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Top 20 Developer Tools SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store
Last update: 23 May 2026 CET
App Store

Top 20 Developer Tools SDKs Used in iOS Apps on the Apple App Store

We at 42matters have identified the 20 most popular Developer Tools SDKs leveraged by iOS apps available on the iOS app market.

Developer Tool SDKs help developers build sophisticated mobile apps. Technology vendors and platform providers develop these SDKs — which include programming libraries, APIs, sample code, documentation, and other tools — for third-party app developers that want to build mobile apps that leverage the features and functionalities of their technologies or platforms.

This list is based on our analysis of the millions of mobile applications – and the 2,300+ SDKs they use – that constitute the vast inventory of the Apple App Store. The accompanying data provides readers with a glimpse into the rich mobile application insights generated by the 42matters technology. This data is also available via our APIs, file dumps, Explorer, and SDK Explorer.

The intended purpose of this article is to assist app builders in their search for the perfect Developer Tools SDK to leverage in their app, as well as to give SDK developers insight into their biggest competitors and potential customers. This data collected by our technology may also serve as a useful tool for folks researching the wider mobile app market.

The 20 most widely-integrated developer tools SDKs:

1st

Apple Core Foundation

Check “Apple Core Foundation” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 99.96% have integrated Apple Core Foundation. This accounts for 100.00% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
1.93m
App Store
App Share
99.96%
App Store
Apps
1.74m
Games
191.85k
Total Downloads
580.93b
App Store
Download Share
100.00%
App Store
App Downloads
444.32b
Game Downloads
136.61b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Core Foundation.

2nd

Apple AVFoundation

Check “Apple AVFoundation” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 75.83% have integrated Apple AVFoundation. This accounts for 95.23% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
1.46m
App Store
App Share
75.83%
App Store
Apps
1.29m
Games
173.50k
Total Downloads
553.23b
App Store
Download Share
95.23%
App Store
App Downloads
418.96b
Game Downloads
134.27b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple AVFoundation.

3rd

Apple WebKit

Check “Apple WebKit” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 70.53% have integrated Apple WebKit. This accounts for 94.06% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
1.36m
App Store
App Share
70.53%
App Store
Apps
1.23m
Games
133.05k
Total Downloads
546.45b
App Store
Download Share
94.06%
App Store
App Downloads
415.73b
Game Downloads
130.72b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple WebKit.

4th

Google Firebase

Check “Google Firebase” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 50.33% have integrated Google Firebase. This accounts for 66.50% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Firebase is Google's mobile platform SDK that helps you quickly develop high-quality apps and grow your business.

Total Apps
970.62k
App Store
App Share
50.33%
App Store
Apps
883.41k
Games
87.21k
Total Downloads
386.35b
App Store
Download Share
66.50%
App Store
App Downloads
279.54b
Game Downloads
106.80b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Google Firebase.

5th

Apple Accelerate

Check “Apple Accelerate” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 48.76% have integrated Apple Accelerate. This accounts for 78.29% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
940.49k
App Store
App Share
48.76%
App Store
Apps
872.71k
Games
67.78k
Total Downloads
454.84b
App Store
Download Share
78.29%
App Store
App Downloads
339.00b
Game Downloads
115.83b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Accelerate.

6th

Firebase Installations

Check “Firebase Installations” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 41.28% have integrated Firebase Installations. This accounts for 62.41% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
796.15k
App Store
App Share
41.28%
App Store
Apps
740.73k
Games
55.43k
Total Downloads
362.58b
App Store
Download Share
62.41%
App Store
App Downloads
265.42b
Game Downloads
97.16b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Firebase Installations.

7th

Apple Core Data

Check “Apple Core Data” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 30.46% have integrated Apple Core Data. This accounts for 52.02% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
587.51k
App Store
App Share
30.46%
App Store
Apps
559.73k
Games
27.78k
Total Downloads
302.23b
App Store
Download Share
52.02%
App Store
App Downloads
259.03b
Game Downloads
43.20b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Core Data.

8th

Promises by Google

Check “Promises by Google” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 27.20% have integrated Promises by Google. This accounts for 20.60% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
524.56k
App Store
App Share
27.20%
App Store
Apps
496.72k
Games
27.84k
Total Downloads
119.68b
App Store
Download Share
20.60%
App Store
App Downloads
83.23b
Game Downloads
36.45b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Promises by Google.

9th

Apple Metal

Check “Apple Metal” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 23.56% have integrated Apple Metal. This accounts for 61.94% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
454.38k
App Store
App Share
23.56%
App Store
Apps
342.32k
Games
112.06k
Total Downloads
359.86b
App Store
Download Share
61.94%
App Store
App Downloads
237.98b
Game Downloads
121.88b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Metal.

10th

Apple Swift Framework

Check “Apple Swift Framework” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 21.41% have integrated Apple Swift Framework. This accounts for 10.08% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Apple Swift Framework is a powerful and intuitive programming language for macOS, iOS, watchOS, tvOS and beyond.

Total Apps
412.99k
App Store
App Share
21.41%
App Store
Apps
367.57k
Games
45.42k
Total Downloads
58.58b
App Store
Download Share
10.08%
App Store
App Downloads
34.78b
Game Downloads
23.80b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Swift Framework.

11th

Firebase Remote Config

Check “Firebase Remote Config” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 14.27% have integrated Firebase Remote Config. This accounts for 37.45% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
275.24k
App Store
App Share
14.27%
App Store
Apps
246.96k
Games
28.28k
Total Downloads
217.55b
App Store
Download Share
37.45%
App Store
App Downloads
164.21b
Game Downloads
53.35b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Firebase Remote Config.

12th

Firebase App Check

Check “Firebase App Check” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 12.18% have integrated Firebase App Check. This accounts for 11.87% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
234.83k
App Store
App Share
12.18%
App Store
Apps
221.70k
Games
13.12k
Total Downloads
68.95b
App Store
Download Share
11.87%
App Store
App Downloads
54.03b
Game Downloads
14.92b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Firebase App Check.

13th

Expo

Check “Expo” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 10.34% have integrated Expo. This accounts for 1.54% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
199.50k
App Store
App Share
10.34%
App Store
Apps
194.61k
Games
4.90k
Total Downloads
8.95b
App Store
Download Share
1.54%
App Store
App Downloads
8.79b
Game Downloads
157.27m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Expo.

14th

Apple Vision

Check “Apple Vision” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 9.85% have integrated Apple Vision. This accounts for 26.51% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
189.99k
App Store
App Share
9.85%
App Store
Apps
187.41k
Games
2.58k
Total Downloads
154.02b
App Store
Download Share
26.51%
App Store
App Downloads
153.39b
Game Downloads
632.52m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Vision.

15th

Apple Core Bluetooth

Check “Apple Core Bluetooth” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 8.79% have integrated Apple Core Bluetooth. This accounts for 17.42% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
169.49k
App Store
App Share
8.79%
App Store
Apps
161.93k
Games
7.56k
Total Downloads
101.21b
App Store
Download Share
17.42%
App Store
App Downloads
96.57b
Game Downloads
4.64b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Core Bluetooth.

16th

react-native-device-info

Check “react-native-device-info” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 7.92% have integrated react-native-device-info. This accounts for 3.44% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

The react-native-device-info SDK offers device information for React Native for iOS and Android.

Total Apps
152.69k
App Store
App Share
7.92%
App Store
Apps
151.84k
Games
847
Total Downloads
19.96b
App Store
Download Share
3.44%
App Store
App Downloads
19.66b
Game Downloads
307.78m

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use react-native-device-info.

17th

Protobuf

Check “Protobuf” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 6.32% have integrated Protobuf. This accounts for 18.97% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Protocol Buffers (a.k.a., protobuf) are Google's language-neutral, platform-neutral, extensible mechanism for serializing structured data.

Total Apps
121.97k
App Store
App Share
6.32%
App Store
Apps
115.27k
Games
6.70k
Total Downloads
110.19b
App Store
Download Share
18.97%
App Store
App Downloads
102.49b
Game Downloads
7.70b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Protobuf.

19th

Apple Speech

Check “Apple Speech” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 3.32% have integrated Apple Speech. This accounts for 11.07% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
64.06k
App Store
App Share
3.32%
App Store
Apps
63.47k
Games
583
Total Downloads
64.33b
App Store
Download Share
11.07%
App Store
App Downloads
62.36b
Game Downloads
1.97b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Speech.

20th

Apple Core ML

Check “Apple Core ML” SDK Insights

Among all apps utilizing developer tools SDKs, 2.86% have integrated Apple Core ML. This accounts for 34.51% of app downloads within the developer tools SDK category.

Total Apps
55.22k
App Store
App Share
2.86%
App Store
Apps
32.63k
Games
22.59k
Total Downloads
200.46b
App Store
Download Share
34.51%
App Store
App Downloads
128.44b
Game Downloads
72.02b

Use the 42matters SDK Explorer to find all apps that use Apple Core ML.

Browse iOS and Android SDKs With the SDK Explorer

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  • SDK IntelligenceSDK Intelligence

    See how many apps integrate specific SDKs, how many times these SDKs have been downloaded, developer details, similar SDKs, and more.

  • New Installations and Removals HistoryNew Installations and Removals History

    Analyze installation and removal trends for SDKs. Discover which apps have removed or integrated specific SDKs in a given timeframe.

  • Market Share per Google Play and Apple App Store CategoryMarket Share per Google Play and Apple App Store Category

    See which app categories or genres are most likely to use specific SDKs. Detect SDK market share per category.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How does 42matters collect this data?'

We’ve developed a number of machine learning algorithms that scan millions of mobile and connected TV (CTV) applications on a regular basis. In addition, we collect ground truth app performance intelligence and use this data to build statistical models that estimate the performance of apps for which we do not have ground truth data.

What SDK data does 42matters collect?'

We track over 2,300 of the most popular SDKs integrated in iOS and Android apps. We collect a variety of SDK insights (title, platform, ID, category, and developer website); performance metrics (the number of apps that have installed each SDK, installation and removal trends, and app downloads); market share statistics (including market share per app category); and more!

How can I access 42matters’ SDK data?'

The most direct way is to use our SDK Explorer, which is a visual, web-based research platform that enables you to peruse all 2,300+ SDKs that we track. It’s great for market research, lead generation, competitor analysis, etc. However, more technically-inclined folks might prefer our APIs and File Dumps, which enable you to query info for specific apps or SDKs. You can also use our other research platform (the Explorer) to view integrated SDKs by app.

Can I use 42matters’ solutions to generate app publisher leads?'

Absolutely! We actually wrote about this on our blog. We focused on ad network SDKs, but the examples are applicable to most SDK types. To summarize, you can use the Explorer’s advanced filtering capabilities to home in on best-fit app publishers, leverage the SDK Explorer to see which apps use your competitors’ SDKs, and use our APIs and file dumps to build custom lead generation processes.

What data does 42matters provide on mobile apps?'

A ton! We track 17+ million apps across Google Play, the Apple App Store, Amazon Appstore, Tencent Appstore, and Huawei AppGallery. Our solutions provide access to app details (developer insights, metadata, ASO keywords, contact information, etc.); performance metrics (downloads, MAUs, ratings, reviews, top chart rankings, etc.); technical insights (integrated SDKs, permissions, required capabilities, etc.); content details (categories, genres, IAB categories, content ratings, etc.); compliance information (app-ads.txt, privacy policies, store status, etc.) and much, much more!

Can I use 42matters’ solutions to find SDKs for my app?'

Definitely. The SDK Explorer enables you to sort SDKs by category, identify similar SDKs, analyze SDK reliability, and more. In addition, you can use the Explorer to monitor your competitors, including which SDKs they add and remove, their current tech stacks, and SDK changelogs. This means you use our solutions not only to find the right SDK for a particular purpose, but also which SDKs you might need to keep up with your rivals.