Flutter vs. React Native: Which Framework Is Best for App Development?

Are you looking to accelerate mobile app development and reduce costs by using cross-platform frameworks? Are you torn between choosing Flutter or React Native? If so, this blog is for you.

Cross-platform app development has soared in popularity, enabling organizations to reach millions of users with a single unified codebase. Building apps that run seamlessly on multiple platforms dramatically streamlines development cycles and cuts costs—especially for teams aiming to serve Android, iOS, and web users simultaneously.

In this article, we’ll compare Flutter vs React Native in detail—highlighting their benefits, drawbacks, performance, and industry trends. By the end, you’ll be better equipped to make an informed decision about which framework suits your project requirements best.

Overview: Flutter vs. React Native

Both Flutter and React Native create high-performing, visually appealing mobile applications. They each have vibrant communities and strong corporate backers—Google supports Flutter, while Meta (Facebook) drives React Native. Below is a closer look at both frameworks.

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit created by Google. It uses the Dart programming language and offers a rich set of customizable widgets, allowing developers to build native-like cross-platform apps for iOS, Android, web, and desktop from a single codebase.

Key Points about Flutter

• Developed by Google.

• Uses the Dart language.

• Provides a comprehensive widget library.

• Offers near-native performance with the Skia rendering engine.

• Enables building aesthetically consistent UIs across multiple devices.

• Includes official support for web apps (Flutter 2).

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source mobile application framework developed by Meta (Facebook). It allows developers to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React, delivering apps for iOS, Android, and other platforms through one codebase.

Key Points about React Native

• Created by Meta (Facebook).

• Uses JavaScript (and React) for building cross-platform apps.

• Relies on declarative components for a native look and feel.

• Benefits from a large, well-established community.

• Requires a JavaScript bridge to interact with native modules.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Flutter and React Native

Benefits of Using Flutter

1. Excellent UX: Provides extensive, customizable widgets.

2. High Performance: Apps generally load faster due to Dart’s ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation and the Skia engine.

3. Multi-Platform Support: Flutter 2 enables development for mobile, web, and desktop.

4. Well-Organized Documentation: Backed by consistent Google support.

5. Consistent UI Across Devices: Maintains a uniform look and feel.

Drawbacks of Flutter

1. Non-Native Components: While Flutter mimics native behavior, everything is drawn via its own rendering engine.

2. Larger App Size: Flutter apps can be bigger in size compared to native or React Native apps.

3. Relatively Limited Tools: Though growing, the ecosystem is still catching up to JavaScript’s range of libraries.

Benefits of Using React Native

1. Familiar Language: Employs JavaScript, one of the most widely used programming languages.

2. Cross-Platform Codebase: Reuse code across iOS and Android.

3. Speedy Development: Large community and extensive libraries facilitate rapid coding.

4. Wide Adoption: Launched in 2015, it boasts a robust ecosystem.

5. Active Community: Eases troubleshooting and learning.

Drawbacks of React Native

1. Non-Native Components: Still relies on a JavaScript bridge for some platform-specific features.

2. Limited Built-In Components: Heavily depends on third-party libraries for unique or complex features.

3. Discarded Packages: Some libraries become outdated or unmaintained.

4. Potential UI Inconsistencies: Complex UIs may require extensive testing across devices.

5. Larger App Size: Compared to pure native apps, though typically not as large as some Flutter builds.

Framework Trends in Terms of Popularity

Google Trends Analysis

Google Trends indicates a tight race between Flutter and React Native worldwide. Flutter began to surpass React Native in search volume around April 2020 and maintains a lead as of 2023.

• Global Popularity: Flutter (red) vs. React Native (blue).

• United States: The competition remains intense, with Flutter currently holding a slight edge.

Statista Surveys

In 2020, Statista confirmed a similar worldwide trend, showing Flutter catching up to React Native.

• In 2019, Flutter was less popular.

• By 2021, Flutter overtook React Native by a narrow margin (42% vs. 38%) in cross-platform framework usage.

• According to Stack Overflow Survey 2023, Flutter continues to surpass React Native in certain key areas of developer preference.

Choose Flutter or React Native?

Why Choose Flutter

• Uses Dart: Features a faster compilation time than JavaScript, boosting performance.

• Higher File Size: Flutter apps can be larger, but development is typically faster.

• Built-In Testing Tools: Simplifies testing within the Flutter ecosystem.

• Smooth Performance: Minimizes the need for bridges to interact with native components.

Why Choose React Native

• Employs JavaScript: Easier onboarding for JavaScript/React developers.

• JavaScript Bridge: Slight performance overhead, but also flexible and widely supported.

• Wider Community: Benefits from an established JS ecosystem.

• Requires Third-Party Testing Tools: Detox or Jest, for instance, are needed to fully test React Native apps.

Performance Comparison

Performance hinges on factors such as rendering engine and bridging. Flutter leverages the Skia rendering engine, eliminating the need for a JavaScript bridge and offering near-native performance. React Native relies on a JavaScript runtime to communicate with native components, which can cause overhead in certain scenarios.

Programming Languages: Dart vs. JavaScript

• Dart (Flutter): Less common, but more performant and ideal for Java/C# developers transitioning to cross-platform.

• JavaScript (React Native): Ubiquitous, flexible, and well-known among web developers.

Your decision may hinge on the existing expertise of your team. Dart can yield faster apps, but JavaScript’s universal adoption is a substantial advantage.

Community, Support, and Documentation

• Flutter: Backed by Google, with rapidly growing community support. Excellent, organized official documentation.

• React Native: Backed by Meta, with a massive JS community and a rich ecosystem of third-party libraries. Official docs can be slightly fragmented but benefit from extensive real-world usage.

Both have active communities, but React Native’s older ecosystem is more mature in certain areas. Flutter is catching up quickly.

React Native vs. Flutter Industry Trends

• React Native: In a 2019 Stack Overflow survey, 62.5% of developers reported enjoying React Native.

• Flutter: Garnered a higher rating of 65.4%. It’s newer, so job opportunities are currently fewer, but this gap is closing as Flutter adoption rises.

React Native vs. Flutter Development Cost

Hiring costs vary by region, experience level, and project complexity. As of January 2024, average hourly rates range widely depending on the developer’s location and expertise.

• Flutter: Simple projects cost roughly $15,000–$60,000; complex projects can run $60,000–$200,000 or more.

• React Native: Simple projects start around $20,000, and large-scale apps can reach $300,000 or beyond.

Ultimately, Flutter or React Native can both be cost-effective. The total budget depends on app features, team expertise, and your timeline.

UI/UX Flexibility: React Native vs. Flutter

1. Flutter UI/UX Design

   • Offers a robust widget system for creating visually stunning experiences.

   • Includes Material Design components for consistency across devices.

   
   

2. React Native UI/UX Design

   • Provides a wide range of pre-built UI components.

   • Strives for a native look and feel, easily integrating into existing designs.

Decision-makers should weigh Flutter’s extensive customizability against React Native’s strong native feel.

Testing and Automation

• Flutter: Comes with a complete testing suite built-in, streamlining unit, widget, and integration tests.

• React Native: Requires a combination of external tools like Jest (unit testing) and Detox (end-to-end testing) for comprehensive coverage.

Choose your framework based on the flexibility and structure your team needs for QA and automation.

React Native and Flutter: Top Examples

Popular Flutter-Based Apps

• Alibaba: One of the biggest e-commerce platforms globally, using Flutter for a unified user experience.

• eBay Motors: Offers an optimized marketplace to buy and sell car parts or vehicles with rich user interactions.

Popular React Native-Based Apps

• Instagram: Merged two native apps into a single cross-platform codebase to improve efficiency and reduce maintenance.

• Facebook: Unsurprisingly uses React Native for parts of its mobile app, leveraging its strong internal JS expertise.

Conclusion: Flutter vs. React Native Future—Who Wins?

According to Statista, both Flutter and React Native have shown robust growth, with Flutter edging ahead in recent years. Each framework has distinct pros and cons:

Flutter

• Excellent for complex, highly-customized apps and MVPs.

• Larger initial app sizes but faster rendering and a modern language (Dart).

React Native

• Ideal for teams already proficient in JavaScript or React.

• Potential overhead from the JS bridge but vast community resources.

The strategic choice depends on:

• Project complexity and performance demands.

• Existing team expertise.

• Desired development speed.

• Budget and timeline.

Final Comparison Table

| Criteria           | Flutter                                                                 | React Native                                                                                 |
|--------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Usage          | Best for creating MVPs and complex multi-screen apps (mobile, web, desktop) | Good for prototyping and creating simpler apps primarily for mobile and web                 |
| Popularity     | Rapidly rising since launch                                           | Once dominant, now slightly overshadowed by Flutter’s growth                                |
| Design        | Offers a near-native UI/UX on new and old devices alike               | Native feel on modern devices but may vary on older versions                                |
| Performance    | Runs at 60 FPS, minimal lag even with complex animations              | Runs at 60 FPS but can lag for complex designs due to JS bridge                             |
| Security       | Well-suited for high-security projects                                | Slightly less robust for critical data, but generally acceptable                            |
| Testing        | Built-in, faster and simpler                                          | Requires multiple third-party frameworks                                                    |
| Development Speed | Typically faster due to hot-reload and powerful widgets               | Slightly slower, frequent manual updates and optimization needed                            |
| Ecosystem      | Growing fast; many packages and plugins                               | Mature and vast JavaScript community                                                        |
| Development Cost | Can be slightly higher, depending on skilled Dart dev availability     | Potentially cheaper if a JavaScript-based team is already in place

Why Flutternest?

At Flutternest, we understand that selecting the right cross-platform framework can make or break your mobile app ambitions. Our team’s deep expertise in Flutter, combined with our advanced software development approach, ensures you receive the ideal balance of cost-effectiveness and speed. Whether you need blazing performance, an engaging user interface, or rapid release cycles, our specialists can tailor a perfect solution that aligns with your business objectives.

Ready to experience best-in-class Flutter development? Visit Flutternest to explore our portfolio, learn more about our specialties, and see how we can help you thrive in today’s competitive app landscape.

FAQs on Flutter and React Native App Development

1. How do Flutter and React Native compare in terms of development costs and budget management?

• Flutter development can range from $15,000 to $200,000, depending on app complexity.

• React Native development typically ranges from $20,000 to $300,000 for large-scale projects.

Ultimately, factors like team expertise, project features, and third-party integrations will dictate the final budget. If you’re unsure which is more cost-effective for your situation, feel free to Connect for more tailored guidance.

2. Which framework provides faster time-to-market for new applications—Flutter or React Native?

Generally, Flutter may speed up development due to its extensive widget library, robust hot-reload, and single codebase approach. React Native can also be fast, especially if your team can reuse existing JavaScript code or web components. Both frameworks offer rapid development; your decision should hinge on team skill sets and project requirements.

3. How do Flutter and React Native impact ongoing maintenance and support costs?

Using a single codebase for iOS and Android significantly reduces maintenance overhead in both Flutter and React Native.

• Flutter: Unified codebase, consistent updates, and organized architecture make it straightforward to maintain.

• React Native: A vast developer community and JavaScript ecosystem facilitate quick fixes and add-ons.

4. What are the key factors for evaluating long-term scalability and growth potential with Flutter versus React Native?

1. Performance: Flutter’s built-in rendering vs. React Native’s potential need for native modules.

2. Ecosystem: Google-backed packages vs. React Native’s vast JS library.

3. Platform Flexibility: Flutter covers desktop, mobile, and web; React Native focuses mainly on mobile.

4. Maintenance: Flutter offers excellent backward compatibility; React Native might need some refactoring over time.

5. Talent Pool: React Native has more JS developers, while Flutter’s Dart community is rapidly growing.

5. Which framework offers better support for enterprise-level features and requirements?

• Flutter: Ideal for custom UI, high performance, and consistent user experience—often preferred for enterprise apps with unique requirements.

• React Native: Great for companies already investing in JavaScript infrastructure and seeking extensive library support.

Still unsure which is right for your project?

Contact our experts at Flutternest. Our skilled professionals have years of experience delivering top-notch apps, we would love to give an unbiased research and trial project engagement for you to make the best judgement.