Understanding the Key Differences Between iOS and Android Development

iOS and Android are the two most popular smartphone operating systems worldwide. So if you’re making mobile apps, you need to decide if you’re going to build for iOS, Android, or both.

Most people understand this concept at a basic level—iOS and Android are different. But exactly how are they different?

That’s why we created this guide. 

Whether you’re a prospective developer, entrepreneur, or just a tech-savvy business user that wants to further your knowledge, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll cover everything you need to know about iOS and Android, including a clear explanation of each platform and the key differences between them.

What is iOS Mobile App Development?

iOS app development refers to mobile apps for Apple’s mobile operating system. iOS apps run on iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touch devices. 

Apple has various operating systems for its devices. For example, applications built for Mac computers run on macOS. There is even an iOS variant, iPodOS, that’s specifically for iPads.

iOS development caters specifically to the unique device specifications and security requirements of Apple’s mobile operating system. 

What is Android App Development?

Android app development is the process of making mobile applications that run on the Android operating system. 

Android (developed by Google), has a wide range of devices that run using this OS. The list of brands includes Samsung, Google, Motorola, OnePlus, Sony, and thousands more.

In fact, there are more than 24,000 different types of devices that use the Android operating system, distributed by roughly 1,300 companies. 

11 Key Differences Between iOS and Android Apps

Android and iOS are different in many ways. Below we’ll cover the top 11 key differences between the two mobile operating systems dominating the global market share.

1. Programming Languages

iOS and Android are powered by different backend tech stacks. 

Aspect	iOS	Android
Primary Languages	Swift, Objective-C	Java, Kotlin
Usage Beyond Platform	Limited to Apple products	Java has broader applications
Developer Transition	Requires learning Swift	Easier for Java developers

Check out our guide on the best programming languages for mobile app development to learn more about all of these languages and more. 

2. Design Strategy

When comparing iOS vs. Android, you’ll also notice some crucial differences between the way apps are designed. 

Apple favors app content over design. So you’ll see more white space used to highlight app-specific features and clarity. iOS developers should refer to Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines for best practices.

When designing for Android devices, you’ll have a bit more flexibility with color changes, motion, and light. The design guidelines aren’t quite as strict. 
Android developers can refer to the Material Design for Android to learn more about the interaction design and motion between Android devices.

3. Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

Android and Apple both have different IDEs—integrated development environments. 

Android developers can create an Android app using Android Studio, which was initially developed by Google back in 2013.  

This is the official IDE for Android app development. It’s built on IntelliJ IDEA software from JetBrains and available to download on Linux, Windows, Chrome and macOS operating systems. 

iOS developers rely on Xcode.

Xcode is Apple’s official IDE for all Apple software, including iOS. You can use Xcode to build apps for iOS, macOS, iPadOS, tvOS, and watchOS.

Unlike Android Studio, Xcode is only compatible with macOS. So you can’t download it on your Linux or Windows machine. 

We have a complete Xcode tutorial that explains how it works and how to get started with iOS app development. 

So which IDE is better—Android Studio or Xcode?

Each software has its pros and cons. Android Studio is a bit more versatile for developers who already have experience creating apps for other operating systems. But Xcode is easier to set up for beginners.

Both platforms have excellent debugging features, although Xcode might have the edge in this category. Android studio’s advanced code editor and layout design features might be more popular, although some users complain that it takes up too much memory on their devices. 

4. Devices

When it comes to iOS devices, you’re basically just talking about different versions of the iPhone. You can put iPads and iPod Touch devices into this category as well. 

But the list of Android devices is significantly larger.

As mentioned earlier, there are more than 24,000 different Android devices. Since the first iPhone launched back in 2007, there have been less than 40 different versions of this device for iOS.  

5. App Distribution

Each platform has its own app store for distribution.

iOS apps can be downloaded from the Apple App Store, and Android Apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. 

For more information, check out our step-by-step guide on publishing your app to the app store. 

Android apps are better if you want to distribute your app to the widest possible audience. But iOS has some cool developer programs for app testing and distributing private apps. 

Additional Reading: How to Distr

7. Monetization Strategy

Studies suggest that iPhone users earn more money than Android users. In fact, the median household income of an iPhone user is $85,000, compared to $61,000 for Android.

This is important information to consider when you’re looking for ways to monetize your app. 

Platform	Median Household Income	Monetization Focus
iOS	$85,000	In-app purchases
Android	$61,000	In-app advertising

Since iPhone users may have more buying power, you can factor in things like in-app purchases with iOS development. 

But Android developers may need to focus more on other ways to make money, such as in-app advertising.