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Guide · Open source

How to use awesome-ios: browse iOS libraries and tools

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

awesome-ios is a curated, open-source list of links to iOS projects, tutorials and tools written in Swift and Objective-C. It is grouped by topic, with a short description for each entry. This guide shows you how to find a library for a specific job, compare the options and read the list offline.

Awesome iOSvsouza/awesome-ios · ★ 53.8k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Open the list. Go to the awesome-ios repository on GitHub or the homepage at awesomeios.dev.
  2. 2Pick a category. Use the Contents section to jump to the topic that matches your task, such as Networking or Testing.
  3. 3Scan the descriptions. Read the short description for each entry and shortlist the projects that fit your need.
  4. 4Open the project page. Follow the link to each shortlisted project to read its documentation and license.
  5. 5Check maintenance. Look at recent commits and issues, because the list does not state maintenance status for each entry.
  6. 6Optional: clone for offline reading. Run git clone https://github.com/vsouza/awesome-ios to keep a local copy of the README.

What awesome-ios is and what it is not

awesome-ios is a README-based list of links, not an app or a package you install. Each entry points to another project, tutorial or tool for building iOS apps.

The list is useful when you need a library for a particular job and want to see what options exist before choosing one.

  • It is a list of links, so there is nothing to install or run.
  • It is licensed under MIT.
  • The README does not state maintenance status for each entry, so check each project yourself before depending on it.

Browse the list by topic

The README starts with a Contents section that links to every category. Topics include Analytics, App Routing, Networking, Testing, Animation-related UI elements and Xcode extensions.

Open a category and read the one-line description for each entry to decide which projects to look at more closely.

  • Use the Contents links to jump straight to a category such as Networking or Testing.
  • Subcategories are nested, for example UI contains Animation, Button and Table View / Collection View.
  • Each entry has a short description written by the list maintainers.

Compare options before you choose a dependency

Within one category, several libraries often solve the same problem. Compare them on the points the list gives you: the description, the license and the project page the link goes to.

Because the README does not say whether each project is still maintained, open the repository or homepage of a candidate and check its activity before you add it to your app.

  • Read the description to see whether the project covers your exact task.
  • Follow the link to the project's own page or repository.
  • Check recent activity and open issues on that project, since the list does not verify this.

Read awesome-ios offline with git

If you want the full list without a browser, clone the repository. The README is a plain Markdown file you can open in any editor.

Run the clone command below from a terminal. The source only lists this single command, so no other setup is needed.

git clone https://github.com/vsouza/awesome-ios

Contribute or report a problem

The README links to a CONTRIBUTING guide and a code of conduct. Read them before suggesting a new entry or change.

The project homepage is listed as http://awesomeios.dev.

  • Contribution guidelines are in .github/CONTRIBUTING.md in the repository.
  • The code of conduct is in CODE_OF_CONDUCT.md.

What people use it for

  • Finding a networking library for a new iOS app
  • Comparing analytics or crash reporting services before choosing one
  • Looking up a UI component such as a button, slider or table view helper
  • Finding a testing framework or UI testing tool
  • Building a map of the iOS ecosystem as a student or newcomer

Frequently asked questions

Is awesome-ios free?

awesome-ios is licensed under MIT, as stated in the project information. The list itself is a set of links, and each linked project has its own license that you should check.

Do I need to install awesome-ios?

No. It is a list of links rather than software, so you read it online or clone the repository to read it offline. The source lists no prerequisites.

How do I download awesome-ios?

Run git clone https://github.com/vsouza/awesome-ios in a terminal. This copies the repository, including the README, to your computer.

Is awesome-ios maintained?

The README does not state maintenance status for each entry. Check the activity of any specific project you plan to use, because the list alone does not guarantee it is current.

What are alternatives to awesome-ios?

Comparable curated lists include Awesome Swift, Awesome Objective-C and Awesome Mobile. Use them if you want a list focused on Swift, Objective-C or mobile development more broadly.

Can awesome-ios help me choose a library?

Yes. It groups projects by task, such as networking, animation or testing, so you can compare several options for one job. You still need to check each project before choosing it.

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Our verdict

awesome-ios suits iOS developers who need to find and compare libraries for a specific task, and newcomers who want a map of the ecosystem. It is not a ready-to-use app, and you should check each linked project's activity yourself before depending on it.

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