App Store vs Play Store – Which is the Best App Store?

If you have a cell phone, you've probably already entered the Play Store or in App Store to download an application. Now we will compare the two and tell you everything about App Store vs Play Store.

But do you really know how these stores work, what the differences are between them and which one is best for you?

What few people realize is that these app stores control all of our access to the digital world, and each of them has its own rules, advantages, disadvantages and even controversies!

So, if you've ever wondered why an app is on the Play Store but not the App Store (or vice versa), or which one is safer, stay with me and I'll tell you. ALL!

What are the App Store and Play Store?

Before anything else, let's make it clear what these two giants of the digital world are.

App Store – Apple Exclusive 🍏

THE App Store is the official Apple app store. If you have a iPhone, iPad or Mac, this is where you download apps and games.

• Created in 2008, the App Store was the world's first major app store and revolutionized the way we use smartphones.
• It has a super strict process for approving new apps. This means more security, but also less freedom for developers.

Play Store – The Kingdom of Android 📲

THE Google Play Store is the official app store for Android, the most widely used operating system in the world.

• Created in 2012 (before that, it was called “Android Market”).
• It has a much larger catalog than the App Store, because it allows more applications and has less strict rules for developers.

Now that you know the basics, let's get to what really matters: What are the differences between them and which one is better?

Play Store vs App Store – which is better?

Many people think they are basically the same, but the reality is that there are huge differences between the two.

1️⃣ App catalog – who has the most apps?

Play Store: He has over 3 million apps available. Google allows virtually anyone to publish an app, which increases the variety.

App Store: It has about 1.8 million apps, but focuses more on quality than quantity.

Who wins? The Play Store, because it offers many more options for users.

2️⃣ Security – which is the most reliable?

Here things change a bit. The App Store has very strict controls before approving applications.

✔ In App Store, all apps undergo a detailed review by Apple before being made available. This GREATLY reduces the chances of downloading an app with viruses or scams.

❌ Already in Play Store, Google has less control over what is published. This means that malware and scams appear more frequently.

Curiosity: Google has already removed more than 1 million malicious apps from the Play Store in recent years.

Who wins? The App Store, because it's much safer.

3️⃣ Ease for developers – where is it easier to create an app?

If you want to create an app, be aware that the rules are very different in each store.

Play Store:

• Any developer can publish an app by paying only $25 (single rate).
• App approval is fast, usually within a few days.
• Apps can be updated and patched more freely.

App Store:

• To publish an app, you need to pay a annual subscription of $99.
• The approval process is slow and rigorous.
• Small mistakes can cause an app to be rejected.

Who wins? The Play Store, because it makes life easier for developers.

4️⃣ App quality – which has the best apps?

While the Play Store has more apps, the App Store has better quality.

• In the App Store, applications need to follow a design and operation standard, which results in more beautiful and stable apps.
• In the Play Store, as the controller is smaller, it has more buggy and poorly optimized applications.

Who wins? The App Store, because the apps are usually better.

5️⃣ Games and exclusives – where are the best games?

If you like mobile games, pay attention to this!

THE App Store usually receives releases first.
THE Play Store It has more free game options and even allows you to download apps from outside the store (something that Apple doesn't allow).

Who wins? Tie! If you want exclusive and optimized games, go for App Store. If you want more variety and freedom, Play Store.

Fun facts about the App Store and Play Store

💲 The first paid app in history was sold for $999,99 (it was a “useless button” that only served to show off that you could pay).
❎ The game Flappy Bird was removed from the App Store and Play Store by its creator because he felt it was making people too addicted.
🚫 The App Store once rejected an app just because the developer used a peach emoji in a “suspicious” way.

Final Verdict: Which App Store is Better?

If you've made it this far, you've already realized that both stores have strengths and weaknesses. So, let's summarize:

✅ If you want safety and quality → App Store.
📲 If you want variety and more options → Play Store.
✅ If you want to create and publish apps → Play Store.
📲 If you want exclusive games → App Store.

In other words, there is no absolute winner, but rather the one that best suits your profile.

And you: Which of these stores do you use the most? Have you ever had any problems downloading apps?

And if you want more content about technology and applications, you know what to do: keep an eye on the website!

+You might also like: I compared the apps Spotify, YouTube Music and Deezer