Apart from being one among many factors, business setup is an adventure in itself. There is an experience of thrill and uncertainty, with the need for many decisions to be made. Perhaps the most urgent and very early decision to be taken in the startup industry in Norway is this: Build your app for iPhone first, or should you go ahead with Android?
Sounds like a purely technical question-but it is not. Your choice affects your budget, time to market, the kind of user attracted, and thereby valuing the commercialization that your business acquires in the early days.
So all of us out there must engage in some nice and candid banter. We shall discuss how to go about iOS and Android development, see the good and the bad, and try to decide what fits perfectly into your unique startup needs.
The digital terrain of Norway – Where do we stand?
Before we get down to dissecting some iOS vs Android differences, let us familiarize ourselves with the terrain under your shoe: Norway.
Norway is a country where the digital connection is great. Smartphone ownership remains so high at 90% across adult age groups, while the penetration rate could well be above. A twist in the tale: iPhones dominate way more in Norway than in so many other countries.
In terms of recent statistics, iOS accounts for about 55–60% of the mobile operating system market in Norway, while Android garners 40–45%. Such numbers indicate that there is a firm preference for Apple devices, whereas in countries like India or Brazil, Android rules the land.
By just looking at the stats, one would lose out on the opportunity. We need to understand why these stars are aligned for HVAs and what it means for your startup.
iOS App Development – Pros and Cons of Implications
Advantages of iOS Development
Higher User Spending
iOS users are more inclined to make purchases within the app and pay for premium services. So, if your startup intends to charge subscriptions within the app or have in-app purchases, statistically speaking, it will be more rewarding to pursue iOS users.
Streamlined Development and Testing
Till now, when it comes to testing and optimization, Apple has had very few devices to deal with. The developers would then be less concerned about the number of screen sizes and OS versions.
Quick Update and Adoption
Most iOS users go for the latest version of the operating system as soon as it is released, so maintaining the app is easy and limits compatibility issues.
Stronger Presence in Norway
As stated previously, iOS has a pretty strong presence in Norway. Hence, developing for iOS first can give a boost to getting an initial entry into the local market.
Cons of iOS Development
Stricter App Store Guidelines
Apple has very strict guidelines for app approval – hence, the review can last too long and there might be iterations upon iterations before anything gets approved.
Higher Development Costs (Sometimes)
If the developer has strong iOS skills on his resume, you might have to work out some premium in the compensation. Also, there are expensive iOS devices for testing.
Android App Development: Good and the Bad
The Pros of Android Development
Wider Global Reach
Android dominates across the world. So, if you want your app should plan for scaling beyond Norway, especially into Asia, Africa, or South America, then Android is indispensable.
More Customization
Android is flexible in design as well as functionality. If your app idea requires a lot of device integration or very specific features, then Android would grant you more freedom.
Faster Play Store Approval Process
The Play Store was always a lot quicker, more developer-friendly in the app review process, allowing short launch cycles.
Open Source Advantage
The fact that Android runs on open-source technology allows developers to have free rein to innovate and build unique solutions.
Cons of Android Development
Fragmentation
With thousands of Android devices with different screen sizes, hardware capacities, and OS versions, testing across this wide range can really be costly and time-consuming.
Lower User Spending
Monetary concerns could be an issue here, since the trends show Android users spending less on monetizable apps and in-app purchases.
Cost Considerations for Startups in Norway
Let us get real: it’s a three-letter word issue. Most startups don’t have the luxury to build for both platforms from the very beginning.
iOS development has this slight fame of being, of course, a little bit more expensive from the upfront investment side to provide returns to the users in the Norwegian market that are near a quantifiably assessable high.
Android may pose a cheaper option, especially on the international growth routes considered right from development.
If you are targeting the Norwegian audience first, better ROI would come with iOS, but if adoption across incomes and geographies is considered, Android is plainly clear.
Time-to-Market and the MVP Strategy
The truth for most startups is to get out the MVP (Minimum Viable Product)—an extremely barebones application, barely containing any features, just to see the concept.
The prototyping and testing phases, for instance, tend to be pretty swift on iOS: fewer devices, fast software adoption; however, Android, with its swift approvals, allows you to push updates faster when the app is out.
Ask:
Are you trying to test fast and locally? → iOS might be the better choice.
Are you trying to reach diverse users on a large scale, fast? → Android would be the option.
Monetization Models: Which OS Wins?
In-app purchases and subscription → iOS.
Advertising → More users on Android, thus better performance.
Freemium apps → Android creates freedom, but conversion rates are low.
Any of these could be your monetization plan in relation to your app. An excellent development partner will help you identify monetization approaches at the start.
Best Approach – Why Not Both?
Nowadays, consideration should be given to both. However, it would be wiser to focus on one platform at launch and then divert attention to the other post-validation.
Therefore, a simplified roadmap would look like this:
- iOS launch (majorly in Norway)
- Testing and gathering feedback
- Android build for international scaling.
…or vice versa, depending on the answers to your user base and growth strategy.
What this illustrates is that while you can create some type of development roadmap, the real driver is a team of developers working side by side with you that understands your vision, your market, and your budget.
How Glocal View Can Help Norwegian Startups to Succeed
The battle of iOS versus Android need not feel like a gamble with the right team by your side.
Here at Glocal View, we help Norwegian startups build apps with an artful design and a strategic alignment with the business goals right from scratch. So, whether you are looking for iOS first, an Android, or both platforms, we offer:
- Insight into the local market mixed with a global gamut of development levels
- The agile methodology ensures faster iteration and feedback
- Cheap-to-start solutions
- End-to-end services from UX design through post-launch support
Concluding…
So, iOS or Android?
If you are favoring the local market of Norway, iOS can give a bit of local flavor. If you are a global player from Day 1, then the scales sway toward Android.
Whatever platform you choose, remember that the choice is not all about technology is more concerned with the channel to your users, who will address their problems with goodwill from your product and vision.
With Glocal View, you are not building just any other app. You are building a precisely engineered, scalable product.
Ready to start that app idea? Let’s talk.