Carthage vs CocoaPods: which should I use?

Carthage is decentralized and gives more control by not modifying Xcode projects automatically, while CocoaPods offers a centralized ecosystem with easier setup. Choose Carthage if you prefer manual integration, or CocoaPods for automation and curated packages.

How to migrate from framework bundles to XCFrameworks in Carthage?

The README provides steps: delete the Carthage/Build folder, run `carthage build --use-xcframeworks`, remove old framework references in Xcode, and add new XCFramework references. This ensures compatibility with Xcode 12 and Apple Silicon.

Does Carthage work with Swift Package Manager?

No, Carthage is a separate dependency manager that builds frameworks from Git repositories, while Swift Package Manager is Apple's official tool with a different workflow. They are not directly integrated.

Can Carthage use prebuilt binaries to avoid compilation?

Yes, Carthage can download prebuilt frameworks from GitHub Releases if attached to tags, speeding up builds. However, it falls back to building from source if binaries are incompatible or missing.

What are the system requirements for Carthage?

Carthage requires macOS with Xcode installed. It supports iOS 8+ for dynamic frameworks, and from version 0.30.0, static frameworks. Xcode 12 or later is needed for XCFramework support.

How to handle nested dependencies in Carthage?

Carthage automatically retrieves nested dependencies listed in Cartfiles, but you must manually link them to your Xcode project by dragging frameworks from the Carthage/Build folder, as per the nested dependencies section.

Open-Awesome

Carthage

NOASSERTIONSwift0.40.0

A simple, decentralized dependency manager for Cocoa and Swift that builds frameworks and leaves project integration to the developer.

GitHub

15.2k stars1.5k forks0 contributors

What is Carthage?

Carthage is a dependency manager for Cocoa and Swift applications. It fetches and builds project dependencies into binary frameworks, but unlike other tools, it does not automatically integrate them into your Xcode project, giving developers full control over their project setup.

Target Audience

iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS developers who prefer a lightweight, non-intrusive dependency manager that integrates seamlessly with their existing Xcode workflow.

Value Proposition

Developers choose Carthage for its simplicity, decentralized approach, and because it avoids modifying project files automatically, offering greater flexibility and control compared to centralized alternatives.

Overview

A simple, decentralized dependency manager for Cocoa

Use Cases

Best For

Managing Swift and Objective-C dependencies in Xcode projects
Projects that require control over framework integration and build settings
Teams preferring a decentralized dependency management approach
Building multi-platform frameworks as XCFrameworks
Integrating prebuilt binary frameworks to speed up build times
Projects that already use Git submodules for dependency management

Not Ideal For

Projects needing automatic Xcode project integration with zero manual configuration
Teams that rely on a centralized package registry for easy dependency discovery and updates
Developers working on iOS projects targeting versions earlier than 8, as Carthage only supports dynamic frameworks from iOS 8 onwards

Pros & Cons

Pros

Decentralized Architecture

Carthage fetches dependencies directly from Git repositories like GitHub, avoiding a central package registry and reducing maintenance overhead, as emphasized in its philosophy.

Framework Flexibility

Builds dependencies into dynamic or static frameworks, including modern XCFrameworks for cross-platform compatibility, which is crucial for Apple Silicon support from version 0.37.0.

Binary Caching for Speed

Can download prebuilt frameworks from GitHub Releases to skip compilation, significantly speeding up build times when binaries are available, as detailed in the archive prebuilt frameworks section.

Developer Control

Does not modify Xcode projects or build settings automatically, giving developers full control over integration, which aligns with its unintrusive design philosophy.

Cons

Manual Integration Burden

Requires developers to manually drag frameworks into Xcode, set up run script phases, and manage file lists, which can be error-prone and time-consuming compared to automated tools.

Limited Dependency Discovery

Lacks a centralized package list, making it harder to find new libraries without external resources, as acknowledged in the differences from CocoaPods section.

Build and Debugging Issues

Known problems like the DWARFs symbol problem can prevent debugging on other machines, and Swift version mismatches may force builds from source or cause failures.

Open Source Alternative To

Carthage is an open-source alternative to the following products:

CocoaPods

CocoaPods is a dependency manager for Swift and Objective-C Cocoa projects that manages library dependencies in Xcode projects.

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