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So that users can download your app on Android and iOS devices, there is no way around the Google and Apple app stores. Although there are still individual app stores from other providers, the number of users is vanishingly low in comparison. In the following article, we will explain how to get your app listed in the major app stores.
As an Android user, it is possible to install applications directly without the Play Store, but this always entails a security risk as the apps are not tested by Google. For this reason, 99.9% of all users download their application via the so-called Play Store. If you really want to reach users and earn money with your app, there is no way around it.
While Android users theoretically have the option of also purchasing apps from other app stores or installing them directly on their smartphones via a file, Apple has no way around the App Store. Every app that you find on your iPhone must be published in the App Store and downloaded by the user there. The only exceptions are Apple's own apps and the TestFlight program - we'll go into that in more detail later.
It is generally said that the requirements for apps here are lower in order to be approved, but is that really true? In recent years, we've had the experience that Google reviews your app at least as much as Apple does. Apps that are unsafe aren't even approved. Frequent crashes or poor user feedback in the Play Store can also mean that your app can be removed from the Play Store even after the fact.
In particular, the advantages of the Playstore are that Google's guidelines are somewhat more developer-friendly than Apple's. This not only gives you more freedom when developing an app, but the review times are also often shorter in the Play Store than in the App Store.
In addition, applications in the Play Store are also easier to upload via the browser, so that no special software is required to submit the app. Apple, on the other hand, uses its in-house developer tool Xcode. This provides the option to sign developed apps directly to the app store and transfer them in encrypted form. Should things not work with Xcode, there is still a standalone tool from Apple that can be used to transfer IPA files.
Apple is thus implementing its corporate philosophy, which is already known to many from the consumer sector, even in the professional environment. If you want to develop an app for the Apple ecosystem, then only with an Apple device. Without a Mac, Xcode, or Appstore, there's no chance of publishing your app. Considering that the iPhone is the best-selling smartphone in the world, Apple has incredible supremacy in its own system.
Even testing apps on iOS is only possible for developers with the so-called “TestFlight” store. This is the only exception to how Apple users can install untested apps on their smartphones.
It is not without reason that it has often been discussed whether Apple's monopoly must be broken up here. In theory, they only control approx. 32% of all devices on the market, but 100% of all iPhones, Macs, iPads and Apple Watches.
Ok, you can guess three times: Who would be more expensive to publish your app in their own app store? That's right: Apple hits the most here. For example, registering a developer account with Apple costs €100 per year, while Google only charges a one-time registration fee of €25.
Apple has in Over 86.6 billion sales in 2022 Made alone with his app store. Of course, this revenue does not only come from the costs of the developer account, but from transactions that take place via the App Store. For example, Apple charges 15% fees from the developer for every transaction of up to 1 million US $, then 30%. Only transactions whose service is not completed within the app are excluded. An example of this would be event tickets or the purchase of goods.
If your app does not fall into these special categories, you will have to pay Apple up to 30% transaction fees for your members' premium membership in the app, for example.
Spotify has found a very interesting way around this here. With Spotify, no account can be created within the app. It is also only possible to take out a subscription via the website. Spotify is thus in a grey area that has already been used by other large companies such as Epic Games. This resulted in a press dispute, which led to Fortnite being removed from the App Store.
Google also charges transaction fees for premium subscriptions and the like, but only up to 15% per Android app. That is also quite a bit, but only half of what Apple leaves to its developers. That is why there are always voices from the developer community that Apple is too greedy here. In the end, it is they who keep the Apple ecosystem running with over 1.8 million apps.
In addition, the Google Play Store with 3.7 million apps available It is now more than twice as large, which also suggests a higher level of popularity among developers. However, as a result of the fact that in recent years cross-platform frameworks Continuously displacing native apps, most apps are now published in both stores anyway. This is also how iOS and Android are getting ever closer. A native app simply means being able to operate only one store and therefore one platform at a time.
As already shown using the example of Spotify, there are also ways around the App Store. So have Web Apps Although the disadvantage is that they cannot be purchased directly from the App Store, this also means that you are not subject to the control of large corporations. By the way, we speak of a web app when an application is executed in the browser. When programming apps, this gives you full control over the platform on which it is to be played out later. Users just have to click on a link and they're ready to go.
Mobile applications are becoming increasingly popular and the Safari browser now also supports progressive web apps, which can even be saved by the user on the home screen. This not only makes mobile app development easier, but also cheaper in many cases.
This also makes it possible to drastically reduce running costs for mobile apps without sacrificing user experience.
As is so often the case, the answer here is simply: It depends. Who are your users, what should your app be able to do and how much budget is available as an investment? Feel free to write to us if you are looking for a You are an agency for your app. That's how it works with your own successful app.
Do you want to talk to our team about your project and just hear what we could do for you? Then simply book a free video call with us now!
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