Today, more developers are using Flutter for cross-platform app development. In a survey by Statista, 42% preferred Flutter, and React Native was a close second at 38%!

As a leading software development company, ThinkPalm excels in flutter app development. Also, we have helped to deliver exceptional results in many crucial projects as well.

This article explores why Flutter stands out in the cross-platform app development landscape. 

Also, We’ll stack it up against its rival, React Native, and shed more light on why using Flutter is a smart move for app development.

First, let’s learn about cross-platform app development. Let’s dive in.

What exactly is cross-platform development?

Cross-platform development refers to the practice of creating software applications that can run on multiple operating systems or platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.

This approach allows developers to write code once and deploy it across various platforms, saving time and resources compared to building separate versions for each operating system. Now, let’s jump straight to Flutter without further Ado.

What is Flutter, and why is there so much buzz around it?

Flutter, a creation of the tech giant Google, serves as a versatile UI toolkit. 

Its primary purpose is to empower developers to construct applications that are natively compiled, catering to mobile, web, and desktop platforms, all managed seamlessly through a single, consolidated codebase.

Google introduced Flutter in 2015, officially releasing it in 2018, and since then, it has quickly risen to prominence as the preferred toolkit for developers. 

So what’s the buzz around it, you may ask?

• Well, people love Flutter because of its hot-reload feature!
• Moreover, it lets developers see changes instantly without restarting the app, making the whole process faster and more productive. 
• Also, Flutter’s widget-based system makes it simple to create great-looking interfaces, and it works well on different platforms.
• Also, the framework is popular for being flexible, easy to learn, and great for making custom designs.

Therefore, many developers find Flutter efficient and time-saving, leading to its widespread use!

On top of all, the ability to create a consistent user experience across different platforms with a single codebase is another reason why Flutter has gained so much attention in the development community.

How does Flutter work?

• Flutter is a layered system that includes the framework, engine, and platform-specific embedders.
• Moreover, Flutter apps are created with Google’s Dart object-oriented programming language. 
• In addition, the Flutter engine is primarily written in C and C++.
• And the Skia library is the foundation of Flutter’s graphics capabilities.
• Dart lays the groundwork for Flutter’s performance perks.

Moreover, it supports both ahead-of-time (AOT) and just-in-time (JIT) compilation.

• AOT compiles to native code, making apps start up faster and run better. 
• On the other hand, JIT powers Flutter’s hot reload, cutting development time.

Also, Dart compiles directly to native ARM or Intel x64 code, reducing performance gaps between Flutter and native apps using runtime interpretations.

Also, Flutter’s architecture makes it easy to add features or handle more users swiftly, making it highly extensible and scalable!

Why do mobile app developers love Flutter?

Flutter has become wildly popular for good reason. It offers developers numerous advantages that speed up development and lead to user-friendly mobile apps.

Here’s a quick and insightful summary:

1. Flutter is platform-agnostic

Developers aiming for a successful mobile app know they need versions for both Android and iOS.

Android dominates with a 72% market share, while iOS has 27%.

Building separate native apps is a difficult process—it’s time-consuming and expensive.

That’s where Flutter comes into play. With a single codebase, it simplifies cross-platform development, saving time and money.

What’s more awesome about Flutter? Its UI works smoothly on any platform.

As a result, unlike other frameworks, Flutter doesn’t need platform-specific UI components, making it a top choice for developers.

2. Flutter simplifies and speeds up application development

Flutter simplifies and speeds up cross-platform mobile app development with its powerful features.

So, using a single codebase and UI engine for both Android and iOS cuts down effort significantly.

Further, the widget library in Flutter is a developer’s treasure trove, offering pre-made functionality and slashing coding time, thereby lowering overall development costs.

The real star, though, is Flutter’s stateful hot reload. This nifty feature, relying on JIT compilation, makes implementing code changes a breeze. Also, it injects modifications into the running code without disrupting the app’s current state.

As a result, developers can see real-time effects, test features, and fix bugs faster. 

Moreover, it’s perfect for startups with tight budgets, allowing them to swiftly bring both initial apps and updates to the market.

Flutter, in essence, is a cost-effective MVP-building tool for businesses looking to optimize their resources.

3. Flutter is easy to learn and easy to use

Flutter is a breeze for developers, whether they’re seasoned pros or newbies.

If you’re used to languages like Java, Python, or C#, picking up Flutter and Dart is a piece of cake since Dart is structurally and syntactically similar.

What makes it even smoother is Flutter’s widget library, which lets you build apps without drowning in code. Some platforms even use Flutter to create apps without any code!

Don’t worry about getting stuck—Flutter’s got your back with excellent documentation.

There’s a reference manual, example applications, a handy “cookbook” for common tasks, and even a Flutter boot camp recommendation.

The Flutter community is a vibrant support system, too. For developers seeking information and assistance, there are various online resources available, such as:

• Flutter Awesome, a comprehensive hub for Flutter tutorials, libraries, UIs, apps, and more.
• The flutter-dev Google Group, a valuable source for resolving technical issues.
• The flutter-dev subreddit, the official Reddit community for Flutter, where users exchange resources and expertise
• Also, the Stack Overflow Flutter wiki and question pages

Therefore, all you need to do is just a quick search, and it will open up a world of helpful Flutter resources if you want to learn more!

4. Flutter scales well

Flutter makes life easy for developers who want to add features or expand their user base without causing a meltdown. Moreover, it relies on Google’s Firebase on the backend, designed with scalability in mind.

Firebase’s real-time database updates ensure speedy data syncing among clients. Plus, it’s smart about optimizing and minimizing updates needed for syncing.

So, adding users or features won’t throw your app’s performance off balance. You can experience smooth sailing all the way!

5. Flutter apps offer an excellent user experience

Flutter takes the crown when it comes to crafting top-notch user interfaces for mobile apps.

Its built-in widget catalog is a treasure trove, offering high-performance and visually stunning application elements.

Building UIs, whether simple or complex, is a breeze with Flutter. So, it’s like putting together a puzzle—effortless and enjoyable.

What’s the key? Flutter apps get compiled directly into native code, skipping any intermediate interpretation steps.

Moreover, unlike other cross-platform tools that need bridges between their code and native elements, Flutter’s speed is unmatched. No extra processing steps, just a smooth and speedy user experience!

Here are a few more exciting benefits of Flutter:

What are the downsides of using Flutter?

Just like any other SDK, Flutter has its flaws. While its strengths outweigh these drawbacks, people thinking about using Flutter should know about its limitations.

1. Large apps

App size is a big worry for many developers. Even though modern devices usually have lots of storage, things like photos, videos, and graphics-heavy games can fill it up fast. This holds particularly true for devices that have been around for a while.

Flutter apps carry all the needed code to run the app, making them bigger than other apps that rely on platform elements.

As a result, for developers aiming for a broad user base, the size of Flutter apps might be an issue, pushing them to pick a different language.

2. Lack of third-party libraries

Getting help from third-party libraries is a big time and cost-saver for developers, and many depend on them.

• Flutter has a wide range of built-in widgets, and its official package site offers thousands of choices.
• However, since Flutter is still relatively new, there are fewer resources for third-party libraries compared to other development tools.

But as more people switch to Flutter, the third-party Flutter community is growing quickly, and over time, this issue is likely to become less of a concern.

3. Limited platforms

Right now, Flutter applications have limitations on the platforms they can run on.

For example, you can’t use Flutter to develop applications for watchOS, tvOS, or Apple CarPlay.

This is a significant drawback, especially considering the expected growth in smartwatch sales over the next five years.

Moreover, flutter is trying to tackle this issue by offering solutions like incorporating native Apple Watch extensions into Flutter applications. It’s a workaround to expand platform compatibility, but the limitation is still something to consider.

4. You have to learn Dart

Using Flutter requires knowledge of Google’s Dart programming language. While Dart is not overly challenging for those familiar with object-oriented programming, it’s not as widely recognized or utilized as languages like C#, Java, or JavaScript.

Therefore, this makes it a potential hurdle for developers aiming for a quick market entry, as they might prefer tools with more mainstream languages to avoid an extra learning curve.

5. It may be better for Android than iOS

It’s not unexpected that Flutter’s performance might lean more towards Android than iOS. Some instances already show iOS features trailing behind as Flutter updates are rolled out.

So, given that Flutter is backed by Google, a major advocate for Android, and considering Android’s dominance in the mobile market, it makes sense. 

Since Flutter is a Google product, it attracts more Android developers than iOS developers. There’s even a suggestion that new Android features integrate into Flutter quicker than their iOS counterparts.

Therefore, developers targeting the iOS market should stay vigilant for upcoming Flutter releases.

Read Also: Which Are The Top Technologies To Develop A Mobile App In 2024?

Frequently Asked Questions

Why choose Flutter for cross-platform app development?

Creating an app with Flutter is a breeze—it’s smooth, seamless, and budget-friendly. Thanks to Flutter’s streamlined coding, you save big on costs compared to developing separate native apps, slashing the need for writing code twice.

Why is SDK important in Flutter?

Flutter SDK, crafted by Google, is a game-changer for cross-platform mobile app development. Armed with a comprehensive toolkit, libraries, and resources, it empowers you to fashion native-grade user interfaces seamlessly on both Android and iOS—all from a single, efficient codebase.

What is the biggest advantage of Flutter in relation to native development?

Flutter lets you make apps with the same look and function on different devices. Instead of writing separate code for Android and iOS, Flutter uses one code for both.

Is Flutter the future for cross-platform app development?

Developers love Flutter because it’s user-friendly, quick, and adaptable for building apps on different platforms. Companies benefit from saving time and money by using Flutter to create products for multiple platforms with just one set of code.

Why is Flutter more popular than React Native?

Flutter’s framework provides in-depth and informative content, making it a valuable resource for cross-platform development experts. While React Native also has good documentation, it tends to be more generalized and less focused compared to Flutter.

Which are the famous Flutter cross-platform app development examples?

Alibaba, Realtor.com, BMW, eBay, and Nubank are all prominent examples of well-established brands and services that have used Flutter to build their cross-platform apps.

 

What does the future hold for Flutter?

Flutter’s rapid rise in usage has indeed shown signs of plateauing in the past three years. However, this doesn’t necessarily indicate an imminent decline for Flutter.

It’s more likely that Google will work to address some of its current challenges, especially regarding application size and third-party resources, given its current popularity.

On top of all, with Flutter’s combination of simplicity and power, it’s expected to maintain widespread use among developers.

While new and trendy tools may emerge, attempting to overshadow Flutter, its future still looks promising for the foreseeable future. The key lies in Google’s commitment to refining and evolving the platform to meet the evolving needs of developers.

If you’re interested in exploring how Thinkpalm’s software development services in the UK can leverage Flutter for your specific needs, feel free to reach out through our contact form. We’re here to assist you on your development journey!

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