SwiftData vs Core Data

When it comes to managing data in your iOS app, choosing between Core Data and SwiftData is like deciding between the trusted old workhorse and the shiny new toy — both get the job done, but in very different ways.

Ismat Samadov
6 min readSep 24, 2024
Photo by Callum Shaw on Unsplash

When it comes to iOS development, if there’s one thing we all dread, it’s managing data. Sure, building slick UIs and adding cool animations is fun, but at the end of the day, your app needs to remember stuff — whether it’s user preferences, saved game progress, or a list of your favorite coffee shops.

For the longest time, Core Data was the answer to all our data persistence problems. It’s been around so long that it almost feels like part of the furniture. You get used to its quirks, its steep learning curve, and the way it forces you to write what feels like endless boilerplate code. But hey, it works. Then, Apple throws SwiftData into the mix — something fresh, something simple. And suddenly, you’re faced with that same old question: stick with the reliable, or venture into the unknown?

If you’ve been there, trust me, I get it. Choosing between Core Data and SwiftData is like deciding whether to keep using that big, clunky tool that gets the job done or switch to a sleek, streamlined version that…

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