rysasahrialWhen deciding which programming language to learn for iOS development in 2025, two primary contenders come to mind: Swift and Objective-C. Both are officially supported by Apple, but they cater to different development preferences and project types. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, understanding the differences between Swift and Objective-C can help you choose the best path forward.
What is Objective-C?
Objective-C has been around since the early 1980s and became the main programming language for Apple development for decades. It’s a superset of C, with object-oriented capabilities added via message-passing. Many legacy apps and systems in Apple’s ecosystem still run on Objective-C, making it valuable for maintaining older codebases.
What is Swift?
Introduced by Apple in 2014, Swift is a modern, safe, and fast programming language designed to replace Objective-C. Swift eliminates many common programming errors through better memory management, type safety, and concise syntax. As Apple continues to enhance Swift, it’s becoming the dominant language for building iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS apps.
Comparison Table: Swift vs Objective-C
| Feature | Swift | Objective-C |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2014 | 1984 |
| Syntax | Modern and concise | Verbose and complex |
| Learning Curve | Easier for beginners | Steeper |
| Performance | Faster in most cases | Slightly slower |
| Community & Resources | Growing rapidly | Established, but aging |
| Safety Features | Strong type safety, null safety | Minimal |
| Maintenance & Legacy | Preferred for new projects | Still used in legacy apps |
| Supported by Apple | Yes, actively developed | Yes, but not the main focus |
Which One Should You Learn in 2025?
If you’re just starting out in iOS development or planning to build new apps, Swift is the recommended choice. It’s more future-proof, easier to read and write, and receives consistent updates and enhancements from Apple.
However, learning Objective-C might still be beneficial if you aim to work in companies that maintain legacy code or need to understand complex, older codebases. For freelance or startup developers focused on speed and scalability, Swift offers a clear advantage.
Real-world Use Cases
Many popular iOS apps like Airbnb, Lyft, and LinkedIn have transitioned to Swift due to its safety features and speed. Even though Objective-C still powers parts of macOS and other core Apple software, its usage is steadily declining in favor of Swift.
Community and Tooling
Swift benefits from robust open-source tools and a growing developer community. It’s also being used outside of Apple platforms with the help of frameworks like Swift for TensorFlow, making it a versatile skill for future opportunities.
For deeper insights, you can explore Apple’s official Swift resources which provide tutorials, sample code, and documentation.
