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Apple Xcode vs Magic xpa Application Platform comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 4, 2025

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Apple Xcode
Ranking in Mobile Development Platforms
11th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
5.3
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
Magic xpa Application Platform
Ranking in Mobile Development Platforms
12th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
7.0
Number of Reviews
10
Ranking in other categories
Application Server (10th), Application Infrastructure (16th)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of January 2026, in the Mobile Development Platforms category, the mindshare of Apple Xcode is 3.0%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Magic xpa Application Platform is 3.5%, up from 3.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Mobile Development Platforms Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Apple Xcode3.0%
Magic xpa Application Platform3.5%
Other93.5%
Mobile Development Platforms
 

Featured Reviews

Brajmohan Papneja - PeerSpot reviewer
Principal Software Engineer at a insurance company with 10,001+ employees
Supports mobile development through advanced interface design and integrated testing tools
Apple Xcode needs a lot of main memory. Sometimes when you are working on two projects, it becomes tough to handle and the application hangs. Memory optimization could be improved because developers are working on two or three projects together, and at that time it becomes hard to handle when configurations are low. For example, if you have 8GB RAM or 16GB RAM, you need higher GB RAM capacity.In Apple Xcode, if we could connect our Jira stories and user stories that the team has worked on, developers could directly look at the user stories they have worked on and the pull request so they can see the changes done. Currently all these things are already there, but we just need to map it correctly and then we can see the code changes. When creating a larger application with many dependent frameworks, we have the Swift Package Manager which helps resolve dependencies. Sometimes it does not work, so that is an area that could be improved.Apple provides all the technical assistance and is very open about it. You just need to create a ticket and they follow up on those tickets.
Mylsamy T. - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Associate - IT at Himalaya Wellness Company
Enables us to develop more than 90 applications in-house, which are used across our organization
It's a bit difficult to work with purely web-based applications to get the data and display it. There have been a few times when the connection was disconnected between the server and your browser. The connectivity on browser-built applications needs to be improved. The mobile application development could be easier. They could include different external applications, like finger sensors. I'm not sure whether it's in version 3.8 or not.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"The most valuable feature of Apple Xcode is that it is up to date."
"Xcode has quite a bit of code error checking built-in, which is great. It also goes a step further and suggests fixes."
"It is complete and relevant to the job at hand."
"It is stable and user-friendly."
"Xcode is pretty smart. It's easy to set up and works perfectly on Android."
"Apple Xcode is one of the most advanced tools which helps you write code and has integrated AI ability."
"The tool's most valuable features are debugging and code management."
"We like the ease of access and navigation that this solution provides."
"Without the need to compile code, the time spent in the development cycle is greatly reduced, allowing the programmer to test modifications to a program immediately after they have been saved."
"The solution makes the managing and adapting of the software very easy."
"Magic is rapid, it's a tool which we use to develop, change and maintain our programs. xpa has a lot more features onboard and it gives us the opportunity to do such things so that we can easily adapt and maintain our programs. It gives certain benefits to stay with our customers and the market."
"Speed of development and database connectivity (MS SQL, Oracle, DB2, Btrieve/Pervasive PSQL, ODBC, MySql, and SQLite)."
"Magic’s Database Gateway allows the logic of the program to be isolated from the underlying database. This provides the flexibility not only to move existing programs to different database environments without the need to change the logic in the program but also allows the programmer access to different databases without the need to know how to "talk" to them."
"What I found most valuable in the Magic xpa Application Platform is that it has a client-server and web browser technology that's perfect for company users."
"The ability to use the same development environment for both Windows and Android applications. Magic xpa also supports iOS applications."
"Magic’s unique approach to development ensures that the programmer stays focused on the objective of the program (i.e. display all customers in California), instead of the repetitive tasks that surround it (i.e. connect to database, open customers table, create the query to retrieve records within the specified criteria, fetch the result of the query, connect it to a data grid, etc.)."
 

Cons

"There should be additional documentation on App Store deployment. In terms of features, they're pretty much on top of where they need to go. I've been happy with its progress so far. As things evolve, they need to evolve to match that need."
"We would like a 'light' version of this solution to be developed, as it currently uses a lot of memory space."
"There is a drag-and-drop visual system, but as soon as you do something dynamic, then you are unable to use it."
"The size of Apple Xcode could improve. It is too large."
"It is a bit challenging to sign in."
"Apple Xcode needs a lot of main memory. Sometimes when you are working on two projects, it becomes tough to handle and the application hangs."
"As Apple has introduced more and more features on top of Xcode, it sometimes, but very rarely, hangs."
"It consists of multiple components and needs a simplified process. This particular area could be more stable."
"In the next version of the Magic xpa Application Platform, I want tables or small programs where I can directly add expressions. I can do it on SQL, but it would make life much easier if that specification were added to the platform."
"The Android environment is missing a number of functions for file/folder manipulation, sending receiving text messages (SMS) and the menuing options are limited. For now, it is left to the developer to write his/her own Java functions to include in the APK."
"The configuration of the xpa RIA mobile environment is complex and a discouragement to new developers. Also, Magic's documentation can be less than complete at times which leads to frustration for new developers. (I encourage new Magic developers to join the Magic Users Group)."
"They want to be one toolbox for everything, but primarily, we are using xpa to develop desktop applications, and in that area they're lacking functionalities, flexibility, and modern stuff."
"The user interface could be improved to be more friendly for developers."
"I would like to see a spell checker included with optional language support. Currently, this has to be purchased from a third-party."
"Support is very bad."
"Throughout my career, I've encountered difficulties when integrating new technologies with Magic xpa Application Platform. In particular, when attempting to incorporate features from other development languages into earlier versions of the solution called uniPaaS. I struggled to integrate .NET components due to the limited options available. This made the process more challenging and complicated. I find it challenging to create a more user-friendly experience for users who may be comparing the system to other systems they have used outside or within the company on different platforms."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We don't have to pay for Apple Xcode's licenses."
"It has an annual renewal."
"There are no licensing costs for Xcode and no hidden charges. You just download it."
"You can start off using Apple Xcode for free but if you start using some more of their enhanced features, it's going to be hundreds of dollars a month. There are corporate licenses but most individual users will not be worried about the corporate license, only your CFO will or the person in charge of the software department."
"The main problem with the Magic xpa Application Platform is pricing. You have to pay a lot of money for development, and you also have to pay a lot for the deployments and runtime, while in most competitors, you have to pay a lot for one of the two and not both."
"There are different licenses, we have the application and the online application. There are two different licenses for two different program sites for the Magic xpa Application Platform."
"It's not cheap. The licenses are not cheap. Not at all. They cost much money. There are other tools with free licenses but Magic asks for a lot of money."
"The licensing is too costly."
"The cost for developers is high because you have to pay for licenses as well as runtime."
"My clients have to purchase additional licenses in order to use what I built. It's not a fair approach."
"Magic is not the cheapest IDE out there. If you are considering Magic xpa, you should do a cost-benefit analysis to feel comfortable with your decision. The Magic sales staff is very helpful in providing pricing."
"The licensing cost varies because nowadays Magic has tailor-made offerings for clients. I think the solution is worth the money."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Financial Services Firm
18%
Computer Software Company
14%
Manufacturing Company
13%
Government
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business3
Midsize Enterprise1
Large Enterprise4
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business9
Midsize Enterprise2
Large Enterprise1
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Apple Xcode?
The tool's most valuable features are debugging and code management.
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Apple Xcode?
Pricing for Apple Xcode is free. You just need to download Apple Xcode from the App Store.
What needs improvement with Apple Xcode?
Apple Xcode needs a lot of main memory. Sometimes when you are working on two projects, it becomes tough to handle and the application hangs. Memory optimization could be improved because developer...
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Also Known As

No data available
uniPaaS
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Information Not Available
ADD, Cape plc, Adecco, Kuno Kinzoku Industry Co., GE Capital, Dove Tree, CBS Outdoor, Paris-Nord Villepinte Exhibition Center, Allstate Life Insurance Company, Titan Software Systems
Find out what your peers are saying about Apple Xcode vs. Magic xpa Application Platform and other solutions. Updated: December 2025.
881,114 professionals have used our research since 2012.