Android Versus iOS User Behavior : Choosing The Best Platform For Your Mobile App

In this digital era of smart technology transformation, it is crucial for businesses to identify the purpose of their web application. As the customer experience continues to build brand value, choosing the most suitable application development platform is more important than ever.

Increased smartphone usage has made mobile applications popular across the globe. But amidst the umpteen number of mobile applications being developed and deployed each day, not all of these apps gain user attention. To know which mobile applications win repetitive visits and popularity, development companies need to first understand UBA (User Behavior Analytics), the main features of which will be discussed as we proceed.

Mobile OS Market And The Factors Impacting Mobile App Development

Among the two largest platforms that have increased demand which are the Android and iOS, mobile app development companies require a detailed analysis on these platforms to be performed on how user behavior impacts mobile app development. Together, the Android and IOS share 99 percent of the global market.

To choose the best platform for a mobile app, it is necessary that software developers and development companies learn about the right customer preferences. Let us walk through the key user behavior factors that impact mobile app development:

User Preferences : Lucrative Solution For Android And iOS

Different user groups need to be targeted with different interests and choices. For instance, Android adoption is much higher than iOS as it is not as costly as the latter. iOS is considered to be the choice for users who can spend money easily. If acquiring a large user base is the primary goal, then Android can be the best choice for your mobile app development platform. On the other hand, if the goal is revenue generation, Mac Os can be a more lucrative solution.

Market Shares Of The Two Giant Platforms : The Global Picture

The worldwide statistic reports for sales of both Android and iOS according to a recent survey by Statcounter, illustrate a massive figure of 74.45% of the market shares by Android, followed by iOS with 22.85%.

User Demographics : Key Role In Mobile App Development

The Android Operating System is popular among developing countries as it targets more of the lower-income groups as its potential users. Based on recent studies and research, iOS is common among the higher income groups. Thus user demographics play a prime role in mobile app development.

iPhone users generate an income of $53,231 and Android users make $37,040 USD, according to a recent survey by Slickdeals. Though Android holds over two-thirds of the major market share mainly due to its popularity and adoption rates in the developing countries, iOS has shown prominence in the UK and North American countries.

User demographics also depend on the types of applications users often download. Insights on types of application downloads, user income and online buying decisions have a direct impact on in-app purchases. These factors ought to be considered while choosing a platform for mobile app development.

Device Compatibility: Key Regulations For Different OS Users

Both Android and iOS users have different expectations from their mobile applications. For instance, if you require your mobile application to interact frequently with your customers via notifications, you can undoubtedly consider Android for your mobile app development. There are numerous smartphones in the market such as Samsung, Google and HTC that will help you develop a more customized approach for mobile apps.

On the other hand, when it comes to iOS, the App Store poses a stringent set of regulations. These regulations are imposed on accessing data, pushing various notifications, regulations on application submissions and so on. Although an iOS application can consume longer periods of time to complete the verification processes, it ensures a secure and consistent user experience.

Customer Engagement and Retention : Factors That Decide A Mobile App’s Success

Researches show that out of 2.7 billion smartphones used around the globe, 62% of smartphone users make purchases via their devices. The mammoth figure of 194 billion mobile app downloads worldwide, forecasts a revenue generation of $188.9 billion USD by the year 2020.

The time spent by an Android user a day on his smartphone is 3 hours 42 minutes and on the other hand, an iOS user spends 4 hours 54 minutes on his. This draws a clear picture on the user engagement of both user groups. Android and iOS follow a different pattern altogether for engaging their customers.

iOS users have a higher retention than compared to Android users. This is due in part because Andriod users have numerous applications provided by various app providers on the Playstore, impacting the app engagement of Android users. Android app developers are thus faced with the challenge of increasing customer retention rates.

User Spend : Role Of Android And iOS Platforms in Mobile App Purchases

iOS users tend to spend more on app purchases as compared to Android users. The Apple’s App Store generated $46.6 billion in revenue while Android’s Playstore generated of $24.8 billion in revenues last year. According to this app analytics from Sensor Tower, it shows a difference of 88 percent between iOS and Android App purchases.

Android tends to make revenue mainly from mobile advertising while iOS generates most of its revenue from in App purchases.

Choosing The Right Platform For Developing Your Mobile App : Conclusion

As long as the web world exists, Android and iOS platforms for mobile app development will always be dominant. Though brands are constantly looking out for mobile applications that can be developed and deployed on both Android and iOS mobile devices, operating constraints, time and costs make developers and software companies choose a platform that suits one better than the other.

To choose the right platform for your mobile application, you are primarily required to know the purpose of the application. This could be attaining a mass volume user database in some cases or it could be to drive user engagement in others.

The best decision would be to consider both platforms that can help you achieve a wider customer base. But if constraints are prevalent, a clear understanding of both platforms is a must for improved business value. In this case, the above-featured factors can help you choose the most suitable platform.

To learn more on how to choose the best mobile application platform and on how to monetize via unique OS implementation strategies, call our experts right away!