Flutter, the Google user-interface toolkit, is known for the endless list of advantages.
When you chase the dream of building the perfect business app, Flutter proves to be a promising platform.
The cross-platform toolkit is taking over the application development industry thereby making its mark in the prominent industry.
The app development owes the wonderful features inclusive of reusable blocks of user-interface, multi-platform code usability, and reactive performance.
Flutter, which is powered by Google, is on the gaining grounds.
And the open-source development framework for building the native Flutter iOS and Android interface.
What is Flutter?
Define Flutter:
Flutter is an open-source mobile application development framework introduced by Google in 2015 with the beta form.
The platform empowers flutter applications making it an incredible application with the propelled features.
What are the features of Flutter?
Github plays a crucial role in increasing the prominence of Flutter as the top-notch mobile SDK. Other features of flutter programming include:
- Open-source
- Based on Dart
- Gives customizable widgets
- The architecture is on react native programming
Why choose Flutter over others? The Benefits
Flutter helps in building seamless mobile applications for every kind of business.
Dart and Flutter, both are very important. Here is how:
a) Very fast app development
Having features like ‘hot-reload’, the code changes and it is reflected.
This change usually doesn’t take more than milliseconds helping the flutter developer to maintain a high speed as well as dynamicity for the development.
Flutter widgets help in creating the native interfaces within a few minutes.
b) Reduced testing efforts
Flutter apps are cross-platform. So, the testing team doesn’t have to run the same set of tests on different platforms for the same app.
Flutter cross-platform development enables applications to run on multiple platforms by giving the programming code only once.
This saves a lot of time for the testing team. Therefore, Flutter is extensively used by the remote mobile app development company.
c) Access to native features
It is very simple to setup Flutter. The Flutter app developers can easily have access to native features of low-level machines where Flutter is adopted.
Having the cross-platform nature, codes in existing Swift, Java, Objective-C can be used and reused again.
d) Excellent user interface
Flutter development is a not so complex job. To start a Flutter app, it is built-in design-centric widgets, high-end development tools, advanced APIs, scrolling and navigation features, etc.
Flutter helps in the development of expressive user interfaces.
e) Good for MVP
Flutter is best for the development of Minimum Viable Product apps because of the quick Flutter mobile development process and cross-platform nature.
The cross-platform nature also decreases the cost when the app is developed with Flutter.
Flutter App Development & Hiring Developers: The Basics
Flutter offers a complete web view in a native app.
Besides the native look and feel of app development, there are a few more elements that increase the popularity.
Well, the developer’s community is all the buzz with the Beta release of Google’s Flutter.
Google’s. One of the major benefits of using Flutter is cost-effectiveness.
Almost everyone believes that Flutter significantly cuts down the cost to almost half of its actual price.
What is the Cost of Flutter App Development?
When deciding the elements that determine the overall mobile app development cost, there are a few factors common between the Native and Flutter app development processes.
There is no standalone part in the cost estimation of Flutter app development.
The stages include:
- App discovery cost
- App deployment cost
The app development cost depends on the below-mentioned factors:
Let’s explore:
1) The app development complexity
The app development cost depends on the complexity of the features.
Further, the app is divided into three categories which are low, medium and high complexity applications.
The separation is done on the basis of factors:
- Deployment architecture model
- Admin panel development
- Third-party integration
- Device’s in-built features
- Integration with enterprise/legacy system
2) Application categorization
There is a dynamic market change, a rapid shift in the mobile app development takes place.
Moving from one category to another gives a dramatic shift both in functionality and features.
The app category is an important factor that can influence the flutter cost development.
The number of features shifts as you move from one application to the other.
While a few have ‘x’ functionalities, rest have ‘y’. On the other hand, there will be some apps having multi-factor authentication.
This feature categorization estimates the app development cost of Flutter.
For example, a currency converter app costs a lot less than a cab booking app.
3) Focus on Hardware
The more hardware gets connected with the application, the more is the answer to how much it costs to create a Flutter app.
This is the reason why it becomes expensive when it has to deal to develop and integrate an app with the legacy system and connect with the wearable.
4) Application Design
The first impression always matters. It is important every app has an intricate design.
The more free-flowing it is, the more users will connect with the app on a personal level.
Beautiful designs do not come free of cost.
In the context of designing the applications, UX represents the user experience design and UI represents the user interface. This comprises of:
Building a seamless user experience
Embedding creativity and colors to the look and feel
Flexible user experience asks for visceral UI/UX design.
UI/UX creates a better user experience. There is something in Flutter that comes as a relief for the budget-oriented entrepreneurs is the low designing cost.
An instinctive and unimpeded app design wants the users to be interested in the app features.
UI/UX development plays a major part in the cost estimation of the Flutter app development.
The cost deciding features also includes:
- Design complexity
- Animations
- Graphics
- Interactivity
4) Backend
Backend is like the backbone of the app development process.
Only the front end is visible to the users but the rest supporting the overall functions is elusive.
Backend controls the app data, server, real-time chatbots, application security, and data backups. For estimation of app cost, the backend holds a solid value:
- The database stores useful information for better-personalized user experience
- The server is used for handling multiple client requests and managing the operations
- Real-time push notifications deliver on the spot assistant to the user
- Data encryption and security code is implemented in the app backend
- The backend contains the data backups
5) Functionalities and integration
The app development supports a feature-rich application having all the user requirements.
The mobile app demand is specific for customer-oriented businesses.
The Flutter mobile app development has endless possibilities.
Every industry vertical requires a custom made mobile app inclusive of customer focussed features.
The app can be built to perform almost everything.
As per the advancements, the app cost may start from hundreds and reach thousands.
Basically, three different types of applications are developed like:
- List-View Applications:
- Dynamic Applications
- Gaming Applications
All the aforementioned applications are designed with the help of the following applications.
- Payment gateway
- Sms gateway
- AI Chatbot
- AR navigation
- Geopositioning
- Social integration
- Push messages
- 3D modeling
- Healthcare application
- AR/VR based applications
a) App Maintenance
There is something undeniable about the price prominence of the Flutter app.
Regardless of the fact whether the app is new or old, you have to keep updating regarding the user’s changing demands.
App maintenance necessity makes it an important element of Flutter development services.
This further includes app updates, design changes, and app bug fixes.
b) Updates
Every app needs constant updates. To keep the app updated, it is important to maintain it.
Operating system: Keep your app compatible with the new version of the iOS and Android app with Flutter.
c) Libraries
Many apps use third-party libraries that break unless updated. Therefore timely updates are important.
d) Widgets
Flutter web also has a collection of different widgets. From the collection of visual interactive widgets, there is so much that impacts the cost.
e) Security Bugs
When the app is distributed, it is affected by bugs at any point.
f) Location of an app development company
Location is one of the most significant factors to consider when it comes to determining the Flutter mobile app development cost.
The cost difference when you hire Flutter developers from India is way better from the US and other Eastern countries.
This is one of the reasons why entrepreneurs choose the outsourcing company for the mobile app development project.
g) Application category
Being highly dependent upon the app's purpose, the category is defined.
Every application has different features as well as uses and can be further divided into categories.
The common categories are e-commerce platforms that require a user creating an account.
Although it also transacts the learning portals requiring the users to access data.
At the same time, it should have a good amount of storage to capture data and online food ordering applications allow users to track and call via the platform.
5 Questions to ask before hiring a mobile app developer
If you are looking to hire developers from Flutter development company in India, there are a few considerations to make and questions to ask:
1) How much will the app cost?
After you discuss the app requirements, it depends on the app development company to accomplish your task.
Simple Flutter app has basic features and is created in the least possible timespan.
Estimating the software project is simply not easy but a good company should be able to provide you an approximation as per your requirements.
Have a look in their portfolio and ask for the price that they charge for other apps.
Ask them on the technologies they work on, the level of detail and time commitment or the deadline.
2) Is a native or hybrid app better for your business?
To answer this question you have to see what you want to accomplish in your app.
If you need a simple app that doesn’t utilize many native platform features, get an app developed over both the platform.
This can be done using hybrid technologies like Xamarin, Flutter or React Native.
Also, keep in mind, if hybrid apps seem like your preferred choice because of their spread-out cost structure, they have limited support.
On the other hand, native apps give a hassle-free experience.
Having maximum support from the Flutter provider or developer’s community having a scalable codebase, it can be customized. This saves a lot of time as well.
3) Can the app be downloaded?
While exploring the portfolio of the potential app development agency, download their apps from the Google Playstore or Apple store.
This will give you an idea of what to expect for the end product.
Keep in mind that not every Flutter programmer you hire will be having the apps on the store as some might still be under the development phase.
It may also be possible that they built custom apps designed for off the store use. But, ask them for some kind of product or service that you can get hands-on.
4) Any references?
Always ask for some sort of reference. Do the developers have Flutter certifications?
This gives you insights not only to deliver on the promises made but also an idea about what to expect from the developer in terms of commitment.
This gives you an opportunity to meet with people having real products rather than reading someone else’s online reviews.
5) Can I have a word with your team?
When you have finally planned to hire Indian offshore developers, the best piece of advice is to meet the team.
This will help you to know the designers and technical Flutter experts who will be working on your project.
This allows you to freely allow you to transfer your thoughts and expectations.
Taking help from a remote development company will certainly help you escape bugs along the way.
You will get a deeper understanding of the technical terms, design patterns, buzzwords and more by the end of the app development cycle.
In the end
Today, Flutter is a driving force behind the success of mobile app development.
Over the years, Flutter abilities have managed to change the landscape of application development by delivering cross-browser functionality.
Flutter app development has always been a great choice for entrepreneurs having a tight budget as it equips them with better features.
The Google Flutter Programming Language is certainly a boon for the business across the globe as it helps in creating effective mobile apps.
This not only decreases the entire procedure of mobile app development and development hours.
The cost-effective platform lowers by 50%, having 20% maintenance.
Therefore, it still stands as one of the best contributions by Google to the realm of app development.