With the increasing popularity of mobile app development, more and more companies are looking forward to developing cross-platform applications. It is because this type of application can be used on varied devices. And when it is said cross-platform, it means Android and iOS. Android is, to date, a leading mobile operating system having a 73% share of the market. Also, iOS and Android, both in combination, have control over 99% of the market.
Hence as there is a rise in demand for cross-platform development, people are debating over technologies that aid development. Flutter and React Native are frameworks that help develop applications on different platforms. This text will compare both React Native and Flutter and discuss which one is apt for the usage.
What is Flutter?
Flutter was introduced in December 2018 and is backed by one of the most trusted providers Google. It is technology that provides coding for native apps that functions exceptionally on iOS and Android. Flutter app development services provide ease and the best performance with consistency. You just need to hire Flutter developers to develop an exceptionally working application across all platforms. The programming language for this application is Dart, which was developed to replace JavaScript.
Flutter app development facilitates developing apps for various platforms with a single codebase. Developers just need to use a single tool for developing applications that function smoothly over different devices. Flutter apps are simpler to navigate and remain popular among companies with huge requirements.
The working mechanism of Flutter has an engine, foundation library and widgets. It follows declarative writing for the user interface, to initiate coding from the end. Therefore before you start developing any element, know what type of UI you want to build. Hire Flutter developers that can help build interfaces with the help of components. A skilled developer can also create a custom widget by fusing it with one that already exists. Flutter also helps enhance the experience of customers through different software packages.
What is React?
React Native uses JavaScript language and is a mobile framework. It helps develop natively rendered mobile applications for both operating systems through the same codebase. It is an open-source library that came into the market in 2015. But within a few years of its introduction, React Native development services have gained lots of fame. It is a widely employed solution behind mobile apps such as Instagram and Facebook. Just hire React Native developers and ask them to code once, saving you time and resources.
To work with React Native, a developer has to combine JavaScript along with others. With this framework, you can communicate with JavaScript and Native apps. Also, this framework is not capable of running it on the web view; instead can let it render on existing native components. React Native brings JavaScript and Native in one line making communication in both directions feasible.
A quick comparison between Flutter and React
- Performance
The results in terms of performance will be different in both cases. Flutter has Dart, and React Native has JavaScript as a development language. Hence you can expect results in terms of performance based on it.
- Mobile performance
When you talk about React Native executing source code is a long process where they have to bridge the gap from source code execution to the native environment that allows communication. It will translate JS code to the programming language that is native. But the bridge may take time and more resources because it is an additional part.
But when it comes to Flutter app development, there are libraries without layers. Therefore it takes less time to execute the code needing less resources and time. It also has C++ rendering engine making animations quick and smooth, even cross-platform. Hence, in this case, Flutter is a clear winner over React Native.
- Web Performance
When you want to develop an app, nothing can be better than React Native. JavaScript is an excellent front-end language that functions well with both C++ and HTML. Hence it can perform great on the web. If you want the best site performance for your business growth, going for React Native is great. It provides technology that specially supports the application.
- Design and Graphics
Both possess graphic properties that are par excellence. But both of them have unusual ways of drawing user interfaces. React Native provides a personalized experience by inheriting visual components and appearance. Also, the app will update when you update your operating system to balance the similarity. But when it comes to Flutter, the app will remain the same irrespective of OS. The other features, such as navigation, will be the same unless you upgrade them. This framework approaches a standard neutral to save on project scope.
- Time to Market
One of the preferable things to consider while choosing between these two frameworks is looking towards time to market. Both are Cross-platform app development solutions, so it lets you reuse code instead of coding it separately. To decide which one is best for your app development, consider the following features:
- How big does the engineering community does both of them have?
- Which one is most loved by developers?
- Demand in the market and cost
React Native is relatively older than the one that exists now. It has a better and larger community that produces the best packages to be used. On the other hand, Flutter is a new technology but has been backed by experts from Google. When you compare, both have seen great popularity in recent years as both are favourites among users. The only drawback of React Native is that it needs third-party libraries for adding features. At the same time, the features of Flutter are all intact.
- Cost and Demand
There is a direct relationship between demand and supply. Most developers are already comfortable with JavaScript, the language for React Native development services. It makes it easy to find developers for the same. But hiring a Flutter developer costs less. The problem is that you cannot find one locally. This development technology is found in tech-savvy developers.
- Reliability and Support
The tech giants of the world support both of these platforms. These open-source platforms are available with no-cost licenses. Flutter is a simpler option that is reluctant to update the operating system. React Native depends on elements while adapting while updating. It might not always be the drawback of React Native app development as it is an advantage to enhance the native experience.
- Compatibility, App features
Flutter is known to facilitate different resolutions on both operating systems. You may want advanced features and need both technologies for native app development. Although you can twirl writing parts for changes, it can remove the benefit of low maintenance available with cross-platform development. Flutter has widgets, and Reactive Native has ready-to-use libraries that provide performance near-native, even with complex features.
- Mapping and geolocation
There are plenty of plugins for Flutter that the Google team has provided. They help in tracking features and enhance the experience. React Native provides one-time tracking, but issues can arise when you want to monitor continuously. It can only be solved by writing part in the same native language.
- Camera
Flutter is an apt option in terms of using a camera. But in React Native, users have found problems with using the device camera. You must spend extra time and money to resolve issues and attain desired results.
- Video Chats and streaming
You will need an extra plugin for video chats in Flutter, and also there are some paid solutions. But with React Native, this thing can be done natively.
- Analytics
Both Flutter and React Native Pei use solutions based on analytics, such as Firebase and Adjust. Flutter did not find any issues while working with analytic tools. The performance of React Native has been dependent on working on different analytics reports.
Conclusion
While comparing Flutter and React Native, both are great options in terms of performance, future and even compatibility. Both of them have a great team of engineers backing their sustainability. The upcoming market trends show an increase in demand for app development that runs across all platforms. Certain features of Flutter give it an edge over the competition. Also, the fact that qualified developers are available or not impacts the framework’s popularity. All businesses must select the framework with the utmost attention.
