Introduction
Back in 2018, Flutter entered the scene with the promise of a single codebase that could power apps across Android, iOS, web, and desktop. It quickly became a favorite for developers and companies alike, providing a faster way to build stunning, high-performance user interfaces. Fast forward to 2024, and the mobile development landscape has evolved significantly, with new frameworks and tools vying for attention. Many in the community are wondering: Is Flutter still relevant? Or has it lost its spark amid the rise of newer technologies? In this article, we’ll explore the state of Flutter in 2024, its strengths, challenges, and where it stands in the cross-platform development space — alongside a look at how it fits into the #100DaysOfCode movement, and specifically, #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo.
The Rise of Competitors: More Choices for Developers
In recent years, the competition in the cross-platform world has grown, offering developers a wider array of tools:
- React Native continues to be a strong competitor with its large ecosystem and seamless integration with JavaScript libraries. It remains a go-to choice for developers who are already comfortable with the JavaScript ecosystem.
- Kotlin Multiplatform has gained traction, especially among those looking to share business logic across platforms while still creating native UIs with Jetpack Compose for Android and SwiftUI for iOS.
- SwiftUI and Jetpack Compose have become the preferred tools for developers who want to leverage modern declarative UIs while staying closer to the native performance and design conventions of their respective platforms.
These alternatives have drawn some attention away from Flutter, particularly for companies that want a tighter integration with native components. But despite this, Flutter still holds a unique position that’s worth exploring, and it remains a popular choice among developers participating in #100DaysOfCode, especially those focusing on building beautiful and interactive apps as part of their journey.
Why Flutter Remains Relevant in 2024 | #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo
1. Stability and Maturity
As of 2024, Flutter has moved past its “shiny new tech” phase into a more stable and mature ecosystem. This shift means that while there may be less hype, there is also a robust framework with a wealth of documentation, community libraries, and proven patterns for building apps. For businesses that value reliability over novelty, Flutter is still a solid choice, providing a consistent way to reach multiple platforms with a unified codebase.
This stability makes Flutter a great candidate for #100DaysOfCode challenges, like #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo, where participants often aim to learn and build consistently over a period of time. The breadth of Flutter’s capabilities, from mobile to desktop and web, allows developers to explore a wide range of projects as they progress through their coding journey.
2. Expanding Beyond Mobile: Web and Desktop
One of Flutter’s biggest strengths in recent years has been its ability to go beyond mobile development. With a single codebase, developers can now target:
- Web: Flutter for the web has improved significantly, with better support for PWAs (Progressive Web Apps) and optimizations for rendering in the browser.
- Desktop: Flutter’s desktop support has matured for Windows, macOS, and Linux, making it a viable option for cross-platform desktop applications. This capability is particularly appealing for companies building internal tools or apps that need to run seamlessly across devices.
For those participating in #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo, the ability to use Flutter across mobile, web, and desktop can keep things exciting. It provides opportunities to experiment with different platforms, learn new widgets, and expand their skills beyond just mobile development, all while sticking to the commitment of daily coding practice.
3. Developer Experience: Still a Strong Selling Point
Flutter’s development experience remains one of the best in the industry:
- Hot Reload allows developers to see changes in real-time without restarting the app, speeding up the development process.
- Customizable UI: Flutter’s widget-based architecture makes it easy to create custom, complex UIs that look the same across platforms. This design flexibility remains unmatched by other frameworks, making Flutter the go-to choice for apps where **design consistency** is crucial.
- Dart 3 and sound null safetyhave further improved the reliability and performance of Flutter apps, allowing developers to write safer, more efficient code.
These features make Flutter particularly appealing for coders on a #100DaysOfCode journey, as the rapid feedback loop and ease of experimentation allow for quick learning and iteration. With #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo, many developers have been able to go from beginners to building fully-fledged cross-platform apps, thanks to Flutter’s developer-friendly nature.
Challenges in 2024: Where Flutter Is Losing Ground
1. Performance Trade-Offs with Native Development
For apps that need cutting-edge performance, such as high-end gaming or AR/VR applications, developers may still opt for fully native solutions using Swift and Kotlin. While Flutter has made strides in performance, especially with Skia and Impeller, it can sometimes lag behind the raw speed of native frameworks for very specific use cases.
2. The AI Boom and Backend-Focused Trends
The explosion of AI and machine learning over the last few years has shifted much of the development focus toward backend services and data-driven applications. With the rise of LLMs (Large Language Models) and the popularity of frameworks like Next.js and SvelteKit for web development, some developers have found their attention diverted away from cross-platform mobile development.
However, challenges like these also create opportunities for those in the #100DaysOfCode community to push boundaries. For example, integrating AI APIs into Flutter apps can be a compelling way to combine new trends with the capabilities of mobile development. Participants in #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo have been known to build creative projects, such as AI-powered chatbots within Flutter apps, blending the best of both worlds.
3. Learning Curve and Dart Adoption
While Dart has grown significantly since the early days, it is still not as widely known or adopted as JavaScript or TypeScript. For developers who are already familiar with these languages, learning Dart can be an additional hurdle, especially when other frameworks like React Native allow them to continue using what they already know. This can be a barrier to entry for some developers looking to quickly pick up a cross-platform tool.
For those taking on #100DaysOfCode, however, the challenge of learning Dart and Flutter can be seen as a rewarding endeavor. Many in the #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo community find that the journey through Dart offers new perspectives on programming and UI design, making it a valuable addition to their coding toolkit.
The Future of Flutter: What Lies Ahead?
1. Specialized Niches and Enterprise Adoption
As Flutter matures, it may become more focused on specific use cases like enterprise apps, internal tools, IoT applications, and custom UI-heavy experiences. Large companies continue to trust Flutter because of its cross-platform stability, and it is likely to remain a go-to for businesses looking to support multiple devices with consistent design.
2. Community-Driven Evolution.
The Flutter community remains active and passionate, contributing plugins and packages that extend Flutter’s capabilities. For developers who enjoy being part of a vibrant ecosystem, Flutter is still a great place to be. If your within the Nairobi social coding ecosystem, i would suggest Nairobi flutter groups on meetup or Joining a personal club, i started called Nairobi social code club . The Community efforts, explores and supports Flutter as it evolves in the coming years.
For those involved in #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo, being part of such a vibrant community means plenty of support, resources, and inspiration. Many coders have shared their journey, from building simple widgets on Day 1 to launching full apps by Day 100, showing the potential of consistent effort.
3. Integration with AI/ML Models
Given the rise of AI, one promising direction for Flutter is better integration with AI/ML capabilities on mobile devices. As more businesses look to embed personalization and predictive analytics directly into their apps, there could be a resurgence of interest in Flutter’s ability to integrate with TensorFlow Lite, ONNX, and custom AI models.
Conclusion: Is Flutter Really Dead?
No, Flutter is far from dead — but it is evolving. The initial wave of excitement might have faded as newer frameworks enter the scene and developers explore emerging trends like AI and backend development. However, Flutter’s maturity, stability, and ability to deliver consistent cross-platform experiences keep it relevant in 2024.
For developers who appreciate clean, beautiful UIs and a unified development process, Flutter remains a powerful tool. While it might no longer be the new kid on the block, it has settled into a reliable choice for building versatile, scalable applications that reach users on any device. For those on a #100DaysOfCode journey, like #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo, Flutter offers the perfect playground to learn, build, and grow, one day at a time.
Whether you’re a startup looking to get your app off the ground quickly, or an enterprise aiming for a consistent design language across platforms,
Flutter is still worth considering in 2024, or whichever year youre in.
If you found this article helpful, consider sharing your thoughts in the comments. What do you think about the state of Flutter in 2024? Are you still using it, or have you moved on to other frameworks? Let’s discuss! And don’t forget to tag your coding journey with #100DaysOfCode and #100DaysOfCodeWithNgumo to inspire others!