6 Best iOS App Development Tools You Should Know in 2024

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iOS development has become a lucrative field for anyone interested in iPhone app development and creating apps for iPads and other Apple devices. With millions of apps available in the App Store, developers need the right ios app development software to design, build, and test their apps effectively.

Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned developer looking to boost your skills, it’s important that you understand the various tools for iOS app development.

These tools help you write code, design, debug, and deploy your apps, making the entire iOS mobile app development process smoother and more efficient.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best iOS app development tools, including Xcode, Apple’s official integrated development environment (IDE), Swift, and CocoaPods, which enable you to create high-quality apps.

Key Takeaways

  • With the worldwide popularity of iPhones and other Apple devices, iOS development has become a lucrative field with unlimited opportunities.
  • iOS mobile app development tools help write code, as well as design, debug, and deploy apps.
  • Xcode, Apple’s official integrated development environment, is the main tool for creating iOS apps.
  • The best tools for iOS app development are the ones that fit what you need and how you like to work.

6 Best iOS App Development Tools Every Apple Developer Must Know

How to build an app, or iOS app specifically? Here are six iOS app development tools to help you create great iOS apps that will be popular with millions of iPhone users globally. Most of them are free.

Tool Provider Rating (G2) Price 
Xcode Apple 4.2/5 (964 reviews) Free
Swift Apple 4.5/5 (3 reviews) Free
SwiftUI Apple N/A Free
Firebase Google 4.5/5 (272 reviews) Free & paid plans
CocoaPods Original author: Eloy Durán 4.4/5 (21 reviews) Free
TestFlight Apple 4.2/5 (57 reviews) Free

6. TestFlight

Beta testing is made simple with TestFlight
Beta testing is made simple with TestFlight. Source: Apple
Tool TestFlight
Provider Apple
Rating (G2) 4.2/5
Cost Free
Functionality
  • Tests iOS app before it’s released
  • Works with Xcode to easily share an app with testers
  • Lets 10,000 people test an app and automatically notifies them when the app is updated
  • Helps catch and fix problems before an app is available to everyone
What Is TestFlight?

TestFlight is a tool provided by Apple for testing your iOS app before it’s officially released. It works with Xcode so you can easily share your app with testers. You upload your app to App Store Connect, and then you can invite people to test it by email or through a public link.

Testers can share feedback directly in the TestFlight app, including screenshots and details about any problems they find. This feedback, along with other information, helps you fix issues so you can make your app better. TestFlight lets 10,000 people test your app and automatically notifies them when you update it.

Pros
  • Easy app distribution
  • Integrated with Xcode
  • Easily update to new versions
  • Supports up to 10,000 testers
Cons
  • Limited to Apple platforms
  • Apple review process
  • Requires an App Store Connect account
  • Test versions expire after 90 days

    5. CocoaPods

    Tool CocoaPods
    Original Author Eloy Durán
    Rating (G2) 4.4/5
    Cost Free
    Functionality
    • Manages and integrates third-party libraries into Swift and Objective-C projects
    • Automatically downloads and sets up libraries
    • Easier for an Apple developer to add and manage third-party libraries in their Xcode projects
    What Is CocoaPods?

    CocoaPods is a tool for managing and integrating third-party libraries into Swift and Objective-C projects. It makes it easier for an Apple developer to add and manage third-party libraries in their Xcode projects. You tell CocoaPods what libraries you need in a special file. CocoaPods then downloads and installs those libraries, so you don’t have to do it yourself.

    CocoaPods ensures all the libraries you’re using work together without any problems and keeps them up-to-date, so you don’t have to worry about old or broken code. CocoaPods also creates a special place in Xcode where you can see your app and all the libraries together, making everything easier to manage.

    Pros
    • Easy library management
    • Ensures libraries are up-to-date
    • Fixes library conflicts
    • Automates integration
    • Large and active community
    Cons
    • Can slow down build times
    • Requires additional setup
    • Can cause dependency issues
    • Might conflict with other dependency tools

    4. Firebase

    Firebase provides detailed documentation and cross-platform app development SDKs
    Firebase provides detailed documentation and cross-platform app development SDKs. Source: Firebase
    Tool Firebase
    Provider Google
    Rating (G2) 4.5/5
    Cost Free & paid plans are available. The free plan gives you basic features. The cost of the paid plan depends on how much you use and what features you need.
    Functionality
    • Handles backend processes
    • Useful for building apps that need instant updates
    • Can add safe sign-in options
    • Helps track user behavior
    What Is Firebase?

    Another of the iOS development tools is Firebase, which is Google’s mobile app development platform. Firebase helps you build iOS apps by doing a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. It makes it easy to store and change information quickly, which is perfect for apps that need to be updated right away, such as chat apps or collaboration tools.

    You can easily add ways for people to sign in to your app using their email or social media accounts. And you can manage your app’s backend without worrying about security. Firebase also provides tools to help you track your users’ behaviors so you can improve your app.

    Pros
    • Real-time data updates
    • Simple user authentication
    • Handles hosting and backend code
    • Provides user insights and analytics
    Cons
    • Difficult to switch to other platforms
    • Can get expensive
    • Learning curve for beginners

    3. SwiftUI

    SwiftUI helps you build great-looking apps across all Apple platforms
    SwiftUI helps you build great-looking apps across all Apple platforms. Source: Apple
    Tool SwiftUI
    Provider Apple
    Cost Free
    Functionality
    • Uses Swift to tell the app how to look and work
    • Offers a live preview of app design during development
    • Supports dark mode
    • Integrates with other Apple tools
    What Is SwiftUI?

    SwiftUI is a tool made by Apple to help you create the look and feel of iOS apps. It makes the process easier by letting you design how the app looks and works using one simple system. With SwiftUI, you use Swift, Apple’s coding language, to tell the app how it should look and work. This lets you see a live preview of your design as you build it, which makes it easier to change and improve how your app looks.

    SwiftUI also supports dark mode and accessibility, which means your app can work well for the needs of different users. It works with other Apple tools, such as Combine, to handle data and updates, making your apps faster and more interactive.

    Pros
    • Easier to write code
    • Works on different devices
    • Instant feedback
    • Works with other Apple tools and technologies
    Cons
    • Less mature
    • Performance issues
    • Steep learning curve
    • Limited compatibility

    2. Swift

    Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language for all Apple platforms
    Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language for all Apple platforms. Source: Apple
    Tool Swift
    Provider Apple
    Rating (G2) 4.5/5
    Cost Free
    Functionality
    • Programming language for building iOS apps
    • Simple to read and write
    • Works well with Xcode and makes designing and testing iOS apps easier
    What Is Swift?

    Swift is a programming language created by Apple for building apps for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices. It’s simple to read and write, making it good for beginners and experienced coders.

    Because Swift is easier to use than older tools, it helps you learn how to build apps that run faster and have fewer mistakes. It works well with Xcode, Apple’s app development tool, which makes designing and testing your apps easier. Swift lets you build modern, high-quality apps for Apple devices.

    Pros
    • Easy to learn and read
    • Helps avoid errors
    • Fast and efficient
    • Works well with Xcode
    Cons
    • Less mature than some older languages
    • Smaller community compared to other languages
    • Some compatibility issues

    1. Xcode

    Xcode enables you to develop_ test_ and distribute apps for all Apple platforms
    Xcode enables you to develop, test, and distribute apps for all Apple platforms. Source: Apple
    Tool Xcode
    Provider Apple
    Rating (G2) 4.2/5
    Cost Free
    Functionality
    • Includes everything you need to build and test your iOS app
    • Connects easily with other Apple services
    • Good for coding in Swift and Objective-C
    What Is Xcode?

    Xcode is a tool from Apple that helps you create apps for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and other Apple devices. Xcode, Apple’s official IDE, is the main tool for creating iOS apps. It lets you write the code that makes your app run and design how it looks.

    Xcode includes everything you need to build and test your app, such as designing its layout, checking how it works on different devices, and fixing any problems. It keeps everything organized and works well with other Apple services. This makes it easy to add things such as cloud storage and share your app on the App Store. Xcode combines all these tools in one place, making it simpler to build apps for Apple devices.

    Pros
    • Designed for Apple
    • Good for coding in Swift and Objective-C
    • Everything in one place
    • Free tool with lots of features
    Cons
    • Limited to Apple
    • Only works on Macs
    • Hard to learn for beginners
    • Slow to load and use on older Macs

    The Bottom Line

    If you want to make an app for iPhones or iPads, you’ll likely opt to use iOS app development services. These services help you create, design, and test your app. Choosing the right tools can make a big difference in your projects.

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    Using the right tools for iOS app development can help you create better apps more easily. These tools work well with Apple’s systems and make it easier to write code.

    The best tools are the ones that fit your needs and work style. As you try out different tools, you’ll discover what works best for you so you can build the world’s most popular apps for iPhone.

    FAQs

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    Linda Rosencrance
    Tech Journalist
    Linda Rosencrance
    Tech Journalist

    Linda Rosencrance is a freelance writer and editor based in the Boston area with expertise ranging from AI and machine learning to cybersecurity and DevOps. She has covered IT topics since 1999 as an investigative reporter for several newspapers in the greater Boston area. She also writes white papers, case studies, e-books, and blog posts for a variety of corporate clients, interviewing key stakeholders including CIOs, CISOs, and other C-suite executives.