iOS apps are built in Swift with Apple's Xcode, which runs on macOS, and are tested on a fairly small range of Apple devices; Android apps are built in Kotlin (or Java) with Android Studio, which runs on Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS, and must cope with a much wider range of screens and hardware. The two platforms also differ in design conventions, beta testing, store review and the cost of a publishing account, and those differences shape the time and budget of a project.
What are the main differences at a glance?
| iOS | Android | |
|---|---|---|
| Main language | Swift | Kotlin, with Java still supported |
| Development tool | Xcode, on a Mac | Android Studio, on Windows, macOS, Linux or ChromeOS |
| Modern UI toolkit | SwiftUI | Jetpack Compose |
| Design guidance | Human Interface Guidelines | Material Design |
| Devices to support | Apple's own iPhones and iPads | Many manufacturers, screen sizes and pixel densities |
| Beta testing | TestFlight | Play Console testing tracks |
| Publishing account | Apple Developer Program, $99 a year | Google Play Console, US$25 one-time fee |
How do the languages and tools differ?
Apple describes Swift as a powerful and intuitive programming language for all Apple platforms, and SwiftUI is its framework for building interfaces in Swift. Everything happens in Xcode, which Apple says offers the tools to develop, test and distribute apps for its platforms, including simulators for Apple devices. Xcode runs on macOS, so an iOS developer needs a Mac.
On Android, Google's documentation is built around Kotlin, and it calls Jetpack Compose "Android's recommended modern toolkit for building native UI". Java is still supported, and Android Studio even includes tools to convert Java code to Kotlin, which matters if you are maintaining an older app. Android Studio is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS, so the hardware barrier is lower.
How does design differ between iOS and Android?
Apple publishes the Human Interface Guidelines; Google publishes Material Design. They differ in navigation patterns, controls, typography and the feel of motion, and people notice when an app ignores the habits of the phone they use every day.
The sensible approach is one brand, two sets of platform manners. Keep your colours, tone and content consistent, but let buttons, menus and navigation behave the way each platform's users expect. Designing one set of screens and forcing it onto both platforms is a common reason an app feels "off" to half its users.
Why does Android testing take more effort?
Android's own documentation notes that Android runs on a variety of devices with different screen sizes and pixel densities. Devices also run different Android versions and differ in hardware. That means more layouts to check and more devices to test on, especially the lower-priced phones that are common in many markets.
iOS has fewer models to cover, but it is not zero effort: there are several iPhone sizes, iPads if you support them, and older devices still in use. On both platforms, test on real devices your customers actually own, not only the newest flagship.
How do testing and publishing differ?
Apple
TestFlight lets you invite internal and external testers to beta versions. Sharing a beta with external testers requires a beta app description and beta review information. Every app on the App Store must meet Apple's App Review Guidelines, and a publishing account through the Apple Developer Program costs $99 a year.
Google Play
Play Console offers internal, closed and open testing tracks. Registration has a US$25 one-time fee. One rule surprises many first-time publishers: personal developer accounts created after November 13, 2023 must run a closed test with at least 12 testers who have been opted in continuously for at least 14 days before they can apply for production access. You also complete the App content section, covering your privacy policy, whether the app contains ads, content ratings and its privacy and security practices.
Plan for review time on both stores. First submissions are often sent back for reasons that have nothing to do with the code, such as missing information, screenshots or policy declarations.
Is it cheaper to build for iOS or Android?
The platform matters less than the features. The real cost drivers are the number of screens, the backend, integrations with your existing systems, payments, and how much testing the app needs. iOS adds Mac hardware and an annual developer fee; Android adds device testing. Building two separate native apps means two codebases to build and maintain, which roughly doubles the work on everything that is not shared.
Should you build native or cross-platform?
Cross-platform frameworks such as Flutter and React Native let one codebase produce both an iOS and an Android app. For most business apps that is the better choice: one build, one team, features released on both platforms at once. Native Swift and Kotlin apps make sense when the app leans heavily on hardware or platform features, or needs the best possible performance.
Our mobile app team builds native iOS (Swift) and Android (Kotlin) apps as well as Flutter and React Native, and will tell you if your app genuinely needs native. You can compare package sizes on our pricing page. If what you need is mainly content and enquiries, a fast mobile-friendly website may serve you better than an app; see our web design and development work. Also budget for upkeep after launch: operating system updates can break things that used to work.
Questions people ask about iOS and Android development
Is it easier to develop for iOS or Android?
Neither is simply easier. iOS has fewer devices to test and one set of tools, but needs a Mac and has strict review guidelines. Android's tools run on most computers and the publishing fee is lower, but the variety of devices means more layout and compatibility testing.
Can one app run on both iOS and Android?
Yes. Frameworks such as Flutter and React Native build both apps from one codebase. Some features, such as deep hardware integrations, may still need platform-specific code, but most business apps can share nearly everything.
Do I need a Mac to build an iOS app?
Yes. Xcode, which builds, tests and submits iOS apps, runs on macOS. Android Studio, by contrast, is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and ChromeOS.
How much does it cost to publish an app on the stores?
Apple's Developer Program costs $99 a year. Google Play charges a US$25 one-time registration fee. These are only the account costs; design, development, testing and maintenance are where the real budget goes.
Further reading
Official guidance on the subject, from the platforms themselves: