When you’re choosing between Android and iOS, you also have to choose between the App Store and Google Play; apps are so important to us these days that they must come into consideration when we’re buying new mobile devices.
Android has caught up with and even overtaken the App Store in sheer number of apps, but Apple’s marketplace continues to rake in lots more revenue. But which offers better titles, a greater user experience, and more features?
In this week’s Friday Night Fight with Cult of Android versus Cult of Mac, we pit the App Store against Google Play to find out which is the best mobile marketplace.
Killian Bell (Writer, Cult of Android): After my clear win for Google Photos last week, I’m looking to continue my streak, so you’d better prepare yourself, Luke.
So for the longest time, the App Store offered a lot more apps than Google Play. That’s changed recently, with Google overtaking, according to the latest figures — but the App Store continues to bring in more revenue. Is that because it’s a better marketplace?
Luke Dormehl (Writer, Cult of Mac): The fact is that Apple has a quality filter that Google couldn’t dream of. That the number of apps is even close is crazy! If this was panhandling, the apps in the App Store would be solid gold; Google’s would be full of clumps of dirt — that’s why the App Store brings in more revenue.
If Google’s app marketplace is so much better — according to you — why does it earn just 40 percent of what Apple’s does?
Photo: Apple
KB: I think there are a few reasons. Firstly, more apps tend to be free and ad-supported on Android. On top of that, a large number of people who buy Android devices just because they’re affordable aren’t interested in buying apps. They want a cheap smartphone that has basic abilities and won’t cost them a lot.
But for the rest of us – those who do use apps – I think the Play Store has some advantages. One of which is that it rolls all ‘Play’ content – apps, games, books, music, movies, TV shows, and more – into one marketplace, making shopping for digital content a much more seamless experience.
LD: The problem with the point about large numbers of people with cheaper phones not wanting to buy apps is that this mindset translates to developers. App Store developers make more money with iOS, so they’re more likely to focus their efforts there.
There may be some good apps on Android, but you’re also going to get a much higher ratio of low quality ones, clones, and the like. iOS developers know they can charge money for high quality apps, which helps move us away from the dreaded freemium model, while they also don’t have to optimize their apps for dozens of different devices. If they’re not going to make big money, why bother?
Everyone’s better off sticking with the App Store. Android’s deformed twin of an app store may be called Google Play, but it sure as hell isn’t fun. For anyone.
KB: Having used both Android and iOS, I have to concede that the App Store does boast more top-quality apps, and I’m sure that’s mostly due to the revenue. I’m not saying there aren’t great apps on Android because there are plenty of them, but yes, there are more on iOS.
Having said that, Google Play does have its advantages for developers. Lots of them, in fact.
For instance, Android developers can respond to user reviews, issue refunds themselves, and perform staged rollouts for big updates. Google also allows Play listing to include YouTube videos of any length, so developers can properly showcase and explain more complex apps. Apple allows only 30-second clips.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac
LD: I’m glad developers can issue refunds on all that money they’re not getting. Seriously, though, sure you’re going to have one or two nice interface elements — but that’s what happens when you throw things at a wall and hope they’ll stick. One or two probably will, but is that enough to justify everything that doesn’t?
I’m never going to argue that Apple’s App Store is perfect. It’s certainly not. I think freemium games, for instance, are the scourge of mobile development. Search is broken, as another point. It’s way too hard to find what you’re looking for.
But compared to Android? It’s the difference between living in hell and having rain one day of your tropical vacation.
KB: The Play Store has some terrific features for users, too, which make shopping a whole lot easier. I’ve mentioned longer demonstration videos, but there’s also the ability to see download stats — so you can see how popular an app is before downloading.
There’s a “Users also installed” section that recommends similar apps other Android users picked up in case you want an alternative. There’s a “People” section that shows you what your friends are using. One of my favorite features is the ability to install an app on any of my Android devices remotely using Google Play’s web-based interface.
Play’s auto app updates actually work, too, and you can choose whether you want auto-updates for individual apps.
LD: Oh, yeah? Well Apple’s got a lot working in its favor, too. I’ve covered the big points, but features like Family Sharing and App Bundles are really useful and innovative.
At the end of the day, I’m not such a blinkered Apple fan that I can’t see that Android has some good points. But when it comes to which app store rules the roost, I’ll be sticking with Cupertino thank you very much.
And you know what? So will most people who care enough to spend money on their software.
KB: Well, we’ll see about that. With Android and the Play Store getting bigger every day, it’s only going to be a matter of time until it’s generating more money for developers, and then we’ll see if the App Store is still the go-to marketplace then.
In the meantime, I’d love to see Google adopting Family Sharing and App Bundles, because they are certainly terrific features.
I think we can both agree that while both platforms have some excellent advantages, neither is perfect.
Killian Bell is a freelance writer based in the U.K. He has an interest in all things tech and also covers Android over at CultofAndroid.com. You can follow him on Twitter via @killianbell.
21 responses to “App Store vs. Google Play: What’s hot and what’s not?”
I have a iphone 6 plus (Main device) and a moto x……..Keeping in with the android crowd, and i have to say in regards to the app stores the Apple app store is not loads better BUT the apps for apple devices have so much more polish in comparison to the android counterparts.
I use both but its clear that the Play store wins this one hands down.
With Google Play Store, all the things that matter like search and discoverability, the UI and the way the info is presented is just a step above.
App store apps can be slightly more polished but that is superficial and with Googles material design I can’t even say that is really true anymore.
The number of apps the stores carry is a silly metric as they both could use a massive culling. The number of quality apps is important and both pretty much share all the best apps.
The real differentiator is the Play store has apps that let you do things that you can’t get on Apple’s App Store because iOS is so closed off. Apps that allow you to customize your phone in every conceivable way or that utilize NFC, or give you control over your phone to do all sorts of interesting things like AirDroid or Tasker.
Why does the Google play store only make 40% of what Apple does from the AppStore? Because Fandroids are bottom feeding scum suckers who want everything for nothing. Simple. Or they pirate apps, then get malware, which they deserve. Karma is such a bitch sometimes.
Obvious troll. Troll is obvious. 1 99% of Android users don’t pirate apps not would they know how to. 2. Malware is non existent to 99% if users. Also Google Play ha pretty much caught up with the App Store in terms kg revenue and is expected to overtake the App Store within a year. Stupid American.
Hey Cory, use some sort of proofreading app next time. Dumb Fandroid fanboy. Android users DO pirate apps through the Cydia app and a few others. You must be a super dumb Android user to not know that. When they uses apps like that, if they just download any app without looking into it, it opens them up to malware. Which is another market Androids dominates.
I don’t need proofreading but you clearly do. The majority of Android users DO NOT pirate apps. That is just a fact. Most wouldn’t know how to. That is a verifiable fact. Also Cydia is a super popular iPhone app for jailbreakers. Not so much Android. I have Cydia on my Jailbroken iPad and iPhone. I am platform agnostic. I have iOS devices, Android devices, and Windows devices. You can’t download apps outside of Google Play unless you change your security settings which most users don’t know how to. Less than a handful of Android users pirate apps. And only handful of iPhone users pirate apps. Again Malware is nonexistent for majority of users. You are severely uneducated. Try again but this time try to have facts instead of rubbish. Also your English skills are embarrassing.
there is a massive difference in app quality between the two stores, apple’s being much, much better. This is well know, troll.
Yes you are a troll who can’t read and doesn’t like a few facts
name a single thing i’ve been wrong about? Thanks.
Already did
you, you gave me ad hom BS, which is normal for you, be specific. (because it’s nothing)
still waiting, as you haven’t.
Guess what: Apple, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, Cisco, Intel, AMD, Adobe…tons more top hi-tech companies are American. Without Them, you, the rest of the world are still using pens and papers for calculations and other tasks…so, stfu!
Zzzzzzzzz. Any more illiterate statements you wish to make? I have a real life to lead chump.
No you are a sad pathetic cretin with no life no friends. You have nothing. I pity you and your lack of intelligence.
I think for an app store to boast about their number of apps is pointless. Each app store is plagued with zombie apps, apps that never see the light of day. The sadder news is I am sure many are great its just a bigger market to make it big. Apps like Angry Birds I believe rose in popularity because at the time there weren’t many. Now the many sequels that came after suck, much like FarmVille. From the beginning and to this day, Apple has been about quality over quantity. Apples apps cost more but are more polished. One person commented about Android Material design making Android apps look good, but that is a recent feature. Apple apps have always looked good and took advantage of the screen, compared to back then and some today, Android apps look like the same stuff from the web browser. Another Argument to bring up is apps for Tablets and Phones, Sometimes apps for the iPad have a much different look than its iPhone counterpart, it took advantage of the bigger real estate, where apps on Android tablets are stretched phone versions, maybe not so much now but some definitely. Now not all iPad apps are designed different than the phone but most are, and the ones that aren’t I am sure from a developers stand point its easier to fix the size of everything since Apple has 2 phones a year, where Androids come in all different sizes and OSs. No body likes to work for free, revenue is much higher on Apple, than Google. I have bought some pricy apps in the past and thankfully none were put out to pasture, like I am sure most Androids apps do. I feel since I paid so much for the app, the company felt compelled to keep improving through free updates rather than create a completely new version. like Camera+.
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I lean towards Apple’s app store (and I would say anyone reading this article objectively would say that it does as well) However, what makes the app store so much more polished is a double edged sword. By having such high walls around the app store they block a ton of garbage, but also a lot of apps that people legitimately want. VLC got kicked out several times, Pebble has had fans going crazy for months lobbying apple to let them in. Etc. This is a real issue.
I will also concede that as a big apple fan who doesn’t know a ton about the play store, there were a lot of good points that Killian made that I would really love to see implemented in the app store.
I use Google Play. My gripe is not with apps but with the movies. There is no section for RENTALS ONLY. I have to click on a movie to see if it is available for rent. Some of their movies are only available for purchase so it’s really annoying and user-unfriendly that one has to click every movie and tell you that you can’t rent it. I’m surprise, after all this time, you still can’t filter movies available for rent. I called them out on this and they said they will implement the feature soon.
Omg you fan boys, Google only makes less because android = freedom. There’s never been one paid app I’ve wanted and not been able to get for free unless there’s an in app purchase. And even that can be avoided if your rooted and have the root app freedom which gives you free in app purchases. And what do you mean android users are just looking for a cheap device so they won’t pay for apps? .. true I don’t pay for apps true the devices are cheaper than your over priced beverly hills look at me I have an iPhone 6±, but for less money you get devices with speed/ build quality / camera/screen/ and a never ending list of features and specs you fan boys have never dreamed of. Look at the Sony xperia Z4. water proof/ 2k/ beautiful design/ amazing camera. And that’s just one example. And idle where this Google play apps are choppy misconception comes from? Well.. yes I do. Your device and apps are going to perform as good as the device and its hardware allows. True if you buy a $200 android your probably gonna get what you pay for. But actually, nowadays that’s not even necessarily the case. There are Chinese manufacturers releasing amazing beautiful thin high spec’ed devices for $200-$450 and sure it keeps going up. But the 2 main things that seperate Android from Apple is freedom and you actually get what you pay for instead of paying for a brand. And any ways since Steve jobs passed all apple’s Breana doing is copying things Android devices have already implemented. But correct me if I’m wrong please.
Sorry for any thing I misspelled .. I was swype typing lol