I will copy and paste this. Apparently most developers don't mind piracy as much since it is free publicity to them but yes Android users effectively do pirate significantly more than IOS users(since IOS users are far more likely to pay).
"So, is it true that Android is playing into the hands of pirates? Yes. So, is it true that 95% of the app users hunt Android Apps for pirated copies? Yes. So, is it true that the stolen Android software practically outnumbers iOS counterparts by 14:1. Yes. Is it true that because of the high piracy rates of Android apps, devs choose iOS over Android stores while launching their apps? Yes.
So, the bottom line is: if even if Android applies every ounce of its technical muscle to end piracy, it simply can’t do anything about it because it has been championing open source cause so freely.
Here are some more startling Android App Piracy statistics for your eyes to feast on:
Today Calendar Pro app — 85% of its downloads are pirated here. Yes, you read that right 85%. Meaning, only 15% are paid downloads (source: androidpolice.com).
Towelfight 2 game — This game app has been pirated no fewer than 34,091 , while on the iOS it stands at 2,438.
Monument Valley — 95% of its apps are pirated on Android, while it’s 60% on iOS (source: appindex.com).
Gentleman –144 paid installs while 50,030 copies were pirated within three weeks of its release in 2013 (source: gamasutra.com).
But then, piracy is not new to Android. It dates back to 2012, when 90% of the apps on Android were pirated. That means, only 10% were paid apps in Android even in 2012."
Anything open, like Android, will have high piracy. That can't be disputed. Given Android's Hacking/Rom communities like XDA, i am not sure why you are shocked at my claim as if i pulled it out of thin air.
I don't say stuff just to say it. I was an android fangirl at one time another(a dark dark time lol). I know all the sites and ways and I was not even a power user. I was just smart enough
OK so I've located the article you're referring to. That's a terrible source. It's 8 years old and is from a software development company (OpenXcell) rather than a reputable news source. It makes various statistical claims without providing any source, and on the occasions it does sort of provide a source, it does so in a very poor way (e.g. referring to androidpolice.com instead of linking directly to the specific article, which makes it very hard to locate and verify).
In relation to the piracy statistics about specific mentioned apps (Today Calendar Pro, Towelfight 2, Monument Valley, Gentleman): Evidence that a specific paid app experiences high piracy rates is not evidence that "most" Android users engage in piracy. For people who are averse to paying for apps, I suspect most will just go for an alternative free app from a legitimate source rather than seek to pirate the paid app.