Flutter vs React Native: Which is Best for Cross-Platform Apps?

In today’s mobile-centric world, launching your mobile app is one of the best ways to increase customer engagement. It keeps your brand at their fingertips, quite literally. Your logo reminds them of your brand presence whenever they unlock their phone. Moreover, they will receive automated updates for new products listed and reminders to make a purchase. 

Techies India is a mobile app development company specializing in cross-platform app development. The two most popular frameworks for this are Flutter and React Native. But which one is best for your app? And why? Here, you’ll find all the answers you need.

What Are Flutter and React Native?

Before we look into the key differences between the two frameworks, let’s have a basic overview of each.

Flutter

• Developed by: Google (released in 2017). It is a free, open-source tool, meaning anyone can access it without paying a fee.
• Programming Language: Dart (a language created by Google) compiles to ARM or Intel machine code, for high performance.

• Purpose: Build apps for Android, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and even embedded systems using a single codebase.
• Popular Apps: Google Maps, Google Ads, SpaceX Go, Google Analytics, YouTube Create.

React Native

• Developed by: Meta (formerly Facebook, released in 2015). It is also a free, open-source tool.
• Programming Language: JavaScript (a widely used language for web development).
• Purpose: Builds apps primarily for Android & iOS, but also supports Web (React Native Web) and Windows/macOS.
• Popular Apps: WhatsApp, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, Walmart’s mobile app, Shopify.

Flutter vs React Native: Key Differences

Let’s compare Flutter and React Native based on the factors that matter most to business owners like you.

App Performance

A poorly performing app can lose you customers, whereas a fast and smooth app keeps them happy and satisfied.

• Flutter:

  • Flutter uses its own rendering engine, which makes apps run very smoothly on any device.
  • It compiles code directly into native machine code, so the app performs like a native app.
  • If you want an app with animations, transitions, or complex designs, Flutter is a great choice.

• React Native:

  • React Native uses native components, which means it relies on the platform’s built-in features.
  • It’s fast, but for very complex apps, it might not be as smooth as Flutter.
  • If your app is simple and doesn’t need heavy animations, React Native works well.

Winner: Flutter (for high-performance apps).

Development Speed

Time is money! If you want to launch your app quickly, development speed matters.

• Flutter:

  • Flutter has a rich set of pre-built widgets, which helps in faster UI development.
  • It has a feature called Hot Reload. This lets developers see changes in the app instantly without restarting it.
  • If you want to make quick updates or test new features, Flutter saves a lot of time.

• React Native:

  • React Native also has a similar feature called Fast Refresh.
  • It’s fast, but Flutter’s Hot Reload is often considered slightly better for real-time updates.

Winner: Flutter (for faster development).

User Interface (UI)

The look and feel of your app matter a lot. A good UI attracts users.

• Flutter:

  • Flutter gives you complete control over the app’s design.
  • It has its own widgets (UI components) that look the same on both Android and iOS.
  • If you want a highly customized and unique design, Flutter is the best choice.

• React Native:

  • React Native uses native components, so the app looks like an Android app on Android and an iOS app on iOS.
  • This is great if you want your app to feel natural on each platform.
  • However, customizing the design can be harder compared to Flutter.

Winner: Flutter (for custom designs).

Cost of Development

As a business owner, you would want to keep costs low, right?

• Flutter:
  • Flutter is free and open-source.
  • Since it uses a single codebase, you save money on development time.
  • Dart is not as common as JavaScript, so finding developers is hard and if your team needs to learn Dart, there might be some training costs.
• React Native:
  • React Native is also free and open-source.
  • It’s easier to find JavaScript developers, so hiring might be cheaper.

Winner: Tie (both are cost-effective).

App Size

The size of your app affects how quickly users can download and install it.

• Flutter:
  • Flutter apps tend to be larger in size because they include the Flutter engine.
  • This may not be the best option for users with restricted storage space.
• React Native:
  • React Native apps are usually smaller because they use native components.
  • This makes them easier to download and install.

Winner: React Native (for smaller app size).

Native Features (Camera, GPS, Bluetooth, etc.)

If your app needs access to hardware features, native support is important.

• Flutter:

  • Needs third-party plugins or custom native code for advanced features.
  • Works well but may require extra effort.

• React Native:

  • Uses a JavaScript bridge to access native APIs, making integration smoother.
  • Works best for apps that rely on device features like camera, GPS, and Bluetooth.

Winner: React Native (better for native feature integration).

Scalability & Future Growth

Hire expert app developers to make sure growth happens over time without any major issues.

Flutter:

• Google is investing heavily in Flutter, making it a future-proof technology.
• Better for apps that might expand to desktop and web later.

React Native:

• Meta is still maintaining it, but its pace of development is slower than Flutter’s.
• Works well for mobile apps but is not as strong for web and desktop.

Winner: Flutter (more future-proof)

Ease of Learning

If you have a development team or plan to hire one, you need to consider how easy it is to learn the framework.

• Flutter:

  • Flutter uses Dart, which is not as popular as JavaScript.
  • If your team doesn’t know Dart, they’ll need to learn it.
  • However, Dart is easy to learn for developers who already know languages like Java or C++.

• React Native:

  • React Native uses JavaScript, a widely used and highly popular programming language, for building cross-platform mobile applications.
  • If your team already knows JavaScript, they can start working on React Native quickly.

Winner: React Native (for easier learning).

Community and Support

A strong community means more resources, tutorials, and help when you need it.

• Flutter:

  • Flutter has a growing community, especially since Google supports it.
  • There are many tutorials, forums, and plugins available.
  • However, it’s still smaller than React Native’s community.

• React Native:

  • React Native has a huge community because it’s been around longer.
  • You’ll find tons of resources, plugins, and developers who can help you.

Winner: React Native (for better community support).

Flutter & React Native Comparison

Focusing on Features, Industry adoption, and key Statistics

Final Verdict

Both Flutter and React Native are great choices for cross-platform app development, but the best framework depends on your app’s needs. Flutter is an ideal choice if you prioritize high performance, a custom UI, and future scalability. React Native is a better fit if you need smaller app sizes, better native integrations, and an easier learning curve.

Still confused about which framework to choose for cross-platform app development? Consult with our expert app developers at Techies India. We have helped clients like you launch your dream app. You have our constant support throughout the process, and even after the app launch, our team will be there to assist you with updates, maintenance, and scaling your app as your business grows.

Love Videos?

Watch this recommended video by Simon Grimm to further understand the differences between Flutter and React Native.