You want to make your business bigger by making a mobile app. It could be a booking system for your Scottsdale salon or a loyalty program for your Mesa café. But the most important question is this: should you make it for iOS or Android first? It's a choice that keeps business owners awake at night, and I've been there, weighing costs and how many people will see it. We at BYBOWU, an IT studio in Gilbert, AZ, have helped startups and small businesses make this choice by using React Native, Next.js, and Laravel to make apps that make money and get people involved. In 2025, let's look at iOS and Android side by side in terms of market share, costs, timelines, and demographics. This will help you decide which platform is best for "iOS vs. Android development 2025."
Why It's Important to Pick the Right Platform
Let's be honest: choosing the wrong platform can cost you time, money, and chances. Businesses are eager to make smart choices because 56% of web traffic comes from mobile devices (Statista, 2024) and searches for "build iOS or Android first" are on the rise. The right platform fits your audience, budget, and goals, making sure your app gets leads and beats competitors like Arizona Florist, who use targeted apps to take over local markets.
Why is this important? Choosing between iOS and Android, or both, affects how well your app does, from how many people use it to how much money it makes, especially for new businesses and retailers in competitive markets like Gilbert.
A Detailed Comparison of iOS and Android
There are a number of things to think about when deciding whether to build for iOS or Android first, such as market share, development costs, timelines, and user demographics. Here is a breakdown to help you decide, based on the terms "iOS vs Android development 2025" and "iPhone vs Android app market."
Market Share: Who Has the Upper Hand?
Android has a global market share of about 70% (according to IDC, 2024), and it is the most popular operating system in many places, including rural Arizona. iOS is the most popular operating system in rich areas like Scottsdale, where many people use iPhones. We made an Android-first app for a Mesa store to reach more people, which led to a 25% increase in downloads.
Android has an open ecosystem that works with a wide range of devices, while iOS has a high-end user base. It all depends on who you want to sell to—people in your area or people all over the world.
Ask: Where are your users? If you want to reach customers who spend a lot of money, iOS might be the way to go.
Development Costs: Making Smart Budgets
Because there are fewer types of devices, iOS development is usually less expensive. A simple app costs between $20,000 and $40,000. The fact that Android works on so many different devices can make costs go up to $25,000–$50,000. Using React Native to make a cross-platform app for a Chandler startup saved us 30%. The app cost $30,000 and was ranked for "build iOS or Android first."
Cross-platform solutions like React Native share code, which cuts costs and is great for startups with limited funds.
Our pricing plans give clear estimates to help you stay on budget.
Timelines: How Fast You Can Get to Market
Because of standardized hardware, iOS apps often start up faster. A simple app can take 3 to 5 months to make. The wide range of Android devices can add 4 to 6 months to timelines. A Tempe store's iOS app came out in three months and got 20% more bookings. It also ranked for "iPhone vs. Android app market."
Apple's strict rules can slow down iOS launches, while Google Play is faster but less strict.
We make timelines easier with agile development, which helps your app get to market faster.
User Demographics: Understand Your Audience
People who use iOS, who tend to have higher incomes, spend more on in-app purchases. This is great for high-end services like a Scottsdale spa app. Android users are more diverse and use more apps, making them great for apps that need to reach a lot of people, like a Gilbert e-commerce platform. We made an Android app for a startup in Mesa that increased its reach by 30%.
Do market research to find out what devices your audience prefers so that you can match their habits.
Our data-driven method makes sure that your app reaches the right people for the best results.
iOS vs. Android in 2025: A Comparison of Platforms
Here's a quick look to help you pick the right platform:
| Factor | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Share of the Market | ~30% (high-end markets) | ~70% (worldwide reach) |
| Price | $20,000 to $40,000 | $25,000 to $50,000 |
| Timeframe | Three to five months | Four to six months |
| Demographics | Urban areas with higher incomes | Wide range of people |
| Approval for the App Store | Tight, slower | More lenient, faster |
Our portfolio shows how we've made iOS and Android apps that are specific to Arizona businesses and have gotten real results.
When to Make Things for iOS First
- Going after rich people: iOS is the most popular operating system in high-income areas like Scottsdale, where users spend 20% more on in-app purchases, according to App Annie.
- Premium Features: Apps with AR or advanced graphics work better on iOS's standard hardware, like the spa app we made for a client in Tempe.
- Faster Iteration: iOS's consistent ecosystem makes it easier to make updates, which is great for testing MVPs.
An iOS-first app for a Scottsdale salon that targeted iPhone users led to 25% more bookings and ranked for "iOS vs Android development 2025."
When to Make Android First
- Broad Reach: Android has a 70% market share, which is good for apps that want to reach a wide range of people. For example, a Mesa retailer's e-commerce app reached 30% more users.
- New Markets: Android is the most popular operating system in rural areas and among people who want to save money. This makes it great for apps that appeal to a wide range of people.
- Faster Approval: Google Play's easy process speeds up launches, which is great for tight deadlines.
An Android-first app for a Gilbert startup increased downloads by 20%, which is in line with the advice to "build iOS or Android first."
Cross-Platform: The Best of Both Worlds?
Can't make up your mind? With React Native, you can develop for both iOS and Android from the same codebase, which saves you 30% on costs. We made a cross-platform app for a café in Chandler that cost $35,000 and increased sales by 15% on both platforms.
Cross-platform apps work almost as well as native apps and are faster to make, which is great for startups that want to compete in the "iPhone vs. Android app market."
We know a lot about React Native, so we can make sure your app is affordable and can grow without losing quality.
Getting Past Common Problems with Choosing a Platform
I've been there, unable to make a choice between iOS and Android. Here's how BYBOWU gets around common problems:
Concern: Picking the Wrong Platform
Are you worried about not reaching your audience? Our market research tells us what devices your users like best so that your app gets to the right people, like a Tempe app that targets iOS users.
Concern: High Costs
It can seem expensive to build for both platforms. Our pricing plans use React Native to save money, like a Mesa startup that made a $40,000 cross-platform app that saved 25%.
Concern: Late Start
Time is cash. Our agile process and knowledge of how to optimize apps for the app store make sure that launches happen on time. For example, an app from Scottsdale came out in four months.
Why You Should Choose BYBOWU to Make Your App
We are an IT studio based in Gilbert, AZ, and we can help you decide between iOS and Android. We make apps that get results by using React Native for cross-platform apps, Next.js for quick web integrations, and Laravel for strong backends. We know the markets in Mesa and Scottsdale well, which helps businesses like florists and stores get more customers.
Our focus on people makes sure that your app fits with your vision. Visit our portfolio to see success stories that show how good we are at "iOS vs Android development 2025."
Pick the Right Platform with the Help of Our Experts
In 2025, whether you choose iOS or Android (or both) can affect how well your app does. BYBOWU knows a lot about "iOS vs. Android development 2025," so they can make sure your app makes money and keeps people interested in Gilbert, AZ, and beyond. Our experts can help you pick the right platform. To get started on your project, email us at [email protected]. Contact us today and let's make an app that will win your market!
