If you are planning to develop an iOS app, it is important to understand which language is the most suitable for the project. There are a range of options available, and each language has various benefits and drawbacks. In this article, we will provide an overview of the best language for iOS app development, so you can make an informed decision.
Recent estimates suggest that in 2023, over 4.2 billion individual mobile devices accessed the web, with mobile devices accounting for over 90% of all internet traffic. Additionally, Apple claims that its iOS platform powers more than one billion of these devices. These figures demonstrate the potential of an iOS app.
Apple’s Software Shop has received over $2.2 million in applications, making it the second most popular app store. This demonstrates the confidence developers have in the potential of Apple’s ecosystem.
Various app shops’ offerings
Before we discuss the five best languages for developing apps for the iOS platform, let’s consider the factors you should take into account when designing an iOS app. We will then look at the advantages and disadvantages of each language, as well as how they can be effectively utilized.
When Developing an iOS App, What Should You Keep in Mind?
1. Recognize Your Ideal Clientele
It is essential to identify the target users for your iOS app before commencing development. With an understanding of the user profile and their typical usage behavior, you can create a tailored experience to meet their requirements.
Conducting market research to identify your target audience by demographic parameters such as age, gender, and geography is the first step when attempting to promote your app. Knowing who you are targeting can make the process of promotion much simpler.
2. Be familiar with the issue you’re trying to fix.
Prior to commencing development of your iOS application, it is essential to have an in-depth understanding of the problem it will address. This should be the first step taken, as the success of an app depends on its ability to provide a solution to a user’s issue. Additionally, it is beneficial to assess whether there are any competitors offering similar services.
3. Your Application’s Reach
Once you understand the purpose of your application, you can begin considering the features it will provide. For example, if you are creating a fitness app, you must determine which exercises to include. While you may choose to add more capabilities and functionality in the future, it is important to ensure that a reliable base is established initially.
4. Which Devices Should Be Supported?
When deciding which iOS devices to make your software compatible with, it is important to take into account Apple’s range of iPhones released since 2007. To ensure your app is supported, you may need to consider which specific iOS versions are supported by the devices that can run your software and narrow down your selection based on their capabilities and the required database.
5. Think about how well you think you can construct the app.
Creating an application requires a team of experienced developers with a variety of specialized skills. Therefore, it is essential to assess whether you possess the necessary abilities to develop the project you have in mind, prior to starting to code.
The team may require personnel with expertise in front-end and back-end programming, user experience design, interface design, graphic design, code testing and project management.
As a startup, it may be beneficial to consider bringing on remote developers to assist with the scaling of software. One developer may be able to fulfil numerous roles; however, at some point, additional assistance may be needed.
Our professional team can provide assistance in finding an iOS app developer who meets not only the necessary qualifications, but is also compatible with your company’s values and working style, through our rigorous recruitment process.
With that out of the way, let’s dive into our rundown of the finest languages for developing iOS apps.
List of the Top 5 Languages for iOS Development
1. Swift
Apple’s Swift language is used to create software applications for all of Apple’s platforms, including iOS, iPadOS, macOS, tvOS and watchOS. According to the Tiobe index, a website that ranks programming languages based on popularity, Swift currently holds the 14th spot.
Apple developed Swift to simplify the development of apps for their iOS platform and compatible devices. Well-known frameworks such as Cocoa, Cocoa Touch, CloudKit, and AVFoundation, are all compatible with Swift.
This is where the Swift programming language shines.
If you are looking to quickly develop iOS applications with the potential for scalability, Swift is the language of choice. Offering a relatively low learning curve, Swift is an ideal language for novice programmers. Additionally, Apple provides regular updates to Swift to make it faster, reliable and secure.
Cons and benefits of using Swift
Pros
- Simple in operation and instruction
- Constantly present and trustworthy
- Updates on a regular basis
- Superior scalability
- Enables rapid application creation
- Method for Mechanically Keeping Track of Memories
Cons
- Very few people are proficient with Swift development.
- There isn’t as much community support as there is for other languages like Python, Java, and C++.
2. C#
In 2000, Microsoft developed the object-oriented programming language C#, which can be used on a variety of platforms. Its platform-independent nature makes it suitable for creating applications for both iOS and Android. By March 2023, C# had risen to become the fifth most popular programming language. Developers appreciate C# as it allows them to write code once and deploy it to various platforms.
Probably the Most Ideal Situation for Using C#
If you want to create apps for iOS and Android, C# is your best bet. Having C# programmers on hand is another plus for using this language.
Cbenefits #’s and drawbacks
Pros
- The community backing is excellent since it is a widely used and well-developed language.
- Open-source
- Superior efficiency
- It has a large collection of books.
- System independence
- Quite simple to employ
- Lots of people work in C#.
- Ability to grow and change
Cons
- The learning curve is somewhat high for newcomers.
- Limitations in adaptability due to its dependence on Microsoft’s.NET framework
3. The C-Scope Has an Objective
Objective C is a development of the C language, which was first introduced in the early 1980s. It is the language used to create apps for the iOS platform, as well as to develop the operating systems of OS X and iOS, and their associated APIs.
Objective C is one of the top 20 most popular programming languages according to the Tiobe index, with over 4.1% of developers worldwide utilizing it. Not only is it cross-platform, like C#, but it can also be used to develop programs for a range of platforms, such as macOS and iOS.
One of the most ideal circumstances for using Objective C
Objective C is an outdated programming language, having last been updated in 2023. It is only worth considering if you need to create applications for iOS devices that cannot support Swift; however, it is not advised for developing applications for future generations of iOS devices.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Objective C
Pros
- It has developed to the point that it may be considered a stable and mature language.
- Promotes dynamic typing.
Cons
- It’s a less secure, out-of-date language.
- A lot of effort is required to master it.
- Not enough qualified people to go around
- Is not freely available source code
- Functional constraints
- The absence of recent updates
- Methodology of slow progress
4. Java
Java was first released in 1995 and is an object-oriented, class-based language with a range of general-purpose applications. Currently, there are over nine million developers utilizing it worldwide, making it one of the most popular and established programming languages. The Tiobe Index currently ranks it as the third most widely used programming language.
Java is a versatile programming language which can be used to develop applications for both iOS and Android. Its ability to run on multiple platforms without needing to be recompiled is a major factor in its reputation as a fast and dependable language across multiple platforms.
Uses that use Java to its best advantage
Java is not a recommended programming language for iOS development, as it is not widely used for this purpose. It may be appropriate if you wish to convert an existing Android app to be compatible with iOS, however for new projects, Swift is the preferred language for iOS development.
Java’s Benefits and Drawbacks
Pros
- Languages written in this style may be used on a wide variety of devices.
- Largest possible amount of public backing
- To put it simply, it is a programming language that can grow and change with its users.
- It’s home to a vast array of skilled individuals.
- Open-source
- Flexible
- That part is safe.
Cons
- Memory consumption is high while running Java programs.
- Inconveniently difficult to master
- Failing to meet expectations
- As such, it requires a lot of typing to express yourself.
5. HTML5
HTML5, otherwise known as Hypertext Markup Language 5, is a front-end programming language used to create user interfaces for online applications. When used in conjunction with Cascading Style Sheets and JavaScript, HTML5 can be used to create dynamic user interfaces for iOS applications.
As one of the most accessible languages, HTML is a great choice for beginners.
Examples of excellent HTML 5 use
Designing user interfaces for iOS apps which can be used both online and offline using HTML 5 is a viable option. It is essential that the team responsible for this project is comprised of engineers who are competent in HTML 5, CSS and JavaScript, due to their interdependence.
The Benefits and Drawbacks of Using HTML 5
Pros
- Capable individuals drawn from a large pool
- Aid for several OSes
- The code is freely available to anybody.
- Simple in operation and instruction
- Permits the development of programs that can function without an internet connection
Cons
- Functional constraints
- It prevents the development of native iOS applications.
- Problems with Adaptive Layouts
Concluding Ideas
After analyzing the top applications, we have compiled a list of the five most common languages for creating iOS apps. We have thoroughly evaluated each language, providing both the benefits and drawbacks, to ensure you are able to make an informed decision.
If you’re looking to develop sophisticated and optimized iOS applications, Swift is highly recommended. For the latest generation of iOS devices, Objective C is no longer sufficient due to its lack of features.
In order to create applications for both iOS and Android, however, you may need to use a cross-platform language like C# or Java.
