Top technologies for IOS app development in 2021: benefits, use case scenarios

Introduction

Let’s face it — developing for iOS can sometimes feel like navigating a jungle. There are tangled frameworks, slippery OS updates, and the occasional lurking bug ready to pounce just as you hit “Submit for Review.” But fear not — we’ve got the ultimate map. At Kanhasoft, we’ve wrestled with everything from SwiftUI hiccups to Xcode’s spontaneous crashes (don’t get us started). Through it all, one thing has become crystal clear: choosing the right iOS app development technology can be the difference between an app that soars and one that just… sits there.

In this blog, we’re unpacking the top technologies for iOS app development, explaining their benefits, showcasing real-world use case scenarios, and helping you make smarter tech choices without sacrificing scalability, performance, or sanity. Whether you’re a startup trying to break into the App Store or an enterprise streamlining your digital product, this guide is your golden compass.

Because in the iOS jungle, it’s not the strongest app that survives—it’s the one built with the smartest tools.

Why iOS Still Rules the Mobile Kingdom

Sure, Android dominates the numbers game—but iOS? iOS dominates where it matters: user engagement, monetization, and security. (Also: no offense, Android, but your fragmentation is showing.)

From the gleaming streets of Zurich to the bustling corridors of Tel Aviv, iOS apps continue to be the first choice for businesses looking to build sleek, scalable, and high-performing mobile solutions. With Apple’s user base known for higher spending, tighter security preferences, and a preference for buttery-smooth UX, building for iOS is less of a gamble and more of a guaranteed ROI.

And let’s not forget developer love. While Apple does keep a pretty tight ship (sometimes painfully so), its commitment to performance and device consistency makes iOS app development a dream when using the best iOS development tools — we’re talking Swift, Xcode, Core ML, and more.

If you’re serious about reaching premium users and building an app that looks as good as it runs, iOS is still your ticket to the top shelf.

iOS App Development Technology: A Quick Glance Under the Hood

Now, if you’re wondering, “What does a modern iOS app run on under the hood?”—well, grab your digital stethoscope. It all starts with choosing the right iOS app development technology stack, and in 2025, the toolbox has never been more exciting (or intimidating).

The typical stack today includes programming languages like Swift and Objective-C, UI kits like SwiftUI and UIKit, databases such as Core Data or Realm, and deployment tools ranging from Fastlane to Firebase. Add to that APIs for everything from geolocation to ARKit, and you’ve got yourself a pretty loaded deck.

But here’s the kicker—not every app needs the whole buffet. Some just need a lean stack built for speed and scale; others need AI, AR, or offline data handling built-in. Knowing which iOS development frameworks work best for your use case can save weeks of development (and let’s be honest—thousands in budget).

Stick around as we unpack these tech marvels one-by-one. Spoiler alert: you will want to rethink your current stack after this.

Swift: The Fast, the Furious, the (Apple) Endorsed

If Swift were a movie character, it’d be the charming lead—fast, modern, reliable, and just a bit opinionated. Introduced by Apple in 2014, Swift has since become the backbone of most modern iOS app development technologies—and for good reason.

We love Swift for its safety features (goodbye, null pointer errors), readable syntax (even your junior dev can follow it), and top-tier performance. It’s designed to work seamlessly with Apple’s Cocoa and Cocoa Touch frameworks, making native development smooth and scalable. From enterprise banking apps in Switzerland to health trackers in the UAE, Swift is the preferred choice for secure, responsive applications.

Now, Swift isn’t perfect—it’s evolving rapidly (which means frequent updates), and older codebases still carry Objective-C like legacy luggage. But if you’re building a brand-new app in 2025? Swift is a no-brainer.

Use case scenario: Swift shines in apps that require real-time processing, like video streaming, data visualization, and intensive business logic. That’s why it’s not just fast—it’s future-proof.

Objective-C: The Grandpa Who Still Lifts

Before Swift took the stage, Objective-C was Apple’s go-to. And while many developers now raise an eyebrow at its quirky syntax and verbose declarations (yes, square brackets are a vibe), Objective-C still holds its ground—especially in legacy enterprise apps.

Why? Because rewriting massive codebases into Swift isn’t just expensive—it’s risky. Many mission-critical apps across finance, aviation, and healthcare still use Objective-C, and it continues to be supported by Apple (albeit like your grandpa’s flip phone—still works, but maybe not ideal for Instagram).

We don’t hate it. In fact, when we inherit Objective-C projects, we treat them like vintage cars—carefully tuned, well-maintained, and still capable of turning heads. Plus, Swift is interoperable with Objective-C, meaning the two can live in harmony during transitions.

Pro tip: When you’re dealing with an older project with complex backend integrations, Objective-C might still be the most stable choice—especially if you’ve got seasoned developers on your team.

Xcode: The Beloved Beast

Ah, Xcode—Apple’s official IDE and possibly the only piece of software we love and curse in the same sentence.

As far as iOS app development tools go, Xcode is essential. It supports everything from UI design (thanks to Interface Builder) to testing, debugging, and seamless app deployment to the App Store. Whether you’re building a native app using Swift or Objective-C, Xcode has you covered.

However, let’s not pretend it’s perfect. Sometimes, it crashes at the worst possible moment. Sometimes, it forgets what “Indexing” even means. And yes, occasionally it decides that your perfectly valid code just isn’t good enough today.

But despite all that—Xcode’s integration with Apple’s ecosystem makes it unbeatable. Code completion? Excellent. UI previews? Game-changer. Simulator variety? Chef’s kiss.

At Kanhasoft, we treat Xcode like an unpredictable yet genius coworker: temperamental, but if you know how to handle them, they’ll deliver brilliance.

SwiftUI: Where Code Meets Canvas

SwiftUI is like the cool new intern that showed up and started rewriting everything—more efficiently, we might add.

Introduced in 2019, SwiftUI is Apple’s declarative UI framework that’s giving UIKit a serious run for its money. Instead of the old “build a view, then wrestle it into layout” workflow, SwiftUI lets developers describe what the interface should look like, and it takes care of the how. And we’re not mad about it.

For modern iOS app development, SwiftUI is fast becoming the go-to for building dynamic, responsive UIs that scale across Apple’s entire device family—including iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the Vision Pro. With hot reloads (finally), less boilerplate code, and more reusable components, development time shrinks and UI flexibility skyrockets.

Use case scenario: SwiftUI is ideal for startups looking to launch fast with MVPs, or for apps that rely heavily on clean, dynamic UI—think fintech dashboards, media apps, or anything with live data.

It’s still evolving (some advanced gestures or animations might need UIKit fallbacks), but for most projects in 2025, SwiftUI is a game-changer—and we’re here for it.

React Native: Cross-Platform Magic or a Compromise?

React Native walked into iOS town with a promise: write once, deploy everywhere. It made a splash—and then, like any disruptive tech, sparked endless debate.

At Kanhasoft, we’ve used React Native for iOS development in plenty of projects where speed, budget, and multi-platform goals took priority. The ability to write code in JavaScript (or TypeScript) and target both iOS and Android from a single codebase is undeniably efficient. And with libraries like React Navigation or Redux, it can scale surprisingly well.

But (there’s always a but), it’s not all rainbows and reusable components. When it comes to heavy animations, AR, or deep native integrations, React Native may hit performance ceilings. Also, bridging native modules can be a pain—like, dental-surgery-level pain.

Use case scenario: React Native is perfect for social media apps, e-commerce platforms, or corporate tools that need cross-platform reach without breaking the bank.

So yes, it’s a bit of a compromise—but a smart one, when done right.

Flutter: Google’s Surprise Guest at Apple’s Party

When Flutter arrived, many devs scoffed. Google’s framework for iOS? On Apple’s turf? Bold move. But then we tried it—and, folks, we were impressed.

Flutter uses Dart (yes, a curveball), and it compiles to native ARM code for both Android and iOS. The real showstopper? Its widget-based architecture that lets you control every pixel on screen. And that silky-smooth UI performance? Chef’s kiss.

In our experience, Flutter is a rockstar for building beautiful, consistent, and fast-performing apps across platforms. It avoids the “middleman” approach of bridging native modules (like React Native does), which often means fewer bugs and better performance. And with the introduction of Flutter 3.x, support for foldables, wearables, and even web is expanding rapidly.

Use case scenario: Flutter is gold for visually rich apps like event platforms, news aggregators, and even internal enterprise tools where UI customization matters.

Would we use it for everything? Not quite. Flutter has a growing but still limited plugin ecosystem compared to native iOS dev. Still—if you’re planning a sleek app for both stores, Flutter is a strong contender.

Core Data & Realm: Two Peas in Your Persistence Pod

Every app has its secrets — and by that, we mean data. Whether it’s user preferences, session history, or offline shopping carts, managing data locally is a non-negotiable. That’s where Core Data and Realm step in, like two very different but equally competent bouncers for your app’s persistence layer.

Core Data is Apple’s native object graph and persistence framework — fast, integrated, and battle-tested. It plays nice with Swift and SwiftUI and offers powerful features like change tracking, undo management, and schema migration. But let’s be honest: it also has a learning curve steeper than your first ride on a mountain bike.

Enter Realm — the sleek, cross-platform database that says, “I’ll handle your objects like a pro, no boilerplate needed.” It’s lightweight, easy to set up, and great for apps that need reactive data or want to ship quickly without sacrificing performance.

Use case scenario: For enterprise-grade apps deeply woven into the Apple ecosystem? Core Data. For agile startups building cross-platform MVPs? Realm may be your best bet.

Either way, your users don’t care what’s under the hood — they just want it to work. Choose wisely.

ARKit & CoreML: Turning Apps into Superheroes

Welcome to the part of the tech stack where apps start doing things you didn’t know were possible — like recognizing faces, placing virtual furniture in your living room, or predicting your next grocery run. Meet ARKit and CoreML, Apple’s heavy-hitters in the emerging tech arena.

ARKit, Apple’s augmented reality framework, is miles ahead in precision and power. With LiDAR support and advanced scene understanding, it allows developers to craft immersive, real-time AR experiences. Think virtual retail showrooms, interior design apps, and educational simulations — all straight from your phone.

CoreML, on the other hand, brings machine learning to the device. No more cloud lag — models run natively, fast and secure. From fitness apps counting reps to fintech apps spotting fraud, CoreML empowers developers to build smarter, more intuitive features.

Use case scenario: A UAE-based fitness startup we worked with combined CoreML and ARKit to offer personalized AR workouts — and yes, it tracked form. That’s where the future is heading.

These aren’t just buzzwords. They’re tools that turn apps from static utilities into adaptive, interactive experiences.

CloudKit: Because No One Likes Local Storage Anymore

Let’s face it — we’ve moved on from local storage like we moved on from floppy disks and dial-up. In today’s app world, users expect their data to follow them — from iPhone to iPad to MacBook and back again. That’s where CloudKit, Apple’s official cloud storage framework, shines.

Tightly integrated with the Apple ecosystem, CloudKit handles user data syncing, authentication, and database management without forcing you to stand up your own cloud infrastructure. It’s private, secure, and ridiculously fast (assuming your Wi-Fi isn’t having a meltdown).

What makes CloudKit particularly compelling is that it respects privacy by default — Apple’s servers store the data, but only users with permission can access it. This makes it ideal for healthcare, education, and personal finance apps where GDPR, HIPAA, or general user trust is paramount.

Use case scenario: If you’re building a journaling app, note-taking tool, or collaborative planner, CloudKit allows seamless sync across devices with zero user configuration. Magic? No. Just good engineering.

And the best part? You don’t need to pay extra for infrastructure — your Apple Developer account already includes a generous CloudKit tier.

Third-Party SDKs: The Spice Rack of iOS Development

Building an iOS app without third-party SDKs is like making curry without spices — possible, but deeply unsatisfying.

Apple’s native tools are powerful, sure, but sometimes you need a little extra oomph. That’s where third-party SDKs (Software Development Kits) come in. From crash reporting and analytics to payments and messaging, SDKs supercharge your app with battle-tested features — without reinventing the wheel.

Some of our go-to SDKs for iOS app development include:

• Firebase (for authentication, real-time databases, and analytics)

• Stripe (payments that actually work)

• OneSignal (for those oh-so-essential push notifications)

• Appsflyer or Branch (for deep linking and attribution)

And yes — before you ask — we vet every SDK like it’s applying for a job at Kanhasoft. If it slows us down, tracks users questionably, or breaks the build, it’s out.

Use case scenario: Want to launch a food delivery app in two months? Without SDKs, you’ll need twelve developers and a miracle. With SDKs? You could go live with half the team and all the features your competitors took a year to build.

Just don’t overdo it. Too many SDKs = bloated app = one-star reviews. Spice wisely.

CI/CD Tools for iOS: Because Manual Builds Are So 2010

Raise your hand if you’ve ever screamed at Xcode during an ad-hoc build process. (It’s okay. We’ve all been there.) Thankfully, in today’s fast-paced dev world, Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) tools are here to save your sanity — and your timeline.

Automating your builds, tests, and deployments isn’t just a luxury — it’s essential for consistent, scalable iOS app development. Whether you’re pushing to TestFlight or the App Store, CI/CD ensures your app ships smoothly, repeatedly, and without weird last-minute surprises.

Popular tools in our workflow include:

• Fastlane (the king of automated builds and app store delivery)

• Bitrise (great for visual workflows and cloud builds)

• GitHub Actions (for those already neck-deep in GitHub)

Use case scenario: You’re maintaining multiple app versions for clients across the US, UK, and UAE. Manually archiving and uploading builds each week? That’s a full-time job. With CI/CD? Set it once, and it runs itself — while you focus on actual development.

In short: Automate or be automated.

Benefits of Using Modern iOS App Development Technologies

Let’s take a breath — we’ve thrown a lot of tools, frameworks, and TLAs (three-letter acronyms) at you. So why does it all matter?

Because using the right iOS app development technology doesn’t just make your developers’ lives easier — it gives your users a better experience and your business a faster route to ROI.

Here’s what you gain when you use today’s top tools:

• Speed to Market: Technologies like SwiftUI and Flutter cut dev time dramatically.

• Scalability: React Native and Firebase let you grow user bases without rebuilding from scratch.

• Security: Native tools like CoreML and CloudKit follow Apple’s strict data privacy guidelines.

• Performance: Swift, Xcode, and optimized SDKs mean faster, smoother apps.

• Cross-Platform Flexibility: Tools like React Native or Flutter let you serve Android and iOS from one codebase (with a few trade-offs).

Whether you’re in fintech, healthtech, edtech, or just trying to build the next big thing — using modern tools translates to fewer bugs, happier users, and apps that age like wine, not milk.

Use Case Scenarios for Various iOS Technologies

It’s one thing to know about technologies — it’s another to know when to use them. Like a chef choosing ingredients, your tech stack should reflect your dish (er, app) — not just what’s trendy.

Let’s match some popular iOS app development technologies with real-world use cases:

• Swift + SwiftUI: Ideal for building fintech apps, health trackers, and dashboards — anything that needs a fast, responsive UI with real-time data updates.

• React Native: Best for startups building MVPs that must work on both iOS and Android — think ride-sharing, food delivery, or booking platforms.

• CoreML + ARKit: These shine in smart apps — fitness apps with pose detection, AR shopping, or language learning apps with real-world object recognition.

• Realm: Great for offline-first productivity tools, journaling apps, and note-takers that need fast, lightweight local data storage.

• CloudKit: Perfect for collaborative tools like shared to-do lists or educational apps that sync content across devices.

What matters is matching the tech to the business goal. That’s how you build apps that scale — not just launch.

iOS Development Trends in 2025

The future isn’t coming — it’s already in your App Store update queue.

As we look ahead, some key iOS development trends are reshaping how we build and ship apps:

• VisionOS & Apple Vision Pro: Augmented reality and spatial experiences are no longer experimental — they’re now part of product roadmaps.

• SwiftData: Think of it as Core Data, but actually enjoyable to use. Apple’s newest data persistence framework is changing the game.

• AI-Powered Features: With CoreML and new LLM integrations, apps are getting smarter — predictive UX, auto-generated content, and real-time personalization are becoming the norm.

• Increased Privacy Controls: Apple’s ongoing privacy-first stance means developers must build with consent, clarity, and compliance from Day 1.

• Composable UIs: Frameworks like SwiftUI and Flutter are pushing for modular, reusable components, making apps faster to develop — and easier to maintain.

Keep an eye on Apple’s WWDC each year (yes, we block our calendars), because staying current is no longer optional — it’s competitive survival.

How to Choose the Right iOS Tech Stack 

Choosing an iOS app tech stack shouldn’t feel like picking a starter Pokémon — but let’s be real, sometimes it does.

The secret? Start with your business goals, not the trend of the week. Need lightning-fast UI? Go Swift. Want to target Android too? React Native or Flutter might save you months. Building for an enterprise with legacy infrastructure? Objective-C might still be your awkward-but-necessary friend.

At Kanhasoft, we use a simple filter:

• Who is your user?

• What’s the budget/timeline?

• How critical is performance vs. reach?

• Are we talking MVP, or long-term scale?

Example: A Swiss fintech startup approached us wanting a “cool app” — turns out what they needed was data security, multi-currency support, and bank-grade performance. Swift + Core Data was the obvious choice (and yes, we gently talked them out of React Native).

Common Mistakes to Avoid in iOS Development

Look, we’ve all made mistakes. (Remember the time we shipped an app with debug mode on? Fun times.) But when it comes to iOS app development, some mistakes are more costly than others — and entirely avoidable.

Here’s a quick list of traps even seasoned developers fall into:

• Overengineering: Just because you can integrate six third-party SDKs and three machine learning models doesn’t mean you should.

• Neglecting Testing: Skipping unit and UI tests may save time now — until your app crashes in front of 10,000 new users.

• Ignoring Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines (HIG): You might think your design is genius, but if it confuses users or gets rejected from the App Store, guess who’s laughing? (Not Apple.)

• Relying Too Heavily on Cross-Platform Tools: They’re great — but when your app relies on platform-specific features, native tools win every time.

• Forgetting Version Compatibility: If your app breaks on the latest iOS update, you’ve just gifted your competition your user base.

Avoid these pitfalls, and you’re not just building an app — you’re building a product that performs, lasts, and makes your users actually want to keep it installed.

Custom iOS App Development: When Off-the-Shelf Won’t Cut It

We get it — there’s a template for everything these days. Need an app? There’s probably a drag-and-drop tool that promises to build one in 5 minutes flat.

But here’s the truth: custom iOS app development is still the only way to create scalable, secure, and personalized user experiences that align with your business goals.

At Kanhasoft, we work with clients across industries — healthcare, logistics, edtech — and while the requirements vary wildly, one thing stays the same: off-the-shelf apps can’t compete with custom builds when it comes to integration, control, and long-term flexibility.

Use case scenario: A UAE logistics company wanted real-time fleet tracking, dynamic routing, and multilingual support. Try doing that with a template. Spoiler: we built it from scratch using Swift, CoreLocation, and CloudKit — and it works like a charm.

Custom development means you get exactly what you need, built to your specs — not someone else’s assumptions.

Hire iOS App Developers: What to Look For

You wouldn’t hire a plumber to build a rocket ship — so don’t hire a JavaScript hobbyist to build a mission-critical iOS app. Finding the right team matters, and here’s what to look for when hiring iOS app developers:

• Technical Proficiency: Swift and Objective-C are a given. But can they use SwiftUI, CoreML, ARKit, and all the other tech we’ve covered?

• Portfolio with Variety: Look for experience across industries and project sizes — not just clones of Uber.

• Problem Solvers, Not Just Coders: A good dev can code. A great one asks, “Why are we building this feature?” and makes it better.

• Knowledge of Apple’s Guidelines: If they’ve never battled with App Store review rejections, they haven’t lived (or launched).

• Communication & Agile Workflow: Especially when outsourcing, your developers should talk like partners — not ticket takers.

At Kanhasoft, we don’t just “do iOS.” We architect solutions, iterate fast, and stick around post-launch — because bugs don’t take holidays.

iOS App Development Services at Kanhasoft

We’ve dropped a lot of tech names, shared our favorite frameworks, and sprinkled in just enough snark to make it fun — but now it’s time to talk shop.

At Kanhasoft, iOS development isn’t just a service — it’s a craft. Whether you’re building a smart wearable app for Zurich’s health scene or a fintech powerhouse in Tel Aviv, our approach stays the same: identify your business goals, choose the best iOS app development technologies, and build something scalable, secure, and delightfully usable.

We cover the full stack — Swift, SwiftUI, CoreML, Realm, ARKit, CloudKit, React Native (yes, we’re fluent in hybrid too), and even good old Objective-C for those legacy lifelines.

From MVP to enterprise-grade solutions, we bring:

• End-to-end consulting & development

• Agile project delivery

• Post-launch support & App Store optimization

And if you ask nicely, we’ll even let you peek under the hood at our development process. No trade secrets. Just solid engineering.

Cost Implications Based on Technology Stack

Let’s talk money. (It’s okay — everyone flinches at this part.)

The cost of building an iOS app depends heavily on your chosen iOS development framework, complexity, features, and timeline. Spoiler alert: there’s no one-size-fits-all number. But here’s how different technologies can shift the cost scale:

Pro Tip: Going cross-platform can save upfront cost, but consider future maintenance. A native iOS app might have a higher entry fee but often delivers stronger ROI in performance, security, and user retention.

As always — invest in what scales.

Kanhasoft’s Anecdote: “That One Time We Tried to Reinvent Push Notifications”

Alright, story time.

A few years back, we were working with a UK-based media startup that wanted total control over their push notifications. We’re talking segmentation, custom triggers, even emoji-based targeting. “Sure,” we said. “How hard can it be?”

Cut to three weeks later — and we’re knee-deep in Firebase hacks, Apple Push Notification Service (APNs) quirks, and a custom backend script named Pushzilla (yes, that was real).

In the end? We got it working. But not before learning this golden rule: if Apple already offers a solid solution, use it. Reinventing the wheel isn’t just inefficient — it’s a debugging nightmare.

Now, whenever a client suggests “maybe we just build our own push server,” we smile, nod, and tell them the story of Pushzilla. Works every time.

FAQs

Q. What is the most widely used iOS app development technology in 2025?
A. Swift continues to dominate as the go-to language for iOS app development in 2025, thanks to its performance, safety features, and tight integration with Apple’s latest frameworks like SwiftUI and SwiftData.

Q. Is React Native still a good option for iOS development?
A. Absolutely — for certain use cases. If you need a cross-platform solution with quicker time-to-market and a shared codebase, React Native is a solid choice. Just don’t expect the same level of native performance as Swift.

Q. When should I choose Flutter over native development?
A. Flutter is great when UI consistency across platforms is crucial and you’re targeting Android and iOS simultaneously. However, if you’re aiming for deep iOS integration or superior performance, go native with Swift.

Q. How do I choose the best iOS tech stack for my app?
A. Start with your business goals — speed, scalability, budget, and platform needs. Then align those with a tech stack that balances development speed with long-term maintenance. A custom consultation helps (yes, we do those).

Q. Is CoreML suitable for small apps?
A. It can be! If you’re adding features like face detection, image classification, or personalization, CoreML can enhance UX even in lightweight apps — without needing a full ML backend.

Q. How much does iOS app development cost at Kanhasoft?
A. Costs vary depending on complexity, features, and tech stack. We offer flexible models to fit startups, SMEs, and enterprises alike. The best way to get an estimate? Talk to us — we don’t bite.

Conclusion

If there’s one takeaway from this glorious ride through the jungle of iOS app development technologies, it’s this: the tools you choose will shape not only how your app performs, but how fast it scales, how easy it is to maintain, and — perhaps most importantly — how much your users love using it.

From SwiftUI to CoreML, from Flutter to CloudKit, the 2025 iOS tech stack offers unparalleled possibilities. The key is knowing which tech works for your app, not just chasing shiny new frameworks because the dev community’s hyped up.

At Kanhasoft, we live and breathe this stuff. We build apps that don’t just launch — they last. Apps that perform under pressure. Apps that make you proud to open the App Store.

So, whether you’re ready to build, still researching, or just here for the anecdotes — thanks for tagging along. And if you’re ready to take that next step? Our inbox is always open.