iOS or Android: Which App Should You Build?

29 Jun 2017
5
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Two individuals beside a smartphone displaying the text "mobile app development."

Demographics

Companies that research the demographics of iOS or Android users can learn a lot about them. There are more people in the world who use the Android platform than the iOS app platform, likely because Android devices are cheaper. With that being said, the majority of these people are living in developing countries. Either that or they are lower class people in first world countries.

The people who use the iOS app platform are usually young, more educated, and have a higher income. This means they aren’t afraid to spend extra money on purchasing their apps.

Revenue

Companies need to think about the location of their target audience. Since Android users have less money, then it is wiser to create free applications that support advertisements. Then, for the iOS platform, you can make paid applications with no ads because iOS users will likely have the money to purchase those apps.

You might think it would be harder to make money trying to get people to purchase apps, but the iOS revenue model actually proves to be more successful than the Android revenue model. According to Statista, during 2017’s first quarter, iOS apps generated 70% more revenue than apps made for the Android.

Recommended Reading: “8 monetization models for your mobile application”

A visual comparison of Apple and Android logos, highlighting their distinct designs and brand identities.

Speed of App Development

The biggest worry about developing an app is how fast you can complete it and make it available on the market. On which platform you can launch the app faster – iOS or Android? In most cases, an Android app takes 20% more time to develop than an iOS app. It also applies if you build MVP app. The main reason for this is due to the release cycles of the system as well as “Android fragmentation.”

You see, Android devices come in many different sizes and shapes. This means they also have different screen sizes and perform differently as well. Plus, there are many active versions of Android happening simultaneously. All these reasons are why there is Android defragmentation. So, to develop an app which has the ability to function properly on each of these varying Android devices, the app development company has a lot more work to do. This means it will take more time and lead to a higher app development cost

Cycles for App Releases

Android releases tend to be more difficult because of the OEM and carrier lockdowns. Also, the frequent new versions of the operating system make it take longer for the adoption of them to occur. For example, the Android Nougat version was released way back in August of 2016. But only about 7% of worldwide Android users can say they’ve adopted this version. Meanwhile, more than 80% of those using the iOS app platform can say they’ve adopted the iOS 11, which is the latest version of the platform.

It helps app developers for hire when they can just focus on creating apps which can be supported by the latest versions of the app platform. This allows the apps to reach a wider audience. On the other hand, if just 10% of apps platforms users can say they’ve adopted it. This means mobile app developers must make apps which are supported by older versions of the operating system. This will involve additional testing, which will mean more cycle time wasted in the development process.

Recommended Reading: “Building an app: How much does it cost”

Since the adoption rates amongst iOS users are higher, developers can create apps without having to worry about making them compatible with older versions of the operating system. This will reduce the amount of testing time needed. Also it will give them a chance to integrate new APIs into it.

Two hands holding a green and black apple alongside an Android device, symbolizing technology and nature.

More Engagement or More Numbers?

When developing an app, do you want it to have fewer users who are more engaging or more users who are less engaging? This is what you need to decide while thinking about which app platform to make your app for. The choice comes down to the monetization method you choose from the app. Since more people use Android, you will have more users who are less engaged on there. With iOS, you will have fewer users who are more engaged.

Making the Platform Choice for Your App – iOS or Android?

So what platform do you have to choose – iOS or Android? If you want to earn more money and market your apps quickly, then your choice is to develop iOS mobile application. On top of that, the app development cost will be lower. Another good reason to create iOS app is that you get to understand the learning curve of new app creation.

In other words, you’ll learn what works and what doesn’t work. It will be harder to learn this when you develop for the Android and iOS apps platforms at the same time, or just the Android platform because of the Android defragmentation issue. This would make it less profitable for you.

If you create a startup and you want your app to become successful but you don’t have a big capital for app development at the time, then creating iOS mobile app must be your choice. Because besides the lower app development costs new and interesting iOS apps attract more media attention. In other words, more people will likely be clicking on your app if it is an iOS app. On the other hand, if your target audience is in an emerging marketplace, then create Android apps instead.

Once you have made your platform choice and gotten started, you should only move on to the next platform after you’ve seen growth in revenue from your first platform. This will help you expand your reach and invest your time in creating apps for an even wider audience.

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answers:
What is a UX audit and why is it important for SaaS businesses?

A UX audit is a comprehensive evaluation of a product’s user experience aimed at identifying usability issues, gaps in the user journey, and friction points in the interface. For SaaS companies, a ux audit service plays a crucial role in improving conversion rates, reducing churn, and aligning user experience with business objectives. A thorough UX audit not only uncovers where your product fails to meet user expectations, but also highlights areas where UX design can actively drive revenue. SaaS platforms that invest in regular ux audits report higher user satisfaction, improved feature adoption, and lower ux audit cost in the long run.

What does the UX audit process include?

The ux audit process typically begins with competitor analysis and user research, followed by a heuristic evaluation of the current interface. We review behavioral data, conduct usability testing, and evaluate the product’s information architecture, visual design, and interaction flow. At ANODA, our ux audit agency also includes a ui audit to assess layout consistency and clarity. The final deliverable is a detailed report with actionable insights and recommendations tailored to your product’s goals and your target audience. Every phase is designed to reveal issues that hinder user satisfaction and limit the success of your digital product.

How do I know if I need a UX audit service?

If your users struggle to complete key tasks, drop off during onboarding, or if your digital product generates more support tickets than conversions — it’s a clear sign you need a UX audit service. Common symptoms of poor user experience include low engagement, usability issues, and high bounce rates. Our user experience audit service helps pinpoint friction points in your interface and reveals how to optimize the user flow for better performance. Even minor adjustments discovered through a UX UI audit can significantly improve both user satisfaction and business outcomes.

What’s the difference between a UX audit and a usability audit?

A usability audit is often a subset of a full ux audit service, focusing mainly on whether users can accomplish tasks effectively and efficiently. A ux audit, however, is broader. It includes analysis of user behavior, competitor analysis, alignment with business objectives, and sometimes even technical performance like load times. While a usability audit might only look at task flows, a ux audit report will offer a holistic view of your product’s entire user experience, including emotional response, clarity, and visual appeal. ANODA’s ux audit service combines both perspectives into a single, comprehensive report.

How does a UX audit improve customer satisfaction and retention?

When a product aligns with how users interact, it naturally leads to greater customer retention and better user satisfaction. Through user testing, we identify friction points, optimize the user flow, and redesign confusing or overwhelming components. A user experience audit service helps reduce the cognitive load, making interfaces intuitive and predictable. By addressing key pain points, improving the user interface, and testing with real users, ANODA’s ux audit agency helps transform frustrating user journeys into a seamless user experience — which is critical to turning freemium users into paid customers.

What deliverables do I get after the UX audit is complete?

After completing the ux audit, clients receive a structured ux audit report that includes a heuristic evaluation, audit findings, user feedback analysis, heatmap interpretations, and a prioritized strategic roadmap for implementation. This comprehensive report also outlines issues in visual design, information architecture, and user flow, with recommendations supported by user research and real data. The final step is a call with our UX team to walk you through the audit insights and show you how to begin implementing improvements.

How much does a UX audit service cost?

The ux audit service cost varies depending on the size and complexity of your digital product, the number of platforms (web, mobile), and the depth of user research and testing required. While a basic ui ux audit service for a landing page or web page might start around a few thousand dollars, a full user experience audit for a large enterprise software platform with multiple roles and flows can range significantly higher. That said, the average ROI from a ux audit service is reported to be over 1700%, making it one of the most cost-effective design process investments you can make.

Why choose ANODA as your UX audit company?

ANODA is not just a ux audit company — we’re a team of full-time, product-focused experts with extensive experience in transforming SaaS platforms. Our ux design audit services go beyond generic checklists. We tailor every ux ui audit to your target audience, product stage, and growth goals. With certified compliance (GDPR, HIPAA, WCAG), deep SaaS background, and proven results in boosting customer satisfaction and business performance, we provide more than just evaluations — we deliver actionable recommendations that drive outcomes. Our ux audit agency is trusted by startups and enterprises alike.

What role does user feedback play in a UX design audit?

User feedback is central to any effective ux design audit. It reveals how real users perceive your product, where they hesitate, what they enjoy, and what they ignore. In our ux audit process, we combine user feedback with data from user behavior tracking tools, interviews, and usability testing to ensure a 360° view of your product. This leads to a thorough ux audit service that not only highlights flaws in your current user interface, but also provides valuable insights on how to enhance satisfaction, engagement, and clarity for your target audience.

How long does a UX audit take and what happens after?

A full ux audit service typically takes between 2 to 4 weeks, depending on project complexity and the number of platforms evaluated. After delivering your detailed report, we offer ongoing support and can assist your team during the redesign project to ensure that changes align with the business analysis and audit findings. Our ultimate goal is to optimize your product’s user experience while maintaining design feasibility, implementation speed, and maximum ROI. With ANODA, the audit is just the beginning of strategic, measurable ux analysis.

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