As an android developer, you may be wondering which platform is best for you to develop your app on. While both Android and iOS have their own advantages, there are some key differences between the two platforms when it comes to earning money from app development. In this article, we will explore these differences and help you make an informed decision about which platform to choose.
Android vs iOS: Market Share and App Downloads
According to Statista, as of 2021, iOS holds a 53.6% market share, while Android holds a 45.9% market share. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that more people are downloading apps on iOS than Android. In fact, according to a study by Localytics, the average person spends 4 hours and 20 minutes per day using their smartphone, with 80% of that time spent on mobile apps. This means that there is still a significant amount of potential for app developers on both platforms.
Before we dive into the details of each platform, let’s take a look at the overall market share of Android and iOS. According to Statista, as of 2021, iOS holds a 53.6% market share, while Android holds a 45.9% market share. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean that more people are downloading apps on iOS than Android. In fact, according to a study by Localytics, the average person spends 4 hours and 20 minutes per day using their smartphone, with 80% of that time spent on mobile apps. This means that there is still a significant amount of potential for app developers on both platforms.
Now let’s take a closer look at each platform and see how they compare in terms of earning money from app development.
Android vs iOS: Market Share and App Downloads
As mentioned earlier, Android holds a slightly smaller market share compared to iOS, but it still has a significant amount of potential for app developers. In fact, Google Play Store, which is the official app store for Android devices, boasts over 2 million apps as of 2021. On the other hand, Apple App Store, which is the official app store for iOS devices, has around 2 million apps as well.
One key difference between the two platforms when it comes to market share and app downloads is that Android is used by a wider range of devices with different screen sizes and hardware specifications. This means that there are more opportunities for developers to create apps that cater to different needs and preferences. For example, if you want to create an app that works on both smartphones and tablets, you can easily do so on Android because there is a wider variety of devices with different screen sizes.
Another important factor to consider when comparing the two platforms is the number of downloads each platform gets. According to a study by Sensor Tower, in 2021, iOS apps have been downloaded over 13.4 billion times, while Android apps have been downloaded over 6.7 billion times. However, it’s important to note that Android has a much larger user base overall, with billions of devices running on the platform. This means that even though iOS may have more app downloads, there is still a significant amount of potential for Android developers.
Income Generated by Apps
Now that we have a better understanding of the market share and app downloads for each platform let’s take a look at how much money developers can earn from their apps.
According to a study by SimilarWeb, as of 2021, the average revenue per user (ARPU) for iOS apps is around $5.87, while the ARPU for Android apps is around $3.94. This means that on average, iOS app developers are earning more money than Android app developers. However, it’s important to note that this can vary greatly depending on the type of app and its target audience.
For example, a study by Sensor Tower found that gaming apps tend to generate more revenue on iOS than on Android. This is because gaming apps typically have higher in-app purchase rates and are more likely to offer subscriptions. On the other hand, social media and messaging apps tend to generate more revenue on Android because they have a larger user base.
Another important factor to consider when comparing the two platforms is the average app price. According to a study by App Annie, as of 2021, the average price for iOS apps is around $3.99, while the average price for Android apps is around $2.79. This means that on average, iOS app developers are charging more for their apps than Android app developers.