CyanogenMod vs. Stock Android: A brief comparison

Android, unlike other mobile operating systems, is open source. The openness enables various developers to make changes to Google’s mobile operating system according to their specific needs. Many developers even take advantage of the openness to launch a variety of firmware or ROMs based on Android operating systems. Hence, the users now have options to choose from various models of smartphones, tablets and phablets running on these alternative mobile platforms.

But the usage statistics posted on various websites indicate that CyanogenMod is currently more popular than other Android ROMs. According to International Business Times, ‘At the Seattle Code Rush, Cyanogen's Adnan B said the OS had "more users than Windows Mobile and BlackBerry combined". Cyanogen claims to have 50 million users, which is considered a milestone, especially since Cyanogen is just a modified version of Android but does not have its own platform.’

Many analysts even believe that Cyanogenmod may impact the dominance of Android and iOS in the longer run. Also, the alternative mobile platform has been evolving continuously to beat Stock Android. For instance, CyanogenMod 13 allows users to avail a number of new features in addition to the features provided by Android 6.0 Marshmallow. It provides users a number of customization options, control over sound-related features, and make changes to the OS through themes. These new features make CyanogenMod different from Stock Android.

Understanding Major Differences between CyanogenMod and Stock Android

Customization Options

Unlike Stock Android, CyanogenMod supports a robust theme engine. The theme engine enables users to make their devices look different by using a variety of themes. A user can further customize his device easily by installing various theme packs, sound packs, icons, fonts, styles and animations. He can even install CyanogenMod theme pack to completely change the default colors and looks provided by Stock Android.

Enhanced Performance and Speed

Despite being designed based on Stock Android, CyanogenMod does not use any OEM skins. The OEM skins often consume additional resources, and affect the performance of the mobile device adversely. The absence of OEM skins reduces the resource consumption, and enhances both performance and speed of the device. Hence, the devices powered by CyanogenMod are much faster than Android devices.

Make Changes to the User Interface

The interface setting screen of Android devices includes many options. But the users do not have any option to make changes to the interface settings on Stock Android. On the other hand, CyanogenMod allows users to customize the status bar, navigation bar, notification drawer and quick settings panel. The user also has option to change the position of buttons or panels on the interface setting screen.

Avail New Features included in the Latest Version of Android

Each new version of Stock Android comes with several new features and enhancements. But the users have to buy new devices to avail the features provided by the latest version of Stock Android. The development team always releases a new build of CyanogenMod each time the Android OS is modified or updated. The new build enables users to avail the new features provided by the latest version of Stock Android. Also, the developers make sure that the new CyanogenMod build is released without much delay.

Privacy Guard

Unlike Stock Android, CyanogenMod enables users to control the permission required by individual apps more efficiently. The option enables the users to allow an application to access his contacts, current location and system data to deliver more personalized experience. However, the privacy guard makes it easier for users to keep their devices secure by allowing apps to access only essential features. A user also has option to add privacy to his mobile device by creating different profiles.

Control Sound

Most new mobile devices support FLAC file formats to deliver high quality sound to users. But FLAC file format is supported by Android devices manufactured by certain companies like Samsung. CyanogenMod enables users to enjoy high quality music by controlling the equalizers. Each user also has option to control the equalizer easily using a variety of presets. These presets boost the quality of music in various environments, while enhancing the listening experience of users.

Control Buttons

Stock Android requires users to use buttons in a predefined way and for accomplishing particular tasks. For instance, the users can use a hardware key for a single purpose while using Stock Android. But CyanogenMod enables users to make changes to the functionality of each button. A user also has option to add additional functionality to a single hardware button. For instance, a user can make changes to the functionality of the volume button to move from one song to another quickly.

Use Advanced Gestures

Unlike Stock Android, CyanogenMod accesses and takes advantage of all capabilities of the underlying mobile device. Hence, it supports a number of additional gestures which are not supported by Stock Android. The users can even take advantage of certain gestures without making changes to the existing settings of the screen. However, the gestures supported by CyanogenMod vary from one mobile device to another.

Additional Security Features

CyanogenMod is also designed with more robust security features than Stock Android. It uses advanced encryption mechanisms to keep the user information stored on the device secure and inaccessible. At the same time, the alternative mobile operating system further enables users to grant permission to each app to access device features through permission manager. However, each updated version of Stock Android also comes with more advanced security options. The current version of CyanogenMod helps users to keep their devices secure simply by picking advanced patterns and new homescreen locking options.

Accessing Specialized Apps

Both Stock Android and CyanogenMod allow users to access a wide variety of apps and services. But commonly used Google applications like Gmail, Play Store and Maps are pre-installed on devices powered by Stock Android. CyanogenMod does not support Google Apps packages. Hence, users have to download these apps additionally. However, the users have option to download several apps additionally through Cyanogen Apps Package (C-Apps). The Cyanogen Apps Package allows users to avail apps like Theme Chooser & Themes Store, AudioFX, Gallery and Email Powered by Boxer.

Both CyanogenMod and Stock Android are being used by devices manufactured by leading companies like Amazon, Acer, Asus and Google. But Stock Android is currently running a higher number of devices, and being supported by more manufacturers. Hence, CyanogenMod will affect Android’s worldwide market share only in the longer run.