Many developers have a similar goal: to develop an app for iOS devices, such as iPhones and iPads. When statistics reveal over 1 billion active iPhone users worldwide, it is obvious that the iOS app development ecosystem showcases a substantial and profitable market.
iOS app developers have growing opportunities to tap into the iOS app development industry with over 1.836 million applications on the Apple App Store.
Understanding and mastering the best iOS app development language is crucial for creating apps that meet consumers’ demands and stand out from competitors in the market.
We understand the potential of learning the best language for iOS app development; hence, we have compiled a list of the top 10 iOS app development languages to help you choose the best one. Let’s find out more about them in detail in the blog.
Table of Contents
What is iOS App Development?
iOS app development is the process of designing, developing, and releasing applications targeted for Apple platforms such as iPhones and iPads.
It constitutes the utilization of iOS app development languages, including Swift and Objective-C, besides Apple's set of development environments such as Xcode, and platforms such as SwiftUI.
Apps should comply with the stringent requirements laid down by Apple to provide safety, performance, and user convenience.
Developers design iOS applications for entertainment, business, health, and productivity purposes. The development process involves UI/UX design, coding, testing, and deployment to the App Store.
iOS development benefits from Apple's closed system, providing high performance, robust security, and seamless device integration, which makes it a popular choice among businesses and solo developers targeting Apple users.
Latest Read: The Impact of Voice UI (Voice User Interface) on User Experience
What is the iOS App Development Language?
iOS programming languages are software languages developers employ to create applications for Apple's iOS operating system.
These languages have to function within the Apple environment so that apps can be compatible with iOS devices such as iPhones and iPads.
Choosing the right iOS app development language is important in creating successful iOS applications. It determines everything from the performance and security of the app to how well it can be updated or supported.
iOS App Development Statistics
Before we jump into the iPhone app programming languages themselves, it's helpful to get some sense of key statistics that illustrate the staggering growth and size of the overall iOS app market:
🔘Market Research Future valued the global mobile apps market at $208.5 billion in 2022. By 2032, they project it will reach an impressive $777.4 billion – a CAGR of 19.6%!
🔘Apple has a dominant 17.7% market share for smartphones right now. IOS users are extremely active, spending 25% more time on applications than Android users.
🔘More than 1.8 million apps are available on the Apple App Store, indicating the active ecosystem of iOS developers.
🔘The average US iPhone user has over 100 apps on their device and spends five hours per day using them. IOS apps are deeply integrated into individuals' daily routines.
🔘The figures show that while the iOS app market is already gigantic, it has plenty of room to expand further in the coming years.
Whether it's social media app and gaming app, productivity and lifestyle, or any other app category, iOS provides the potential for massive success for any type of application.
Choosing the right iOS programming language positions you to develop the next big iOS app!
Also Read: The Role of AI in Modern Responsive Web Development in 2025: Pros and Cons
Top 10 iOS App Development Languages in 2025
1. Swift
Apple's official programming language for iOS apps, Swift, was introduced in 2014 as the next-generation successor to Objective-C. Currently, over 50% of iOS apps are built using Swift.
Swift programming language combines high performance with an easy-to-learn syntax, making it suitable for beginners and robust enough for professional developers.
This is the best language for iOS app development that accommodates functionalities such as optional, generics, and functional programming paradigms without the usual pitfalls of legacy languages, such as null pointer exceptions.
Swift also integrates well with Apple's frameworks, such as SwiftUI and Combine, for seamless development workflows.
Swift is ideal for developing high-performance iOS apps, such as enterprise-level apps, gaming apps, and rich mobile experiences. It is used by top companies like Lyft, Airbnb, and LinkedIn because of its speed and security.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Swift programming language are as follows:
Advantages:
Modern Syntax
The syntax of Swift is intuitive and streamlined, which makes coding faster and more efficient.
Safety Features
Swift improves code safety by removing typical errors that may cause app crashes or security vulnerabilities.
Performance
Designed to be fast, Swift's performance is on par with C due to its memory handling optimization.
Interoperability
Swift integrates well with Objective-C, making it easy to integrate into current projects.
Open Source
Being an open-source language, Swift enjoys a wide community of iOS developers who continually improve it.
Challenges:
Learning Curve
New users can find Swift's more advanced features challenging at first.
ABI Stability Problems
Previous problems with ABI stability have required regular updates to ensure compatibility.
Tooling and Ecosystem
Although expanding, the number of tools and libraries available is not as great as for some of the older languages.
Compile Times
Larger projects can have slower compile times, which can affect development productivity.
Examples:
🔘Amazon’s Alexa
🔘Lyft
🔘YouTube
🔘LinkedIn
🔘Google Pay
2. C#
C# is a general-purpose, object-oriented iOS app development language created by Microsoft. It is utilized in combination with the .NET framework. C# is not native to iOS but allows iOS app development through frameworks such as Xamarin.
As per a report published by SlashData called "People behind your tech: how many developers are there in the world?" in 2022, there were approximately 6.8 million C# developers worldwide.
Developers like C# due to its characteristics such as garbage collection, support for asynchronous programming, and a comprehensive standard library. These characteristics make C# a great utility for enterprise and game development.
C# is ideal for cross-platform app development, especially when using Xamarin to build a game app for Android and iOS. C# is extensively used for developing games with the help of Unity, thus perfectly suitable for mobile gaming applications.
The advantages and disadvantages of C# as an iPhone app programming language are as below:
Advantages:
Cross-Platform Development
C# supports cross-platform development by using Xamarin to enable developers to create one codebase that will work for iOS and Android apps.
Strong Memory Management
With integrated garbage collection, C# manages memory automatically, lessening the potential for memory leaks and enhancing application stability.
Rich Ecosystem and Libraries
The.NET environment in C# offers rich libraries and frameworks that speed up development, such as tools for UI design, networking, and security.
Challenges:
Heavier Performance Overhead
As C# applications are dependent on the Mono runtime within iOS environments, they run less efficiently compared to natively developed Swift apps.
Learning Curve for Apple-Specific Features
Apple's native APIs and frameworks are mostly meant for Swift and Objective-C. C# integration takes extra effort.
Examples:
🔘Slack
🔘Insightly
🔘Pinterest
🔘Tableau
🔘The World Bank
🔘Cinemark
🔘NBCUniversal
🔘FoxSports
🔘Aviva
🔘Taxfyle
3. Objective-C
Objective-C is an object-oriented iOS app development language that was the main language for iOS development before Swift. It is a superset of C, with Smalltalk-style messaging, enabling dynamic runtime behavior.
Objective-C is still useful for legacy iOS mobile app maintenance and C/C++ codebase integration.
Objective-C is ideal for upgrading and supporting older iOS apps or projects involving direct interaction with C libraries. Most legacy apps, such as older Apple apps, continue to use Objective-C.
In 2023, only 2% of respondents indicated they used Objective-C, based on a JetBrains survey.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Objective-C programming language are listed below:
Advantages:
Established Ecosystem
There is a rich set of libraries and frameworks to draw upon due to decades of optimization and development.
Cocoa Compatibility
Objective-C works seamlessly with Cocoa and Cocoa Touch, Apple's native frameworks.
Dynamic Messaging
This allows for extremely flexible code, which can be tuned at runtime to accommodate changing application requirements.
Proven Track Record
The extensive history of Objective-C use has created a strong body of knowledge and a developer community.
Challenges:
Verbose Syntax
The syntax is more verbose than Swift's and can be slow to development work.
Manual Memory Management
Memory needs to be managed manually by the developers, which can lead to bugs if not done correctly.
Less Development Focus
Since Swift came into play, fewer resources have been specifically allocated to Objective-C, although it is still supported.
Examples:
🔘Apple Music
🔘Apple Maps
🔘Instagram
🔘Dropbox
🔘eBay
4. Flutter
Flutter is an open-source UI toolkit created by Google. It allows developers to develop natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.
Flutter relies on the Dart iOS programming language and has the Skia graphics engine, which enables it to efficiently render custom UI elements. Flutter's "hot reload" feature greatly accelerates development.
Flutter is optimal for creating visually rich, cross-platform mobile apps with one codebase. Flutter is preferably applied to tech startups and businesses that want to create iOS and Android apps at once with high performance.
Based on a recent survey conducted by Statista called "Cross-platform mobile frameworks used by developers worldwide 2019-2023," approximately 46% of software programmers around the world use Flutter.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Flutter framework are as follows:
Advantages:
Unified Codebase
Write once and utilize your effort on various platforms, greatly reducing the process of development.
Rapid Development
Hot reload enables immediate previews of changes, greatly accelerating the process of iteration.
Compelling User Interfaces
A broad collection of highly customizable widgets can be used to develop unique and efficient user interfaces.
High Performance
Applications execute as native code, which provides peak performance and smoothness.
Challenges:
Evolving Libraries
The library system within the framework is growing, but isn't as extensive as those in more mature frameworks.
Application Size
Applications are larger, and potentially problematic for lower storage devices.
Inconsistencies Across Platforms
Cross-platform development can include particular bugs that have to be uniquely resolved.
Examples:
🔘MyBMW
🔘Hamilton: The Musical
🔘Xianyu by Alibaba
5. React Native
React Native is a JavaScript framework by Meta (previously Facebook) that supports cross-platform development of mobile applications with a single codebase.
Mobile applications are developed by developers using React's component-based system with the help of native APIs via bridges.
React Native is optimal for building low-cost, cross-platform applications, primarily using current web development skills.
Several of the most widely used applications such as Instagram, Airbnb, and Discord have made use of React Native for their mobile apps.
As per a recent Statista survey called "Cross-platform mobile frameworks used by developers worldwide 2019-2023," approximately 35% of software developers worldwide utilize React Native.
The advantages and disadvantages of the React Native framework are listed below:
Advantages:
Cross-Platform Capability
Streamlines development with a single codebase for many platforms, cutting down on time and expenses.
Component Reusability
Saves time and consistency across projects through the reusability of components.
Immediate Feedback
The hot reload feature allows viewing of changes in real time, improving developer productivity.
Native-Like Performance
Provides performance at par with native apps, with access to native features.
Challenges:
Dependency on Native Code
Certain features may still be dependent on native development, making the development process more complex.
Potential Performance Glitches
High-demand tasks related to visuals may not be as good as on native applications.
Bridge Communication
The bridge that helps in communication between JavaScript and native modules at times will impact the performance of the app.
Examples:
🔘Facebook
🔘Walmart
🔘Bloomberg
Recommended Read: Top 10+ React Native App Development Companies
6. HTML5
HTML5, along with JavaScript and CSS, is used to create web-based mobile applications that can run on iOS through web views or hybrid platforms like Apache Cordova.
HTML5 is a markup language for iOS app development language that organizes web content and incorporates multimedia features without the need for extra plugins.
HTML5 is ideal for building lightweight web-based mobile apps that must run on multiple platforms with less development effort.
It is widely employed for progressive web applications (PWAs) and hybrid mobile apps. According to a 2023 Statista survey, 55% of software developers reported using HTML/CSS.
The advantages and disadvantages of the HTML5 language are as below:
Advantages:
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Allows development across various platforms.
Rapid Prototyping
Fast testing and iteration of app concepts.
Familiar Technologies
Leverages familiar web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Disadvantages:
User Experience
This might not be as fast as native apps.
Offline Functionality
Less access to device resources than native programs.
Examples:
🔘Twitter
🔘PhoneGap
🔘Uber Eats
🔘Starbucks
🔘Cordova
7. Java
Java programming language is an object-oriented and flexible language primarily used by an Android app development company or an Android app developer, but also applicable to iOS app development through frameworks like Codename One or RoboVM.
It has a robust memory management system, platform independence through the JVM, and rich libraries that make application development easy.
Java is well-suited for developing cross-platform and enterprise mobile applications that require scalability and security. Java is commonly used for backend development and thus is an ideal option for applications needing robust server-side support.
According to the 2024 Statista survey, 'Most Used Languages Among Software Developers Globally,' 30.3% of participants use Java.
The Java iOS programming language’s advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
Advantages:
Code Reusability
Utilize existing codebases of Java for iOS development.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Tools enable development across platforms.
Familiarity
Leverages developed Java experience.
Disadvantages:
Limited Native Experience
Might not fully adapt to iOS user experience principles.
Compatibility Issues
Maintaining abreast of iOS features may not be easy.
Examples:
🔘Netflix
🔘Microsoft Office Apps
🔘Amazon Kindle
🔘Spotify
8. Xamarin
Xamarin is an open-source platform created by Microsoft that enables developers to build cross-platform mobile apps using C#.
It natively compiles code for iOS and Android, providing near-native performance while allowing code sharing between platforms. Xamarin.Forms enables UI development that works seamlessly across both operating systems.
Xamarin is optimal for cross-platform app development with a common code base, mainly for companies that operate with Microsoft tools.
It is best suited for enterprise-level applications due to its strong integration with Azure and .NET. The Xamarin tool is used by approximately 11% of the world's developers, ranking it as a fairly popular cross-platform mobile development framework, based on figures from Statista.
The advantages and limitations of the Xamarin framework are as follows:
Advantages:
Single Codebase for Android and iOS
Xamarin allows developers to write once and deploy everywhere, lowering the development load.
Native Performance
Xamarin supports native code compilation, which delivers excellent performance and responsive UI interactions.
Smooth Integration with Microsoft Products
Xamarin integrates easily with Azure, Visual Studio, and other Microsoft products, which makes it suitable for enterprise-level applications.
Challenges:
Large App Sizes
Xamarin apps come with larger sizes because of the extra dependencies on download and storage needs.
Fewer Third-Party Library Choices
Xamarin also has fewer third-party libraries than Swift or React Native, where some features will need custom implementation.
Examples:
🔘FreshDirect
🔘UPS
🔘Olo
🔘Alaska Airlines
🔘BBC Good Food
🔘Novarum DX
9. Kotlin Multiplatform
Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) is a cross-platform app development framework by JetBrains that allows developers to share business logic between iOS and Android while maintaining platform-specific UI implementations.
KMP doesn't impose one UI paradigm, allowing native-like experiences.
Kotlin Multiplatform is ideal for building applications that need to share business logic but preserve native UI performance.
It is useful for teams developing both iOS and Android applications with little redundancy. As per the Stack Overflow Survey of developers of 2023, Kotlin was used by 9.06% of developers worldwide.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Kotlin Multiplatform framework are as follows:
Advantages:
Shared Logic
Supports the uniform application logic across platforms, minimizing redundancy and maximizing app integrity.
Native Execution
Direct compilation to native binaries, providing assured smooth execution and efficiency.
Flexible API Access
Developers are free to use designated platform APIs to simplify functionality without diluting the shared code base.
Challenges:
Relative Novelty
Since it is relatively newer, Kotlin Multiplatform is in the process of building its ecosystem, which will be short on some functionalities.
Specific Platform Code Required
Certain features of the app might still need platform-specific code, which introduces complexity.
Development Tools Support
Improving, but support in IDEs and build systems may not be as complete as for native development environments only.
Examples:
🔘Careem
🔘Trello
🔘VMware Workspace ONE
10. Dart
Dart is a client-optimized, object-oriented programming language developed by Google, primarily used for Flutter app development. It has support for asynchronous programming, ahead-of-time (AOT) and just-in-time (JIT) compilation, and a rich collection of built-in UI widgets. Dart is built for fast, flexible, and scalable mobile development.
Dart is ideal for developing cross-platform apps with Flutter when there is a need for high-performance UI and animations. It is also widely utilized in startups and companies that wish to create visually enhanced apps.
The advantages and disadvantages of the Dart iPhone app programming language are listed below:
Advantages:
Optimized for UI Development
Dart has a widget-based structure, which is highly customizable and efficient in UI designs.
Fast Execution with JIT and AOT Compilation
Dart facilitates both JIT for quicker development cycles as well as AOT for better runtime performance.
Seamless Integration with Flutter
Because Dart is the first-party language of Flutter, it enjoys first-party integration and ongoing optimizations.
Challenges:
Limited Adoption Outside Flutter:
Dart mainly finds applications inside the Flutter environment, hence being not as relevant for applications outside mobile app development.
Learning Curve for Developers:
Developers who are familiar with JavaScript or Swift take time to learn Dart's syntax and structure.
Examples:
🔘Sonos
🔘PUBG
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How to Code iOS Apps?
Developers use Apple's official development tools and programming languages, such as Swift and Objective-C, within the Xcode development environment to build iOS applications.
The process involves designing the user interface, coding the backend logic, integrating APIs, and testing before deployment. The ecosystem of Apple provides flawless performance, security, and compatibility across iPhones and iPads.
Steps to code iOS apps include:
1. Set Up the Development Environment
Establish the development environment by installing Xcode, Apple's official integrated development environment (IDE). It has all the tools required such as the Swift compiler, Interface Builder, and iOS Simulator. You can download Xcode for Mac on the Mac App Store.
2. Learn Swift or Objective-C
Learn the basics of the new iOS app development language, Swift, or Objective-C for older projects. Swift is simpler to master and provides safer features, making it the platform of choice for new development.
3. Design the User Interface (UI)
Use UIKit or SwiftUI to design an intuitive and responsive user interface. SwiftUI is more declarative, enabling developers to write dynamic UI components with less code, but UIKit is more versatile for demanding applications.
4. Code Application Logic and Features
Code the core features by writing in Swift or Objective-C. This involves user interface handling, API development and Integration, data storage, and app performance optimization.
5. Test the App on Simulators and Devices
Employ the iOS Simulator integrated into Xcode to see how the app operates across various devices. Software testing is necessary to identify performance bottlenecks and UI anomalies.
6. Debug and Optimise Performance
Take advantage of the debugging facilities available in Xcode, like Instruments and Console logs, to trace and eliminate memory leaks, crashes, and inefficiencies. Optimization makes the app smooth and responsive.
7. Deploy to the App Store
Sign up for an Apple Developer account, set up App Store configuration, and put the app up for review. Apple's approval system guarantees security and quality controls before you have to bear the cost to put an app on the App Store.
Also Read: Top 20 Software Development Challenges and Solutions
Best Language For iOS App Development: Current Trends
The realm of iOS app development is on the cusp of transformative changes, fuelled by the evolution of cross-platform abilities and the blending of AI and machine learning technologies.
These technologies are opening the way for app developers to build more intuitive, effective, and complex apps.
1. Increasing Usage of SwiftUI
Apple's SwiftUI is quickly becoming the go-to framework for iOS app development. As a key tool to accompany the iPhone app development language, Swift, it compresses the code while improving the versatility of user interfaces, making it more and more popular.
The more developers take up Swift, the more SwiftUI is likely to be used, enabling the development of cross-compatible apps between all Apple devices, from iPhones to wearable app development, like Apple Watches.
2. Integration of AI and Machine Learning
Personalization is becoming a cornerstone of app development, necessitating the integration of AI features like Apple's Core ML into iOS apps.
AI-powered features like predictive typing, smart suggestions, and facial recognition are expected to become the norm in iOS app development by 2025, improving user engagement through personalized interactions.
3. Growth of Cross-Platform Development
Platforms such as Flutter vs React Native allow programmers to create apps that work flawlessly on iOS and Android.
With companies focusing on reducing costs and speeding up time to market, the cross-platform frameworks will become even more ubiquitous. Support for iOS programming languages such as JavaScript and Dart will further drive this trend.
4. Innovation in AR/VR and 3D Technologies
With Apple's ongoing investment in augmented reality (AR) through ARKit, iOS apps increasingly use various types of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) to create rich user experiences.
These technologies are changing how users engage with digital content across industries like retail, education, and gaming.
5. Growing Role of Kotlin
Kotlin Multiplatform is bridging the gap for cross-platform development with its capability of enabling business logic to be shared across the iOS and Android platforms.
Though its ecosystem at the moment is smaller than React Native's or Flutter's, Kotlin is building up a presence and becoming increasingly popular among developers working primarily on Android and looking to push their bounds into iOS development.
These mobile app development trends project a vibrant future for iOS app development, which will be driven by technological incorporation and creative app design and functionality strategies.
Read: 20 Best Fraud Detection Software to Use in 2025
Want an iOS App Ready in Your Hands?
Looking to develop an iOS app? Arramton Infotech, the leading iOS app development company in Delhi, is here to help. Our experts are proficient in the essential programming languages for iOS development, ensuring your project is handled seamlessly from start to finish.
It could be a Finance app, a business application, or a healthcare app – we're here to collaborate with you to make your app a hit on the Apple App Store. Contact us today to initiate your iOS app project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Programming Languages are Used to Develop Android OS Apps?
Ans: Below are the programming languages used to develop Android OS apps:
🔘Java
🔘Kotlin
🔘C++
🔘Dart
🔘JavaScript
Q. What Programming Languages are Used for Cross-platform App Development?
Ans: The programming languages used for cross-platform app development are:
🔘JavaScript
🔘Dart
🔘Kotlin Multiplatform
🔘C#
🔘Python
Q. What language are iOS apps written in?
Ans: iOS apps are mainly coded in Swift and Objective-C, with Swift being the most popular because of its strong features and simplicity.
Q. How long does it take to develop an iOS app?
Ans: The time taken to develop an iOS app depends highly on its complexity, features, and the skill of the developer, generally ranging from a few weeks to a few months.
Q. Which programming language is best for mobile game development?
Ans: C++, Swift, JavaScript, and C# are among the best programming languages used in mobile game development. C++ and C# are used for full 3D games because they offer high performance as well as compatibility with engines. Meanwhile, Java is the recommended language for newcomers since it is simpler to use. Finally, Swift is the best choice when it comes to native iOS development.
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