In the last few years, cross-platform mobile applications have emerged as a leading trend among many industries. They are easy to build, save time and money, and be launched simultaneously on iOS and Android, making them a wise investment for owners. However, as firms can quickly settle down between solo vs cross-platform debate, there’s been one that still brews concern: 

What’s better: Flutter OR React Native?

Flutter and React Native are two of the most used cross-platform frameworks globally. These platforms enjoy an overall market share of 81% and have served notable companies, including Google, Facebook, Alibaba, and Snapchat. But despite their utmost popularity, many enterprises still seek professional help to choose one over the other. 

Today, many startups and established companies are now partnering with top mobile app development companies to make their framework future-proofed and serve all their users’ needs. In this article, we will address all your questions regarding what to choose between Flutter and React Native and what’s best between the two. 

Flutter vs React Native: A side by side comparison

1. Language

React Native uses JavaScript, while React Native is based on Dart Programming. Decade-old developers know that JavaScript is a multi-paradigm programming language that uses Just-in-Time (JIT) compiler. In addition, the framework has been known to bring dynamic web development to the industry. 

On the other hand, Flutter uses Dart, which is a newly established module and has an advanced set of updates. Additionally, Dart offers up to 2X more speed than JavaScript and is based upon Ahead-of-Time (AOT) and Just-in-Time (JIT) compiler, allowing developers to write and compile coding rapidly. 

Result: If your mobile app development project aims towards development up to 2-3 months, then Flutter is the best choice for your app.

2. UI Building

For user interface building, Flutter uses Skia, which is a high portability cross-platform software of the modern time. Whereas, React Native framework drives its UI building in a specific software from Facebook called Flux.  For deploying mobile apps on Android and iOS, developers use a bridge to connect to native modules. 

For delivering a simplified user experience, many developers appreciate the non-bridging feature of Flutter. With it, you can expect a smooth launch of mobile apps and don’t require a bridge for native modules. Thus, mobile app owners who seek the best UI/UX can choose Flutter as their framework as a lifetime framework solution.

Result: Flutter delivers better native experience and smooth swiping options than React Native. 

3. Performance

Flutter mobile SDK comes with various new features and upgrades than React Native like Progressive Web Apps (PWA), Single Page Applications (SPA), and web support for existing Flutter mobile apps. The framework also requires less maintenance support compared to the React Native language framework, which saves ample time and money in the long run. 

Result: Based upon performance, Flutter offers maximum services at least convenience than React Native. 

4. Documentation

Both Flutter and React Native come with in-built guides to let you through their services. But React Native SDK users come with a step-up software module. This means that they are required to have pre-hand knowledge of the software. Additionally, the React Native toolkit also shares minimal information about setup and directly launches its documentation.  

Meanwhile, Flutter DevTools brings a virtual user guide that provides an easy learning experience. While your project is built by an expert mobile app development firm, having a simple tool will allow more productivity and better efficiency over your apps on both Android and iOS devices.  

Result: Flutter is easy to learn and has simpler commands modules than React Native.  

5. Ease of Installation

Various software packages land short against React Native. So instead, mobile app development companies use React Native, which offers them ready-to-go installation from the Node Package Manager (npm). Besides, it is easy to access tools of React Native, and those having a background in JavaScript can quickly figure this out.

For Flutter-based applications, its software can be installed from a small ZIP file. But due to lack of proper format order, it then needs to be added as a PATH variable with the help of the command line. So while professional developers don’t fret about it, newbie creators can expect complications at the beginning. 

Result: React Native is much easier to install and use than Flutter.

6. Community

Both Flutter and React Native are currently free and open-source. This means they can be updated every day with the latest icons, texts, fonts, or images from the global developers’  community, leaving no problem left for your app to be solved in no time. But since React Native has been around longer than Flutter, the platform has better popularity than Flutter. 

Result- Both Flutter and React Native are famous and community-driven. 

The Bottom Line

The framework that you choose will solely depend upon your budget, timeline, and operational purposes. And with the latest industry standards, deploying a mobile app with an expert app development firm has become crucial now more than ever. The React Native app development cost and Flutter app development cost are somewhat similar as well. That’s why make sure you choose a suitable partner to get maximum exposure in the market. For over 11 years, TechAhead, one of the best flutter app development companies in US, has catered to over 600 clients from the IT industry. The company delivers robust computing solutions and has launched 2,000 custom-built apps, making them a reliable name in the mobile app development community. Contact TechAhead consultants today to start your next app project right away!