iPhone apps may get more of the spotlight, but companies should not overlook Android app development’s growing value.
“In 2020, Google Play users worldwide downloaded 108.5 billion mobile apps, up from 76 billion apps in 2018,” says Statista. “Google Play generates significant[ly] more downloads than the Apple App Store, as it is available for a wider range of devices than Apple's closed iOS ecosystem, which is only available for Apple devices.”
On another level, Android is a more flexible platform than iOS in several key ways. User acquisition costs less for Android apps than iPhone apps, which means it’s cheaper and easier to build a user base for an Android app than on iOS.
Additionally, Google Play allows you to publish updates faster than on the Apple Store. This flexibility makes iterative development easier and more efficient. Google Play will enable us to publish an initial v1.0 on Android, gather data from users, and iterate the app in real-time.
We always recommend releasing an app for both Google Play and the Apple App Store. However, if money is tight, we’ve seen success by building an initial user base on Android, then launching on iOS once your app gains traction and has a stronger market position.
If you’re stuck debating between launching an Android or iOS app or both, don’t stress it too much. Ultimately, there’s no right answer. How you choose to allocate development resources and bring your mobile app to market all depends on the specifics of your app concept, your key value proposition, and your target user demographic.
When you work with Rootstrap, we help you answer all these questions before building the app.