CocoaPods vs Carthage vs Swift Package Manager (SPM) in 2025: Which One Should iOS Devs Use?

"All I wanted was to use Alamofire. Now I've got lockfiles, checksum errors, and trust issues." — Every iOS developer, at some point 😅

Sound familiar? If you've ever spent more time fighting with dependency managers than actually writing code, this one's for you.

The Dependency Drama is Real 🎭

Let's be honest — choosing a dependency manager in iOS development used to feel like picking your favorite child. Each tool had its quirks, its devoted fanbase, and its "this will definitely break your build" moments.

But here's the thing: 2025 has changed the game completely.

With Xcode 26, Swift 6.1, and some major announcements from the CocoaPods team, the landscape looks very different than it did even a year ago. So let's cut through the noise and figure out what you should actually be using.

Meet the Contenders 🥊

CocoaPods 🍫

The OG dependency manager

The veteran that's been around since 2011. If you've been doing iOS development for more than five minutes, you've probably wrestled with a Podfile or two.

What it brings to the table:

• Massive ecosystem (90,000+ pods)
• Mature tooling and great documentation
• Excellent Objective-C support
• Central repository with search functionality

The catch:
CocoaPods officially announced they're moving to maintenance mode in 2026. The central specs repository will become read-only, meaning no new pods after that point. This isn't the end of the world, but it's definitely the end of an era.

Carthage 🛠️

The minimalist's choice

Carthage took a different approach — "give me the frameworks, hold the magic." No central repository, no project modification, just pure dependency building.

What makes it special:

• Decentralized approach
• Minimal project integration
• Builds universal frameworks
• You stay in control

The reality check:
Carthage development has been... let's call it "sporadic." The community is smaller, and finding pre-built binaries can be a treasure hunt.

Swift Package Manager (SPM) 🍏

Apple's chosen one

Apple's official solution that ships with Xcode. Started rough around the edges but has been steadily improving with each Xcode release.

The evolution:

• Native Xcode integration (no more external tools!)
• Growing ecosystem
• Apple's full backing
• Resource bundle support (finally!)
• Binary framework support

The Feature Face-Off 🏆

Let me break down how these tools stack up in 2025:

Ecosystem Size

Winner: CocoaPods (for now)

• CocoaPods: 90,000+ pods
• SPM: ~45,000 packages (growing fast)
• Carthage: Depends on GitHub repos

Setup Complexity

Winner: SPM

• SPM: Built into Xcode, zero setup
• Carthage: brew install carthage
• CocoaPods: gem install cocoapods + Ruby management

Build Speed

Winner: Carthage

• Carthage: Pre-built binaries when available
• SPM: Decent caching, improved in Xcode 26
• CocoaPods: Can be slow with large dependency trees

Objective-C Support

Winner: CocoaPods

• CocoaPods: Excellent, battle-tested
• Carthage: Good support
• SPM: Basic support, improving

Official Support

Winner: SPM

• SPM: Apple's baby, gets new features first
• CocoaPods: Community-driven, entering maintenance mode
• Carthage: Minimal maintenance

Real-World Use Cases 🌍

Here's where the rubber meets the road. Forget the feature matrices — what should you actually use?

Scenario 1: Starting a New Swift Project 🆕

Recommendation: Swift Package Manager

If you're starting fresh in 2025, SPM is your best bet. The ecosystem has reached critical mass, Xcode integration is seamless, and Apple's commitment is clear.

// Package.swift - clean and simple
dependencies: [
    .package(url: "https://github.com/Alamofire/Alamofire.git", from: "5.8.0"),
    .package(url: "https://github.com/onevcat/Kingfisher.git", from: "7.10.0")
]

Scenario 2: Large Legacy Codebase 🏛️

Recommendation: Stick with CocoaPods (for now)

If you have a massive Objective-C codebase or complex dependency requirements, don't rush to migrate. CocoaPods isn't going anywhere overnight, and migration can be risky.

But start planning: Begin evaluating which dependencies have SPM support and create a migration roadmap for 2026.

Scenario 3: Framework/SDK Development 📦

Recommendation: Support multiple managers

If you're building frameworks for other developers:

• Provide SPM support (it's table stakes now)
• Keep CocoaPods support for legacy users
• Consider Carthage if your audience values it

Scenario 4: Team with Mixed Preferences 🤝

Recommendation: Standardize on SPM

Nothing kills productivity like different team members using different dependency managers. Pick one (preferably SPM) and stick with it.

Migration Strategy 🚀

From CocoaPods to SPM

Step 1: Audit your dependencies
Check which pods have SPM equivalents. Most popular libraries now support it.

Step 2: Start small
Migrate one module or feature at a time. Don't try to do everything at once.

Step 3: Handle the holdouts
For pods without SPM support, consider:

• Finding alternative libraries
• Vendoring the code
• Using git submodules temporarily

From Carthage to SPM

This is usually straightforward since Carthage users are already comfortable with decentralized dependencies.

The Bottom Line 🎯

Here's my honest take after building with all three tools in 2025:

For new projects: SPM is the clear winner. The ecosystem is mature enough, Xcode integration is fantastic, and it's future-proof.

For existing projects: Don't migrate unless you have a good reason. Stability > following trends.

For framework authors: Support SPM first, then CocoaPods if your audience needs it.

The unpopular opinion: Carthage still has its place for teams that value minimal tooling and maximum control, even if it's not growing.

Looking Forward 🔮

The writing is on the wall — SPM is Apple's chosen path forward. With CocoaPods entering maintenance mode and Carthage's uncertain future, new projects should default to SPM unless there's a compelling reason not to.

But here's the thing: the "best" dependency manager is the one that doesn't get in your way. If CocoaPods is working for your team and migration would be risky, there's no shame in sticking with it.

The goal is shipping great apps, not winning dependency manager debates on Twitter. 🚢

What's Your Take? 💭

Which dependency manager are you using in 2025? Have you made the SPM switch, or are you holding strong with CocoaPods? Drop a comment below — I'd love to hear about your experiences!

And if this helped you make a decision (or at least understand your options better), give it a ❤️ and share it with your fellow iOS developers.

Want more iOS development insights?

• Follow me on Twitter: @swift_karan
• Connect on LinkedIn: karan-pal
• Subscribe for more: @karan.pal

☕ Buy me a coffee if this saved you from dependency hell!

Originally published on Medium