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Software engineers often struggle to choose between building for Android and for iOS. For all the similarity in their architecture, the two never converged, and the platforms take different strategic approaches to development and maintenance. The differences reach into how mobile applications are promoted, how mobile testing works and much else. Which profession to join, and what to weigh in the choice, is what we look at here.

What is iOS development?

An iOS programmer builds and maintains applications for iOS, the operating system used exclusively on devices made by Apple. An iOS developer will be wanted at any company planning to build applications for iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch users.

Building an iOS application means using the native tools Apple developed for exactly that purpose:

Swift — the main language for iOS development.
Xcode — the development environment for Apple's various products. It is free and lets you design user interfaces, write and compile code and test it. It is available only on a Mac.
The iOS SDK — the set of development tools built into Xcode. With it a programmer can build applications and test them on the simulator, software that imitates an iPhone on the developer's own machine.

The products themselves fall into two categories: applications and games.

How do you become an iOS programmer?

An iOS developer always trains first, though the format varies. Depending on circumstances, that can be at a US college or university, or on a course such as iOS Developer at PASV.

What is Android development?

Android development is the process of building, testing, shipping and maintaining mobile applications and games for that operating system. To do it, an Android developer:

Prepares the interface and works out the logic and internal structure of an application.
Builds convenient navigation between different screens.
Accounts for how the application behaves when a call or a message comes in.
Writes the code.
Optimises the application to reduce its resource consumption.
Works on security, closing vulnerabilities carefully and protecting user data — particularly important for financial and banking applications.
Tests the application at every stage of development, writes the internal documentation and, where needed, a user manual.
Publishes the finished product to Google Play.

An Android developer then studies user reviews and prepares updates accordingly.

How do you become an Android developer?

In America the best route into this specialism is an Android development course. These are compressed but full of useful material, and finishing one lets you join the profession and keep developing your skills while already working. The PASV courses are an excellent option, since alongside current knowledge graduates get the chance of an internship at a real company.

iOS or Android for a beginner?

If you are starting from nothing and struggling to choose, look at the equipment you have. Owners of Apple hardware would logically choose iOS, since they have ready access to the necessary products and tools. Effective iOS development is only possible on a Mac.

Android development can be done from a far wider range of machines, since there are plenty of tools for the job. You can start building applications for it on any computer, and in some cases on a tablet. Small edits and adjustments can even be made from a phone.

Which specialists are more in demand?

Both professions are in demand. There are vacancies for iOS and Android developers alike, in roughly equal numbers and at roughly equal pay in the USA. Many companies are willing to take mobile developers with minimal experience or none.

In short: your chances of finding work are the same whether you build for Android or for iOS.

A brief comparison

For all that iOS and Android development have in common, there are differences:

Different programming languages, with Android allowing several options.
Depending on the platform, comparable projects take different budgets and carry different maintenance obligations.
The platform should be chosen with the target country in mind, since preferences differ from one country to another. In America iOS is generally the better bet, while in many European and Asian countries Android deserves the emphasis.
Android offers more scope for customisation, though that is not always what a company's goals call for.
Mobile testing is easier on iOS, though the difficulties on Android are not serious.

Software engineers have to choose a direction taking into account their own preferences, their existing knowledge and skills, and the hardware they have access to. Mobile development will remain in demand for a long while yet, whichever operating system you choose.