Apple App Store vs. Android Market

The features of a mobile device can be utilized only if well functioning apps are installed in it. The best apps, compatible with all types of OS platforms, are those that are featured at the major mobile application stores. Last year saw the rising popularity of the Android Market owing to the widespread use of Google’s Android operating system. However, this has not resulted in the declining popularity of Apple’s App Store, since most developers today still prefer to design apps for the iOS platform. Here we will make a comparative study of the two most major mobile application stores, the Apple App Store and the Android Market.

1. Developer’s interest
According to a recently concluded study, Google’s Android now owns over 50 percent of the total share in the smartphone market. However, this has not prevented mobile app development companies worldwide to design good quality iOS apps. In fact, the study points out, the number of iOS developers surpass the number of Android developers by four times. The reason for this is that software designers were earlier acquainted with designing apps for the Apple ecosystem. Moreover, Apple device owners were found to be more loyal about app usage and are therefore willing to pay high prices for downloading an iOS application. It is to be remembered that though the number of apps at the Android Market is more than that at the Apple App Store, they are mostly available for free or are ad supported.

2. Cost of being a member
Before designing for either app store, it is mandatory for software developers to sign up as a member. The cost of membership is lower at the Android Market when compared with the Apple App Store. The membership fee for iOS developers is $99. The signing up fee for Google developers is $25.

3. Fragmentation and download rate
The chief reason for which most software developers avoid the Android Market is its highly fragmented structure. This is the reason why an updated version of Android will be adopted by target users over a longer period of time when compared with upgraded version of the iOS platform. The high rate of fragmentation also results in low download rates of apps from the Android Market. In a comparative study, it has been projected that while 45 percent iOS users downloaded at least one app from the Apple App Store each month, the corresponding figure for Android Market is only 19 percent.

4. Quality of UI
The user interface of the Android Market is more attractive than its Apple App Store counterpart. Though the latter has been in operation for a longer time, Google has ensured constant updates such as change of names and the layout and addition of features such as books, music, movies, etc. at the Android Market to make its user interface more interactive.

5. Users’ choice
With the rise in the popularity of the Android platform, Google ensured uploading more mobile applications at the Android Market. However, 72 percent of these apps can be downloaded for free. On the other hand, only 46 percent of applications at the Apple App Store are sold as free apps. This means that users are more inclined to pay for purchasing apps from the Apple App Store.

To conclude, both application stores have their benefits and hazards for the developer. Though the Apple App Store is still more popular, the Android Market is gradually attracting the attention of more designers.