One of the eternal debates among smartphone users is whether iOS or Android is better. There are die-hard Apple fans in one corner, but there are plenty of others who would never dream of switching from an Android device. The reality is that neither operating system is perfect since both have specific advantages as well as limitations.
As of Q3 2023, 81% of the global population used Android devices, compared to 16% who used iOS. This is an important consideration for game developers because they typically need to cater to both markets. Here is a look at the biggest differences when developing games for iOS and Android.
A brief background on Android vs iOS
The goal of any app developer is to design a piece of software that offers a seamless experience for users, whether it’s an app for social media enthusiasts or mobile-friendly platform for players to enjoy their favorite games. Most developers have their own subjective opinions as to which platform is best. Many lean towards for iOS because of its modern, clean operating system that is consistently kept up to date and the high-quality devices within the ecosystem.
One developer we spoke to said he felt he could focus more on creating a unique user experience when working on iOS apps without being constantly bogged down by bug fixes. He added that iPhone users are also far more likely to pay higher prices for games, giving them more revenue to work with to further develop their games.
Among the pro-Android developers, their main gripe is that iOS is too rigid to work with, especially when developing high-end games. iOS apps also undergo strict reviews before release, which can set developers back if something is flagged or rejected. Android games and apps, on the other hand, can typically be published within a few hours.
Beyond development preferences, there appear to be vast differences between the end users as well.
Key differences
Beyond market share and personal preferences, the greatest differences between Android and iOS game development lie in their technical differences.
Programming language
Android makes use of open-source code, which makes it easy to modify software for thousands of devices. Developers working in the Android environment can choose to use Java or Kotlin among other languages, but iOS developers are restricted to writing applications in the Swift programming language.
On the upside, many developers agree that it is far easier to learn to code using Swift than it is to master the art of Java. At the same time, Kotlin is a more intuitive and simplistic programming language, which may attract developers across to the Android side.
Development environment
The development environment refers to the tools developers use to code apps. When Google acquired Android, they released Android Studio IDE, complete with built-in simulators and an extensive asset library. Android Studio is compatible with most devices and helps developers speedily create apps.
iOS developers are restricted to using Apple’s Xcode environment, which is only compatible with Apple devices such as the MacBook. Despite its limitations, Xcode has a user-friendly interface with helpful features such as an autocomplete function and template gallery.
Development speed
iOS development tends to be much faster because developers only need to test their games on Apple devices. Android runs into the complication of the apps and games having to work with multiple device manufacturers (such as Samsung and Huawei). If bugs are found on specific devices, fixes need to be made and testing begins from scratch again. This can be a lengthy and tedious process.
Android development also tends to be slower because Java is more complex than Swift, and ironing out bugs is a lot more complicated. In addition, the layout must be built manually using XML layouts as opposed to WYSIWYG with iOS.
This is why it takes a lot of Android developers way longer to finish their creations compared to their iOS counterparts.
Costs
iOS development leans toward being slightly more expensive due to hardware restrictions. With Xcode running only on Mac, it becomes an essential investment prior to development commencing. However, longer development timelines for Android means it will cost companies more in developers’ salaries, so this often balances out.
The biggest cost difference comes when it is time to release the games in the App Store and Google Play store. Android developers pay a one-time registration fee of $25 to the Play Store. iOS developers, however, are required to pay an annual subscription of $99 (Apple Developer Enterprise Program members have to pay $299 yearly) to the App Store.
Apps are subject to testing and a review period before going live, and once a game starts selling, Apple and Google keep 30% of all revenue earned by developers. With regards to app, developers have to give up 15% of their cut instead of 30% after the first year.
Some people think these systems are pretty similar, but comparing the development of iOS and Android apps is like comparing apples (pun unintended) and oranges – they’re similar yet also very different.
