When it comes to mobile app development (Swift vs Kotlin), there are many choices available, but two of the most popular and widely used languages are Swift and Kotlin. With the release of Apple’s programming language, Swift, and Google’s new Android language, Kotlin, the app development world has become even more confusing and difficult to navigate than ever before. With both languages offering similar features and abilities, choosing which one to use when developing an app can be quite a daunting task.
If you’re not sure which one to choose, continue reading this article as we break down all of the pros and cons of both Swift vs Kotlin and help you decide which language is best for your next project!
Swift Pros
Creating apps has never been easier thanks to Apple’s Swift programming language. A powerful combination of features, simplicity, and tool support make Swift not only easy to use but also powerful and fast enough to compete with more complex languages like C++ and Objective-C. Here are seven top benefits of using Swift for custom app development so you can decide if this new language is right for your next project!
Swift is more secure
Unlike Objective-C, Swift has features that make it more secure. For example, its memory management is much better than Objective-C’s. Swift automatically manages memory through ARC (Automatic Reference Counting).
This means there’s no need for manual retain counts. It also employs a static type system and built-in syntax checks that catch common mistakes like passing an incorrect variable type as an argument or returning an inappropriate value from a function call.
Swift apps are easier to build | Swift vs Kotlin
Swift apps are easy to build thanks to an array of useful language constructs that other popular programming languages, like C++ and Objective-C, don’t offer. The fact that Swift is open source and a new programming language also makes it easier for developers to grow their skills with Swift.
If you want to start creating apps, learning Swift is a great way to get started—there are plenty of tutorials online, as well as great tools like Dash by Zendesk. Most importantly, you can use Swift to create cross-platform apps that run on macOS/Linux, Windows and iOS devices—all at once if you want!
Swift can be used by beginners
Swift is a programming language that can be used by beginners. If you’re looking for an easier way to get started in mobile app development, Swift might be your answer. It’s easier than Objective-C and C++ and has proven useful for hobbyists just learning how to code, yet it still uses highly technical terms that can impress your colleagues.
This ease of use makes Swift valuable if you have limited coding experience or are working with teammates who have no experience with app development. An iOS developer with some previous programming experience can learn Swift in a few weeks—but even less experienced coders can get into it pretty quickly too.
Developing in Swift can save time and money
Swift is still new, but Apple is making a big push behind it as an alternative to Objective-C. The benefits of Swift are numerous and far-reaching, so if you’re looking for ways to save time and money in your iOS app development process, Swift could be your solution. If you’re interested in building apps for iOS or macOS and want more details on why now is a great time to switch from Objective-C over to Swift, here are seven swift advantages to know.
Swift allows rapid prototyping
Swift is a language used to quickly prototype new applications. It lets you develop faster than ever before and helps new apps get off of their feet much quicker than with Objective-C. It also makes for easier refactoring as you develop because Swift has less verbose syntax than Objective-C does.
With prototyping, it’s important that you can think quickly and modify your code efficiently; Swift allows you to do both of these things in spades, making it an ideal choice for those who are on a rapid development schedule or have to switch gears frequently.
Xcode makes developing with Swift easy
Swift can be difficult to learn and understand, especially for experienced coders. Luckily, there are a number of tools that make working with Swift easier. Xcode is Apple’s code-editing software, and it has some great features that support Swift app development—most notably built-in autocomplete suggestions (just start typing and Xcode will complete your thought), syntax highlighting and line numbers.
If you’re serious about app development in Swift, getting started with Xcode is highly recommended. In fact, if you plan on releasing an app using Apple’s App Store (or any app store), they require that your code be written in Swift! That makes Xcode even more important as a tool for Swift developers.
Apps built with Swift are consistently high quality
Swift was designed by Apple with a focus on quality. Swift benefits include stronger types, which prevents bugs and inconsistencies when dealing with different types of data. Because Swift is such a high-quality programming language, developers can build faster in fewer lines of code.
The app quality is consistently high when using Swift. With Swift, apps are built quicker, stronger and last longer without requiring additional updates as often. This saves both time and money for developers and business owners alike who are trying to launch a successful product that delivers a lot in terms of value for their users or customers.
Swift Cons
Even though Swift has become the go-to language for app development, there are some disadvantages to using it in your app that you should be aware of before you consider using it.
Swift requires cross-platform experience
Swift requires a higher degree of cross-platform experience. And if you’re an Objective-C developer moving to Swift, you’ll need to get up to speed on some new syntax and coding paradigms. This means that if you haven’t worked with cross-platform tools before, you could hit some speed bumps when adopting Swift.
Swift does not have the best debugging tools
Another disadvantage is that Swift doesn’t have the best debugging tools. With Objective-C, you can use any debugger, as long as it conforms to Apple’s C/C++ syntax guidelines. You don’t get that flexibility with Swift.
Swift apps are still less performant than Java/Objective-C apps
The downside here is that Swift apps are still less performant than Java/Objective-C apps. They also require much more work to get up and running. And, even when using one of these newer build tools, you’ll still need to be a bit more vigilant with memory management than if you were writing Objective-C code.
Swift doesn’t have the libraries like Objective C
Objective C is the original programming language used to create iOS apps. It’s a superset of C, meaning it adds features like garbage collection, classes, and message passing to the C language. Swift code is itself written in Objective-C. This means you can write your Swift apps with existing Objective-C libraries—in fact, you can’t use new Swift features until they’re implemented by those libraries.
Kotlin Pros
If you’re into coding, then you probably know about Kotlin by now. If not, it’s time to sit up and take notice because Kotlin is the future of Android mobile app development (and Java soon). It’s already possible to use Kotlin in Android Studio 3 and has been available as an official language since February 2017. In this article, we’ll take a look at 5 benefits of using Kotlin that will help you decide whether it’s time to make the switch from Java. Need Kotlin Developers
Kotlin is free
One of Kotlin’s biggest pros is that it doesn’t cost anything to use. The language was made and is maintained by a small team at JetBrains, which offers a free open-source license. It also comes pre-installed on some devices running Android Studio 3.0 or later.
Android Studio support | Swift vs Kotlin
Android Studio, Android’s official development tool, has supported Kotlin since version 3.0. The big reason to use it is that it has support for both Java and Kotlin in a single IDE, which means you won’t have to learn a new tool if you want to start building Android apps with Kotlin. But what about all those other tools we mentioned?
Java interoperability
Since Kotlin is a JVM language, it can be used alongside Java (and other JVM languages) without issue. In fact, many developers are using both languages in tandem. Some take advantage of Java’s interop features to call out to Kotlin code and vice versa, whereas others simply use each language separately but not necessarily exclusively. Either way, interoperability between these two languages goes both ways; you don’t have to learn both unless you want to.
Concise syntax
Kotlin’s syntax is concise, which makes for more readable code. Combined with IDE support, even large Java projects can be read almost like regular English. In addition to that, Kotlin’s syntax is strictly typed so it helps avoid common developer mistakes when working with variables and functions.
The JetBrains Toolset
With IntelliJ IDEA, Android Studio, PyCharm, and more, JetBrains has created a well-rounded toolset for developing any programming language. With so many tools to choose from, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Fear not: In this guide, we’ll discuss each JetBrains program and how it could benefit your development process. Let’s get started!
Kotlin Cons
Adding Kotlin to your app development process can provide several advantages, but it also has some disadvantages that many don’t know about and that you should consider before deciding to use Kotlin. Here are the top 4 reasons why Kotlin may not be good for your app development needs and what you can do to address them.
Fragmentation
Android development in Java is a fragmented space, which means lots of libraries, tools, and options to choose from. Although there are tons of resources available to you as an Android developer—especially with Java—this can be both a positive and negative thing. On one hand, there’s no need to reinvent any wheels. If someone has written an open-source library that does what you want it to do (and it works), there’s no need to write your own version of that library from scratch.
Need to learn a new language
As you know, developers today have to learn new languages on a regular basis. They need to do it either because their current technology stack requires them to or because of personal growth and development. In fact, learning new programming languages can be a great way to develop your skills. For instance, if you already know Java or C# but want to expand your knowledge in mobile app development, then learning Kotlin may be what you need.
Limited tool support
Android Studio supports Kotlin out of the box, but you’ll want to make sure that your other developer tools support it too. If you use a third-party library or framework, make sure it’s also compatible with Kotlin. You should also check if there are any known issues when using Kotlin with these tools.
Slow adoption rate
There’s a very good chance you haven’t heard of Kotlin. According to Stack Overflow’s developer survey, it has a small percentage of overall users—just 0.8 percent, as compared to Objective-C (36 percent) and Swift (14 percent). This means that if you use Kotlin in your app development projects, there will be less chance of finding experts with experience in your language; consequently, your project might take longer than expected.
Conclusion
In short, they’re both incredible options for creating mobile apps. Swift is a great option if you’re developing an iOS app, but in terms of Android development and cross-platform compatibility, it doesn’t quite measure up to Kotlin. If you need to build a new Android app or port an existing one to Android—and don’t have any Swift skills—consider using Kotlin mobile app development services.