Flutter Vs React Native: Which to Choose For Your Next Project?

In recent years, the demand & usage of mobile applications has been increased to a greater extent. Every app development company seems to provide the top-class results using the best app development technology, promising the fast, smooth, and perfect working of the mobile application. Due to which, it becomes more important for every mobile app development company to remain updated & walk step-by-step with the latest technology.

In app development industry, “Flutter” and “React Native” are the two most popular names that existed for over a decade now. This cross-platform app development technology  created tons of buzzes and has been the popular choice among developers because of their outstanding features.

We will explain their significant features, their pros and differences. We will also compare them on various aspects, that will help you decide which to choose for your next project.

Flutter and React Native: Explained

Flutter

Flutter is a cross-platform app development framework, initiated by Google in 2015, for the usage of Google's dar language. Down the line, after three years, the first stable version of Flutter 1.0 was released and was available to use in developing applications such as iOS, Android, Linux, and many others. It was also applicable for the web with single code base use.

Within a short period of time, Flutter becomes favorite among the developers because of its support by Google. One of the significant features of Flutter is that it is a reactive framework and appears with a massive number of ready-to-use widgets. The applications have been compiled by using arm C/C++ library, so that it resembles machine language and provides a more reliable native performance.

Pros of Flutter for apps:

• Single code base for cross-platform app development
• Advanced OS plugins with basic logic
• Better documentation and more enlightening
• Use of the same UI, even for old devices
• Better open source and free to use

React Native

React Native is an open-source Javascript framework developed by Facebook. It is used for developing stable and native mobile applications for Android and iOS platforms. This open-source JavaScript framework allows developers to use the React library to build mobile apps with a single code base. It utilizes native elements rather than using web parts as making blocks. The most advantageous part is that it saves plenty of development time because of the utilization of a single JavaScript language for iOS and Android platforms to make mobile applications.

Followings are the pros of React Native:

• Enhance Performance
• Simplify UI for the Apps
• More Reliability
• Agile Prototype Applications
• Publish on Apps Smoothly

Differences between Flutter and React Native

Although, Flutter and React Native share similarities in many ways; they are very different in multiple ways:

A survey was conducted among developers for their preferable framework, in which Flutter was at 3rd place with 69% votes while React Native was at 10^th place with nearly 58% votes.

For example, Flutter runs by using the Dart programming language in its single code base, and when it comes to React Native, it uses JavaScript XML. Both Flutter and React Native languages are based on a C-style variety of syntax and support object-orientated principles. Therefore, it means that their fundamentals are similar when it comes to design as well as the code is quite alike.

Differences on the basis of Architectural Form

Let’s talk about Flutter: It is a layered architecture. It has created a simple hierarchy form of application that began with top-level root functions(platform-specific widgets). It is followed by primary widgets- that associate with the platform and explained layers. More than that, it shows the existing animation movements that assign API appeals to the base of the application. It is also called a Scaffold, which is operated by a C/C++ engine and is platform-specific embedded. If you need to distinct the presentation layer from company logic, you can examine executing Flutter BLoC. The architecture makes it more manageable for users, as well as junior Flutter app developers to make complicated applications with tiny and easy components.

Now comes the architecture of React Native: React Native maintains a connection between the Native string and JavaScript thread. As per this functionality, the JavaScript code interacts with the program and the Native API. In iOS, React Native uses JavaScriptCore independently to control all codes; whereas in Android, the assortment of the JavaScriptCore within the application. Whilst- this might extend the native functionality, it also enhances the app size, appearing in performance problems or device intervals.

Differences on the basis of Performance Methods

As mentioned above, both Flutter and React Native have much similar functionalities. They both are open-source, which means they are free to use. Therefore, it is likely to test apps built using Flutter and React Native frameworks, either virtually utilizing a built-in simulator on your computer for Android and iOS or natively on your phone.

You will require an Apple computer if you are planning to build an iOS app because the SDK will only work on Apple computers. Users of Windows and Linux are not so lucky in this case. Moreover, you can develop Android apps on any platform. Both frameworks practice hot reloading so you can execute adjustments and see them immediately. It makes development more productive because you do not have to keep holding and beginning your apps to see updates. The experience you get when applying an app- that was written in React Native and Flutter is a native experience for most developers.

Differences on the basis of Generating Complex Apps

React Native allows you to generate complex native apps, whereas Flutter is not that reliable though. However, we should not forget that React Native will only be possible when developers include native app development with React Native. When it comes to that stage, your application is more likely to be hybrid than cross-platform. The whole procedure of making complex apps with React Native does not only count Javascript but the usage of native development skills.

As per the survey, most of the startups prefer Flutter to generate MVP. It is an outstanding option to create more durable prototypes if you want to experiment more with them and decrease the price to execute. The bottom line is to create both Android and iOS prototypes with Flutter and interpret the outcomes in the industry. So, you can invest more and take it from easier to complex ones.

Conclusion

Both the frameworks, Flutter and React Native have their Pros and Cons. But if you want to choose the right one for your next project, you should consider the points mentioned above. Selecting one of the frameworks totally depends on your project requirements and what functionalities you want to add in your app. Hope, this blog will help you in choosing the right framework for your next app development project.