Platform for app development
Discussion
ymwoods said:
I would have said that if you do not have the option of developing for both then you need to have a look at the type of app your developing and who it is targeted at. Once you know this, look at the average users for each platform and make a decision based on this.
Just this really.If you're developing an app for everyone, Android holds > 85% market share compared to ~12-13% for iOS, which may sway you're decision. Android can be more difficult to develop for because there are so many different devices using Android.
If you want a platform to build a fully functional prototype I can fully recommend Zoho Creator.
jammy-git said:
If you're developing an app for everyone, Android holds > 85% market share compared to ~12-13% for iOS
Well, that very much depends where everyone is located| Country | Android | iOS | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 44.75% | 52.85% | Statcounter link |
| USA | 43.24% | 56.26% | Statcounter link |
| India | 86.36% | 3.34% | Statcounter link |
| China | 77.04% | 21.29% | Statcounter link |
Also on whether you hope to generate revenue from the app, or provide it for free to promote an existing business
That's like asking "What's the best car?"
Do you have customers? If not do you know how you'll reach them?
Are you supporting an existing business or trying to grow a new one?
Is there already a 'solution' in this space or is it something new?
Are you planning to make money from app purchases, in app purchases, advertising or other means?
Does your idea involve additional content, or updates to the app in the future?
What is the planned lifespan of the app?
Who will support the app in future (e.g. when iOS and Android are updated, new phones come out and so on)?
Does the app need 'native' access (e.g. to control a phone call, manage video or access contacts)?
If not, would a Mobile Responsive Webapp (ie. a web page that scales properly to work with a phone) be a better bet?
Is there a deadline for delivery (e.g. holiday season, a big public event, changes in legislation)?
Will you act as first line support for the app?
Who is going to do the visual, graphic and user interface design work? (Logos, styling, help text, layout)
Do you need to plan for accessibility (visually impaired users etc.)
Do you need to plan for translations?
Do you need to consider GDPR, privacy and other regulations?
Are you handling customer payments?
Things to realise:
There are almost always other ways to do what you're proposing - there's nothing new under the sun. Look at what others are doing.
Developing an app will take time, and that usually means money.
The same with ongoing support.
The app store is very crowded. Unless you actively promote your app, you will get virtually no downloads.
The number of people who pay for apps, or the amount you get for advertising is vanishingly small - you need a million users to begin to make money.
A million users is a lot.
Yes, there are success stories. They are the exception, not the rule.
Most journalists still only have iPhones. Android apps get far less media coverage.
The cost of getting an app built for a small customer base is very rarely recovered in 'increased business'.
Apps that rely on 'network effects' (e.g. sales sites, forums etc.) need incredibly heavy promotion to gain critical mass. Until that point they look dead.
Do you have customers? If not do you know how you'll reach them?
Are you supporting an existing business or trying to grow a new one?
Is there already a 'solution' in this space or is it something new?
Are you planning to make money from app purchases, in app purchases, advertising or other means?
Does your idea involve additional content, or updates to the app in the future?
What is the planned lifespan of the app?
Who will support the app in future (e.g. when iOS and Android are updated, new phones come out and so on)?
Does the app need 'native' access (e.g. to control a phone call, manage video or access contacts)?
If not, would a Mobile Responsive Webapp (ie. a web page that scales properly to work with a phone) be a better bet?
Is there a deadline for delivery (e.g. holiday season, a big public event, changes in legislation)?
Will you act as first line support for the app?
Who is going to do the visual, graphic and user interface design work? (Logos, styling, help text, layout)
Do you need to plan for accessibility (visually impaired users etc.)
Do you need to plan for translations?
Do you need to consider GDPR, privacy and other regulations?
Are you handling customer payments?
Things to realise:
There are almost always other ways to do what you're proposing - there's nothing new under the sun. Look at what others are doing.
Developing an app will take time, and that usually means money.
The same with ongoing support.
The app store is very crowded. Unless you actively promote your app, you will get virtually no downloads.
The number of people who pay for apps, or the amount you get for advertising is vanishingly small - you need a million users to begin to make money.
A million users is a lot.
Yes, there are success stories. They are the exception, not the rule.
Most journalists still only have iPhones. Android apps get far less media coverage.
The cost of getting an app built for a small customer base is very rarely recovered in 'increased business'.
Apps that rely on 'network effects' (e.g. sales sites, forums etc.) need incredibly heavy promotion to gain critical mass. Until that point they look dead.
Edited by Tuna on Tuesday 1st May 12:57
Tuna said:
That's like asking "What's the best car?"
Do you have customers? If not do you know how you'll reach them?
Are you supporting an existing business or trying to grow a new one?
Is there already a 'solution' in this space or is it something new?
Are you planning to make money from app purchases, in app purchases, advertising or other means?
Does your idea involve additional content, or updates to the app in the future?
What is the planned lifespan of the app?
Who will support the app in future (e.g. when iOS and Android are updated, new phones come out and so on)?
Does the app need 'native' access (e.g. to control a phone call, manage video or access contacts)?
If not, would a Mobile Responsive Webapp (ie. a web page that scales properly to work with a phone) be a better bet?
Is there a deadline for delivery (e.g. holiday season, a big public event, changes in legislation)?
Will you act as first line support for the app?
Who is going to do the visual, graphic and user interface design work? (Logos, styling, help text, layout)
Do you need to plan for accessibility (visually impaired users etc.)
Do you need to plan for translations?
Do you need to consider GDPR, privacy and other regulations?
Are you handling customer payments?
Things to realise:
There are almost always other ways to do what you're proposing - there's nothing new under the sun. Look at what others are doing.
Developing an app will take time, and that usually means money.
The same with ongoing support.
The app store is very crowded. Unless you actively promote your app, you will get virtually no downloads.
The number of people who pay for apps, or the amount you get for advertising is vanishingly small - you need a million users to begin to make money.
A million users is a lot.
Yes, there are success stories. They are the exception, not the rule.
Most journalists still only have iPhones. Android apps get far less media coverage.
The cost of getting an app built for a small customer base is very rarely recovered in 'increased business'.
Apps that rely on 'network effects' (e.g. sales sites, forums etc.) need incredibly heavy promotion to gain critical mass. Until that point they look dead.
Very good postDo you have customers? If not do you know how you'll reach them?
Are you supporting an existing business or trying to grow a new one?
Is there already a 'solution' in this space or is it something new?
Are you planning to make money from app purchases, in app purchases, advertising or other means?
Does your idea involve additional content, or updates to the app in the future?
What is the planned lifespan of the app?
Who will support the app in future (e.g. when iOS and Android are updated, new phones come out and so on)?
Does the app need 'native' access (e.g. to control a phone call, manage video or access contacts)?
If not, would a Mobile Responsive Webapp (ie. a web page that scales properly to work with a phone) be a better bet?
Is there a deadline for delivery (e.g. holiday season, a big public event, changes in legislation)?
Will you act as first line support for the app?
Who is going to do the visual, graphic and user interface design work? (Logos, styling, help text, layout)
Do you need to plan for accessibility (visually impaired users etc.)
Do you need to plan for translations?
Do you need to consider GDPR, privacy and other regulations?
Are you handling customer payments?
Things to realise:
There are almost always other ways to do what you're proposing - there's nothing new under the sun. Look at what others are doing.
Developing an app will take time, and that usually means money.
The same with ongoing support.
The app store is very crowded. Unless you actively promote your app, you will get virtually no downloads.
The number of people who pay for apps, or the amount you get for advertising is vanishingly small - you need a million users to begin to make money.
A million users is a lot.
Yes, there are success stories. They are the exception, not the rule.
Most journalists still only have iPhones. Android apps get far less media coverage.
The cost of getting an app built for a small customer base is very rarely recovered in 'increased business'.
Apps that rely on 'network effects' (e.g. sales sites, forums etc.) need incredibly heavy promotion to gain critical mass. Until that point they look dead.
Edited by Tuna on Tuesday 1st May 12:57
OP - are you sure you actually need a native app? Could you DEV a web app which works on all platforms thru browser.
Surprising how many ppl think they want a native app and after explaining pros and cons to them we end up going down the web app route.
Answers tuna above and im sure you’ll get some good feedback
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