Jan 19, 2021 Written by David Barlev

Android vs. Apple: 5 Reasons to Choose iPhone App Development

A collection of desk items including laptop

If you aren’t a big fan of Android programs and devices, it may be worth it to choose iPhone app development to get the best product for your needs.

While Android and iOS devices are presented as comparable all the time, the truth is that there are some major advantages to investing in Apple software. Their apps tend to be more profitable, and while their standards are rigid, Apple’s app store has a reputation for security and quality.

Another perk of iOS apps is that iPhone owners are more likely to be paying customers. Apps geared toward families and online shoppers tend to have better success with this crowd because they aren’t as interested in the ins and outs of configuring their own devices.

Plus, developing apps for two distinct devices can be a pain. Why bother eschewing a focus on iPhone app development if you aren’t a fan of Android to begin with? After all, if anyone deserves a functioning app just the way they want it, it’s you.

Let’s have a look at five reasons why iPhone app development is a better choice than Android.

1. Developers Prefer iOS

A mac wireless keyboardWhen faced with a $10,000+ price tag to get an app out the door, minimizing excess costs is a high priority. Having a developer work on a project means that the more time they spend at work, the more hours you’ll have to pay for.

So what’s the solution? Simple—find the quickest route to development.

Apps aren’t cheap by any means, but the iOS development platform’s programming language—Swift—is considered easier to use, resulting in fewer hours spent writing code. Plus, most developers already know it, making it easy to prevent bottlenecks that can come from having to learn new programming skills.

Swift prevents coders from including any potentially hazardous operations in their programs, contributing to Apple’s reputation for app security. Programs written for iOS require far less code than those written for Android, leading to few potentials for errors and—you guessed it—less time spent coding.

If you are considering building custom software for your business, choosing iOS as a platform can help to reduce the time and cost of development while allowing for rich, stable features that delight users.

There’s also a huge, mature community of Swift developers. Why does this matter? Because if your developer gets stuck on a problem, a good-sized community will make it far more likely that they’ll quickly find an answer and keep your app moving forward. Compare that to many Android languages that are limited to small groups and require more extensive training.

2. Better Chance at Profit

There are some known traits about the Android crowd. They like to take matters into their own hands, and they don’t always want to pay for things. While there are plenty of ways to pirate software using an Apple device, the Android app store is known for the practice.

On the other hand, iPhone users tend to pay for apps, including those that cost more. They shop more online, they are more likely to rate and review apps, and they tend to hang onto their phones longer.

Plus, seeing as the iPhone tends to be the phone for families, parents are more likely to have them, raise their kids on them, and buy apps for iPads that keep kids occupied. By developing an iPhone app rather than an Android app, there’s a better chance that your brand loyalists will stick around for a few years.

There are also more iOS-exclusive apps that don’t work on Android. This allows you to charge more for a specialty product that users can’t buy elsewhere, giving you a better chance to turn a profit and recoup investment costs.

3. Apple Maintains Better Operating Systems

A laptop on a tableWhether or not you prefer Apple to Android, it’s hard to deny that Apple always keeps their software up to date and free of bugs. Part of this is due to the precision and accuracy of their mandatory system updates. Admittedly, it can be frustrating to deal with an Apple system update, but the result is that more of their users aren’t running old software.

That’s a marked difference from Android, where users tend to hang onto old phones and avoid system updates out of fear of disrupting the operability of their device. By using old devices on outdated software, some Android users don’t even have the capacity to download more complex apps.

Apple is a trendier brand, too. While that may not seem of much importance, it can help you find more success in marketing your app, since people are excited to use their new phones for awesome products. During the planning phase, ask your software developer about ways to make the most of Apple’s hardware releases. You may be able to ride its coattails and find more users that way.

Finally, a more stable operating system reduces the possibility that your app will be a victim of an Apple software issue. This is substantially different from the woes of Android users, whose problems seem to be a perennial concern. Usually, Google’s updates aren’t particularly effective, and they have caused device failures in the worse cases.

If nothing else, going the Apple route will ensure that it’s not your app a user is frustrated with when they chuck their phone at the nearest wall.

4. Apps Are More Secure

Hacking is a serious problem. Millions of dollars have been lost due to security leaks that compromise user information—some companies have even shut down as a result. There’s no such thing as too much security for your users, and the best platform for that security is iOS.

Sure, it’s possible for iPhones to be hacked. They aren’t immune from attacks, but because Android devices offer their users more freedom to visit dangerous websites and download questionable content, the odds of a serious attack are higher.

Apple requires more testing before apps make it into its app store. This focus on user security makes it a lot easier for Apple customers to trust that their downloads will be safe.

When programmers use Swift, their code blocks are shorter and the community is better for its members. Development is easier, programs work better, and there’s almost nothing that Androids do that iPhones can’t.

5. People Are Switching to iPhones

A iphone on a tableGuess what? More and more people buying new iPhones do so as a switch from their Android devices. This doesn’t mean that Android is going away any time soon—they are owned by Google after all—but it does suggest that investing in Apple development is more likely to be better in the long term view of things.

iOS apps work well, they’re easier to build, and they aren’t as prone to bugs, making them a great representation of your company’s commitment to its customers. With a good iPhone app, you can deliver an excellent product that has a great chance at success.

Keeping Your Options Open in iPhone App Development

Look, you will always have the opportunity to adapt your software to fit Android devices. There are more and more programming languages that work between the two platforms, so you’re not necessarily losing out on anything by picking a limited route today.

Depending on the complexity of your program, there’s always the option to use a universal, open-source platform like Flutter in the future. These programs allow programmers to write software that has native functionality across all devices—something unheard of just a few years ago.

Building an iPhone app today doesn’t mean your work in the app market is over. With the right software developer, you’ll have a consultant who can help you identify a way forward so that your app stays relevant in the years to come.

Interview your developer and get an idea of their process and philosophy so that you know what to expect when working with them. Heck, they may even advise you to write it in a universal programming language right off the bat so as to avoid having to make changes later on for Android users.

The options are limitless.

Finding a Team that Works for You

Plan your app as thoroughly as you possibly can. That way, when it’s time to start the work, there won’t be any confusion about expectations and deadlines. Ideally, the team you choose to build your app haswork history in your specific niche. This is important not only for development but also for a successful launch.

Talk to them about how they would handle your project before any money changes hands. Make sure you can work with them, and face your iPhone app project with confidence. You got this!

Ready to speak with a team to handle your iPhone app development needs?
Schedule a free consultation about what to do next.