We all know that Google's Android operating system is used on different Android phones and tablets. On the other hand, Apple's iOS operating system is used on Apple devices like the iPad, iPhone, etc.
Both operating systems have their own features, strengths, and weaknesses. Choosing the right one demands an in-depth understanding of the platforms. The technicalities play a crucial role in selecting the best device, in addition to price, features, etc.
In this blog, I meticulously compare Android and iOS platforms based on multiple factors, leaving no stone unturned. This comprehensive analysis will help you deep dive into the features and technicalities of the two and confidently pick the right one.
Now, let's get into the battle of the operating systems! Android vs iOS, who will come out on top? Join me as we explore these two giants' similarities, differences, pros, and cons.
Table of Contents:
Before diving deep into the differences between Android and iOS, let's go through the similarities.
In this section, I compare the key differences between Android and iOS against various factors.
Let’s jump into the comparison!
Market Share
According to Statcounter, the market share for the Android operating system is 71.31 % worldwide, whereas iOS has a 27.95 % share as of Apr 2024. Backlinko says the number of currently active Android devices is over 3 billion worldwide, whereas the number of active iPhone devices is over 1 billion.
Key Takeaway: Regarding market share, android phones overtake iPhone.
Developers use Kotlin, C ++, Java, and Python languages to create Android applications. In particular, they use Kotlin as the primary language for developing Android applications.
On the other hand, developers use Objective-C, Swift, and C# languages to develop iOS applications. They mainly use Swift as the primary language when creating iOS applications.
On the other hand, developers use Objective-C, Swift, and C# languages to develop iOS applications. They mainly use Swift as the primary language when creating iOS applications.
Key Takeaway: Kotlin and Swift are the primary application development languages for Android and iOS, respectively.
Android Studio is the official IDE used to develop Android applications. Google developed this IDE. Android Studio has a rich set of useful features such as a visual layout editor, intelligent code editor, debugging capabilities, APK analysers, integration with Android SDK, and more.
On the other hand, XCode is Apple’s official IDE that supports the development of iOS applications. Like Android Studio, XCode has many vital features, such as an intuitive interface, testing and debugging tools, a visual editor, and many more.
Key Takeaway: Android Studio is the official IDE for Android development, whereas XCode is the official IDE for iOS development.
Android devices provide users with more customisation options, flexibility, and control. For example, you can control volume without opening an Android device. The app drawer and home screen features simplify navigating applications. Mainly, it eases out multitasking with back buttons.
On the contrary, iOS provides fewer customisation features than Android. Managing widgets in an iOS device is challenging. You need extra steps to make iOS settings when compared with Android.
Key Takeaway: Android wins the race, though both platforms are closer to each other in terms of user-friendliness.
Android is more open-sourced than iOS. You can download and install any application on the Android platform. You can even install applications that are not published in the Google Play Store.
On the other hand, iOS is a closed operating system. You cannot download and install all applications on iOS devices. For example, if an iPhone user wishes to see a movie on the Google Play Movies application, it is not possible.
Key Takeaway: Regarding openness, Android succeeds iOS in the battle.
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Regarding integration with laptops, desktop computers, and other devices, iOS has a fair advantage. The iOS platform tightly integrates with iOS devices such as iPhones, Macs, iPads, and Apple watches. It allows seamless data transfer among the iOS devices as well.
On the other hand, Android integrates with other Google services such as Google Photos, Gmail, Google Drive, etc. However, the integration capabilities of Android are no better than those of iOS.
Key Takeaway: The iOS platform overbeats Android in terms of integration capabilities.
Android allows users to customise their home screens, widgets, and app icons. Also, it will enable them to create complex and personalised designs.
On the flip side, iOS offers a consistent, simple, and sleek design focusing more on minimalism. iOS provides a more standardised approach to typography.
Key Takeaway: Users who need personalisation can prefer Android. iOS is the best choice for users who expect an enhanced visual experience.
Android provides accessibility features like a Braille keyboard, magnification, lookout, voice access, TalkBack, live caption, sound notification, and many more. In particular, Android's Live Transcribe tool supports deaf people.
On the flip side, Apple also has several accessibility features, such as VoiceOver +Braille, Speak Screen, switch control, sound recognition, Screen Reader, Pointer Control, Magnifier, etc.
Key Takeaway: Both Android and iOS platforms have excellent accessibility features.
Android supports multiple web browsers such as Chrome, firebox, Microsoft Edge, Opera, etc. However, Android uses Google Chrome as its default browser.
On the other hand, iOS supports Chrome, Safari, Edge, Aloha, Brave, Opera, Duckduckgo, Firebox, etc. However, iOS uses Safari as its default browser.
Key Takeaway: Chrome is the default browser for the Android platform, whereas Safari is the default browser for iOS.
Android users can use the voice assistant known as Google Assistant. It supports over 30 natural languages. It’s not a surprise that Google Assistant can keep track of calendar events.
On the other side, iOS users can use the popular voice-based virtual assistant called Siri, which supports over 17 natural languages. Siri has many vital features, like dictating text messages and emails and scheduling calendar events.
Key Takeaway: Google Assistant is the Android voice assistant, whereas Siri is the iOS voice assistant.
Apple users can send text messages to others using iMessage. Also, you can integrate iOS with other apps like GTalk for instant messaging. They can use Facetime, a popular video call application, to call other Apple users.
Conversely, Android users can use GTalk to send instant messages. They can make video chats through Google Hangouts or Google Meet.
Key Takeaway: Android and iOS have robust messaging and video calling features.
Android devices ask users for unnecessary permissions. It makes the data stored on Android devices not secure. In other words, the openness of the Android platform increases the chances of risk and vulnerabilities.
Unlike Android, Apple has a tight security policy, which increases the security of both the software and hardware of iOS devices. The platform reviews all the apps thoroughly before installing them on the devices. So, iOS is the right choice for users searching for a secure smartphone.
Key Takeaway: Regarding security, iOS wins over Android by providing sophisticated security to devices.
Well! We hope this section has given you the big picture of where Android excels and iOS excels. It is clear that both platforms shine in some areas and lack in certain areas.
[ Related Article: What is Android? ]
I have summarized the key differences between Android and iOS in this section. Let’s see them below.
| Key factors | Android | iOS |
| Developed by | Apple | |
| Initial Release | September 23, 2008 | July 29, 2007 |
| Latest versions and release date | Android 14.0 & Oct 4,2023 | iOS 17 & Sep18,2023 |
| Development languages | Java, Kotlin | Swift |
| Integrated development environment | Android Studio | XCode |
| Default browser | Google Chrome is the default browser. | Safari is the default browser. |
| Type of platform | Open-source | Closed software |
| Virtual Assistant | Android uses Google Assistant. | iOS uses Siri as its virtual assistant. |
| Calls and Messaging | Android users can use GTalk for instant messaging and voice calls. | iOS users use FaceTime and iMessage for instant messaging and voice calls. |
| Customisation | Easy customisation. | Limited customisation options. |
| Security | Android’s openness reduces the security of mobile resources. | iOS provides improved security to mobile resources. |
Now that we have seen a basic overview of the top differences between Android vs. iOS, let's further understand them in depth.
Engineers write Android applications on Java. On the other hand, the newly designed Swift is used to develop iOS apps.
Developers can code faster on Swift compared to Java that requires a lot of code. Therefore, the time taken to build iOS apps is lesser, as they do not require a lot of code.
A possible alternative to building Android apps with Java is using the Kotlin language. It is now considered to be the primary language to develop an Android-enabled application.
[ Related Article: Best Android Development Tools ]
Earlier, engineers used the Eclipse tools to develop Google-backed applications. Then, Studio got released that included useful features like smart packaging, high functionality options, excellent debugging options, and cross-platform features.
On the other hand, developers use XCode to develop Apple-backed iOS applications. Another helpful feature of XCode is that it can identify syntax and logic errors and offer the possibility to fix the code.
Users generally say that the iOS interface is straightforward to use. However, both operating systems have made it easier for the user in terms of many features.
[ Related Article: Android Interview Questions for Freshers ]
The creation time of apps for Android-based platforms is more than iOS. For example, an engineer might take a 30 percent longer time to build an Android mobile application than an iOS app.
When it comes to the cost of development, it depends on the time taken to build the application. The longer it takes for the development, the higher the entire process costs.
The creation time of apps for Android-based platforms is more than iOS. For example, an engineer might take a 30 percent longer time to build an Android mobile application than an iOS app.
When it comes to the cost of development, it depends on the time taken to build the application. The longer it takes for the development, the higher the entire process costs.
Android is more open-sourced and accepts alternative applications. On the other hand, iOS doesn't. For example, if an iPhone user wants to watch a movie on the Google Play Movies platform, then they cannot do that on their device.
[ Related Article: Services in Android ]
When it comes to the interface, both iOS and Android have a lot in common. Both are touch-enabled, and the user can perform functions such as swiping on the screen, tapping, and pinching, and zooming.
Android and iOS both have a status bar that displays the battery life, WiFi, or cell signal strength. In Android, the bar also shows notifications such as new emails, text messages, or reminders.
In summary, Android offers more menus, multiple home screens, and different interfaces specific to the device you use. On the other hand, in iOS, the settings are not that highly customizable, providing a consistent user experience.
With the latest iOS 12, users can customize their screen with various widgets, and the new App Library organizes the app icons.
Both Google and Apple provide users with plenty of pre-installed apps for email, browsers, audio and media, documents, etc. The user cannot uninstall many of these apps.
The messaging app is one of the default pre-installed apps. Apple's iMessage app has features like Memoji, Animoji, payments, etc. Users can also use the iMessage to place a video call or a regular call. On the other hand, Android’s messaging app also has emoji buttons and payments.
Users can also use it on web browsers with the help of a QR code. However, iPhone users who want to send messages with their desktop systems or laptops must only stick to the Apple devices.
When it comes to integration with desktop computers, laptops, and other devices, iOS has a pretty fair advantage. Its Continuity features are fantastic. However, Windows 10 has a Phone app that allows Android users to connect their phones with their PC.
Apple users can also connect their phones with Apple TVs, Apple Watches, and any iPads.
[ Related Article: Android Installation ]
Generally, iOS upgrades are available to all iOS devices. The fall release of iOS 14 in 2020 was also open to the old iPhone devices.
Whereas Android users sometimes complain that they do not receive their software upgrades. But this is the phone manufacturer's fault as they need to decide whether they want to offer software upgrades in their product.
Also, the latest Android versions are released months after the manufacturer gives the upgrade.
Both operating systems have features that help people with disabilities use devices with ease. For example, Android's Live Transcribe feature makes it easy for people who are deaf to read what the other person is saying.
Similarly, Apple also has several accessibility features, such as VoiceOver screen reader, Magnifier, Pointer Control, etc. The iOS 14 includes the Back Tap that enables the user to tap the phone’s back that triggers it to act.
Google Play has over 600,000 apps available that users can download. Other Android devices, such as the Amazon Kindle, have a separate app store to download books. Earlier, few apps were only available for iOS like Pinterest and Instagram but are now available for Android's app store.
Many popular apps are available for Android and iOS platforms, but exclusive ones are developed only for their specific platforms. Many startups aim to build apps for only one platform and then make them available for multiple platforms. One such example is Instagram, which was first available only for iOS and then became ready for Android.
[ Related Article: Menus in Android ]
Both the systems offer features for the users to reply to phone calls with text messages instead of answering the call. Both systems also have a Do Not Disturb mode that does not receive notifications.
Apple users can send text messages using iMessage or use other apps like GTalk. At the same time, Android users can use GTalk to send instant messages to other users.
iOS offers Facetime, a popular video call app that can only call other Apple users. For Android, the user can make video chats through Google Hangouts. However, for both these platforms, WhatsApp offers video chats.
While iOS uses the popular voice-based virtual assistant called Siri, Android uses a similar Google Now assistant.
Siri has many features like dictating text messages, email, and scheduling calendar events. Similarly, Google Assistant can also keep track of calendar events on top of other features.
Many users tend to use cloud storage extensively.
Android is integrated with Google's services, and therefore, users use Google Apps extensively. On the other hand, iPhone users complain of Apple's iCloud as difficult access across multiple devices.
So, users prefer Android's cloud services.
Both Android and iOS have similar apps available for maps, such as Google Maps.
While iOS uses Safari as its default browser, Android uses Google Chrome. Google Chrome is available for both platforms, but Safari is only open for Android.
One disadvantage of Android's security system is that the device asks the user for unnecessary permissions. Generally, the apps are isolated from the rest of the system until the user grants it access to other features. Another malware problem on Android is text messages sent to numbers without permission from the user. So, it makes the device more susceptible to dangerous attacks.
On the other hand, Apple has a tight security policy to review apps and other app publishers’ identities.
However, Android and iOS devices are equally vulnerable to bugs such as crashing the phone when they play a video.
Both systems are susceptible to privacy leaks. For example, an app installed on a platform can access a list of apps installed by the user on the same device. For instance, Twitter announced in 2014 that they are tracking the apps that the users install on their devices.
However, iOS is the most trusted between the two when protecting the user's confidential information. It is proven with the example of the Pandora mobile app. When an Android user installs the app on his device, it requests permission for the user's Google profile, contacts list, calendar, photos, media, files, and call information.
Every coin has two sides. Similarly, both Android and iOS have many pluses and minuses. Let’s outline them in the following.
Pros:
Android devices have a simple user interface, so it is easy to use
You can download any applications using any Play Store
The customisation features of Android are remarkable. So you can tailor widgets based on your interests.
You can choose Android phones based on processors, RAM sizes, memory cards, batteries, etc.
Android seamlessly integrates with Google applications such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, etc.
Cons:
Pros:
The iOS app store is reliable, secure, and safe
Security features of iOS are robust
The integration features of iOS are excellent
iOS devices have cameras, high-resolution displays, and graphics
iOS is highly suitable for professionals and businesses
Cons:
Yes, you can learn iOS development quickly. The important thing is that you need to know either Objective-C or Swift programming language. Swift is a language with a simple syntax that is easy to learn. On the other hand, objective C is a complex language with a steep learning curve. MindMajix provides excellent iOS development training for both freshers and experienced. You can enrol in the course to become a skilled iOS developer and stand out.
Here are the steps to learn swift language.
You can learn Android development in a short time. MindMajix offers 25 hours of Android training in live online and self-paced video modes. So you can learn Android development within 25 hours if you attend the training. Ultimately, you will become a job-ready Android developer by completing the training.
Yes, iOS supports multitasking. Though the latest iOS version doesn't provide advanced multitasking features, there are ways to multitask on the iOS platform. You can use iOS features such as background activities, Picture-in-picture, Dynamic island, and Quick notes for multitasking.
Android is the most widely used operating system globally, with over 71 % market share. That's why there is a high demand for Android developers worldwide. In India, Android developers make an average salary of around 7 LPA, according to Glassdoor. In the USA, they can earn over 111k USD on average, according to Glassdoor. These figures indicate that a career in Android is promising and rewarding.
At a glance – Android excels in critical areas like intuitive user interface, openness, customisation, etc. On the other side, iOS shines in vital aspects such as security, performance, pixel-perfect display, etc. So, choosing the best one out of Android and iOS depends on users' requirements, budget constraints, priorities, etc.
Still, need more clarity? You can go through professional Android and iOS training. It will provide you with comprehensive knowledge of the operating systems. MindMajix, a leading e-learning provider, offers top-rated Android and iOS training with highly experienced trainers. It will help to explore the platforms in-depth and make informed decisions to select the right one.
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I am Ruchitha, working as a content writer for MindMajix technologies. My writings focus on the latest technical software, tutorials, and innovations. I am also into research about AI and Neuromarketing. I am a media post-graduate from BCU – Birmingham, UK. Before, my writings focused on business articles on digital marketing and social media. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.
