Smartphone and Tablet App Showdown: Android Versus iOS

Picking a mobile operating system is a big decision. There are lots of factors to consider, including app availability. As smartphone and tablet owners, many of us have a strong preference one way or the other for either iOS or Android. But for first-time users or those looking to switch to a new service, how do you choose which is best?

A great place to start is app availability. That's the breadth and number of applications available on a given platform, such as Apple's iOS or Google's Android. Of course, other options exist, too, like Windows Phone. However, for this comparison, we’ll be taking a look at the two market leaders – Android and iOS.

Android is Google's mobile operating system. Many smartphone and tablet manufacturers use Android, including Asus, HTC, Huawei, LG, Motorola, OnePlus, and Samsung. As you might expect, all of Google's Pixel smartphones run on Android, too.

iOS, meanwhile, is Apple's own operating system. Only Apple-branded smartphones and tablets use iOS, including all of the manufacturer's various iPhones and iPads. iOS-powered devices can also integrate seamlessly with other Apple products, including iMac desktop and MacBook laptop computers.

Between Android and iOS, there are currently over 5.7 million apps available to download.

Android users can download apps through Google Play. The Google Play Store was previously called Android Market and is Google's digital distribution service for, among other things, Android smartphone and tablet applications.

As of earlier this year, Android users were able to choose from around 3.5 million apps. That makes the Google Play Store the world's largest marketplace for both free and paid mobile applications. Among the most popular Android apps, all with over five billion downloads or installations, are YouTube, Google Maps, Gmail, Facebook, and WhatsApp.

While Android does have some exclusive apps, much of what's available on the Google Play Store is also available via Apple's App Store. Exceptions include Podcast Republic, AndrOpen Office, and Cool Reader – an important consideration if any of those apps are must-haves for an individual.

In contrast to Android's roughly 3.5 million applications, iOS users have a choice of closer to 2.2 million apps. At the beginning of 2021, the Apple App Store recorded 2.22 million apps in total, making it the second-largest marketplace of its kind behind Google Play.

Right now, among the most popular iOS apps are Zoom, TikTok, Disney+, Instagram, Snapchat, Cash App, Netflix, and Spotify. These applications also made Apple's Top Apps of 2020 leaderboard, as published at the end of last year.

Crucially, iOS boasts significantly more exclusive apps than Android, including Overcast, Hyperlapse, Sky Guide AR, Timepage, Tweetbot, Enlight, Stylebook, note-taking app Bear, and countless others.

Ultimately, the overwhelming majority of Android apps are also available on iOS. In fact, lots of Android apps originated as iOS apps. These apps were then redeveloped from exclusively iOS offerings into alternatives designed to serve Android users as well.

Choosing between iOS and Android will ultimately come down to more than app availability. For example, a particular preference for one device or another is likely to be a more important deciding factor. Thankfully, whichever operating system you end up using, there's an array of brilliant apps available from both the Google Play Store and Apple's App Store.

Unless there are one or more must-have applications exclusive to either Android or iOS, you shouldn't let app availability rule your decision for the most part. Instead, look at other perks. iOS, as we've learned, benefits from seamless integration with other Apple products.

Meanwhile, by buying into the Android ecosystem, there's a broader choice of devices available from numerous brands operating on the same platform, like OnePlus and Samsung. Whatever you decide, though, always be sure to protect your smartphone or tablet with an extended warranty.

With Upsie, warranties are affordable and comprehensive. Upsie offers smartphone subscription warranty and non-subscription tablet warranty packages for iOS and Android devices. Benefits include protection against defects, faults, accidental damage, and more. In addition, Upsie’s warranties cost less than the cost of coverage available elsewhere.

Also, Upsie makes repairs easy and offers a choice between local repair shops and shipped repairs. Choose Upsie and gain comprehensive and flexible coverage for your smartphone or tablet.

For the best coverage, choose Upsie.