The point is not only that the first one offers products for iOS and iPad and the second one — for Android. The differences between these stores lie much deeper, and you need to know them not only for developing apps but also for their successful promotion. In this article, we will look at the nuances of how each platform works, both in terms of development and ASO strategy. After reading, you will know the features of the algorithms and user behavior on them and be able to use them effectively in your development.

App Store vs. Google Play: Main App Store Comparison

If you dig deeper, the difference between Google Play vs Apple Store will be huge. In fact, only one thing connects them — they host games and apps that users can install on their portable devices. — Asolytics Team

• Development

Different languages and programming tools are used to create such products. How does Google Android software differ from that of Apple? The first is a partially open-source model based on Linux, which is highly customizable and can be installed on various devices. The second has a closed, practically non-customizable model (unless jailbroken), which only works on Apple devices. At the same time, an Apple unified design is considered more user-friendly.

• Approval

The Play Market and App Store review process is different. While it takes about two hours to approve an app’s placement in Google Play, it takes nearly two days for the App Store. You can make changes to Android products and page assets whenever you feel like it. With iOS apps, it takes longer. In general, it is believed that the Play Market has a higher approval threshold than the App Store, so it’s easier to publish on the former.

• Revenue

Developers of products available on the App Store vs Google Play are required to give 15% and 30% of their income to the platforms, depending on the sum. The only difference between them is how the increased fee is calculated. We considered this issue in more detail in our article “Google Play Store and Apple App Store Fees.” That is, both marketplaces’ earnings directly depend on developers’ income.

• Number of apps

Traditionally, the store for Android devices leads in the number of published apps. Now, you can find over 3.95 million titles there. There are significantly fewer products in Apple Store, about 1.6 million. You can imagine that the competition is still really huge.

Where Are the More Active Users – App Store vs Google Play?

Statistics show that Android device users are, on average, 40% more determined and active than owners of Apple gadgets. — Asolytics Team

Experts attribute it to the fact that app pages on Play Market have more catchy and well-structured templates. Everything you need to make a decision (including visual elements) is provided at the top of the page. So visitors do not have to rack their brains to find the answer to “What does the Play Store app look like?”

On App Store, you often need to scroll through screenshots and expand descriptions to conduct a comprehensive review of a product. Android developers can use this user audience’s feature to their advantage by making those assets visitors see first as creative as possible. In the article “Android vs. iOS User Behavior,” we took a closer look at the difference between audience behavior.

Differences in ASO Strategy

Now, we come to the most crucial question. The differences in app development for various platforms are obvious. However, not everyone knows the difference between the App Store and Play Market algorithms and fully understands their impact on the visibility and discoverability of their product.

Google Play Store

Although Android users can find apps from any app store besides Google Play, this marketplace is still the leader in downloading mobile games and apps.

In terms of ASO, the Android store’s algorithms are more advanced than those of App Store. — Asolytics Team

Although none of the marketplaces publicly disclose their tools’ features, experts believe that Play Market can even analyze text in screenshots. Diverse assets have different weights, but together, they can improve your search rankings.

Among the page assets that have the most weight and need proper optimization are the following:

• title;
• short description;
• long description;
• reviews and replies.

These elements should contain relevant keywords so that search algorithms can rank them in the best way for you. At the same time, algorithms can scan literally any information on the page. As we have said, the Google Play review process is much simpler, so you can tweak your app page anytime.

Working with user reviews is an important aspect of optimizing a product for Play Market. In addition to giving hints on how to improve your item, they are also a great tool for influencing the algorithms. You can include relevant keywords based on ASO intelligence in your responses as they also rank. You should not forget that your answers have to be valuable.

When developing an ASO strategy, you also need to remember that Google Play has a more advanced app categorization system than App Store. This platform has over 30 categories, and you can assign up to five additional tags to help users find you faster.

Apple App Store

Although experts agree that the App Store algorithms are less advanced than Google Play, this platform has its own features that help developers reach their target audience faster. — Asolytics Team

Among the page assets that have the most weight in this store are the following:

• title;
• subtitle;
• keyword field.

These three elements are indexed and affect the position of your product in the SERPs. The algorithms of Apple Store compare and analyze user requests and keywords that developers have manually added to the listed assets. All other information on the page is presented solely for visitors’ information and is necessary to create a good first impression.

It is believed that the App Store moderators are more active in selecting products for various collections (like trending categories and editors’ choices) and, accordingly, promote them better than Play Market. Developers also have the opportunity to increase their presence on the platform through in-app purchases. Each IAP is displayed separately from the main product in the search results.

Also, when developing an app and ASO strategy, it is worth remembering that, according to app sales statistics, Apple gadget owners are more inclined to use paid products and subscriptions than Android users. App Store is considered to be more secure and reliable. That is why customers are ready to pay, knowing they will receive a safe product.

We’d like to add a few words about the difference between the App Store and the Apple Store because not everyone understands it. The first is a store/marketplace for mobile apps and games from different developers and publishers. The second is a store for gadgets and accessories manufactured by Apple. When it comes to ASO, the first option is meant.

The Most Important Elements in Both Stores for Users to Interact With

The App Store and Google Play icons and titles are essential elements of any product because they are visible everywhere your app is mentioned. However, there are other details that users interact with most often.

• iOS: Screenshot gallery

Statistics show that all Apple device users interact with screenshots in one way or another. They are about twice as likely as Android owners to scroll through the entire gallery to get a closer look at the nuances of the interface. To create engaging screenshots, you need to conduct deep A/B testing.

• Android: Promo video

On this platform, users are, on average, twice as likely to view videos as they are on the App Store. Even though visitors often interact with this element, only 20% of viewers watch it to the end. You need to captivate them from the first seconds. Split testing is also required to get the best out of your product and choose the perfect Google Play Store video format.

• Both stores: Description

The first sentences of descriptions can motivate users to open the full text or even download the app right on the spot. Although the “Read More” button gets 25% more clicks on average on Play Market, it is still frequently interacted with on App Store. From an ASO perspective, the first two-three description lines are incredibly important.

Google Play and Apple Store: Use the Difference to Your Advantage

The debate about which platform is better, the App Store or Play Market, will probably never subside. By and large, it is meaningless because each marketplace has pros and cons that simplify or complicate the work of developers, publishers, and marketers. Fortunately, both stores evolve pretty quickly, regularly introduce new tools, and improve algorithms.

Google Play features:

• fast moderation process;
• you can make changes to page assets at any time;
• huge competition (more than 3.5 titles);
• algorithms analyze all the information on pages;
• there are low-quality products;
• one-time developer fee;
• free and shareware apps are more popular.

App Store features:

• a long process of moderation;
• you can change page assets only together with the update’s launch;
• lower competition;
• you can increase product visibility using IAPs;
• high quality and security;
• annual developer fee;
• higher developer income as users prefer paid products.

You need to know all these features and understand each platform’s nuances to effectively use them to your advantage, regardless of whether you create a native or cross-platform product.

Only you can determine which is better for your task, App Store or Play Market. — Asolytics Team

At first glance, it may seem to inexperienced developers that all users of portable gadgets are the same. This misconception can play a cruel joke on you. The fact is that the iOS and Android operating systems (and the products developed for them) have several significant differences that make them more suitable for certain categories of users. For example, experts believe that users of Apple gadgets pay more attention to the overall experience of working with apps. At the same time, owners of Android smartphones and tablets are interested in the content itself.

Apple devices give users minimal tools to set up the system. Android gadgets, on the contrary, are more suitable for those who want to keep every nuance under control. Understanding these and many other fundamental differences between the iOS user base and the Android target audience will help you promote your product.

Which Has More Apps, Apple or Android?

The total Android vs. iOS apps count changes from time to time. It happens not only because new products are published literally every day but also because both App Store and Play Market regularly get rid of outdated and low-quality games and applications. For example, Google announced a global clean-up last spring, warning developers about the planned removal of products that have not been updated for a long time.

At the time of writing, the share of apps on Google Play was significantly larger than on App Store. According to statistics 2,068,016 titles are published on the first platform, and a little less than 1,903,035 are on the second one. This dominance of the first giant has several reasons. The fact is that there are much more devices that work on the Android operating system than those that work on iOS. Moreover, they have a lower cost; that is, they do not require a large start-up capital from users, which means they are more affordable from a financial point of view.

At the same time, the solvency of Apple gadget users is much higher than those with Android. Apple apps ratings show that they are more likely to opt for paid services and make in-app purchases to get a better experience. Their activity in terms of willingness to spend money is higher than that of all other devices owners.

Google Play and App Store are leaders in this area, and their total share of mobile games and applications is about 97%. Of this number, Android accounts for about 64%. The remaining 3% of mobile services are distributed among digital stores like Amazon AppStore, Samsung Galaxy, Microsoft Store, Huawei, and others.

Who has more iPhone or Android users?

Google Play dominates the number of applications for a reason. According to the Android apps rating, the total number of users is much larger than on iOS. It is because of the large number of devices that run on this OS, as well as a lower price compared to Apple gadgets. Applications for Android are built taking into account a large selection of smartphones and tablets with different technical parameters. Developers try to make them universal, offering versions for different screens, RAM, CPUs, and other characteristics.

iOS products are not as versatile and flexible. Firstly, they can only be used on those devices that Apple releases. Secondly, some titles are not adapted for use on both iPhone and iPad (although it is more an exception than a rule, such cases do occur). Also, in general, this operating system limits the freedom of action of users and offers only limited customization options. Unlike Android, which separates updates for devices from different companies (Huawei, HTC, Samsung, etc.), Apple developers provide a consistent experience for all gadgets.

The difference between Android and iOS users largely depends on the described differences in the approaches of the industry giants. As a developer or publisher, you have no choice but to study all these features and take them into account when creating and publishing your product. By adjusting to the behavioral nuances, you can create and offer the target audience a service that will be really in demand. If you want to know how to make your product more visible and increase its discoverability, read our experts’ article “How Do Apps Get Popular.”

Iphone Users vs Android Users: What Are the Differences in Behavior

You will be surprised, but the difference in the behavior of users of different mobile operating systems is enormous. Moreover, it can differ both at the global level and in small everyday habits. Regardless of the scale, all this characterizes users very well and allows you to draw certain conclusions.

For example, let’s consider the time of the day when people look at their smartphones. A typical iPhone user checks information on their device much earlier (literally right after waking up) than a person who uses Android. It may be because of the peculiarities of the lifestyle of the Apple gadgets’ owners and the nuances of the system itself.

The thing is, on iOS, you can’t completely turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth using the shortcut buttons. To do it, you need to go to the settings, which most users don’t do. So, after you turn off your alarm clock, the Internet connection is activated, and various notifications begin to pour on your device. You have not yet had time to get out of bed, but you are already actively checking the incoming information. Android users do it too, but less frequently, as the system’s quick buttons allow you to turn off communication with the outside world completely.

The second important factor is how often users turn to their portable devices. So, to check email, surf the Internet, and do other activities, owners of Android smartphones can use any other device, e.g., a PC or laptop. In contrast, Apple owners tend to do all these things with their iPhones, even if they have other devices from the same company.

By the way, it is also relevant to compare iPhone vs. Android customer satisfaction. Almost two-thirds of Apple device users are completely satisfied with their experience and intent to continue buying gadgets from this company. The Android satisfaction level is lower, about 48%. At the same time, users of this operating system are more likely to buy models from different companies than to remain loyal to one brand.

Besides, there is also a difference in how Android users see iPhone users. Due to their higher solvency, the latter tend to be interested in and spend money on various luxury items. It is believed that iOS users are more likely to buy a MacBook than a high-quality (and possibly not cheap) laptop from any other company. Android device owners are more practical in their approach to purchasing gadgets. The difference in buying behavior is extremely important to consider when building marketing campaigns.

Since we have touched on the issue of preferences, let’s see if personality plays any significant role. Studies show that the character traits of Android and iOS users are indeed different:

• Android clients are likely to be introverted, more frugal and careful, tend to follow and obey rather than lead, and are honest with themselves and others.
• iOS clients, as a rule, are extroverted, spend more money (and can do it impulsively); among them, there are more leaders ready to go to all sorts of tricks to achieve their goals.

It is also believed that the owners of Apple devices are more suspicious and attentive to what exactly they install. They will not endanger themselves once again by using unreliable software. That is, their level of safety awareness is higher than that of Android owners.

It is clear that such characteristics are only averaged portraits. Your target audience may differ depending on the specific region due to the difference in mentality, social life, and government policies. At the same time, understanding the typical portrait and behavior patterns of users of different systems allows you and your marketers to understand the difference in Android vs. iOS user experience and how mobile devices and applications are generally used.

iOS vs. Android demographics

In addition to assessing the habits of your target audience on specific platforms, you also need to consider demographic parameters such as gender and age. According to statistics, men use iOS devices more often, while women prefer Android gadgets. While Android dominates the app market as a whole, the 65 and older age group is dominated by iOS. It is probably because this system is unified and does not require individual settings.

In general, the gender and age differences between an iPhone user vs. Android user are not significant enough to have a strong impact on product development. It is much more important to consider the region. Education, financial well-being, and solvency of your audience depend on it. Android devices are more popular in developing countries with low and middle living standards because they are more affordable. Apple gadgets are more prevalent in developed countries with high-income and educated populations. Moreover, iOS users are more likely to use paid apps and subscriptions than Android owners, who are ready to put up with ads and the limited functionality of free versions.

Choose the Platform Wisely

There are many factors for evaluating the behavior of mobile systems’ users. In summary, Google Play offers more apps, has more users, is more popular in developing countries, and is compatible with various devices and brands. App Store, although smaller in terms of the number of users, has a higher engagement level, and its audience has a greater ability to pay. Besides, when comparing customer satisfaction iPhone vs. Android, the former is significantly superior to competitors.

When it comes to in-app activity, Apple customers are much more engaged across almost every category, from signups to purchases and subscriptions. iOS users spend more time with their smartphones than Android device owners. Despite it, the Android audience is much larger; that is, they dominate due to the number of customers. This feature is essential to understand when developing products since you have to choose what is more critical for you: engagement or mass character.

Understanding the target audience’s behavior is essential for choosing the platform for which you plan to develop a product. Of course, the best option is a hybrid form, but if you want to choose one, iOS or Android, it is necessary to know how your userbase behaves.