Everything appears to have an app these days, from ordering pizza to getting a ride home. Also, as more people depend on apps every day, companies are scrambling to develop their own. However, this is where things become complicated: how can an app be developed without breaking the bank?
Frameworks like React Native and Flutter are useful in this situation. They make the process of creating apps that run simultaneously on iPhones and Androids simpler (and less expensive). However, it is not always evident which option is the most appropriate when choosing between the two.
Should you choose the Facebook-supported React Native version? Or is the Google-created Flutter the better option? You’re insured, so don’t worry.
In this guide, we’ll cover React Native vs Flutter. No tech talk, no confusion —- just a clear, honest comparison to help you decide which one is right for your app.
Overview of React Native vs. Flutter
Two names that frequently come up while discussing mobile app development are React Native and Flutter. Without having to develop two distinct apps, companies can now more easily create apps that function on both iPhones and Android phones thanks to these two frameworks. Less work, money, and time will result from this.
However, although sharing similar objectives, React Native and Flutter are very distinct. They provide distinct functionality, have different tools, and employ various programming languages. It’s crucial to understand the functions and workings of each before selecting one.
To help you understand the differences between React Native and Flutter, let’s dissect them as simply as possible.
What is React Native?
A solution called React Native assists developers in simultaneously producing apps for iOS (Apple phones) and Android. Facebook invented it back in 2015. The idea was straightforward: developers could write one code and use it for both iOS and Android, eliminating the need to create two distinct apps.
How does it operate, then? JavaScript, one of the most widely used coding languages worldwide, is used in the development of React Native. You’ve probably seen applications created using React Native if you’ve ever used Facebook, Instagram, or Uber Eats.
Let me show why React Native is popular.
- Write Once, Use Twice: You can write one code that works for both iPhones and Androids rather than two separate ones.
- Huge Community: Due to its longevity, there are a ton of internet resources, tools, and individuals available to assist with problems.
- Speed: Since developers don’t have to start from zero, work proceeds more quickly.
But that thing is not without challenges. Let me show these.
- Need for Native Modules: You need to include more “native” code if you want to accomplish anything really particular, such as accessing the phone’s GPS or camera.
- Limits of Performance: React Native is quick for most projects, but it might not be the ideal option if you’re creating a game or an extremely intricate app.
What is Flutter?
Google built Flutter, whereas Facebook created React Native. Despite being more recent (it was introduced in 2018), its unique approach to app development is driving its quick expansion.
Flutter does not use JavaScript, in contrast to React Native. Rather, it makes use of the Dart coding language. Despite not being as well-known as JavaScript, Dart complements Flutter to produce apps that are slick, quick, and aesthetically pleasing.
This is how Flutter is unique.
- Custom Widgets: In Flutter, all of the buttons, pictures, and animations you see on the app screen are widgets. The design may be more distinctive and well-executed since developers have complete control over how everything appears.
- No Native Bridge: Flutter can connect to iOS and Android features without the requirement for a “bridge” Because of this, it can sometimes be quicker and more reliable than React Native.
- For iOS and Android, the same code: It is cross-platform compatible and requires only one code write, similar to React Native.
Here’s why Flutter is so popular:
- Smooth Animations: Flutter is renowned for its lag-free, fluid, and excellent animations. Apps that have beautiful animations or transitions were most likely created with Flutter.
- Speed and Performance: Apps created with Flutter may operate more quickly since it doesn’t require a “bridge” as React Native does. This is especially true for apps with a lot of visuals and animations.
- Custom User Interface: This gives developers more creative control over how the software looks.
However, Flutter has certain drawbacks as well:
- Dart Language: Developers may need more time to understand Dart because it isn’t as widely used as JavaScript.
- Bigger App Size: Because Flutter apps are often bigger, they occupy more space on a user’s phone.
- Smaller Community: There are less developers, plugins, and tutorials available for Flutter because it is a more recent version than React Native.
Simply said, if you want a stunning, uniquely designed app with fluid animations, Flutter is ideal. Although it is more recent than React Native, it is rapidly expanding and has been used in the development of apps like Alibaba and Google Ads.
Differences Between React Native and Flutter
Knowing the main distinctions between React Native and Flutter is crucial while making this decision. Although both frameworks aid in the development of cross-platform applications, their internal operations differ. There are several differences that might affect your decision, ranging from the programming language they employ to how they manage app performance.
The four main distinctions between React Native and Flutter — programming language, performance, development experience, and user interface design — will be examined in more detail below.
Programming Language
Programming language is one of the earliest and most significant distinctions between Flutter and React Native. This influences the ease of learning and beginning to work with each framework for developers.
- React Native: React Native is a programming language that makes use of JavaScript, one of the most well-known and extensively used languages worldwide. JavaScript is most likely something you have used if you have dealt with web development.
This makes it simple for developers who are familiar with JavaScript to learn React Native and begin developing mobile systems. This is one of the main causes of React Native’s widespread use.
- Flutter: Google developed the programming language Dart, which is used by Flutter. Because Dart is less popular and younger than JavaScript, fewer developers are familiar with it.
For those who are already familiar with languages like Python or JavaScript, Dart is simple to learn. The true benefit of Dart is its exceptional compatibility with Flutter, which enables the development of fluid, high-performing applications.
Performance
The performance of an application can be significantly impacted by the framework you choose. Performance affects your app’s appearance of responsiveness, speed, and animation smoothness.
- React Native: React Native uses a “bridge” to link the application to the phone’s built-in features, including the camera, GPS, or sensors. This bridge allows the applications to communicate with the iOS or Android system. This works well for most apps, but it might create slowness for apps that require a lot of processing power, such games or apps with intricate animations.
- Flutter: Flutter doesn’t utilize bridges. Instead, the program is compiled straight into native machine code. This suggests that a middleman isn’t slowing anything down. Flutter apps are therefore usually faster and more responsive than React Native apps, especially when working with features that need a lot of animation or visuals.
Development Experience
The development experience can make or break a project. This refers to how easy it is for developers to build, debug, and maintain the app. If a framework is hard to work with, it can lead to slower development, more bugs, and higher costs.
- React Native: Developers love React Native because it uses familiar tools like JavaScript and React. React is a popular tool used to build websites, so many developers already know how to work with it.
This familiarity makes it easier to hire developers for React Native projects. Another big advantage is the Live Reload feature. When developers make a change to the code, they can instantly see the changes in the app without restarting it. This saves a lot of time.
- Flutter: Flutter has something even better called Hot Reload. With Hot Reload, changes made to the code appear instantly in the app, even faster than React Native’s Live Reload. Developers can test new designs or features on the spot. This makes it super fast for developers to experiment and make adjustments.
UI Design
The way an app looks and feels is one of the most important parts of app development. Users want apps to be modern, smooth, and consistent. Both React Native and Flutter let developers create beautiful apps, but they take different approaches.
- React Native: React Native relies on the phone’s native components. This means it uses the same buttons, text inputs, and animations that are part of iOS or Android. If you build an app with React Native, it will look like a “regular” iPhone or Android app. This gives the app a native look and feel, but it can also limit customization. If you want custom designs, you’ll need to do extra work.
- Flutter: Flutter does things differently. It doesn’t use iOS or Android’s built-in design elements. Instead, it has its own set of design widgets. Developers have complete control over every part of the UI, from the buttons to the animations. This means that Flutter apps can look completely custom and unique, but it also requires more design work.
Pros and Cons of React Native and Flutter
Choosing between React Native and Flutter can be tough, especially if you don’t fully understand their strengths and weaknesses. Each framework has its own unique advantages and challenges. Knowing these can help you figure out which one is the right fit for your app.
React Native Pros
Another big advantage is that React Native uses JavaScript, one of the most popular coding languages in the world. Since so many developers already know JavaScript, it’s easy to find people to work on your app. This makes hiring developers faster and often cheaper.
React Native also has a strong community of developers. If you run into problems, there are tons of tutorials, forums, and ready-made solutions online. This means you don’t have to solve every problem from scratch. Big companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Shopify use React Native, so you know it’s a trusted and reliable option.
React Native Cons
While React Native has a lot of benefits, it also comes with some challenges. One of the main issues is that it relies on something called a “bridge” to connect with a phone’s hardware features, like the camera or GPS. Sometimes, this bridge slows down the app, especially if it has a lot of animations or graphics.
Another issue is that not all phone features are available through React Native by default. This means if you want to add something advanced, like augmented reality (AR) or high-end animations, you might have to write extra code using the phone’s native programming languages.
Lastly, since React Native apps rely on third-party plugins for certain features, updates to the plugins can sometimes break the app. This means you might have to fix things unexpectedly.
Flutter Pros
Flutter gives you complete creative control over how your app looks. Unlike React Native, which uses built-in design elements from iOS and Android, Flutter lets you create custom designs that stand out. This is great if you want your app to have a unique look and feel.
Flutter is also known for its speed. Since it doesn’t use a “bridge” like React Native, apps made with Flutter tend to run faster and smoother. This is especially useful if your app will have animations, transitions, or lots of moving elements.
Another major advantage of Flutter is its Hot Reload feature. It allows developers to see changes in real-time while they’re coding. This speeds up the development process because developers don’t have to restart the app every time they make a change.
Flutter Cons
While Flutter offers creative freedom and better performance, it also has some downsides. The biggest issue is its programming language, Dart, which isn’t as well-known as JavaScript. This means there are fewer developers who already know how to use Flutter, and hiring them might cost more.
Another drawback of Flutter is that apps built with it are often larger in size. This means the app takes up more storage space on a user’s phone, which could be an issue for users with limited storage.
Lastly, since Flutter is a newer tool, its developer community is smaller than React Native’s. This means there are fewer pre-built tools, libraries, and plugins to help developers solve problems quickly.
Use Cases: When to Choose React Native or Flutter
Choosing the right framework depends on the type of app you’re building and your business goals. While both frameworks can build cross-platform apps, there are certain situations where React Native works better and others where Flutter takes the lead.
When to Use React Native
React Native is a smart choice if you’re looking to build an app quickly and at a lower cost. Since it allows developers to write code once and use it for both iPhones and Androids, you can launch your app faster. This is why many startups and small businesses pick React Native, especially if they have tight budgets and deadlines.
If you already have a team of developers who know JavaScript, choosing React Native will make things easier. They won’t have to learn a new language, and you’ll save time on training.
React Native is also ideal for apps that don’t rely heavily on animations, graphics, or advanced phone features. Apps for online shopping, booking appointments, or browsing content are perfect for React Native. Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Airbnb have been built using React Native, which shows how reliable it can be.
When to Use Flutter
Flutter is the go-to choice when you want a highly creative app with animations, custom visuals, or interactive features. Since Flutter gives you full control over how the app looks and feels, it’s perfect for apps that need a modern, eye-catching design.
If you’re building an app with lots of animations, such as games, educational apps, or fitness apps with motion tracking, Flutter will provide better performance than React Native. This is because Flutter doesn’t rely on a “bridge” to talk to the phone’s hardware. The app runs faster and looks smoother as a result.
Flutter is also a good option if you’re starting a brand new app from scratch. Since it’s newer than React Native, you’ll be working with fresh tools and features that are constantly improving. Big names like Google Ads, eBay, and Alibaba use Flutter, so it’s a safe bet if you’re aiming for high performance.
React Native vs Flutter: Which is Better for Your Project?
Deciding between React Native and Flutter comes down to what matters most for your project. If you need to build a simple, functional app quickly and affordably, React Native is a safe choice. It’s been around longer, it’s more familiar to developers, and it has a large community to support you.
But if you’re looking to create something more creative — an app with smooth animations, eye-catching visuals, or high performance — then Flutter is the better option. It gives you more creative freedom and avoids performance issues caused by the “bridge” system in React Native.
If cost and speed are your top priorities, go with React Native. If unique design and smooth animations are more important, go with Flutter.
Conclusion
When it comes to React Native vs Flutter, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both frameworks are great tools for building apps that work on both iPhones and Androids. The right choice depends on your specific needs.
If you want to build a simple app quickly and on a budget, React Native is the better option. It’s easier to learn, has a larger pool of developers, and works well for most business apps. This is why apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Airbnb trust React Native for their platforms.
On the other hand, if you want to create an app with stunning designs, custom animations, or smooth performance, Flutter is the way to go. Flutter’s unique way of building apps gives you full control over the design, and it runs faster, especially when animations are involved. This is why apps like Google Ads and Alibaba are built with Flutter.
At the end of the day, both frameworks help businesses create powerful apps for iOS and Android at the same time. If you’re focused on speed and cost, go with React Native. If you care more about design and animations, Flutter is your best bet. Both tools have proven themselves in the market, so you’re in good hands either way.
