iOS vs Android App Development: Key Considerations

Start with your audience

Platform popularity varies by region, age group, profession and income. If you already have customers, look at what devices they use. If you are starting fresh, research your target market and consider how they are likely to discover your app.

Design conventions differ

iOS and Android each have their own navigation patterns, typography and component styles. Users notice when an app feels out of place on their platform. Even when a product shares a visual identity across both, details like back navigation, tab bars and system dialogs should feel native.

Read more on our iOS app development and Android app development pages.

Device variety and testing

iOS runs on a relatively small range of devices from a single manufacturer. Android runs on a very wide range of devices, screen sizes and system versions. This affects layout planning and testing effort, which should be considered in scope and budget.

Store review and distribution

Both platforms have review processes and published guidelines. Neither approval nor ranking can be guaranteed by a developer, but planning for the guidelines from the start reduces surprises.

One platform first, or both?

Launching on one platform first can help you learn quickly with a smaller investment. Launching on both reaches more users from day one but increases design, development and testing work. Cross-platform approaches can reduce some duplication; whether they fit depends on the product's requirements.

Questions to ask

• Where are most of my target users?
• Does my app rely on platform-specific features?
• How important is launching quickly versus reaching everyone?
• What will maintaining two platforms involve over time?

Conclusion

Platform choice is a product decision. We discuss it openly in the planning stage of our development process.