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Xcode

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Company health

Employee growth
10% increase in the last year
Web traffic
1% decrease in the last quarter
Financing
January 2021 - $1B

Ratings

G2
4.2/5
(973)
Glassdoor
4.1/5
(43979)

Xcode description

Xcode is Apple's own software development toolset. It provides everything needed to build apps for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple's other platforms. Xcode offers a visual design tool for user interfaces, as well as tools for coding, testing, and debugging. It stands out as the only official tool for creating Apple software and promises a streamlined development experience for this ecosystem.


Who is Xcode best for

Xcode is Apple's official IDE, empowering developers to build apps for all Apple platforms. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive toolset streamline the development process. However, users note performance issues with larger projects and a steep learning curve for beginners. Despite these drawbacks, many praise Xcode's powerful debugging tools and seamless Apple ecosystem integration.

  • Best for small to medium-sized businesses developing Apple software.

  • Ideal for software, IT, media, and education companies.


Xcode features

Supported

Xcode automatically formats Swift code using the built-in Swift Format feature.

Supported

Xcode supports syntax highlighting to improve code readability.

Supported

Xcode supports debugging tools like setting breakpoints, stepping through code, and inspecting variables.

Supported

Xcode supports UI customization via drag and drop in Interface Builder.

Supported

Xcode automates builds with xcodebuild command line tool and Xcode Server.

Supported

Xcode supports predictive code completion, speeding up coding and reducing errors.

Supported

Xcode simplifies test setup with automated processes for native apps, not web.

Qualities

We evaluate the sentiment that users express about non-functional aspects of the software

Value and Pricing Transparency

Rather negative
-0.33

Ease of Use

Strongly positive
+0.82

Reliability and Performance

Rather positive
+0.44

Ease of Implementation

Rather positive
+0.33

Scalability

Rather negative
-0.33

Xcode reviews

We've summarised 965 Xcode reviews (Xcode G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of Xcode
  • User-friendly interface and intuitive design for iOS/macOS development.
  • Comprehensive toolset and seamless integration with Apple ecosystem.
  • Powerful debugging tools, including view hierarchy and memory management.
  • Built-in simulators for efficient testing on various Apple devices.
  • SwiftUI integration and support for multiple programming languages.
Cons of Xcode
  • High RAM usage, slow performance, especially with Storyboards and large projects.
  • Frequent crashes and hangs, impacting productivity.
  • Complex initial setup and learning curve for beginners.
  • Limited customization and third-party plugin support.
  • Tedious certificate management and code signing process.

Xcode pricing

The commentary is based on 21 reviews from Xcode G2 reviews.

Xcode is free to download and use, making it a popular choice for Apple developers. However, some users mention the high cost of premium features and the yearly developer license required for App Store submissions. Despite this, its free availability is appreciated, especially by those new to iOS development.

Users sentiment

Rather negative
-0.33

Xcode alternatives

  • Logo of Visual Studio
    xcode vs Visual Studio
    Code, debug, test, deploy: build any app, seamlessly.
    Read more
  • Logo of Adobe AIR
    Adobe AIR
    Cross-platform desktop and mobile app development runtime.
    Read more
  • Logo of CLion
    CLion
    Smart C/C++ IDE for productive coding, debugging, and analysis.
    Read more
  • Logo of Android Studio
    Android Studio
    Build, test, and polish Android apps with Google's free toolkit.
    Read more
  • Logo of Coder
    Coder
    Develop in the cloud, faster onboarding, enhanced security.
    Read more
  • Logo of Arduino IDE
    Arduino IDE
    Code, compile, upload. Simply control your electronics.
    Read more

Xcode FAQ

  • What is Xcode and what does Xcode do?

    Xcode is Apple's integrated development environment (IDE) for building apps across all Apple platforms. It provides tools for coding, UI design, testing, debugging, and deployment, offering a streamlined workflow specifically designed for the Apple ecosystem.

  • How does Xcode integrate with other tools?

    Xcode seamlessly integrates with other Apple development tools like Instruments for performance analysis and Interface Builder for UI design. It also supports source control systems like Git for collaborative development and offers command-line tools for build automation.

  • What the main competitors of Xcode?

    Top Xcode alternatives include Visual Studio for cross-platform development, IntelliJ IDEA for Java and Kotlin, and Appcircle for mobile app development and deployment. Eclipse is another open-source option, while RAD Studio focuses on diverse platform compatibility.

  • Is Xcode legit?

    Yes, Xcode is safe and legitimate. It's Apple's official software development toolset for building apps across its platforms. Xcode is a powerful IDE with robust features, though some users find it resource intensive.

  • How much does Xcode cost?

    Xcode is free to download and use for developing, testing, and distributing apps on Apple platforms. However, to distribute apps on the App Store, you need to enroll in the Apple Developer Program, which costs $99 per year.

  • Is Xcode customer service good?

    Customer reviews on Xcode's customer service are mixed. Some users mention helpful and responsive support, while others report a lack of customer support availability. More users focus on Xcode's technical aspects than customer service.


Reviewed by

MK
Michal Kaczor
CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

TT
Tymon Terlikiewicz
CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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