Do you want to build apps with cross platform technology? Are you thinking of building mobile apps that help you save money and time?

You’ll find the following information in this article:

Without knowing, you may have used some Flutter apps. Whether you used some digital coupon or ran an ad campaign on Google Ads, you’ve used Flutter. Flutter is the new transformative technology for developers and users that is expected to bring in revolutionary changes in the mobile app development industry.

React Native seems to be losing in 2019 with the advent of Flutter app development. Some of the notable companies have started abandoning React Native and are switching to Flutter for cross platform mobile app development.

There’s an ongoing debate among the developers, users, and industry experts for this one question:

Is Flutter better than Xamarin or React Native?

We’re going to figure out what makes Flutter the best platform for cross platform app development.

List of popular apps made in Flutter

What is Flutter?

Flutter is Google’s open source technology that helps to build iOS and Android mobile apps with a single codebase.

It is not just a framework, but a complete SDK for building cross platform mobile applications.

This platform includes a rendering engine, widgets, APIs, and command-line tools.

Dart is the programming language that is used by Flutter. It uses Ahead-of-time compilation. The upcoming operating system known as Fuchsia would also be built on Flutter.

In short, it has everything that is needed for developing cross platform apps.

The Good About Flutter Development

Talking about the mobile app owners, Flutter speeds up the app development process, reduces the cost of application development, and helps to build beautiful and attractive apps with amazing animations. Let’s take a look at the detailed pros of choosing Flutter for mobile app development:

1. Faster code writing

For developers, choosing the right platform that helps to write code faster is a major concern. That’s where Flutter comes into the picture. Flutter helps to write code faster and helps to build dynamic apps. Flutter app developers can make the changes in the code and see them in the app instantly. The Hot Reload feature in Flutter helps the team build the apps faster, fix the bugs on-the-go, and experiment with mobile app development services. Being designer-developer friendly, Hot Reload is an added advantage of using Flutter for mobile app development.

2. Reusable Components

Developers can write the code once and use the same code for another OS. A single code can cover iOS and Android platform. Some developers and industry experts may say that’s exactly what React Native does. Believe it or not, it is more natural with Flutter. As it has its own widgets and designs, it becomes easier to build cross platform apps with Flutter development tools. And yeah, if you want to differentiate apps for different platforms – that’s possible with Flutter.

3. Less testing

One can save time and efforts with Flutter mobile development. When you have the same app for two different platforms, the QA testing process becomes faster. Flutter developers can test the app only once by running automated tests. If there is some difference in apps for different platforms, then in that case developers or QA team will have to run the tests separately.

4. Excellent User Interface

As Flutter has design-centric widgets and advanced navigation features, you can expect amazing user interfaces for the mobile apps. Widgets can be used to enhance the visual aspects of the mobile app. You can use the available widgets or even customize them as per your exact requirements. A good Flutter app development company can help you customize the widgets and add the desired functionality to your mobile app.

5. Widgets

Use of widgets improves the app’s interface. They provide a natural look and feel to your app irrespective of the screen size. Flutter offers a wide range of widgets that possess extensive capabilities to build the best apps.

What are Flutter widgets used for?

To add a structural element such as menu or button

To integrate stylish elements like fonts

To incorporate aspects of the layout

And a lot more…

Downsides of Flutter Development

Like almost everything, Flutter also has come cons. It is still young and growing.

1. Mobile only

As of now, Flutter can be used for mobile apps only; it does not support web browsers. When ecommerce business owners need to select a technology stack, this may be a concern if you are thinking of picking Flutter for mobile app development.

2. Limited libraries

The framework is quite new in the market, and so, you may not get all the useful libraries that you may need. Flutter developers may have to build libraries from the scratch and this may consume a lot of time and efforts.

3. Limited TV Support

If you are looking for building a mobile app that can run on Apple TV or Android TV, then Flutter may not be a good option. You should look for other frameworks for such apps.

Flutter for Android App Development

1. Single Tech Stack

Flutter has everything that is required to build iOS apps. As it uses Dart language, iOS apps can be built easily and smoothly.

2. UI Elements

The native framework that is used by Apple as of now has an event-driven interface. The framework offers a complete package of drawing, printing, animation, and support for documents. The UI elements of Flutter function differently. There are plenty of widgets available for pixel perfect quality of UI elements for iOS application development.

3. Testing

Apple provides a framework known as XCTest for integration, performance, and testing of iOS apps. It comes with a wide range of elements for testing of the apps. Although most of the developers use it, it requires a lot of coding and lacks native support.

When using Flutter, the above concern can be resolved. iOS developers can write test at different levels and ensure a bug-free app. Flutter Driver can be used for a better testing experience of iOS apps.

4. Productivity

When building native apps, developers need to rebuild the entire app. They have to use third party libraries to view the changes made in the devices. This process needs to be repeated each time they make changes in the app.

Flutter offers a reload option that displays all the changes that are done in simulator in real time. This improves the productivity and efficiency of the developers while they build iOS apps.

Flutter for iOS App Development

1. Single Tech Stack

Flutter has everything that is required to build iOS apps. As it uses Dart language, iOS apps can be built easily and smoothly.

2. UI Elements

The native framework that is used by Apple as of now has an event-driven interface. The framework offers a complete package of drawing, printing, animation, and support for documents. The UI elements of Flutter function differently. There are plenty of widgets available for pixel perfect quality of UI elements for iOS application development.

3. Testing

Apple provides a framework known as XCTest for integration, performance, and testing of iOS apps. It comes with a wide range of elements for testing of the apps. Although most of the developers use it, it requires a lot of coding and lacks native support.

When using Flutter, the above concern can be resolved. iOS developers can write test at different levels and ensure a bug-free app. Flutter Driver can be used for a better testing experience of iOS apps.

4. Productivity

When building native apps, developers need to rebuild the entire app. They have to use third party libraries to view the changes made in the devices. This process needs to be repeated each time they make changes in the app.

Flutter offers a reload option that displays all the changes that are done in simulator in real time. This improves the productivity and efficiency of the developers while they build iOS apps.

How much does Flutter Mobile App Development Cost?

Cost of Flutter app development would depend on the features you require. Usually, it may take 200-400 hours for building an average app in Flutter. You can hire dedicated Flutter developers for your next project to build apps for both the platforms iOS and Android. You’ll be able to save money while developing cross platform app with Flutter.

What do we think about Flutter app development?

Personally, we think that Flutter is a very useful technology that can be used when you need to reach the widest user base quickly. If you are a startup or a small business looking for releasing apps quickly for multiple platforms, Flutter mobile app development can be the right choice. Instead of building two apps for different platforms separately, you’d have a single app, helping you save money, time, and efforts. And the best thing is that you’ll have a 100% native looking UI with Flutter development. This framework will surely mature in the coming few months and years. Let’s wait to see what new opportunities it brings for us.