Difference between AppKit and UIKit

AppKit and UIKit both are essential frameworks, which is used for building interfaces in macOS and iOS applications, respectively. where AppKit is specifically designed for macOS, which provides a rich set of components and features like window management and traditional event handling etc for desktop applications. whereas UIKit is focused on iOS, which is mainly on touch-based interactions and mobile-design principles. Though both frameworks serve similar purposes in creating user interfaces still they address distinct needs and user experiences of their respective platforms.

AppKit

AppKit is a framework provided by Apple basically for building graphical user interfaces on macOS applications. It provides all the fundamental blocks and consists of a wide range of classes and methods for managing windows, controls, menus, and other UI elements, as well as handling events and user interactions. It is primarily used with Objective-C and Swift.

UIKit

UIKit is also a framework developed by Apple for building user interfaces in iOS, tvOS, and watchOS applications. It provides the necessary tools and components for creating touch-based, user-friendly interfaces. Which includes various controls, views, and structures customized for mobile devices, helping developers design applications that look and feel native to the Apple ecosystem.

AppKit vs UIKit

Heres a comparison table highlighting the differences between AppKit and UIKit.