6 Best Programming Languages For iOS App Development in 2023

Mobile applications have become an indispensable part of our modern-day lifestyle, revolutionizing the way we interact with technology. With the increasing demand for mobile apps, the iOS platform has emerged as one of the most popular mobile operating systems worldwide. Consequently, the demand for iOS app development has risen dramatically, and developers must have a solid foundation in iOS programming languages to create innovative and efficient applications.

In this article, we will delve into the six best programming languages for iOS app development in 2023. Each language has its unique advantages and disadvantages, and understanding them can help you choose the best fit for your project. We will explore the features of each language and their applications, allowing you to make an informed decision.

By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of the programming languages required for iOS app development in 2023, and you will be equipped to take your app development to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or a startup looking to develop your first app or someone who runs a business, this guide will provide you with valuable insights into the world of iOS programming languages.

6 Best Programming Languages for iOS App Development

Swift: iOS App Development Language

Swift is the primary programming language used for iOS app development. Apple developed this language, and it is relatively new compared to other programming languages. Swift is known for its robustness, safety, and high-performance capabilities. One of the primary advantages of using Swift is its ability to reduce development time, thus lowering development costs.

Pros of Swift language:

• Swift is easy to learn and understand, especially if you’re coming from an object-oriented programming language.
• Swift is fast and provides a high-performance app development experience.
• Swift is designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks.
• Swift provides robust error handling capabilities.
• Swift is constantly being updated with new features and improvements.

Cons of Swift language:

• Swift has a steep learning curve for developers who are new to the language.
• Swift is not as widely adopted as other programming languages, which means that the community is very limited.
• Swift is not as backward-compatible as other programming languages, which can cause issues with older devices and operating systems.

Things to Evaluate before choosing Swift:

• Cost: The cost of developing an iOS app using Swift depends on the type and complexity of the app. 

Here’s an example of the cost breakdown for developing an app using Swift:

• Time: The development time for an iOS app using Swift depends on the app’s complexity and the experience of the development team.

Here’s an estimated breakdown of development time:

• Security: Swift is known for its robustness and safety features, making it one of the most secure programming languages. Apple has implemented a number of security features in Swift to help prevent common vulnerabilities, such as buffer overflows and null pointer exceptions.
• Maintenance: Maintaining an app developed using Swift is relatively easy. Swift’s code is easy to read and understand, which makes it easier to maintain. Additionally, Swift has a robust error-handling system that helps developers quickly identify and resolve issues.
• Performance: Swift is known for its high-performance capabilities. Swift code is compiled into highly optimized native code, which means that iOS apps developed using Swift can run faster and more efficiently than apps developed using other programming languages.

Best Tools for the Swift:

There are many tools available for developing iOS apps using Swift. Here are a few of the best tools for developing iOS apps using Swift:

• Xcode: Xcode is an integrated development environment (IDE) developed by Apple. It’s the primary tool used for developing iOS apps using Swift.
• Swift Playgrounds: Swift Playgrounds is an app developed by Apple that helps developers learn Swift by providing a fun and interactive coding environment.
• Reveal: Reveal is a debugging tool for iOS app development. It allows developers to visualize and modify their app’s user interface in real-time.

When Should You Use Swift For iOS App Development?

Swift is an excellent choice for iOS app development for several reasons. If you’re looking to develop an iOS app that requires a high level of performance and safety, Swift is the way to go. Additionally, if you’re looking to reduce development time and costs, Swift is an excellent choice. However, if you’re working with a development team that’s not familiar with Swift, it may take some time for them to learn the language, which could slow down the development process.

iOS App Development Language: Objective-C 

Objective-C is another popular programming language for iOS app development. It has been around since the 1980s and was the primary language used for iOS app development before the release of Swift in 2014. While Swift has gained popularity in recent years, Objective-C is still a widely used language, especially for older apps that haven’t been updated to use Swift.

Pros of Objective-C:

• Compatibility: Objective-C is compatible with C and C++, which makes it easy to integrate with existing C and C++ libraries.
• Large Developer Community: Objective-C has been around for a long time, and as a result, there is a large developer community that provides support, resources, and tools.
• Stability: Objective-C is a stable language that has been around for decades, making it reliable for large-scale iOS app development.

Cons of Objective-C:

• Steep Learning Curve: Objective-C has a steep learning curve compared to other programming languages, which may require additional time and resources for developers to master.
• Syntax: Objective-C syntax can be difficult to read and understand, especially for developers coming from other programming languages.

Things to Evaluate before choosing Objective-C:

• Cost: The cost of developing an iOS app using Objective-C can vary depending on the complexity of the app and the hourly rate of the development team. 

Here’s an example of the cost of developing an iOS app using Objective-C:

Cost of Developing an iOS App Using Objective-C

• Time: The development time for an iOS app using Objective-C can also vary depending on the complexity of the app and the experience of the development team.

Here’s an estimate of the time it could take to develop an iOS app using Objective-C:

Time Estimate for Developing an iOS App Using Objective-C

• Security: Objective-C is a secure language, but like any other programming language, it’s essential to follow best practices and use secure coding practices to ensure the app’s security.
• Maintenance: Objective-C requires regular maintenance to ensure that the app continues to function correctly and remains compatible with the latest iOS updates.
• Performance: Objective-C offers good performance, but it’s not as fast as Swift. However, for older apps that haven’t been updated to use Swift, Objective-C is still a viable option.

Best Tools for Objective-C:

Xcode is the primary development tool for Objective-C, and it comes with a range of built-in tools for developing iOS apps, including a code editor, debugger, and interface builder.

When Should You Use Objective-C For iOS App Development?

If you’re working on an older app that hasn’t been updated to use Swift, Objective-C is still a viable option. Additionally, if you have an existing C or C++ library that you want to integrate with your iOS app, Objective-C is a good choice because it’s compatible with both languages. However, if you’re starting a new iOS app development project, it’s worth considering Swift as a more modern and efficient language option.

Flutter Language For iOS App Development

Flutter is a relatively new programming language for iOS app development that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years. It is an open-source, cross-platform framework developed by Google that allows developers to create high-quality, fast-performing apps for iOS, Android, and the web using a single codebase.

Pros of Flutter:

• Faster Development: Flutter has a fast development cycle as it allows developers to see the changes they make to the code in real-time, thanks to its hot reload feature. This helps in reducing the time and effort required for app development.
• Cross-Platform Compatibility: Flutter allows developers to create apps that are compatible with multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and the web. This helps in reaching a wider audience and reduces the time and cost required for developing separate apps for different platforms.
• Beautiful User Interface: Flutter has a rich set of pre-built widgets and tools that help developers create beautiful and responsive user interfaces for their apps quickly and easily.
• High Performance: Flutter apps are fast and perform well, even on older devices, due to its use of a highly optimized rendering engine called Skia.

Cons of Flutter:

• Immature Ecosystem: As Flutter is a relatively new iOS app development language, its ecosystem is still growing and lacks some of the tools and libraries available for other programming languages like Swift and Objective-C.
• Limited Native API Support: Flutter does not provide complete support for all the native APIs available on iOS, which may limit the functionality of some apps.

Things to evaluate before choosing Flutter:

• Cost: Flutter is a free and open-source programming language, which means that there are no licensing fees associated with it. However, the cost of app development using Flutter may vary depending on the complexity of the app and the developer’s hourly rate.

• Time: Flutter’s fast development cycle allows developers to create apps quickly and efficiently. However, the time required for app development may still depend on the complexity of the app and the developer’s experience and skill level.

• Security: Flutter provides good security features, such as built-in support for SSL and TLS, and easy-to-use encryption tools. However, the security of the app ultimately depends on how the developer uses these features.
• Maintenance: Like any other programming language, Flutter apps require maintenance to keep them running smoothly and bug-free. This may include updating the code to newer versions of Flutter, fixing bugs, and adding new features as required.
• Performance: Flutter is known for its high performance and fast app development cycle. However, the performance of the app ultimately depends on how well the code is written and optimized.

Best Tools for Flutter:

• Visual Studio Code: Visual Studio Code is a lightweight, open-source code editor that provides excellent support for Flutter development, including code highlighting, auto-completion, and debugging.
• Android Studio: Android Studio is a powerful integrated development environment (IDE) that provides advanced features like code analysis, refactoring, and profiling, making it an excellent choice for developing complex Flutter apps.
• IntelliJ IDEA: IntelliJ IDEA is a popular IDE that provides support for a wide range of programming languages, including Flutter. It offers advanced features like code completion, debugging, and profiling, making it an excellent choice for experienced developers.

When Should You Use Flutter for iOS App Development?

Flutter is an excellent choice for developing cross-platform apps that require a beautiful and responsive user interface and high performance. It is particularly well-suited for developing apps that require a fast development cycle and support for multiple platforms, such as gaming apps, social media apps, and productivity apps.

React Native iOS Application Development Language 

React Native is a popular cross-platform programming language for iOS app development. It allows developers to write code once and deploy it across different platforms, including iOS, Android, and web applications. In this section, we will explore the pros and cons of using React Native for iOS app development, and things you should evaluate before choosing this language.

Pros:

• Cross-platform: React Native enables developers to create apps for multiple platforms with a single codebase. This makes it more efficient and cost-effective than building native apps for each platform separately.
• Fast development: React Native is known for its fast development speed. It has a vast library of pre-built components, which can be used to build complex UIs quickly.
• Hot Reloading: React Native has a feature called hot reloading that allows developers to see the changes they make to the app in real-time. This feature saves a lot of development time.
• Huge community support: React Native has a vast community of developers who constantly contribute to the development of the language. This community support ensures that developers can find solutions to any issues they encounter while building apps.

Cons:

• Performance: React Native apps may have some performance issues when compared to native apps. However, the difference in performance is usually negligible and can be easily mitigated by optimizing the code.
• Limited access to native APIs: React Native provides access to only a limited number of native APIs. If an app requires a more specific feature, developers may need to write native code to achieve it.
• Security: As with any programming language, there is always a risk of security vulnerabilities. Developers must ensure they follow best practices for securing their app when using React Native.

Things to Evaluate before choosing React Native:

• Cost: React Native can be a cost-effective option for building apps, especially when compared to building separate native apps for each platform. However, the cost may vary depending on the complexity of the app and the experience of the development team.

• Time: React Native has a fast development speed due to its pre-built components and hot reloading feature. The time taken to develop an app may vary depending on the complexity of the app and the experience of the development team. It would be better to show how much it could take to develop the app.

• Security: React Native has a robust security system in place. However, developers must ensure they follow best practices for securing their app to minimize the risk of security vulnerabilities. It would be better to show how secure this language is.
• Maintenance: React Native apps require regular updates and maintenance to ensure they run smoothly. The maintenance process may vary depending on the complexity of the app and the experience of the development team. This can be made more elaborative using an example so that the reader could better understand it.
• Performance: React Native apps may have some performance issues when compared to native apps. However, the difference in performance is usually negligible and can be easily mitigated by optimizing the code. It can be made more elaborative using an example so that the reader could better understand it.

Best tools for React Native:

React Native has a vast library of pre-built components and tools that can be used to build apps quickly and efficiently. These tools can be made more elaborative using examples so that the reader could better understand them.

When Should You Use React Native For iOS App Development?

React Native is an excellent choice for building cross-platform apps quickly and cost-effectively. If you are a small or medium-sized business looking to build an app with limited resources, React Native could be the perfect solution. However, if you need to access specific native features, it may be better to consider building native apps for each platform separately.

You can also checkout our article on Flutter Vs React Native: Which is the best for 2023?

Javascript

When it comes to programming languages for iOS app development, Javascript is a popular choice among developers. It is a powerful language that can be used for building both front-end and back-end applications, and its flexibility makes it a great choice for cross-platform development.

Pros:

• Cross-platform compatibility: Javascript can be used for both web and mobile app development, making it a versatile language.
• Large community and libraries: Javascript has a vast community of developers and a plethora of libraries and frameworks, which makes it easy to find solutions to problems and accelerate the development process.
• Fast development: With Javascript, developers can build applications quickly and efficiently due to its flexible syntax and modular code structure.

Cons:

• Performance: Although Javascript is fast and efficient for building applications, it may not be the best option for building high-performance, complex apps.
• Security: Javascript can be prone to security vulnerabilities, which requires careful consideration during development.
• Limited native functionality: Javascript is a web-based language, which means it may not offer the same level of native functionality as other programming languages.

Things to evaluate before choosing Javascript:

• Cost: The cost of developing an app can vary widely depending on the type and complexity of the app. To evaluate the cost of using Javascript for iOS app development, developers should create a table showcasing the cost of developing different types of apps with varying levels of complexity.

• Time: The time it takes to develop an app can also vary depending on the type and complexity of the app. Developers should provide a realistic timeline for developing an app with Javascript, including factors like design, development, testing, and deployment.

• Security: Developers should be aware of the security risks associated with using Javascript for iOS app development and take steps to mitigate those risks.
• Maintenance: Like any other programming language, apps built with Javascript require maintenance and updates over time. Developers should consider the long-term maintenance costs when choosing Javascript for iOS app development.
• Performance: While Javascript offers many advantages for iOS app development, developers should be aware of the potential performance limitations of using the language and consider whether performance is a top priority for their app.

Best tools for Javascript for iOS app development:

• React Native: React Native is a popular framework for building cross-platform apps with Javascript. It offers a modular and reusable codebase, which makes development faster and more efficient.
• Ionic: Ionic is another popular framework for building cross-platform apps with Javascript. It offers a wide range of pre-built UI components and integrations with popular tools and services.
• Electron: Electron is a framework for building desktop apps with Javascript, which can be useful for iOS app development that requires desktop support.

When should you use Javascript for iOS app development?

Javascript is a great choice for building cross-platform applications and web-based apps. It is also a good option for developers who are familiar with the language and its libraries and frameworks. However, if you need to build a complex, high-performance app with specific native features, it may be better to consider other programming languages. Ultimately, the decision to use Javascript should be based on the specific needs of your app and your development team’s expertise.

HTML5

HTML5 is a popular programming language for iOS app development due to its versatility and cross-platform compatibility. As an open standard markup language, HTML5 has gained widespread use across different industries, and many businesses have adopted it as a primary programming language for iOS app development.

Pros of HTML5:

• Cross-platform compatibility: HTML5 is not only used as iOS development language but it’s also used on multiple platforms, making them a cost-effective solution for businesses looking to expand their reach to a wider audience.
• Easy to develop: HTML5 is a simple and easy-to-learn language, making it accessible to a wider range of developers.
• Offline functionality: HTML5 allows for offline storage and caching of data, making it possible for apps to work without an internet connection.
• Cost-effective: HTML5 is a free and open-source language, reducing the overall cost of app development.

Cons of HTML5:

• Limited access to device features: HTML5 apps do not have the same level of access to device features as native apps, limiting their functionality and user experience.
• Performance: HTML5 apps may not perform as well as native apps, particularly in terms of speed and responsiveness.
• Security: HTML5 apps may be vulnerable to security threats such as cross-site scripting and injection attacks.

Things to Evaluate before choosing HTML5:

• Cost: HTML5 can be a cost-effective solution for app development, especially for simple applications. However, for more complex apps, the cost may increase due to the need for additional resources and development time.

• Time: The time it takes to develop an HTML5 app depends on the complexity of the app and the skills of the developer. Generally, HTML5 apps can be developed faster than native apps.

• Security: HTML5 apps can be secured through the use of HTTPS and other security measures, but it is important to ensure that the app is fully secure before releasing it to users.
• Maintenance: HTML5 apps require ongoing maintenance to ensure that they continue to function properly and remain secure. This can include updates to the code and regular testing to identify and fix any issues that arise.
• Performance: HTML5 apps may not perform as well as native apps, particularly in terms of speed and responsiveness. However, this can be mitigated through optimization techniques and the use of responsive design.

Best Tools for HTML5:

• Visual Studio Code: a free and open-source code editor that supports HTML5 development.
• Sublime Text: a popular code editor with a range of features and plugins for HTML5 development.
• Adobe Dreamweaver: a professional web development tool that supports HTML5 and other web technologies.

When Should You Use HTML5 For iOS App Development?

HTML5 is a good choice for businesses looking to build simple, cross-platform apps quickly and cost-effectively. If your app requires access to specific device features or requires high-performance, it may be better to consider building native iOS app.

However, HTML5 can be a viable solution for many types of apps, including content-based apps, social media apps, and simple games. It is important to carefully evaluate the needs of your app and the capabilities of HTML5 before making a decision.

Pros of iOS Programming Languages for Businesses

When it comes to building an iOS app, there are several programming languages that businesses can choose from. Each programming language has its own set of pros and cons, and it’s important to understand them before making a decision. Here are some of the pros of using iOS programming languages for businesses:

Native Performance: iOS programming languages such as Swift and Objective-C offer native performance, which means they are faster and more responsive than hybrid or web-based apps.

Access to Native Features: With iOS programming languages, businesses have access to all the native features of Apple devices, such as camera, GPS, and push notifications. This allows businesses to build apps that are more robust and offer a better user experience.

Easy Integration with Apple Ecosystem: iOS programming languages are designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s ecosystem, including hardware, software, and services. This makes it easier for businesses to integrate their app with other Apple products, such as Apple Watch, Apple TV, and HomePod.

Which programming language is used for developing native ios apps?

When it comes to developing native iOS apps, the two main programming languages are Swift and Objective-C. Swift is the newer language preferred by many developers for its modern features and improved performance. Objective-C is still widely used, especially in older apps. The choice depends on your project’s requirements and your team’s expertise.

However, it’s worth noting that regardless of the programming language you choose, native iOS app development requires a deep understanding of Apple’s frameworks, design guidelines, and best practices. Whether you’re coding in Swift or Objective-C, the goal is to create apps that seamlessly integrate with the iOS ecosystem, providing users with a delightful and intuitive experience.

What To Consider Before Building An iOS App?

Before building an iOS app, businesses should consider the following factors:

Target Audience: It’s important to understand the target audience for the app and their needs. For example, if the app is targeted at seniors, it should have larger fonts, simpler navigation, and accessibility features.

What Problems Are You Solving?: Businesses should have a clear understanding of the problems they are trying to solve with their app. For example, if the app is aimed at reducing food waste, it should have features that allow users to track their food inventory and suggest recipes based on what they have.

Scalability of the Application: Businesses should consider the scalability of the app before building it. Will the app be able to handle a large number of users? Will it be able to handle increased traffic during peak hours?

Which Devices Do You Want To Support?: Businesses should decide whether they want to build a native or cross-platform app before determining which devices to support. Are you targeting only iOS users or Android users? Should it be available on iPhone, iPad, or both? What about different screen sizes and resolutions?

Evaluate Your Capacity To Build The App: Building an iOS app can be a complex process, and businesses should evaluate their capacity to build it. Do they have the necessary skills and resources in-house? Should they outsource the development to a third-party vendor?

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right programming language for building an iOS app is crucial for businesses. While there are many options available, each language has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. By considering the target audience, the problems they are solving, scalability, devices supported, and their capacity to build the app, businesses can make an informed decision on which language to use. Ultimately, the goal should be to build an app that offers a great user experience, meets the needs of the target audience, and helps achieve the business objectives.