iOS vs. Android App Development: What's the Difference?

iOS or Android app developer: whom should you choose? First, let’s see what the main differences between these two types of app development are.

The most significant difference lies in the fact that iOS is a closed system whereas Android is an open one. This means that, to develop an iOS app, you need to use the Objective-C or Swift programming language and the Xcode IDE, whereas for Android you can use Java or Kotlin and the Android Studio IDE.

Another difference is that iOS apps are developed for specific devices, such as the iPhone or iPad, whereas Android apps are developed for a range of devices with different screen sizes and resolutions.

Finally, the cost of developing an app also differs depending on the platform. Generally, developing for iOS is more expensive as it requires the use of specific hardware and software.

Now that we’ve seen the main differences between iOS and Android app development, let’s take a closer look at the main differences between iOS and Android developers.

iOS App Developer VS Android App Developer

iOS app developer vs Android app & software developer: who is better and which candidate should you choose? To understand that let’s first skim through the iOS and Android app developers’ key responsibilities and job descriptions.

iOS and Android App Developer Job Descriptions

iOS Developer Job Description:

An iOS developer is responsible for developing applications for mobile devices powered by Apple’s iOS operating system. They use the Objective-C or Swift programming language and the Xcode IDE.

Android Developer Job Description:

An Android developer is responsible for developing applications for mobile devices powered by Google’s Android operating system. They use the Java or Kotlin programming language and the Android Studio IDE.

Now that we know what are the main responsibilities of an iOS and Android developer, let’s see what skills are required for each position.

iOS Developer Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Objective-C or Swift
• Experience with Xcode
• Familiarity with RESTful APIs to connect iOS applications to back-end services
• Understanding of Apple’s design principles and interface guidelines
• Experience with third-party libraries and APIs
• Familiarity with UI/UX designs

Android Developer Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Java or Kotlin
• Experience with Android Studio
• Familiarity with RESTful APIs to connect Android applications to back-end services
• Understanding of Google’s design principles and interface guidelines
• Experience with third-party libraries and APIs
• Familiarity with UI/UX designs

As we can see from the job descriptions and skills required, both iOS and Android developers need to have strong technical skills. However, what sets them apart is their knowledge of specific programming languages and platforms.

So, which one should you choose?  It really depends on your needs and preferences. If you want to develop an app for the Apple App Store, then you’ll need to hire an iOS developer. If you want to develop an app for the Google Play Store, then you’ll need to hire an Android developer.

If you’re not sure which platform to select and which specialist to hire, let's also take a look at how much each developer will cost for your company.

Android vs iOS App Developers’ Median Salary

According to the most recent data from Glassdoor, the median salary for an iOS developer is $102,000 per year, whereas the median salary for an Android developer is $93,000 per year.

So, if you’re looking to save on costs, then hiring an Android developer may be a better option. However, if your target customers mainly use Apple products, then hiring an iOS developer may be worth the extra cost.

At the end of the day, it really depends on your specific needs and preferences. Let us know which developer you ended up choosing for your project in the comments section!