Software Quality Assurance in Healthcare: Why It Matters

Nowadays, AI technology is significantly changing the different industries and the healthcare industry isn’t an exception. One of the additions—chatbots—has the potential to save time and money.

But should the healthcare industry use a bot service, it is a question many medical workers ask. However, we can define healthcare as a service that happens when patients visit the doctors, we will strictly limit our potential productivity gains. Chatbots can help healthcare providers with customer service and interact with healthcare consumers through text conversationally. So it is one of the most effective solutions to increase patient satisfaction.

According to surveys and researches published by IBM, up to 80% of routine questions could be answered by a chatbot. And it isn’t a surprise that the big part of these questions are asked by the patients and a simple chatbot can help with that.

For being in a win-win situation in healthcare, the providers should think about how to give patients, prospective patients, and other site visitors a way to answer questions, find the important information, and even book appointments as soon as possible without calling in. It’s easier and more convenient for people. It’s more efficient and successful for providers. And it can save a tremendous amount of money and time. That’s the dream, right? In the healthcare sector, the patient’s experience and satisfaction continue to be the top priority.

Chatbots in healthcare can offer the best health care service.

So the real question for clinics, hospitals and other private practices looking to improve the patient experience: Is it worth it?

Will chatbots really help and make a difference for your staff and patients?

At the end of the article you will find the answers to all your questions, so let’s have a look at how healthcare chatbots actually work, their benefits, and potential use cases.

We can divide chatbots into three categories:

Rules-based: Rule-based chatbots can also be named decision-tree bots. This type of chatbot uses a series of defined rules. These rules are the basis for the types of problems the chatbot is familiar with and can deliver solutions for. Usually, there are very simple or complicated rules. They can’t, however, answer any questions outside of the defined rules. These chatbots do not learn through interactions. They only perform and work with the scenarios you train them for. They follow pre-defined, if-this-then-that “playbooks” that automatically respond to a list of pre-populated queries and questions. These chatbots might answer common questions with simple and canned responses. They might also lead people to dead-ends like “I’m having trouble understanding” due to their limited technical capacity.

Adaptive: Using machine learning (ML), adaptive chatbots can learn patterns the more requests they receive.

AI-powered: An AI-powered chatbot is a smarter version that uses natural language processing (NLP) and ML to better understand the intent of the human and provide a more natural, near-human-level communication. An AI chatbot can quickly determine intent and context, move through more complex and nuanced conversations, and deliver the look and feel of chatting with an actual human being.

Chatbots are created to mimic human conversation. Using chatbots, patients can ask health-related questions, check on their appointments, or explore treatment options without calling in.

Why chatbots are perfectly suitable for healthcare

The chatbot is useful for any type of business. But for the healthcare field, they are especially valuable, because chatbots can provide the required information and actions to patients.

24/7 Service

Anytime chatbots can provide patients service and support. According to this, patients can get immediate engagement and answers.

Follow-up medical care

Quality and results are the most important goals for the patient experience. In many cases, it is difficult for doctors to provide quality care once a patient leaves the hospital. Chatbots could be a good solution for this challenge, and they can give follow-up care by prompting patients to record their symptoms or track their progress.

At-home care

Chatbots can be used anywhere, especially at home. The patient can use the range of actions that include not only looking up symptoms and scheduling appointments, it could also use chatbots for the patients after they are discharged from the hospital. The chatbot could help patients take their medications in time and connect with their doctors.

Keep patient update

This is a new way to address any patient. This will keep the patient and family to remain updated till the last moment. Do you need to go to the appointment? The chatbot will remind you via text message or email. Will the surgery for which you need to be prepared? A chatbot can help patients prepare for any size of surgery or operation beforehand.

Better Patient Experiences

In the end, chatbots no doubt can enhance patient satisfaction. They help improve patient satisfaction scores by providing the convenience of care and reducing wait time. The providers have the opportunity to offer services to the patients and make it convenient for patients to receive medical attention. Chatbots can also facilitate surveys and other patient feedback mechanisms to record and track sentiment.

Use cases in the healthcare industry

• Let’s imagine the patient needs urgent help and information on what to do? The chatbot could quickly quiz users on the health problem they’re facing and recommend a sequence of actions until the ambulance arrives.

• It can be used as a mass email by local or national health organizations. Nowadays, it is especially relevant to people to get to know important details about vaccinations or epidemics.

• It can help patients track their moods or feelings that can be discussed with the psychiatrist or therapist at the next appointment. It could offer tips, notifications and advice between therapy sessions. Furthermore, it even can act more like a personal assistant. It can remind patients to take their medication, help them stay motivated to stick to their schedules and provide other relevant medical information.

• The hospitals and clinics can use the chatbot to allow patients to learn more about their health by asking questions, check symptoms or conditions, and find relevant specialists if they need them.

• The E-commerce industry that sells medical equipment or supplies could build a bot to recommend products to undecided customers. It is one of the ways to increase the visitors on the websites, directing the users to buy the products from it.

• A doctor could set up a chatbot to let users schedule their next appointment easily.

• The bot can be built to help users find in-network providers near them based on city or zip code.

• A medical spa can increase lead generation and user satisfaction using the bot. It is a great idea to ask what users expressly request. Based on the feedback from the users, and add only those services and products which your users have expressly requested. Finally, it could help the best matches schedule a consultation.

Final Thoughts

The chatbots can significantly replace the great part of live chatting with medical personnel. The main advantage that chatbot can provide is improvement in the patient experience. These chatbots are created to be conversational, so they are more responsive and personal than search engines. Chatbots can pull more specific and relevant information for patients rather than search engines. But they can not completely replace a human medical professional’s expertise, but they can reduce the time and money and make it easier for hospital staff to perform their jobs.

Since 41% of Americans own wearable devices (smartwatches or fitness trackers), fitness isn't just a lifestyle—it's a trillion-dollar digital gold rush. From tracking 10,000 steps to crushing personalized HIIT workouts, fitness apps are the new personal trainers.

In this article, we will explore the meaning of a fitness tracker app, its key features, market overview, trends, deployment steps, and monetization tips. 

Fitness Software Development Overview

The fitness app market reached $9.25 billion in 2023 alone. COVID-19 forced a shift from gyms to virtual training, and the numbers prove it: downloads soared, and daily active users hit new highs.

The fitness apps market is surging at 14.08% annually, reshaping how people stay active. Moreover, with 94% of Gen Z on board with the rise of gadget usage, ready to embrace fitness apps as their go-to wellness tool, the market growth won't stop here. By 2029, it's projected to add size at 13.2%, and the market is set to hit $10.06B.

It seems there's no turning back for digital fitness.

Understanding Fitness Tracker Apps

To understand what a fitness tracker app is, think of it as a personal digital assistant that logs physical activities and health metrics.

Fitness tracker apps use built-in or connected devices' sensors—such as accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS, and heart rate monitors—to collect real-time data on movement, physiological changes, and sleep cycles.

If we look at how fitness tracker apps work, we will see that they visualize progress through graphs and charts—many sync with smartwatches or fitness bands to improve tracking accuracy.

Categories of Fitness Apps

Though by definition, it is clear that fitness apps monitor fitness data, they cover and support many other functions. Among them are wellness, nutrition, and mental well-being. Below, we'll break down six main categories.

Activity Tracking Apps

Activity tracking apps count each step taken. They are often paired with smartwatches or fitness bands to offer detailed activity achievements. Users can monitor their progress toward daily goals, like achieving 10,000 steps, using visual graphs and statistical data. Additionally, these apps show calories burned and may include sleep pattern analysis.

Examples: Fitbit, Google Fit, Strava.

Exercise and Training Apps

Exercise and training apps deliver structured programs for strength building, cardio improvement, and weight loss. They include video demonstrations and detailed instructions while tracking progress. Some apps extend their focus to running, cycling, and personalized nutrition plans.

Examples: Nike Training Club, MyFitnessPal.

Meal Planning and Nutrition Apps

Nutrition apps record calorie consumption and macronutrient breakdown. They include food logging, barcode scanning, and personalized meal plans. Users set clear dietary goals, whether for weight management, muscle development, or improved eating habits.

Examples: Lose It!, Yazio.

Mental Health and Mood Monitoring Apps

Mental health and mood monitoring applications help users keep track of their emotions and reduce stress. They entail mood diaries, guided meditations, breathing exercises, and CBT techniques.

Examples: Headspace, Calm. 

Yoga and Meditation Apps

Yoga and meditation apps deliver structured yoga sessions and meditation guidance. They feature pose libraries and allow customized audio or video instruction sessions. Users benefit from increased flexibility, reduced stress, and clearer mental focus.

Examples: Down Dog, Insight Timer, and Asana Rebel.

Personal Coaching Apps

Personal coaching apps link users with professional coaches or trainers for customized fitness and health advice. The apps provide one-on-one support, personalized workout or nutrition plans, and scheduled accountability check-ins. This makes them suitable for people with specific objectives, like marathon training or long-term weight loss. Apps blend technology with human coaching to create a tailored experience and interactivity.

Examples: Noom, Trainerize.

Key Features of a Fitness Tracker App

A standout fitness tracker app grabs users with bold tools and electric energy. Here's what every app demands:

Activity and Step Tracking

Monitors daily motion and calorie consumption, presenting progress and history through simple visuals like graphs and charts.

Health Monitoring

Top apps track health data like heart rate and stress. They use sensors to give users accurate, ongoing updates and alerts.

Sleep Tracking and Analysis

A must-have for understanding sleep patterns—duration, quality, and stages (light, deep, REM). Top apps analyze this data to offer actionable tips for better rest, like adjusting bedtime routines.

Goal Setting and Progress Tracking

Allows users to set custom goals (e.g., 10,000 steps/day or 8 hours of sleep) and track progress over time, with visual milestones or rewards to enhance engagement.

Routes and Mapping

Uses GPS to map routes, track pace, and log elevation for outdoor enthusiasts like runners or cyclists. Plus, it allows them to review or share their paths.

Notifications

Timely reminders to move, drink water, or hit daily targets keep users on track. The app should balance usefulness with avoiding notification fatigue.

Integration with Wearable Devices

Ensures seamless syncing with smartwatches or fitness bands (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit), providing a unified experience across devices.

Social and Gamification Features

It adds leaderboards, challenges, and friend connections to make fitness fun and competitive, with gamification like earning badges—boosting long-term use.

Personalized Insights and AI-Based Recommendations

The AI analyzes workouts, sleep, nutrition, and progress trends to give personalized advice. For example, it might recommend a recovery day after heavy exercise or adjust goals based on well-being.

Tech Stack For Creating Fitness Apps

A strong front-end, back-end, database, APIs, and cloud hosting lay the groundwork for long-term success. Below we’ve outlined tips on the best tech stack:

Front-end

Craft a captivating user experience with the right front-end tools. Whether you're building for mobile or web, these technologies will help you create intuitive and visually stunning interfaces.

• Swift: Unlock native iOS performance and seamless integration with Apple services.
• Kotlin: Leverage robust Android development with Google's support.
• Flutter: Build cross-platform apps with a single codebase for cost-effective development.
• React Native: Rapidly develop cross-platform apps with a shared codebase.

For web apps:

• React.js/Next.js: Deliver responsive and dynamic web experiences.
• Vue.js: Enjoy a lightweight alternative with a more straightforward learning curve.

Back-end

A robust back-end powers your app's core functions. From data storage to real-time interactions, these technologies ensure your app runs smoothly and efficiently.

• Node.js & Express.js: Perfect for real-time interactions like chat support and live sessions.
• Django: Supports AI-driven recommendations for personalized insights.
• Firebase: Cost-effective and ideal for startups, offering real-time data sync.
• AWS Lambda: Go serverless to reduce maintenance costs.

Database

Choose the right database to store and manage user data effectively. Whether you need structured data or flexibility, these options have covered you.

• PostgreSQL: Ideal for structured data like exercise logs and progress reports.
• MongoDB: Flexible for apps with user-generated content.
• Google Firestore: Real-time syncing for social and community features.
• TimescaleDB: Optimized for analyzing long-term fitness trends.

APIs and Integrations

Integrate third-party services seamlessly with APIs. Enhance your app's functionality without extensive development.

• HealthKit & Google Fit: Track fitness metrics like workouts and heart rate.
• Strava API: Monitor running, cycling, and community challenges.
• TensorFlow/OpenAI API: Unlock AI-driven insights for personalized workouts.
• Google Speech-to-Text API: Enable voice logging for workouts and reminders.

Payment Gateways

Secure transactions are crucial for subscriptions and in-app purchases. These gateways protect financial information and ensure smooth processing.

• Stripe, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay: Secure and reliable payment options.

Push Notifications

Keep users engaged with timely reminders, updates, and challenges. Push notifications boost interaction and retention.

• Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM): Send real-time notifications.
• OneSignal: Personalize notifications based on user activity.

Cloud and Hosting

Ensure your app scales efficiently with the right cloud hosting. From secure infrastructure to cost-effective solutions, these options support growing applications.

• AWS: Secure and scalable cloud hosting.
• Google Cloud Platform (GCP): Integrates analytics and AI capabilities.
• Firebase Hosting: Fast deployment for small apps.
• DigitalOcean: Cost-effective for early-stage apps.

Fitness Tracker App Development Process

Behind every great fitness tracking app is a rock-solid plan—here’s how to craft one that dominates the market.

Market Research and Target Audience Analysis

This initial phase will lay the groundwork for understanding how to develop a fitness app effectively. Explore the fitness tech industry, research competitors, and identify user habits to shape a product that resonates. Whether targeting everyday gym-goers or elite athletes, ensure the app meets real needs yet is unique.

Pro Tips: Use Google Trends and Statista for keyword insights, survey 200+ users with a 60/40 quantitative-qualitative split, and analyze at least 5 top competitor apps (e.g., Fitbit, Strava) on app stores, focusing on user reviews with 3-star ratings to spot unmet needs.

Defining Core Functionalities

Once research findings are clear, define core features like step tracking, calorie counting, and wearable integration while adding unique elements—personalized workouts or gamified challenges—to solve real user problems without clutter.

Pro Tips: Keep core features between 5 and 7. Focus 70% of fitness application development on essentials like accurate step tracking, and test early with 20-30 beta users.

Choosing the Right Technology Stack

Tech stack can make or break your app. Go native with Swift (iOS) or Kotlin (Android) for top-tier performance, or use Flutter or React Native for a cross-platform edge. Power the backend with Firebase for simplicity or AWS for enterprise muscle. Ensure seamless integration with Apple Health, Google Fit, and future expansions.

Pro Tips: Optimize for 80% of wearable users via Apple & Fitbit APIs, slash dev time by 40% using Flutter, and benchmark response times under 200ms for real-time accuracy.

UI/UX Design for an Engaging User Experience

Turn concepts into a sleek, intuitive app with fluid navigation, bold visuals, and a dashboard that highlights key fitness metrics. Additionally, fine-tune details with real user feedback for a flawless experience.

Pro Tips: Use a 60-30-10 color rule for balance, ensure 48x48px tap targets for accessibility, and run usability tests with 5-8 users to catch issues.

Development and Testing Phase

Here, development takes center stage. Engineers implement features, integrate APIs, and fine-tune performance while testers identify and resolve issues rigorously. The goal is a stable, high-performing app that remains reliable under real-world stressors like network fluctuations and peak traffic.

‍Pro Tips: Ensure crash-free sessions with Crashlytics, test on 10+ devices covering 90% of users.

Launch and Post-Launch Support

It’s release time! Publish on the Apple App Store and Google Play, track feedback, and squash bugs fast. Upgrade features and fine-tune performance to keep users engaged.

Pro Tips: Optimize App Store metadata with 3-5 high-traffic keywords, try to respond to all reviews within 24 hours for the first month, and schedule updates every 6-8 weeks based on usage data to maximize engagement.

Average Cost of Fitness App Development

A fitness app’s price tag correlates with its technical ambition. Entry-level builds (3–6 months) focus on MVP essentials—profile setup, exercise demos, goal tracking, and email/SMS alerts—costing $38K–50K. Mid-range projects (6–9 months) embed dynamic plans, device interoperability, leaderboards, and microtransactions, averaging $50K–75K. 

High-complexity apps (9+ months) deploy AI posture correction, telehealth integrations, and enterprise dashboards, starting at $75K and rising. Freelancers may undercut agencies but risk fragmented deliverables. Invest in a vetted team with full-cycle development experience for scalable architecture and compliance.

How to Monetize a Fitness App

Revenue growth in fitness tracking app development is supported by:

• Paid Apps.‍

Charge users an upfront fee to download and access the app. Pricing depends on the app’s features, content, and platform.

• In-App Purchases.

Sell additional content such as workout plans, meal recipes, or motivational music to enhance the user experience.

• Premium Subscriptions (Freemium Model).

Offer a free version with basic features while reserving advanced fitness plans, personal coaching, and exclusive content for paying subscribers.

• Advertisements.

Display relevant ads without disrupting user experience. Fitness-related promotions work best to maintain engagement.

• Sponsored Content.

Partner with gyms, trainers, or fitness brands to distribute their content within the app in exchange for payment.

• eCommerce Integration.

Sell branded fitness gear, accessories, or custom fitness trackers through the app or an external store.

Most Popular Fitness Tracker Apps 2025

Explore the top fitness apps, their standout features, and key takeaways from their success. 

MyFitnessPal

MyFitnessPal is more than a calorie counter—it’s a complete nutrition and fitness tracking tool. AI-driven meal analysis scans food photos for accurate macros, while seamless wearable integration adjusts calorie goals based on recovery data.
Best For: Users who want precise food tracking and adaptive nutrition guidance.

Nike Training Club (NTC)

NTC delivers personalized workouts that adapt mid-session based on heart rate. "Smart Form Check" analyzes posture in real time, while AR integration brings guided workouts into any space.
Best For: Users seeking smart, adaptive training with real-time feedback.

Strava

Strava is the top choice for runners and cyclists, offering in-depth performance insights. New features track how terrain affects effort and monitor gear wear to prevent injuries.
Best For: Outdoor athletes looking for advanced performance tracking.

Fitbod

Fitbod creates strength-training plans based on fatigue and progress. It predicts recovery needs, suggests optimal weight increases, and highlights neglected muscle groups with 3D mapping.
Best For: Strength trainers wanting a data-driven, adaptive workout plan.

Headspace

Headspace connects mindfulness with fitness. It tracks stress, recommends pre-workout meditation, and logs post-exercise reflections to improve focus and recovery.
Best For: Athletes prioritizing mental resilience and recovery.

Challenges in Fitness Tracker App Development

Fitness tracker apps have revolutionized health monitoring, but their development is fraught with challenges. Four key hurdles stand out:

Ensuring Accuracy of Health Data

Accuracy of the health data is the backbone of any fitness tracking app. Users depend on metrics like step counts, heart rate, and calorie burn to make informed health decisions. Inaccurate data can mislead users, erode trust, or even pose health risks. Poor sensor quality, flawed algorithms, and inconsistent user input contribute to this challenge.

Solutions:

• High-Quality Sensors and Algorithms: Developers should use reliable sensors and collaborate with health experts to design precise algorithms. These algorithms must be validated against benchmarks to ensure metrics align with real-world outcomes.
• User Input Optimization: Create intuitive interfaces that encourage users to input accurate details (e.g., age, weight) and include calibration features to account for variables like terrain or weather.
• Continuous Refinement: Regularly update algorithms based on user feedback and emerging research to maintain accuracy over time.

User Privacy and Data Security Compliance

Health data is highly sensitive, and users expect it to be protected. Developers must comply with strict regulations like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) while safeguarding against cybersecurity threats. A breach can damage user trust and result in legal consequences.

Solutions:

• Robust Encryption: Implement strong encryption for data both in transit (e.g., during syncing) and at rest (e.g., in storage) to prevent unauthorized access.
• Regulatory Compliance: Secure explicit user consent for data collection and anonymize data used for research or analytics to meet legal standards.
• Proactive Security: Use two-factor authentication and conduct regular security audits to stay ahead of evolving threats.

Device Compatibility and Integration Issues

Fitness tracking apps must function seamlessly across various devices, operating systems (e.g., iOS, Android), and third-party platforms (e.g., Apple Health, Google Fit). Variability in hardware, differing OS APIs, and high battery consumption complicate this process, potentially leading to inconsistent user experiences.

Solutions:

• Cross-Platform Development: Use modular designs and frameworks (e.g., Flutter, React Native) to adapt to hardware differences and ensure compatibility across operating systems.
• Third-Party Integration: Follow platform-specific protocols to integrate smoothly with external services, enabling data syncing without disrupting functionality.
• Battery Optimization: Minimize resource usage by optimizing code and reducing background processes to prevent excessive battery drain.

Keeping Users Engaged Long-Term

Since the market has its established leaders, it is tough to compete, surprise, and engage users. Many abandon apps due to a lack of motivation or repetitive experiences. Developers must find ways to unify their product to stay relevant over time.

Solutions:

• Personalization: Tailor fitness plans and recommendations to individual user goals (e.g., weight loss, endurance) and preferences, enhancing relevance.
• Gamification: Introduce rewards, challenges, or badges to make fitness fun and encourage consistent use.
• Community and Feedback: Build social features (e.g., leaderboards, group challenges) and provide actionable progress reports to foster a sense of connection and achievement.

Future Trends in Fitness Tracker Apps

The fitness app race is heating up. According to a fitness app market analysis by Grand View Research, top startups are betting on mHealth (hydration, women’s health, safety) and techs like AI, VR, and wearables. Miss these trends, and you lose. Read on for a detailed overview of trends:

Mental Health & Wellness

Mental wellness is now a core focus in developing a fitness app. Sensor Tower’s 2024 data shows rising demand for stress relief and mindfulness tools. Apps include meditation, breathwork, and sleep options. At the same time, Headspace and other platforms are adding fitness routines, which results in a well-rounded approach to health.

Women in Focus

With women making up almost 60% of users, fitness apps are stepping up. Sweat features top female trainers. HARNA customizes workouts based on menstrual cycles, providing a unique fitness approach.

Smart Personalization with AI & ML

AI-driven apps now customize workouts, predict the best recovery plans, and enhance motivation. Thus, Freeletics tailors schedules, MyFitnessPal adds competition, and Future delivers real-time coaching for next-level training.

‍VR and AR Revolution

VR and AR revolutionize fitness by making workouts an immersive and engaging experience. Instead of staring at a screen, users can cycle through 3D landscapes (Zwift) or boxes in an interactive arena (Liteboxer VR).

Seamless Wearable Integration 

Fitness apps and wearables combine and extend their functionality beyond mere exercise trackers. With Fitbit, Apple Watch, and Whoop leading the charge, biometric data, such as sleep quality, heart rate, recovery, and exertion levels, helps them meet their fitness goals.

Gamification for Engagement

Gamification keeps users motivated with points, challenges, and rewards. Strava fuels competition with leaderboards, while Nike Run Club celebrates milestones with achievement badges, making every workout a victory.

Eco-Conscious

Gen Z demands sustainability, and fitness apps are stepping up. Low-carbon workouts, green brand partnerships, and impact tracking are redefining fitness. Plogga turns runs into clean-up missions, while Ecosia Active plants trees with every workout.

Build a Fitness Tracker App with Darly Solutions

Fitness platforms are close to one of our core specializations—healthcare and wearable app development. We follow a structured process to ensure a high-quality, user-centric product that meets your business goals.

1. Initial Consultation and Requirement Analysis.
Contact Darly Solutions to discuss your app vision. Their team will assess your objectives, target audience, and desired features to align the final product with market demands.

2. Concept Design and UI/UX Development.
Darly Solutions designs intuitive, engaging interfaces that enhance user experience. Their FitSync concept demonstrates expertise in crafting user-friendly fitness applications with personalized fitness plans.

3. Custom Software Development.
As a custom software development company, Darly Solutions builds scalable fitness tracker apps using the latest technologies to ensure smooth device performance.

4. Feature Integration.
Key functionalities include activity tracking, goal setting, data visualization, and wearable device integration. These features enhance user engagement and provide valuable fitness insights.

5. Quality Assurance and Testing.
Rigorous testing ensures a reliable, bug-free application that delivers optimal performance.

6. Deployment and Ongoing Support.
After launch, Darly Solutions provides continuous updates, security enhancements, and technical support to keep the app competitive.

7. Cost Considerations.
Development costs depend on complexity, features, and timeframe. Darly Solutions offers insights into budgeting to help you make informed investment decisions.

Partnering with Darly Solutions ensures a standout fitness tracker app that drives user engagement and success in the health and wellness market. Do you want to create your own fitness app, yet don’t know where to start? Darly Solutions will assist you with the right expertise and tech stack!

Specifically, according to the Exploding Topics resource, in 2024, Android has a 70.93% global market share while iOS only has about 25% of it. However, both platforms are undoubtedly popular, and each of them, with the right approach to development and promotion, can provide product owners with a stable income. Below, we will reveal the differences and similarities between iOS and Android development, paying special attention to security and customization options.

Android vs. iOS App Development: Key Differences

Let's first look at the fundamental differences in Android and iOS development.

Programming languages

When it comes to native development, the most popular Android development language can be considered Java or Kotlin (they are both officially supported by Android’s original IDE, but the last one is preferable for new projects). As for native development for iOS, here, developers will need knowledge of Objective-C or Swift (generally speaking, this is the best option for new projects, while Objective-C is mainly used to support existing solutions that were originally written in this language).

Development environment

As the primary development environment for the Android platform, Android developers use the open-source Android Studio IDE, although in some cases their choice may also fall on Visual Studio, Eclipse, and some other development environments. At the same time, iOS developers usually resort to the help of Xcode with the integrated iOS SDK. 

Differences in design

iOS development requires following the platform’s own principles for user interface design listed in the Human Interface Design Guidelines (the main aspects of which are color variety without shadows (Flat Design Depth), minimalism (Clarity), and content-first approach (Deference)). In the case of Android development, these are the recommendations for recreating Material Design (the main aspects of which are expressing the hierarchy of elements through their size, colors, and shadows (Metaphoric Nature), using bold typography to highlight important elements (Bold Graphical Design), visualizing reactions to user actions (Meaningful Animation), as well as adapting the design to devices of different form factors (Adaptive Design)). Also note that Android allows the development of applications for operation in Kiosk Mode—this will be useful for businesses presenting their services and/or products through software installed on corporate Android-based devices.

Hourly rates

According to Glassdoor, the average annual salary of an Android developer in the US ranges from $91K to $135K, while for an iOS developer this range is from $101K to $174K. From this, we can conclude that, on average, the iOS app development cost (if you stick to the hourly rate for specialists) will be somewhat higher compared to the Android app development cost, all other things being equal (in particular, the same number of supported device formats and OS versions).

Complexity of development

It is worth noting that native Android development tools and iOS mobile app development tools are quite easy to deal with and, in general, have a low entry threshold. That is why the complexity of implementing software for a particular platform should be considered primarily from the point of view of ensuring compatibility. The fact is that if you are planning Android development to cover as many user devices with different form factors as possible, your team will have to spend a lot of effort and time. Also, there is the need to provide compatibility with earlier versions of Android and, accordingly, adapt the software for devices that support them. Therefore, the development process for Android can be much longer than in the case of iOS, a platform that is characterized by a relatively small number of compatible user devices. On the other hand, for iOS development, the entire team must be equipped with macOS-based devices — only then will they be able to build the software and successfully test it in an emulator.

iOS vs. Android: Security and Privacy

The main difference between iOS and Android in terms of security lies in the fact that iOS security is more focused on providing strong software protection (which is facilitated by its closed nature and limited number of supported devices), while Android focuses on a combination of software and hardware protection (due to its initial open source nature, which can still be violated by individual vendors creating their own Android-based OSes, as well the variety of supported user devices). In the end, it is impossible to say that one of these operating systems is more secure or, on the contrary, more vulnerable, since by following the standards and generally accepted rules of secure development, you will be able to achieve optimal compliance for your software as well.

Which Platform Has a Bigger Market Share?

At the very beginning of this article, we indicated that Android is the undisputed leader in the mobile software market, with almost 71% market share. However, it is worth noting that the ratio of market shares between platforms may vary depending on the business niche for which the application is created. Moreover, there is rather old research that owners of iOS devices are more willing to download paid applications, while owners of Android devices prefer free software. As a result, this factor can determine your monetization opportunities for your app, too.

Which Platform Has More Customization Options?

In terms of customization options, Android gives developers more flexibility due to the open nature of the platform. Thus, they get more space for creativity, which allows them to implement non-trivial designs and functionality. In turn, the iOS platform is a closed ecosystem with its own strict compliance rules. This concept is aimed at maintaining uniformity of user interfaces, so it will not be possible to create something too non-standard on its basis.

Android vs. iOS App Development: Which One to Choose

Ultimately, we cannot say that development for any one of the platforms, be it iOS or Android, is more profitable. Everything depends on the niche for which the software solution is being implemented, its localization, and many other factors that determine the size of the target audience.

Additionally, it is important to be aware of app store fees for paid software and software with in-app purchases. In particular, iOS paid apps, in-app purchases of digital goods or services, and/or linking out to purchase digital goods and services on your website are subject to a 17% fee (or 10% If you're enrolled in the App Store Small Business Program/the Apple Video Partner Program/News Partner Program or renew a qualifying auto-renewal subscription beyond one year); also, if you use App Store payment processing and related commerce services for in-app purchases, you will be charged a 3% fee. As for Google Play, here, the fee is 15% on the first $1 million in annual revenue (or 30% on annual revenue exceeding $1 million), 15% on products with an auto-renewing subscription (regardless of annual revenue size), and 15% or less for developers who qualify for the Play Media Experience Program.

By the way, if you find that the ratio of potential users for each platform is approximately 1:1, you can consider the cross-platform app development option, which involves creating a single code base for iOS and Android platforms. In this case, you can save about 30% of the budget compared to developing two native applications, and also bring the launch date of your mobile solution closer. The only thing is that, like any other type of software development, this one also has some restrictions.

Regardless of whether you are considering cross-platform or native mobile app development, you can always choose us as a reliable service provider of custom mobile solutions. We will implement your business idea with the minimum possible budget without compromising its quality and select the best approaches and tech stack to ensure its competitiveness and profitability over the long term.