React Native or Flutter: A Developers Choice for Cross-Platform App Development

1 May 2019

Some time ago, Google had launched Google Hummingbird which is the application development platform that launched as being the stable version of Flutter which is Google’s open source application for mobile.

Here are all the details regarding the two Cross-Platform Development tools for app development React Native and Flutter.

Significant Highlights of Flutter Framework:

Flutter is the open-source SDK by Google for the creation of high-quality apps for iOS and Android with the use of single codebase. Google had even hosted a live event on 4th December for the celebration of the new stable version Flutter. They had also announced about the project Google Hummingbird that will allow the users for building an app once and then running it around.

Beyond the pros and cons, every framework comes with a unique architecture that used for App Development. The native apps provide a higher user experience the cross platforms save time and the costs by offering more time for marketing.

Features of Flutter:

Flutter is an open source and free SDK that is backed up by Google and is being used for developing applications for iOS and Android. It is mainly based on the Dart language that offers an appealing graphics library.

There are some other key features of the platform like:

• SDK’s that are platform specific.

• Widgets for particular designs.

• Native presentation.

• For quicker app development there is Stateful Hot Reload feature.

Flutter had been introduced in May 2017 by Google and had a proper release on 4th December. It can be used for creating applications for Google Fuchsia which is a capability-based operating system. The Stateful Hot Reload feature has been gaining popularity as it allows Mobile App Developer to build the UI’s in a faster and more natural manner.

Who is using React Native and Flutter?

React Native Framework is thriving, and there is numerous great app performance that can be observed on both Android and iOS. It is one of the leading open source projects for GitHub. Facebook also uses React Native for numerous vital projects.

Then the famous Oculus Go VR Headset is accompanied by a companion mobile application that is completely built using React Native. The React Native team and Facebook are working together on a vast scale for re-architecture of framework thus making it better and flexible. On the other hand, Flutter is being used by Alibaba with the Xianyu app, and the official app of Broadway musical called Hamilton Musical has been created using Flutter.

Relations between React Native and Flutter

There are numerous common factors in both of the App Development Frameworks:

• Both of them have to be designed for cross-platform app development:

There is superior, constant and excellent quality app performance in React Native and Flutter both on several platforms that include Android and iOS.

• Giant Tech communities back up both of the frameworks:

Facebook offers React Native, and Flutter is by Google’s open-source SDK. There is an active development team that is a common factor between both of these.

• Hot reloading and faster modifications:

React native can support hot reloading that allows the new code to run while keeping the application state at hold instead of recompiling it. This assists with faster and efficient development. Flutter has Stateful Hot Reloading that supports instant reflection of the changes in without restarting or in a situation of application loss.

Differences between React Native and Flutter App Development:

• Difference In the Programming Language:

React Native allows the developers to develop an app with the use of JavaScript. There is enormous popularity of JavaScript in server-specific codes, internet and on mobile and doesn’t require any introduction.

Flutter, on the other hand, uses Dart which is new for the developers. For creating native apps, there are certain features of several languages. People that have an experience of app development in OOP languages like Java and C++ will be able to use Dart as well.

• Flexibility and Stability Differences :

When it comes to customization and flexibility, Flutter provides customized widgets for building appealing experiences. On the other side, React Native offers smooth user experience through direct communication with native platforms.

There are no major differences when it comes to stability as both of them are managed efficiently by major tech communities. Flutter is comparatively new and still making its position with the recent release. React Native has been on the first position of the various app development tools in the market today.

• Time for App Development:

Generally, the companies are able to save time using cross platforms that are occupied with the coding apps in numerous languages.

Additionally, React Native and Flutter both have remained committed to offering a faster time to develop an app. There are third-party libraries and a number of instant components that can be used for building an app. This customization and an entire range of widgets help in developing an app that saves time than normal app development.

Conclusion:

There are pros and cons for both React Native and Flutter. But React Native is still ahead in the game. The industry experts have also said that react Native is here to stay and is going to be the future of mobile app development. It is clear with the comparison above that React Native is strongly holding on its position.