🔸 Apple App Store Connect – 7/10

✅ Clear and detailed app review feedback
✅ Helpful, responsive, and respectful support
✅ Tight integration with Xcode and TestFlight
✅ Genuinely wants your app to succeed

💵 Yes, it costs $100/year — but totally worth it. You're not just paying for access, you're paying for a platform that treats you like a partner, not a burden.

🔸 Google Play Console – 3/10

⚠️ Confusing Policies with Poor Documentation

Google Play Console’s policy documentation is scattered and often lacks clarity. Developers are frequently left guessing what’s allowed and what’s not. The guidelines are often not specific, leading to rejections without a clear understanding of what went wrong. Even after spending time reviewing policies, it’s common to get vague rejection reasons with little explanation, leaving developers frustrated. Clear, concise, and consistent documentation is sorely needed to help developers understand exactly what they need to do to stay compliant.

⚠️ Vague Rejection Reasons, Often Copy-Pasted

One of the most frustrating aspects of Google Play Console is the lack of detailed rejection feedback. Developers often receive rejection emails that contain generic, copy-pasted reasons without specific references to what went wrong in the app. These rejections can feel like a form letter, with little to no insight into what specifically needs to be changed or improved. This makes it difficult for developers to fix issues or understand what they should focus on next. In contrast, Apple tends to provide more specific feedback that helps developers pinpoint the issue more effectively.

⚠️ Support Feels Robotic, Rude, and Unhelpful

The support experience with Google Play Console can be incredibly frustrating. When you reach out for help, you often encounter responses that feel automated, cold, and dismissive. It’s as if you’re dealing with a chatbot instead of an actual person. Even when you describe your problem in detail, the replies are often short, unhelpful, or just copy-pastedanswers that don’t address your concerns. It feels like there’s no genuine effort to help you resolve the issue, leaving developers feeling ignored. Apple, on the other hand, offers more cooperative and respectful support that genuinely wants to help get your app approved and on the store.

⚠️ Feels Like They’re Doing Devs a Favor, Not Offering a Service

When interacting with Google Play Console, there’s a constant sense that developers are not being treated as customers, but rather as if they should be thankful for the opportunity to be on the platform. It often feels like the platform is doing you a favor by allowing your app to be published, rather than providing a service to help your app succeed. The attitude is dismissive and detached, which is frustrating when you are trying to work through issues or improve your app. Apple, however, maintains a more professional and collaborative approach, genuinely supporting the success of your app and your experience as a developer.

⚠️ AdMob is Making Them Millions, Yet the Support Doesn’t Reflect That

Google makes billions through AdMob and other advertising services, yet this revenue is not reflected in their support quality. Developers often feel that, despite the substantial income Google generates from ads placed in apps, the platform's support system remains underwhelming and indifferent. The support team is difficult to reach, and when you do get through, responses are often slow, unhelpful, or dismissive. It’s frustrating to see a company that is raking in huge profits from developers’ content yet offers minimal support in return. In contrast, Apple’s approach feels more symbiotic, with their support teams working with developers to ensure apps get approved and succeed.

💰 It’s only $25 one time — but the experience shows why.
It feels like Google is running a donation platform with a king-like attitude, where you're expected to follow blindly, and they make billions on AdMob while giving crumbs to developers.

⚠️ The Rise of Potential Competitors

If Google Play Console and Apple App Store Connect don’t improve their support systems and overall developer experience, there’s a real chance that new platforms could rise to challenge their dominance. With emerging technologies, especially from China, there’s potential for new players to disrupt the market. These new platforms could take over both Apple and Google by offering better services, fairer treatment for developers, and a more transparent process. If the tech giants continue to ignore their developers' concerns, they could be overtaken by more efficient, innovative alternatives.

Final Score: