Soarias vs Hacking with Swift
Hacking with Swift is one of the most respected Swift learning resources on the internet, offering tutorials, projects, and books that have helped tens of thousands of developers understand iOS development. Soarias is a desktop shipping tool for Claude Code users that takes an app concept through SwiftUI implementation, screenshots, and App Store submission — the two serve fundamentally different purposes on the iOS developer journey.
At a glance
| Feature | Soarias | Hacking with Swift |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | iOS app shipping tool | Swift learning & tutorials |
| Pricing | $79 one-time purchase | Free core content + paid books |
| Native iOS output | Yes — generates SwiftUI source code | Educational reference, not a generator |
| Runs locally | Yes — local-first, no cloud dependency | Website; books download for offline use |
| App Store submission | Automated via fastlane integration | Not applicable |
| AI provider | Your own Claude Code (BYO key) | Not applicable |
| Subscription required | No | No (free tier); books are one-time |
| Best for | Shipping apps with Claude Code | Learning Swift and iOS fundamentals |
| Data ownership | All code stays on your machine | Your learning progress is yours |
What is Hacking with Swift?
Hacking with Swift (hackingwithswift.com) is a free educational platform created by Paul Hudson, a widely respected figure in the Apple developer community. The site offers an enormous library of free articles, video tutorials, and structured learning paths covering Swift, SwiftUI, UIKit, server-side Swift, and more. The flagship "100 Days of SwiftUI" challenge has become a popular on-ramp for developers learning Apple's declarative UI framework from scratch.
Beyond the free content, Paul Hudson publishes a range of paid books — including titles on SwiftUI, Swift, and advanced topics — that go deeper than the free articles and are frequently updated to track Apple's annual releases. The books are a one-time purchase and are well regarded for their clarity and depth. The platform also includes a forums community and Swift Knowledge Base, making it a comprehensive reference point throughout an iOS developer's career.
Hacking with Swift is not a code-generation or shipping tool. It teaches the reader to understand Swift and iOS concepts so they can write and ship code themselves. That distinction is important when comparing it with a tool like Soarias, which is designed for developers who already understand (or are working alongside AI to understand) the shipping workflow and want to automate the repetitive parts of getting an app to the App Store.
What is Soarias?
Soarias is a $79 one-time macOS desktop application built specifically for Claude Code users who want to ship native iOS apps. It takes an app from a prompt-based concept through screen mockups, SwiftUI and SwiftData implementation, App Store screenshot generation, metadata, and automated submission via fastlane — all running locally on your machine. Because Soarias is local-first, your source code, assets, and API keys never leave your system.
Soarias is not a learning resource. It assumes you have access to Claude Code and are focused on the shipping workflow rather than learning Swift from first principles. The one-time pricing model means there is no ongoing subscription to manage, and because you bring your own Claude Code key, you have full visibility into what the AI is doing and what it costs at the API level.
Key differences
1. Tool versus tutorial site
The core distinction is that Hacking with Swift is an educational resource — it teaches you how to build iOS apps — while Soarias is a shipping tool that automates much of the doing. A developer just starting out with Swift would benefit enormously from working through Hacking with Swift before or alongside using a tool like Soarias. Conversely, a developer who already understands the basics and wants to move quickly from idea to TestFlight would reach for Soarias rather than a tutorial site.
2. Output: knowledge versus code
Hacking with Swift produces knowledge and understanding; it does not generate SwiftUI files, configure fastlane, or submit builds to App Store Connect. Soarias produces actual deliverables: SwiftUI source code, an Xcode project, App Store screenshots, and a submitted build. If your goal is a shipped app rather than a learned skill, these tools occupy different positions on the workflow entirely.
3. Pricing model and ongoing cost
Hacking with Swift's core content is free, which is genuinely remarkable and reflects Paul Hudson's commitment to the community. Paid books are available as one-time purchases for developers who want to go deeper. Soarias is also a one-time purchase at $79 with no subscription. Neither product locks you into a recurring fee, which makes them compatible choices — many developers may use both at different stages of the same project.
Cost over 24 months
Because neither product uses a monthly subscription model, the 24-month cost picture is straightforward.
Hacking with Swift
$0 core content
Free tutorials, articles, and the 100 Days of SwiftUI curriculum. Paid books are available at additional cost (prices vary by title) for developers who want structured deep dives. No subscription required.
Soarias
$79 one-time
Single purchase, no renewal. You bring your own Claude Code API key, so usage costs depend on your own API consumption. No per-seat fees, no subscription tiers.
Note: These products have different scopes — Hacking with Swift is a learning platform, Soarias is a shipping tool. Direct cost comparison is illustrative, not an apples-to-apples feature comparison. Paid book prices on Hacking with Swift were not independently verified; check hackingwithswift.com for current pricing.
When to choose each
Choose Hacking with Swift if…
- →You are learning Swift or SwiftUI and want structured, high-quality tutorials to build your understanding from the ground up.
- →You want to understand why iOS code works, not just have it generated for you — especially useful for code review or debugging AI-generated output.
- →You need a free reference you can return to when stuck on a specific Swift or UIKit concept.
- →You want a proven community resource vetted and regularly updated by a trusted member of the Apple developer community.
Choose Soarias if…
- →You already have a concept for an iOS app and want to go from prompt to TestFlight submission without managing each step manually.
- →You use Claude Code in your workflow and want a local-first desktop tool that keeps your code and API keys on your own machine.
- →You want to avoid recurring SaaS subscriptions and prefer a one-time $79 purchase that covers the full shipping workflow.
- →You are comfortable with the basics of iOS development and want to automate App Store screenshots, metadata, and submission rather than do it by hand.
Related comparisons
- NSHipster for iOS shippers — reference site vs. shipping tool
- Xcodes CLI vs Soarias — Xcode version management vs. full ship workflow
- Fastlane Snapshot alternative — manual screenshot automation vs. Soarias
- XcodeGen and Soarias — project generation in context
- iOS app icon generator alternatives compared
- Codemagic for Soarias users — CI/CD vs. local-first shipping
- Bitrise for Soarias users — cloud build pipeline vs. Soarias
FAQ
Can I use Hacking with Swift and Soarias together?
Yes — they occupy different parts of the iOS developer workflow. Hacking with Swift is valuable for building the conceptual foundation to understand what Soarias generates: when Claude Code produces SwiftUI code, knowing how to read and modify that code is a genuine advantage. Many developers use tutorial resources like Hacking with Swift to grow their comprehension while using shipping tools to move faster on specific projects.
Does Soarias replace learning Swift?
Not entirely. Soarias automates the shipping workflow — code generation, screenshots, App Store metadata, and submission — but understanding Swift and SwiftUI helps you review what the AI produces, debug issues, and extend the app after initial generation. Soarias is designed to make the shipping pipeline faster, not to replace developer judgment. Resources like Hacking with Swift remain useful for building that judgment.
Does Soarias work if I'm not a Swift expert?
Soarias is built around Claude Code, so it can generate SwiftUI and SwiftData code from a prompt without requiring you to write Swift by hand. However, the more you understand iOS development concepts — even at a basic level — the better you'll be able to guide the AI, review the output, and handle edge cases during App Store review. A working familiarity with Swift is helpful, even if you are not an expert.
Is there a free trial for Soarias?
Check soarias.com for the current availability of a trial or demo. Soarias is a $79 one-time purchase with no subscription, so there is no ongoing commitment after the initial payment. Hacking with Swift's core tutorial content is free to access at any time, which makes it a low-barrier starting point for learning Swift before deciding whether a shipping tool fits your workflow.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-11 by the Soarias team. Competitor information based on publicly available details at hackingwithswift.com; verify current pricing and features directly with Hacking with Swift.