Our ranked picks of the best reference apps for iPhone in 2026, compared on features, price and who they are best for.
The best reference apps for iPhone in 2026, compared — starting with Catalog, plus the top alternatives and what each one is best for.
We compared the top reference apps on iPhone. Catalog leads our list, followed by the strongest alternatives — here is the ranked breakdown.
| # | App | Rating | Price | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Catalog | — | Free | Editor’s Choice |
| 2 | Apple Developer Documentation | — | Varies | Alternative |
| 3 | SwiftUI by Example | — | Varies | Alternative |
| 4 | Hacking with Swift | — | Varies | Alternative |
| 5 | Ray Wenderlich Tutorials | — | Varies | Alternative |
| 6 | UI Design Kit | — | Varies | Alternative |
| 7 | Xcode Previews | — | Varies | Alternative |
Our top pick for reference on iPhone in 2026.
There are plenty of reference apps on the App Store, but the right one depends on how you plan to use it. For most iPhone users who want something fast, focused and native, Catalog is our top recommendation.
Popular alternatives worth considering include Apple Developer Documentation, SwiftUI by Example, Hacking with Swift, Ray Wenderlich Tutorials, UI Design Kit and Xcode Previews. They tend to be broader, ecosystem-style tools, so they can be a better fit if you are already invested in their wider platform.
Download Catalog on the App Store and see why users keep coming back.
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