The Skip tool, which enables Swift code to run natively on iOS and Android, has ditched its subscription model and released its core engine as open source. This move in version 1.7 removes paywalls and makes the technology freely available to developers. The change shifts funding to community support via GitHub Sponsors.
Developers building mobile apps with Swift, Apple's language for iOS and macOS, often face challenges when targeting Android. Cross-platform frameworks typically compromise on performance or use non-native interfaces that feel awkward on different devices. Skip addresses this by converting Swift code to produce native apps for both platforms, avoiding wrapped web views or mismatched UIs.
In a significant update, the Skip team announced the open-sourcing of its core components with the release of Skip 1.7. The subscription and licensing model has been abandoned, eliminating all paywalls. At the heart of this is "skipstone," the engine that handles key tasks: creating projects, integrating Xcode plugins, converting iOS projects to Android, bundling resources, building platform bridges, packaging applications, and exporting final projects.
For existing subscribers on Small Business or Professional plans, the transition is seamless. They will move to an Individual or Supporter sponsorship tier, determined by their prior contributions. Skip has operated without venture capital from the start, which preserved control but posed funding hurdles. Now, the project depends entirely on community backing, with options for individuals through GitHub Sponsors and corporate packages for businesses.
The source code is accessible on the project's GitHub page, covering the engine, website, and various tools. Meanwhile, the skip.tools site is relocating to skip.dev, which will serve as the central hub for documentation, case studies, and blogs. This development lowers barriers for mobile developers exploring native cross-platform solutions.
