Flutter vs React Native: Best Cross-Platform Framework for App Development in 2023

Flutter and React Native both are the most prevalent application development frameworks for cross-platforms. Even though both cutting-edge technologies are the latest when compared to their contemporaries, entrepreneurs or startups are eager to use them. Indeed, there is a constant conflict between the two frameworks.

In this blog post, we will talk about various Flutter and React Native features, benefits, and drawbacks. This thorough analysis will help you make an informed decision with your next app development project. Continue reading.

Quick Facts About Flutter

Flutter overview

It is an open-source framework for app development that Google announced. Flutter gives programmers a simple method for creating and deploying cross-platform applications with eye-catching visuals. The preferred programming language for Flutter is Dart. Flutter enables developers to create apps for the web, desktop, and mobile platforms using a single codebase. It is a popular framework among the programmer’s community. You should look for a guide to hire flutter developers, if you want to develop your app using Flutter.

How does Flutter work?

The flutter framework comprises a flutter engine, a foundation library, and widgets. It uses the declarative UI writing approach to develop an app, where developers need to start work from the end. Therefore, before starting the development, coders require having an insight into what type of UI it will be. With Flutter, coders can build the complete UI by merging diverse widgets. Moreover, the framework empowers developers to form custom widgets fused with the existing ones.

Features Flutter Offers

• Offers good-performing apps.
• Responsive and contemporary framework.
• Uses Dart programming language which is easy for programmers to learn.
• Allows quick app development.
• Executes the same UI for multiple platforms.
• Provides a broad range of widgets.
• Fascinating UI/UX.

Pros of Flutter

• Hot reload.
• Minimal coding.
• Eye-catching User Interface.
• Customized design.
• Same UI across platforms.

Cons of Flutter

• There are no third-party libraries.
• Big file size.
• Expertise needed.

When to use Flutter?

• If developers are proficient to use Dart.
• In case, you want to create and customize apps quickly using Flutter widgets.
• If you want to make an application with striking UI/UX.
• If developers want their apps to run smoothly regardless of size.

Quick Facts about React Native

React Native Overview

React Native is an open-source framework for mobile application development introduced by Facebook. It uses JavaScript that allows programmers to use the same codebase to create natively rendered apps for cross-platform. The framework gained popularity in such a short span. A React developer only has to write code once and he/she can use it anywhere. Hence, React Native allows them to build apps quickly with fewer resources.

How does React Native Work?

React Native is a great blend of JXL and JavaScript. The framework provides excellent competence to connect with both native app threads and JavaScript-based threads. It executes on the native components and opinions rather than rendering web views on its code. The cross-platform app development framework ensures bi-directional communication by bridging native lines and JavaScript threads.

Features of React Native Offers

• Write once and use it anywhere.
• Diminishes development time.
• Great support for a third-party library.
• More focussed on UI development.
• NPM for package installation.
• Broader developer community support.

Pros of React Native

• Modular architecture.
• Simplified UI.
• Live and Hot reloading.
• Optimum performance.

Cons of React Native

• Debugging and compatibility problems.
• Immature framework.
• Deprived documentation.

When to use React Native?

• If you want to modify your apps using a wide set of JavaScript libraries.
• In case, you want to create or reuse consumer elements across several apps.
• If your apps need diverse designs and architectures for different platforms.

Applications developed using Flutter and React Native

Following image shows the applications created using Flutter and React Native framework:

Now that you know what the two framework technologies are, just take a look at some of the differences between the two.

Flutter vs React Native — Comparison

The ongoing conflict between Flutter and React Native is expected to last for many years. Being an entrepreneur or coder, it is natural to feel uncertain when deciding between Flutter and React Native for your mobile app creation. To make a final choice, you must fully grasp how these frameworks differ from one another.

Following are some distinctions between both technologies depending on several factors:

Programming Language

Flutter — Flutter makes use of the Dart programming language that is known for quicker UI rendering in browsers.

React Native — React Native makes use of JavaScript which is a popular programming language.

Architecture

Flutter — Flutter has a layered architecture that uses the Skia graphics engine. It incorporates the unidirectional data flow, which is enthused by Reflux JS.

React Native — React Native has an application location architecture called Flux. This architecture utilizes a JavaScript bridge module to compile the JavaScript code into Native code.

Installation and Setup

Flutter — The installation and configuration processes are smooth as compared to React Native.

React Native — The installation process is a little complicated and time-consuming.

Learning Curve

Flutter — Dart programming language is easy to learn for developers as it is different from C++, Java, JavaScript, and other languages.

React Native — JavaScript is a widely used programming language across the world. However, it is a little daunting for developers to learn it and convert it from web app creation to mobile app creation using JavaScript.

Time to Develop Apps

Flutter — It includes a hot reload feature that allows developers to check code changes in real-time, which speeds up the app creation process. Flutter also provides a wide range of widgets that lead to fast development.

React Native — It also ensures fast cross-platform app development. However, the hot reload feature of React Native is not as effective as in Flutter.

Performance

Flutter — Flutter includes various native components that ensure your apps run efficiently and smoothly.

React Native — React Native utilizes JavaScript bridge to start communication amid the native components and this impact the performance of the app. Indeed, the JavaScript code is converted into native code and then compile, which takes more time and affects the application’s performance.

Code Maintenance

Flutter — Flutter application’s code is simple and hence easy to maintain. Moreover, you can utilize external debugging tools to uphold and debug the app code without putting more effort.

React Native — It is quite challenging to debug and maintain the code with React Native.

Aptness for Complex Application Building

Flutter — Flutter is not yet capable of developing complex applications. Such apps demand enormous features and functionalities along with customization, hence it is not a perfect choice here.

React Native — React Native is an appropriate choice to create a complex app. Although, it requires knowledgeable software developers to use JavaScript and Native development tactics.

Community Support

Flutter — Flutter is new in the marketplace; the software developer community is still in an emerging stage. Indeed, community support has improved a lot in present times.

React Native — React Native has immense community support.

Conclusion:

Flutter vs React Native is an ongoing debate in the tech world. As we are entering into 2023, it’s far critical to recognize which framework let you satisfy your project requirements. Well, this is true to some extent. Choosing among each framework technology is not a sink-or-swim kind of dilemma. You are free to pick anyone without much risk. Both frameworks are flexible and efficient to become a go-to for your next application development project.