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Apple Xcode Reviews

Vendor: Apple
3.8 out of 5
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What is Apple Xcode?

Apple Xcode is a comprehensive suite of developer tools for producing programs for the Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV. Xcode creates a streamlined workflow for user interface design, coding, testing, debugging, and app store submission.

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Apple Xcode is the #12 ranked solution in top Mobile Development Platforms. PeerSpot users give Apple Xcode an average rating of 7.6 out of 10. Apple Xcode is most commonly compared to OutSystems: Apple Xcode vs OutSystems. Apple Xcode is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 13% of all views.
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Mobile Development Platforms
March 2025
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Apple Xcode mindshare

As of April 2025, the mindshare of Apple Xcode in the Mobile Development Platforms category stands at 2.1%, down from 3.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
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Key learnings from peers

Valuable Features

Apple Xcode excels with built-in code error checking and fix suggestions. Users appreciate its ease of access and navigation. Automatic reference counting, multiple device layout support, and simulators enhance functionality. Debugging and code management stand out as key attributes. The platform is consistently up to date, offering a comprehensive and relevant toolset. It effectively supports Android setup, showcasing its versatility and intelligent design in modern development environments.
  • "The tool's most valuable features are debugging and code management."
  • "It is stable and user-friendly."
  • "We like the ease of access and navigation that this solution provides."

Room for Improvement

Apple Xcode requires better support for dynamic features in its drag-and-drop system. Users find that the documentation for App Store deployment needs expansion. The tool's size impacts computer performance, highlighting the necessity for an automatic cleanup mechanism. A lightweight version would enhance performance alongside the addition of keyboard shortcuts for common tasks. The simulator should be enhanced and compile times reduced. Simplifying the interface and improving the system's stability would benefit developers.
  • "It consists of multiple components and needs a simplified process. This particular area could be more stable."
  • "It is a bit challenging to sign in."
  • "We would like a 'light' version of this solution to be developed, as it currently uses a lot of memory space."

Pricing

Apple Xcode is available for free download with no hidden charges, offering an open-source solution on Apple OS. Many users mention the necessity of an annual renewal for enhanced features, potentially costing hundreds of dollars monthly. A corporate license is available but often relevant only to CFOs or software department heads. An Apple Developer license is essential to access comprehensive tools and features, although there are no direct licensing fees for Xcode itself.
  • "We don't have to pay for Apple Xcode's licenses."
  • "You can start off using Apple Xcode for free but if you start using some more of their enhanced features, it's going to be hundreds of dollars a month. There are corporate licenses but most individual users will not be worried about the corporate license, only your CFO will or the person in charge of the software department."
  • "There are no licensing costs for Xcode and no hidden charges. You just download it."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Apple Xcode for developing mobile applications, consumer apps, and games within Apple's ecosystem. It is employed for native Mac and iOS app development using Swift libraries and SpriteKit. Users utilize Xcode to leverage the iOS simulator, allowing them to test app features on simulators and real devices. Xcode is vital for connecting apps with simulators and publishing locally built applications, ensuring compatibility and functionality on iOS devices.

Service and Support

Customers seldom engage directly with Apple support for Xcode, as issues can often be resolved by reinstalling it. However, when contacted, Apple's support team responds within 48 hours, demonstrating knowledge and follow-up via email or forums. Users rarely experience connectivity issues with the support team. Some rely on support for other Apple products, which is perceived positively. Most do not use technical support frequently.

Deployment

Apple Xcode's initial setup is commonly described as straightforward and easy, involving a simple download and local installation. Many users find it routine, with some noting it as a plug-and-play experience. Once installed on iOS development environments, individual developers manage their own usage. The process typically takes about an hour to complete, requiring just a download and installation of the application.

Scalability

Apple Xcode shows diverse adaptability in team scalability. Some entities report limited scalability options while others highlight its ability to accommodate various team sizes, ranging from small to large groups, including 30 or more engineers. While some are uncertain about future scaling possibilities, several organizations emphasize its robust and scalable nature. Decisions to expand usage often depend on client requirements, with numerous users utilizing it extensively in their operations.

Stability

Apple Xcode tends to be reliable most of the time, though it occasionally experiences minor issues. Users report that in the past, it was consistently steady, but new features have occasionally led to rare instability. Some find it user-friendly with comprehensive simulator information, yet there are challenges like signing in and connecting real devices. The experience with Apple's SDKs is commended, although there are potential enhancements regarding certain configurations.
These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.
Download our Mobile Development Platforms Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers
By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
13%
Computer Software Company
13%
University
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
6%
Government
6%
Healthcare Company
6%
Educational Organization
6%
Real Estate/Law Firm
6%
Construction Company
5%
Media Company
5%
Retailer
4%
Energy/Utilities Company
4%
Logistics Company
3%
Performing Arts
3%
Pharma/Biotech Company
1%
Hospitality Company
1%
Engineering Company
1%

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Learn more about Apple Xcode

Xcode is an IDE (integrated development environment) designed for both novice and expert developers to use, and it is the only tool that is officially supported for designing and uploading programs to Apple's app store. Xcode contains all of the tools required to construct an app in a single software package, including a text editor, a compiler, and a build system. It includes a number of tools to speed up the development process so that seasoned developers may produce apps with lightning speed and beginners can create apps with ease.

As a code editor, Xcode supports a wide range of programming languages, including C, C++, Objective-C, Objective-C++, Java, AppleScript, Python, Ruby, ResEdit, and Swift.

It employs the Java, Carbon, and Cocoa programming models.

Apple XCode Features

Apple XCode has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

  • The new single target supports many platforms and conditionally includes dependencies, code, resources, and build parameters for particular systems.
  • Downloadable simulator runtimes for the most recent versions of watchOS and tvOS.
  • To improve parallelism and spot build performance concerns, a new assistant editor can build logs and display the build timeline.
  • Regex support, including syntax highlighting and playgrounds inline results for rapid iteration.
  • Support for iPadOS DriverKit driver development.
  • Asset catalog allows you to upload a single 1024 x 1024 pixel app icon, and it will be automatically resized for the target.
  • Debugging: The memory graph debugger now shows all incoming and outgoing memory graph references.
  • Documentation: Swift-DocC facilitates the creation of documentation for Objective-C and C APIs. The Swift-DocC documentation that Xcode 14 generates is now compatible with the majority of managed hosting services, including GitHub Pages.
  • Instruments: The new Swift Concurrency template tracks the application and behavior of Swift's concurrency primitives. The new Hang Tracing tool demonstrates when the main thread of an app is unable to handle incoming events.
  • Localization: Swift localization packages can be exported.
  • Organizer: New diagnostic reports on app hangs.
  • Previews: New design supports automatically generated variants for appearance, accessibility, sizes, and more. It is interactive by default.
  • Source editor: Enhanced code completion with top-level initializers, overloads consolidated into a single row, and a better default argument experience. As you scroll, code structure pins to the top of the source editor. Jump to definition and callers includes a brand-new user interface that assists you in distinguishing between overloads and call locations.
  • Swift packages in Xcode, command and build plug-in integration.

Reviews from Real Users

A founder of a tech vendor writes of the solution, “It was essential. You can't develop mobile apps for the Apple platforms without it. I would rate it a nine out of 10 for its consistency. It keeps evolving.”

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Apple Xcode reviews

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Daniel Bell - PeerSpot user
Sr |OS Engineer at a financial services firm with 201-500 employees
Verified user of Apple Xcode
Sep 19, 2022
Product version discussed: 13 and 14
Efficient, up-to-date, and straightforward installation

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Apple Xcode is that it is up to date."

Cons

"The size of Apple Xcode could improve. It is too large."

What is our primary use case?

Apple Xcode is used for writing code for developing software within Apple's ecosystem.

How has it helped my organization?

Apple Xcode has helped out organization by allowing us to efficiently create iOS apps without needed overhead, which allows us to engage the iOS community.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (488 words)
PeerSpot user
Solutions Architect at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
Verified user of Apple Xcode
Sep 7, 2022
Anybody who wants to develop native iOS or Mac solutions will definitely have to use this solution

Pros

"Xcode is pretty smart. It's easy to set up and works perfectly on Android."

Cons

"As Apple has introduced more and more features on top of Xcode, it sometimes, but very rarely, hangs."

What is our primary use case?

I use Xcode to develop native Mac applications and started using Mac Xcode to develop iOS applications.

What is most valuable?

These days Xcode is pretty smart. It's easy to set up and works perfectly on Android.  The automatic reference counting works pretty well, the multiple device layout in support, and the multiple Xcode simulators are there. 

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (499 words)
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Dheeraj Upadhyay - PeerSpot user
Lead Software Engineer at UKG
Verified user of Apple Xcode
Oct 7, 2022
An intermediate tool that helps us connect and test features, but some configurations are required

Pros

"It is stable and user-friendly. "

Cons

"It is a bit challenging to sign in."

What is our primary use case?

We use Apple Xcode to utilize the capability of the iOS simulator. Using Apple Xcode, we connect our mobile apps with the simulators to test the feature on the iOS simulators. We can configure different simulators, and with the help of Apple Xcode, we can connect over real devices and publish the locally built app. Then, we can see how it will behave on the real device.

How has it helped my organization?

It is an intermediate tool that helps test our features on the real device and iOS simulators.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (290 words)
Haresh Ghatala - PeerSpot user
Senior Lead Mobile App Developer at a financial services firm with 11-50 employees
Verified user of Apple Xcode
Sep 28, 2022
A good development tool that is easy to navigate, but requires a large amount of memory space

Pros

"We like the ease of access and navigation that this solution provides."

Cons

"We would like a 'light' version of this solution to be developed, as it currently uses a lot of memory space."

What is our primary use case?

We use this solution to develop software for Apple OS.

What is most valuable?

We like the ease of access and navigation that this solution provides.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (279 words)
PeerSpot user
Manager at a tech vendor with 5,001-10,000 employees
Verified user of Apple Xcode
Jan 29, 2024
Has a straightforward setup process, but the stability needs improvement

Pros

"The tool's most valuable features are debugging and code management. "

Cons

"It consists of multiple components and needs a simplified process. This particular area could be more stable."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product as a mandatory tool for developing mobile applications for iOS devices.

How has it helped my organization?

The application is exclusively designed to develop iOS mobile applications.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (273 words)
PeerSpot user
Founder at a tech vendor with 1-10 employees
Verified user of Apple Xcode
Nov 5, 2021
A complete and consistent solution that is constantly evolving

Pros

"It is complete and relevant to the job at hand."

Cons

"There should be additional documentation on App Store deployment. In terms of features, they're pretty much on top of where they need to go. I've been happy with its progress so far. As things evolve, they need to evolve to match that need."

What is our primary use case?

I use it for developing mobile applications. It is a development environment, and it is on-premises.

I am using its latest version.

How has it helped my organization?

It was essential. You can't develop mobile apps for the Apple platforms without it.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (298 words)
PeerSpot user
Head of Growth Marketing at Fliplet
Verified user of Apple Xcode
May 22, 2018
Essential for iOS apps. Cannot perform dynamic tasks in the drag-and-drop visual system.

Pros

"Xcode has quite a bit of code error checking built-in, which is great. It also goes a step further and suggests fixes. "

Cons

"There is a drag-and-drop visual system, but as soon as you do something dynamic, then you are unable to use it."

What is our primary use case?

App building for consumers apps and games. This requires both standard Swift libraries, as well as using SpriteKit.

How has it helped my organization?

It is really the only choice you have for coding in Swift. In the sense, you would not be able to have an iOS app without it, therefore it is essential.

*Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Read full review (141 words)