Microsoft Windows is the most popular operating system available today, and that is a given. However, Mac OS X holds a serious amount of potential for future development. This article has nothing to do with which system is better than the other, but, instead, it is focused on which system offers developers the most potential to generate revenue. Mac OS X is ripe for fantastic and innovative software development, and it is, unquestionably, a serious place for developers who want to make those Benjamins.

Just because a product has a substantial user base, it doesn’t mean that the product is a success. It would be like comparing a Ford to a Ferrari. Ford, obviously, has more customers, but Ferrari is a world class brand. Instead, it is potential we should be looking for: more specifically, potential growth is what I am referring to. Apple’s products gleam and glimmer with it.

We live in a critical time where Apple has an advantage over Microsoft in growth potential. This comes during a time where users are realizing that it is not incredibly flashy graphics nor complete control that they desire, but instead, they desire something that works without having to deal with drivers, updates, incompatibility, and security. Both Mac and Windows operating systems offer this, but Mac OS X gets it done with a lesser hands-on approach.

All of this adds up to a user base that has become interested in a Mac computer. Numbers don’t lie—people are buying Mac computers and notebooks. These people come to the Mac operating system realizing that they might not be able to run their favorite applications on their Mac, but this is where Apple developers have been provided with wonderful opportunities.

Mac OS X

Does software created for the Mac OS stand a better chance of being recognized and profitable than an equivalent on the Windows platform? A few years ago, I would have had to think long and hard about my answer, but now I can confidently say that software developed for Mac OS X does indeed stand a better chance. Instantly, you are thinking that this can’t possibly be true—after all, more Windows users means more money to be made from Windows software, right? Well, times have changed.

I am not a developer by trade, but I do understand the concepts behind software development and sales marketing techniques. If everyone reading this article entertains some simple logic, you all will understand why I believe that the Mac operating system is a more profitable environment for new and experienced developers to migrate to.

Let’s say I wanted to develop a recipe application—this application will allow users to store, print, share, manage, upload, and sync recipes. Let’s also assume that there are around 100 various applications of this type available on for Windows XP and Windows Vista. If the Mac OS has significantly less competition, this means there is more potential to become the best in breed.[1. There might actually be more or less alternatives available on Windows, but I believe it is safe to assume that it is a significantly higher number than what is available on Mac OS X. I found only around 9 general purpose recipe applications on the official Apple software download site, and while there is sure to be more available on the Internet, I think it is a fair representation of the quality recipe applications available for both operating systems.] This could potentially result in more sales.

In essence, less competition equals more profit potential. It is all about supply and demand. Demand, right now, is high for software on the Mac OS, but supply is struggling to keep up. As a result, there are great opportunities awaiting for software developers. However, these advantages are quickly diminishing.

Quite a few developers are already ahead of the game. Projects are constantly being ported and developed for the Mac operating system. Truth be told, it is only a matter of time before we are all overloaded with applications on the Mac platform. When that happens, the advantage will—clearly—be lost.

To put this simply, it is time for developers to get on the ball before all the great ideas are taken advantage of. There are many applications on the Mac that still are not up to par nor available like, for example, feed reading applications, financial trading applications, graphic manipulation applications, and more. Some of those categories have software solutions, but there is much room for improvement.

In the end, the Mac operating system will benefit, Mac developers will benefit, end users will benefit, and Apple will benefit. There is only one remaining question: which Mac developers will benefit from Mac OS X’s growth? Plenty have already done so, but there is still room left.

iPhone and iPod Touch

Now, up until this point, I decided to leave the iPhone and iPod Touch out of consideration—I wasn’t even going to include them in this article—but now I will throw these two Apple products into the mix, especially when considering the recent release of the iPhone and iPod Touch version 2.0 software.

The iPhone and iPod Touch—almost overnight—have become the hottest platforms to develop for. Application developers have previously been given amazing platforms to develop for (e.g. Facebook), but the iPhone and iPod Touch are both in a league of their own.

Going back to the theory of less competition equaling more potential profits, developers for these two platforms have an advantage. What makes the iPhone and iPod Touch unique is that the applications developed for these platforms will likely be with the user throughout the day. If developers can create that must-have application, many people will be handing over the money for the opportunity to use that application.

Another great thing about the iPhone, iPod Touch is that chances are relatively high that the developer’s software will not be pirated. Most software will be sold through the iTunes store, and this means that a safe and secure transaction will take place. Developers get paid 70 percent of the revenue they generate through sales, but there are ways to integrate web-based services to generate revenue as well (e.g. users can store up to 2 GB of data with the Evernote service—which has a free iPhone application—but after that, users must pay extra for more storage. The developers indirectly benefit from the iPhone application.)

We are seeing a trend where laptops are shrinking in size while cell phones increase in functionality. I am of the opinion that, one day in the future, we will eventually have a merging of these two vastly different products. The iPhone is dangerously close to making this trend a reality, but its lack of a high quality input interface leads me to be hesitant to declare the iPhone as anything more than an amazing smart-phone. However, developers are still be thrilled to develop for it.

Final Thoughts

To be honest, there is absolutely nothing wrong with developing for Windows. While Windows Vista might have been a huge disappointment to some—including me—Microsoft has quickly patched up their larger mistakes. It is a relatively stable platform to develop for. But people must acknowledge that the market is too thick for a small-time developer to make a living from developing for Windows. Larger development studios have nothing to worry about, but for all the independent developers out there, Mac OS X, iPhone, and iPod Touch provide opportunities.

The End of Platform Dependence

Xcode offers an impressive integrated development environment, for free—this leaves few to no excuses left for applications being platform dependent.[2. If you take a look at how so many popular video games are available on all the various console platforms—Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii—why can't this concept be applied to software development?] Why do developers deny themselves of revenue? It is just an odd thing to do nowadays.

The amount of platform dependent applications will decrease drastically within the next few years. Commercial and professional developers who already develop for the Windows and Linux operating systems should consider porting their projects over to Mac OS X as well. Honestly now, it makes little sense to remain exclusive to any operating system.

If developers are looking to monetize software, the Mac operating system is one of the best places to be. Recent converts—like me—are looking for great applications that are missed from the Windows platform.

Developers, package up some kick-ass applications, make them operate on multiple platforms, and make some money in the process.