Even before iOS 9 (anchors) the verbose autolayout was better than anything available for the web. Now there is CSS Grid which makes it easier but there is no mechanis that could describe relationship between elements like AL can. Throw in a couple extensions for NSLayoutAnchor and it’s a very pleasant experience. As for IB—it’s a matter of taste. I had no real problem with it, but at the end layout purely in code is the best option for me.