An age old debate – should you learn iOS or Android first when becoming a mobile developer. It takes a while to become a specialist in any given platform, so which one should you invest your time in?

The answer as to which platform you want to primarily develop on will differ for everyone. You need to ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I want to work for a company?
• Or do I want to work for myself, or start my own business on the side developing?
• Do I value install numbers or install users?
• Which one is easier to develop for?

Lets take a look at each of these questions to figure out what platform would suit you.

Do I want to work for a company?

If you want to work for a company with your mobile development skills the question to ask is what the pay difference is between iOS and Android developers. From Indeed.com, the answer is, there isn’t much of a difference. For only a few grand a year difference it would be more wise to choose a platform your more interested in and passionate about if pursing it when working for a company.

Do I want to work for myself?

The answer is iOS all the way here! The worldwide revenue report from App Annie shows tht iOS dominates Android. This is typically because iPhone owners usually shell out more for their phone and are more willing to spend money, and also have more disposable income.

Do I value install numbers?

Well from the App Annie statistics we just saw, Google play gets more installs. The difference in retention rate after app installs isn’t worth noting, as they are practically in same. Keep in mind that an iOS user is more likely to spend money, so install numbers are not everything.

Which one is easier to develop for?

Since the introduction of Swift is has lowered the barrier of entry for being an app developer significantly, it is much easier to learn to make iOS app now.

In addition XCode is alot more user friendly then Android Studio. iOS users also keep their device up to date much more then Android users, so you don’t have to try to support an OS that is significantly out of date, this lowers development time as on iOS you have to support fewer OS versions and a smaller range of devices and screen sizes.

One point for Android here is that it is more open and gives you more control over system functions where iOS does not allow this.

Fin

Me personally? I choose iOS as it offered better opportunists for income as a developer, and I have found this to be the case with my apps. I have developed for Android and also made same apps for both, with iOS always bringing in more income and engaged users. This choice will be different for everyone, just some differences to take into consideration when making yours.