.
The US, where iOS has a strong 62% market share, is one of the few countries where Android is severely outperformed.
Even so, there is still a sizable enough Android market in the US to make it viable to release apps there.
The fact that your app has a greater probability of success thanks to Android’s wide market reach and visibility.
In the realm of mobile app development, harnessing the extensive global reach of Android is a strategic choice, as demonstrated by its dominant market presence across diverse income levels and regions.
Reduced time to market
The operating system to use for your project if you want to launch it as soon as feasible is Android. This is due to a number of factors.
One is the fact that the Google Play Store is a very effective app store.
Requirements are less stringent than those of the Apple App Store, and approval times are frequently shorter. Additionally, it makes it easier to release updates and bug fixes.
But what makes Android unique is that there are other app stores outside the Google Play Store where you can publish your app.
Additionally, you may use it with Samsung Apps, NOOK Apps, and the Amazon App Store.
Because of this diversity, you have a greater chance of getting your app onto users’ smartphones and gaining traction for it more quickly.
Additionally, Android offers a number of tools that expedite the app creation process.
Gradle, the native build system for Android, is one illustration. It enables you to easily distribute your code by compiling it into an APK bundle.
Additionally, it makes it possible for you to configure the APK automatically according to the target device.
Additionally, the productivity tools in the Android Studio IDE (integrated development environment) significantly accelerate coding.
You can alter the classes and methods in your code while it is running, for instance, using the Instant Run feature.
This allows you to view changes immediately without having to recompile, which will save you many hours of debugging time.
Numerous other tools, like emulators, code templates, and interaction with services like Firebase, speed up development and enable you to release your app as quickly as possible.
High return on investment
If you desire a quicker and greater return on your investment, Android is also the recommended operating system.
This relates once more to Android’s wider market penetration. This results in an increase in users and, consequently, your app’s revenue potential.
For free apps that rely on in-app purchases, this is extremely important.
Think about the fact that, according to analysts, only 4% of users will spend money on in-app purchases by 2026, a sharp decline from a peak of 35.2% in 2020.
The quantity of users matters in these circumstances.
4% of a million users is only 40,000, after all. However, if you have 10 million users, your pool of in-app purchasers grows to 400,000, potentially increasing your returns by a factor of 10 times.
Android has a distinct advantage in this regard due to its enormous market size and potential for critical mass.
Additionally, it is typically less expensive to design Android apps. Additional revenue can be converted into profit thanks to lower development costs.
That’s because iOS developers prefer to charge higher prices than Android developers do (5.9 million for the former and 2.8 million for the latter as of 2020).
When it comes to Android app development, you have the option to harness the power of digital marketing like social media marketing or Google Ads to promote your app, attract a larger audience, and increase your return on investment.
Access to multiple devices
The variety of devices you can use to distribute your Android app is one of its benefits.
Over 1,300 manufacturers and 24,000 devices presently use the Android operating system.
And they range from expensive smartphones to reasonably priced gadgets that only cost $50. The sheer number of different devices increases the potential audience for your software.
Android apps can be utilized on various platforms besides mobile smartphones. On a smart TV, for instance, Android TV can run particular apps.
Even without using third-party emulators, you may run Android apps directly on Microsoft Windows, giving your app access to as many as 1.4 billion Windows users globally.
This multi-platform environment offers a variety of compelling use cases that enhance the appeal of Android apps.
The good news is that Android has the tools needed to make these interactions possible.
For instance, Android developers can easily move sessions between devices by using the Cross-device SDK.
For instance, you can stream content to your desktop Spotify app from your phone using the mobile Spotify app.
The vast market reach and variety of devices offered by Android, in short, serve more purposes than simply increasing awareness. Additionally, it enables you to provide users with potent new experiences.
Open-source freedoms
Apple’s restricted environment is one of the main issues that developers have with the company. While this results in a more stable development environment, it restricts the functions and tools available to your project.
Android has a significant advantage over iOS in this area.
This is as a result of Android being open source. Manufacturers are able to utilize it in their products rather freely without paying royalties or licensing fees. It is therefore far more accepting of open-source tools.
The open-source nature of Android fosters a welcoming environment for developers.
When creating apps, developers have access to a wealth of resources, tools, and documentation, including open APIs and the Software Development Kit (SDK).
Android also encourages transparency. Anyone can examine and audit the OS code, assisting in the discovery and correction of flaws.
Allowing independent assessments increases platform stability and builds developer trust.
Ease of customization
If your program demands considerable modification, Android is a superior alternative because it allows you more tools to do so. For instance, it offers more comprehensive support for third-party plugins and tools.
The device’s file system access is a prime illustration of this.
Typically, iOS does not permit this. Sandbox mode is used, which limits the files an app can access. Without a doubt, it prevents one software from accessing the files of another.
This restriction often does not apply to Android. In fact, Android apps get direct access to the majority of the underlying hardware, including the camera and CPU.
While this could be hazardous, when done properly, it also offers new opportunities.
For instance, Android users have the same freedom to utilize file management and cleanup programs as desktop users.
Android apps are also simpler to incorporate into other platforms because of these customization possibilities.
This is helpful when creating business solutions, such as an Android app that can easily integrate with an ERP system.
Superior app security
There’s a false belief that iOS apps are more secure than Android ones. However, just because Android is open source doesn’t automatically make it less secure.
The Android OS was actually developed with security in mind.
For example, it makes use of Security-Enhanced Linux (SELinux), an approach through which the OS can impose access restrictions. Any process or operation without specific authorization is automatically denied by SELinux.
This lessens the chance of malware or outsiders gaining unauthorised access.
Additionally, a huge selection of security technologies are available to developers.
A feature that enables the developer to digitally sign the APK before uploading it to the Google Play Store is app signing.
This reduces the possibility of a hack by ensuring that only the developer can update the program that has been downloaded to a device.
Additionally, Android offers native libraries for encryption, biometrics, and user authentication to help safeguard apps from data breaches and hacks.
The main fact is that since developers have all the necessary tools, an Android app can be as secure as any iOS app. It just comes down to how proficient you are with these tools.
Advantages of Android App Development – Conclusion
Android app development offers a myriad of advantages, from its vast user base to its open-source nature, making it a lucrative choice for developers. As the mobile landscape continues to evolve, harnessing the power of Android development can undoubtedly pave the way for innovation and success in the digital realm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Android is better for app development?
Additionally, Android offers a number of tools that expedite the app creation process. Gradle, the native build system for Android, is one illustration. It enables you to easily distribute your code by compiling it into an APK bundle. Additionally, it makes it possible for you to configure the APK automatically according to the target device.
How does Android app development work?
A network connection is used by mobile apps to access remote computing resources. Create installable apps for mobile devices and provide backend services, including data access through an API, as part of the app development process. Another step in the process involves testing the application on the intended devices.