iOS or Android – Which would be the most profitable operating system in 2017

A strategic approach to iOS and Android development

For app development, Apple relies on Xcode IDE. The related programming language is Swift. It contains everything to ensure robust app building. For building user interface Cocoa Touch is the API.

JAVA based operating system of Android makes it highly useful. It is possible to achieve much using android studio. Both types of operating system -android and iOS – have today adopted flatter design. With android, material adoption design is much better.

For iOS design, transitions and large images are major elements. For app designs, UI is the main element. In both operating systems, differences lie in navigation. Android has back buttons but there are no such provisions in iOS. Mobile App Development Company will design them.

How about revenue

The market of mobile apps in general is worth approximately $77 billion today. At 80.7%, android today dominates the market share. However, when it comes to revenue generation, Apple seems to be the winner. It generates 85% more in terms of revenue for the app makers in comparison to android. Are you planning to make money via direct app costs or in-app purchases? There is 45% additional revenue generation possibility per user with Apple development. Similarly, there is 10% more chance of an iOS user to make in-app purchase. This is in comparison to an android user.

Android or iOS – Which will bring more revenue

It is first important to finalise between hybrid and native app development. Once you have done that, make your platform choice. This means, choosing your operating system is an extremely important part. Decision-making involves multiple considerations some of the main ones include the following.

What country/region are your visitors from

Study the historical data or obtained from analytical in-house tools. These will let you know from which device your paid customers and visitors are reaching you in maximum numbers. This data will point you towards the appropriate platform choice. Observe breakdown of site traffic. This is important because you want to approach the largest potential and current customer segments via app implementation. Another simpler method is available as well. You can multiply android/iOS user number with their app spending. This way you can estimate potential revenue generation related to both these user bases. Now platform selection becomes easier.

Is your app paid or free

The developers might make the free apps paid later. In this regard, one has to know about in-app monetization and upfront monetization. These are for android and iOS respectively. In-app ads are the commonest way to generate revenues for the mobile apps. If the makers are confident enough that, the program will click with the user base, ad-driven options are a good idea. This will give you good returns.

Are you interested in reaching out to the mobile user base most likely to spend money on an app or rather the largest population of mobile users?

While most in-app purchases occur through iOS, there is more number of android users than Apple phone users. This means that Google Play enjoys more number of app downloads in comparison to App Store. For market watchers this is a natural progression. After all, android phones constitute 80% of Smartphone market globally. In the U.S. 42% of market share is of Apple Smartphone. However, in 80% to 99% of the global markets, android rules. Thus, iOS is perfect to target people for in app purchases or the high earner group in American markets.

Are the publishing policies correct?

The developers should be well aware of the publishing policies related to android and iOS operating system. Android platform is highly robust. This facilitates multiple updates of the developed apps. This enhances related functionalities, feature incorporation, and overall user satisfaction levels. Update multiple times through Google Play. App publishing for the developers has additional possibilities due to the presence of alpha, beta versions. This also proves beneficial from the business point of view. For more bile apps, the most important aspect is revenue generation. When it comes to publishing policies, both operating systems have stringent standards in place. Developers have to follow the rules in order to deliver the most effective development services.

Do you have to build your app on both iOS and Android at the same time?

A wise idea is to choose one platform first, build the app, and now test heavily. Experts advise you against simultaneously building apps for both android and iOS. Building for both of these together will allow you to reach 96% of the overall global Smartphone market. This no doubt is a staggering figure. However, building fast and fixing later sadly does not work well for mobile application development. Associated expenses eat into the overall return on investment.

The mature development processes always go through established route. First, you will identify the business names, design wireframes, and comps high fidelity creation. Perform user tests and develop software based on the final comps. Now undertake quality analysis followed by software release and performance monitoring. For post-release improvements, you have to go back step-by-step and plan anew. For development on simultaneous platforms, there will be double work.

The bottom line: iOS a better option despite all Android’s advantages

Tactically, strategically, and financially iOS remains the better option for the developers. This is especially when you want to launch the very first app. Google might enumerate android benefits like low entry barrier, app publishing flexible process, and code portability. However, for the most profitable app development, Google have to introduce the latest android versions first. Android also requires robust SDK and a vigorous framework for development. Otherwise, iOS retain the upper hand in the app development market. This is in terms of market share, marketing time, android versus iOS demographics, and purchase power of users. Because of iOS IDE and SDK relative simplicity too, building the first application using this platform makes complete sense.