Swift Playground
Apple's free iPad and Mac app for learning to code in Swift and building simple apps.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · iOS, macOS
Is Swift Playground free?
Yes, free to use
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About Swift Playground
Swift Playground, called Swift Playgrounds until recently, is a free Apple app for iPad and Mac that teaches programming with Swift, the language used to build iPhone and Mac apps. Beginners start with puzzle-style lessons in which they guide a character through 3D worlds by writing real Swift code, learning commands, loops, functions, conditionals and variables. Later, they can build apps with SwiftUI, see results update as they type, use device features such as the camera and sensors, add Swift packages, and even submit a finished app to App Store Connect. The iPad version is designed for touch, with a coding keyboard and tap-to-insert suggestions, and projects sync between iPad and Mac through iCloud and can be opened in Xcode later. Schools often use it with Apple's free curriculum. It suits children, students and adult beginners with Apple devices who want to learn real code rather than blocks; Windows and Chromebook users need something like Scratch or CodeAI instead.
Best for: Kids, students and beginners with an iPad or Mac who want to learn real code and make apps.
Swift Playground pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Swift Playground's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Nov 8, 2026 | apple.com |
Pros and cons
What works
- Free, with guided puzzle lessons that teach real Swift code
- Touch-friendly coding on iPad with suggestions as you type
- Can grow into building and submitting real apps
Why people leave
- Only runs on iPad and Mac
- Teaches Swift, which is mostly used for Apple platforms
- Text-based, so harder for young children than block coding
Swift Playground vs Scratch, CodeAI (formerly Code.org) and Snap!
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Swift Playground | Scratch | CodeAI (formerly Code.org) | Snap! |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free | Free | Open source |
| Verified price | — | — | — | — |
| Free plan | Free app | Free app | Free app | Free app |
| Open source | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | iOS, macOS | Web, Windows, macOS, Android | Web | Web |
Top Swift Playground alternatives
See all 5- 1
Scratch68.8Free block coding in any browser, easier for young children and not tied to Apple devices.
- 2
CodeAI (formerly Code.org)64.8Free structured courses from blocks to JavaScript, in any browser and widely used in schools.
- 3
Snap!61.8Free browser-based blocks that still cover serious computer science concepts.
- 4
Codecademy51.2Interactive courses in many languages, better once a learner wants more than Swift.
- 5
Xcode50.0Apple's full IDE for when playground projects outgrow the app.
Why people left Swift Playground
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Swift Playground: common questions
What is Swift Playground?
Swift Playground: Apple's free iPad and Mac app for learning to code in Swift and building simple apps. Best for kids, students and beginners with an iPad or Mac who want to learn real code and make apps. Available for iOS and macOS.
Is Swift Playground free?
Yes, Swift Playground is free to use.
How much does Swift Playground cost?
Swift Playground is free to use. Price: Free. Checked on Swift Playground's own site, November 2026.
Is Swift Playground open source?
No, Swift Playground is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Scratch and Snap!.
What platforms does Swift Playground run on?
Swift Playground is available for iOS and macOS.
What are the best alternatives to Swift Playground?
The highest-ranked Swift Playground alternatives right now are Scratch, CodeAI (formerly Code.org) and Snap!. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Swift Playground vs Scratch: what's the difference?
Both Swift Playground and Scratch are free to use. Scratch is open source and Swift Playground is not. Only Swift Playground runs on iOS. Only Scratch runs on Web, Windows and Android.