The question of ” Which app first- Android or iOS” has been a very famous one from the past many years. Often the headline-focused or ideology, the platform wars are going on but the answer to this particular question still remains.

Similar to guidance about In-house vs Outsourcing of Apps, the answer to this question varies. Such as, a large company has a different target audience and more significant resources when compared to an early stage startup. The startup may not have any app yet is unlike the one that has raised a series-A investment round. But a startup might have features that can only be supported solely by one specific application platform.

Because of the extensiveness of such scenarios, Codeyeti has decided to answer this topic in slightly different approach. We are going to start with the information based on demographics to speed of the Market. We will conclude with some insightful ideas about when to start with which platform, when to start on both platforms, and when to move to the next platform.

Let’s start now

Android vs iOS Demographics

Android platform currently has the largest global share, with particular influence in lower income population and developing nations. Whereas, the iOS users typically have higher income, more engagement and spend more per app. But that does not mean that the users who have same characteristics won’t carry and Android device. Rather, the data is indicative of the general android using population.

Android vs iOS Revenue Models

The revenue models that companies can have behind their Android and/or iOS apps are somewhat of similar approaches of revenue model of Google and Apple. As we know, android has the higher percentage of ad-supported apps where comparatively, paid apps is still more common on iOS platform. There’s enough data and statistics, which shows iOS apps earn more revenue than android apps, with the number being 70% more in FY 2014-2015. The previous point also showed that iOS users are more valuable overall.

Release Cycles

Android is completely not open source as its carriers and OEMs are locked down. Due to this locked files android regularly lags behind iOS in terms of the adoption rate of the latest OS versions. Till now, more than 80% of the users are using iOS 9 version, which was released in September 2015. Whereas only about 3% of all android users are on Nougat.

So, on iOS you can support the newest version of the OS with relative certainty that your app will still have a broad reach. This means, generally, developers can build against new APIs, stop supporting older devices sooner, and reduce testing and development time cycles.

Android-App Features vs iOS-App Features

Android, being an open source operating system, has many “mods” such as CyanogenMod or Paranoid Android. Due to which it gives the developers deeper access into the operating system itself. The most common example is that some years ago, there was a proliferation of home screen replacements including Facebook Home or Aviate, which Yahoo purchased after sometime. So to conclude, Android offers much more feature access to developers and users as compared to that iOS offers.

Tablet Apps vs iPad Apps

iOS has also created its dominance in tablet market, especially with business and upper-class users. You may also not find any android tablet in a meeting room or on the desk of an executive. Surprisingly, only technical people seem to have android tablets. Moreover, it’s not rare that someone may have an iPad and use android smartphone.

When to develop Android First

Android makes sense first if you are targeting the audience specifically to developing nations or semi-urban environment. The reasons are driven by demographics (only developing countries), market segment, cost, and speed to market. Additionally, during the initial stage of any app, there should be a significant amount of learning about what’s working and what’s not working. Trying to grow the business across two platforms- especially a more challenging one in Android- is time and cost prohibitive.

This depends on the amount of capital that you have raised. Generally, early stage startups today begin with android, then develop iOS. Another reason  is that you can customize an element of Android’s operating system, whereas not in case of iOS. Moreover, android store uploads the app first and then approves it. So you can change the app and user can use it till Google approves it.

When to develop iOS first

Our general advice is to develop iOS platform first. Same as android, developing iOS first must be preferred on the basis of demographics, cost, market segment, and speed of the market. IOS are generally preferred for developed nations and for upper-middle class market segment. If your target audience is western countries or blue-collared people in developing countries, you must go for iOS first.

Another benefit is that apple rates every submitted application very deeply, whereas Google rates it only on the basis of customer experience and content rating. Apple itself tests the apps on various supporting devices, thus providing the users crash free experience. There’s been much material on that subject, but we believe Semil Shah has done a great job summarizing why Android must be much later for early-stage startups. Robert Scoble also highlighted that why iOS has many influencers.

When to develop Both Platforms

Starting initially on both platforms is more like if you are going to be considered as a company that also having more resources and well-established. We also research about for which company or global brand a particular platform makes sense to initialize.

The answer is taken from the learning segments mentioned above. Though your pockets are deep, unless an app is dead simple, it will need to be iterated a lot many time before it finally satisfies the right audience.

When to develop Another Platform

Generally, once your company has perfected the core app experience, then you can consider to move. We know that Instagram was acquired for USD 1 Billion whereas it only had released its android app a week earlier.

This point out to the another reason before you move to next platform: Growth. If you have market statistics showing that you have hit the critical mass on core platform, targeting the market segment of the next platform is immediately going to increase the total user base of your app.

Concluding Information

We hope that the data involved in the consideration process are useful for you to take a decision. If you believe that the data points taken here are lacking something, please let us know through comments. We’ll surely take all relevant input into consideration.

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