One of the most critical decisions when building a mobile app is choosing your target platform. Should you build for iOS, Android, or both? This guide provides a comprehensive comparison to help you make the right choice for your business.
Market Share & User Demographics
Global Market Share
As of 2025, the global smartphone market is dominated by Android with approximately 72% market share, while iOS holds around 27%. However, these numbers vary significantly by region:
- United States: iOS leads with ~55% market share
- Western Europe: More balanced, with iOS at ~45%
- Asia & Developing Markets: Android dominates with 80%+
User Demographics
Beyond market share, user behavior differs significantly between platforms:
- iOS Users: Higher average income, more likely to make in-app purchases, spend 2.5x more on apps
- Android Users: More diverse demographic, higher app downloads, lower average spend per user
Development Considerations
Programming Languages
Each platform has its preferred modern language:
- iOS: Swift (with SwiftUI for modern interfaces)
- Android: Kotlin (with Jetpack Compose for modern UI)
Both languages are modern, safe, and developer-friendly. Swift tends to have a slightly gentler learning curve, while Kotlin offers excellent interoperability with Java.
Development Time
iOS development is often faster due to:
- Fewer device variations to test (Apple controls hardware)
- More consistent OS adoption rates
- Unified design guidelines
Android development may take 20-30% longer due to device fragmentation and the need to support more OS versions.
App Store vs Google Play
Publishing differences are significant:
- Apple App Store: Stricter review process (1-3 days), $99/year developer fee, higher app quality standards
- Google Play Store: Faster review (hours to 1 day), $25 one-time fee, more lenient guidelines
Cost Comparison
Development costs are comparable for both platforms when building native apps:
- Simple App: $25,000 - $50,000 per platform
- Medium Complexity: $50,000 - $150,000 per platform
- Complex App: $150,000+ per platform
"If budget is limited, start with one platform and expand based on traction. iOS often provides better ROI for monetization-focused apps."
Revenue & Monetization
Revenue generation differs between platforms:
- iOS: Generates 65% of global app revenue despite lower market share
- Android: Higher download volumes but lower per-user spend
- In-App Purchases: iOS users are 2.5x more likely to make purchases
- Subscriptions: Both platforms now support subscriptions with similar terms
When to Choose iOS
Build for iOS first if:
- Your target market is the US, Canada, UK, or Western Europe
- Your business model relies on in-app purchases or premium pricing
- You want to minimize fragmentation and testing complexity
- Your audience is affluent professionals or business users
- You prioritize design and user experience
When to Choose Android
Build for Android first if:
- Your target market is Asia, Latin America, or developing regions
- You need maximum market reach and download volume
- Your monetization is ad-based rather than purchases
- You need more flexibility with app distribution (APK sideloading)
- Hardware integration is critical (more device options)
The Cross-Platform Alternative
For many businesses, cross-platform development offers a compelling middle ground:
- React Native: JavaScript-based, excellent for apps with complex UIs
- Flutter: Dart-based, best-in-class performance and beautiful animations
Cross-platform can reduce development costs by 30-40% while reaching both platforms simultaneously. Trade-offs include slightly reduced performance and platform-specific feature limitations.
Our Recommendation
Based on our experience building 50+ apps:
- For MVP/Startups: Start with iOS if targeting US/Europe, Android for other markets
- For Enterprise: Consider cross-platform for cost efficiency
- For Performance-Critical Apps: Native development on both platforms
- For Maximum Reach: Build both with shared backend infrastructure
Conclusion
There's no universal "right" answer—the best platform depends on your specific goals, audience, and resources. The good news is that modern development tools make it easier than ever to support both platforms.
Need help deciding? Contact augmnt for a free consultation. We'll analyze your specific situation and recommend the optimal platform strategy.