Apache Ant vs fastlane

Apache Ant is a Java library and command-line tool that runs processes described in build files as targets and tasks. Its tasks compile, assemble, test, and run Java applications, and can also build C and C++ projects. Additional built-in coverage handles archiving, file operations, execution, remote access, source control, and testing. Ant does not impose coding conventions or directory layouts on Java projects. Developers can extend it with Antlibs containing tasks and types, while optional Antlibs are distributed separately from the core release. For projects needing dependency management alongside build tooling, the project recommends Apache Ivy. Ant 1.10 requires JDK 8 or later; many tasks will not work with only a JRE. The JUnit task requires external libraries that are not bundled. Ant has been used on Linux, macOS, Windows NT descendants, Unix, and other platforms, with development focused on Linux, macOS, Windows, and Unix. Releases from version 1.6.1 onward use the Apache License, Version 2.0. The listed free plan is Apache Ant 1.10.18, distributed as ZIP, TAR.GZ, and TAR.BZ2 packages. Download guidance includes PGP signature and SHA512 verification.

fastlane is a free, open-source platform for automating iOS and Android app development and release workflows. Teams define workflows as lanes and can run them with a single command. A lane can manage build numbering, code signing, builds, beta uploads and changelog creation; fastlane also supports store releases, including metadata and screenshot management and submission for review. It can create localized app store screenshots for the languages and devices an app supports. The site lists support for more than 15 beta testing services, including TestFlight, Crashlytics Beta, Play and Hockey. Documentation describes integrations with more than 400 tools and services, including major CI systems, alongside community-built actions and plugins. For iOS signing, signing identities and profiles can be kept in a private encrypted Git repository and synced between machines. fastlane runs on a user's machine or server, and its documentation says credentials and other sensitive information stay there. macOS is officially supported; Linux and Windows are partially supported. The project uses the MIT license.