HomeIT GlossaryXcodeXcode vs. Visual Studio for macOS: Which one is best for development?

Xcode vs. Visual Studio for macOS: Which one is best for development?

Choosing between Xcode and Visual Studio for macOS depends on your development goals. Xcode is Apple's official Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed specifically for Swift and Objective-C applications. It provides seamless integration with macOS and iOS, a robust Interface Builder, and SwiftUI previews. Visual Studio for Mac, on the other hand, is better suited for C#, .NET, Unity, and cross-platform development, offering Git support and better collaboration features.

If you’re developing native Apple apps, Xcode is the best choice. However, for cross-platform development and .NET applications, Visual Studio for Mac offers more flexibility.

Key takeaways:

Xcode is essential for iOS/macOS development and App Store deployment.
Visual Studio for Mac supports .NET, Unity, and cross-platform apps.
SwiftUI previews and Interface Builder work best in Xcode.
Visual Studio for Mac excels in .NET Core and C# development.

AppCode vs. Xcode: Key differences

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Marko Tadic
iOS Developer
iOS Swift Objective-C Mobile App
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Seniority verified on Apr 16, 2024
With over 20 years of industry experience, Marko is an expert in iOS app development and Swift. His leadership in team management and complex technical evaluations ensures top-tier results. Simply put: Marko turns your vision into reality. Don't miss out—get him on your team today.
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Dejan Velimirovic
Full-Stack Software Developer
React Native Mobile App
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Aleksandar Nikolic
iOS Developer
iOS Swift Mobile App
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Seniority verified on Apr 16, 2024
Aleksandar brings over 11 years of experience in mobile technologies, making "mobile development" his second name. With a focus on Swift and iOS, and backed by a versatile tech stack and engineering background, he's the ideal choice if you need smooth, efficient mobile development combined with adaptability.
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Aleksandar Orelj
Full-Stack Developer
React Native Software Mobile App
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Luka Patarcic
Technical Lead
React Native
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Seniority verified on Oct 03, 2022
With over 7 years in web and mobile development, Luka combines technical expertise and leadership to solve complex problems and deliver top-quality projects from start to finish. Brining verstaile tech stack and leadership experience Luka has worked on various projects from
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Aleksa Stevic
Full-Stack Developer
React Native Offshore Startup Mobile App
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In over 5+ years of experience in FatCat Coders, Aleksa has shown both strong self-management and teamwork. His extensive experience encompasses both teamleading and individual projects. He is an ideal addition to your team if you are looking for versatility along with a commitment to high code quality and creative solutions.
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Andrija Djuric
Fullstack Developer
Mobile App
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Andrija is an experienced developer with 5 years of experience ensuring strong commitment and dedication to his clients and their unique products. Working in Scrum teams with versatile technologies, Andrija has developed unique software features. With a strong command of the English language, Andrija is a perfect addition to your team.
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Vanja Culum
Fullstack Developer
Offshore Mobile App
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Darko Simic
Fullstack Developer
React Native Software Startup Mobile App
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Lana Ilic
Fullstack Developer
React Native Mobile App
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Seniority verified on Feb 28, 2025
Lana is a vetted full-stack developer with over 3 years of experience in international projects, specializing in custom integrations, software features, and marketing web pages. Her strong teamwork skills and advanced English make her a valuable addition to any development team.
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Ivana Jovic
Frontend Developer
React Native Offshore Mobile App
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Meet Ivana – a skilled web page solutions expert with a Master's Degree in Engineering and a strong commitment to client success. Having worked on diverse projects at FatCat Coders, she’s the perfect addition to elevate your team. Looking for a web page master? Ivana is ready to help!
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