Xcode
VerifiedApple's free official IDE for building apps across iOS, macOS, and other Apple platforms
See all screenshots - Deployment On Premises
- Starting price Free
- Free trial Not offered
- Best for Freelancers, Startups, SMEs
What is Xcode?
Xcode is Apple's free integrated development environment for building software across iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS. It bundles a code editor for Swift, SwiftUI, and Objective-C with Interface Builder for visual UI design, a built-in Simulator for testing on virtual devices, and the Instruments profiler for diagnosing performance issues.
Xcode is downloadable free from the Mac App Store, and with just an Apple ID you can build and run apps on your own devices. An Apple Developer Program membership, priced at $99 per year, is only required for distributing apps on the App Store or accessing certain advanced capabilities like TestFlight.
Key Features of Xcode
Xcode lists 8 documented features, including Code editor for Swift, SwiftUI, and Objective-C, Interface Builder for drag-and-drop UI design and Built-in Simulator for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS. The list below covers what the product does rather than how it is marketed.
- Code editor for Swift, SwiftUI, and Objective-C
- Interface Builder for drag-and-drop UI design
- Built-in Simulator for iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, and tvOS
- Instruments performance profiler
- Integrated Git version control
- XCTest unit and UI testing framework
- Integrated code signing and App Store Connect submission
- SwiftUI live previews
Xcode Pricing
Xcode lists 2 plans, starting free and running to $99.
Xcode
Free
macOS only
Full IDE and simulators; run apps on your own devices with just an Apple ID
Apple Developer Program
$99/year
Per membership
Required for App Store distribution, TestFlight, and additional device capabilities
Xcode Specifications
Xcode is available on macOS. It offers an API and has a free plan.
- Deployment
- On Premises
- Billing cycle
- Yearly
- Desktop
- macOS
- Languages
- English
- Built for
- Freelancers
- Startups
- SMEs
- Agencies
- Enterprises
- Support
- Tickets
- Training
- Integrations
- Git, App Store Connect, TestFlight, Swift Package Manager, CocoaPods, Instruments
- Public API
- Yes
- Free trial
- No
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs in browser
- No
- Customisable
- Yes
- Website
- developer.apple.com
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