React Native vs Flutter is one of the most searched terms on the internet today. And the reason behind this comparison is that both of them are the best cross-platforms available in the market today. The main difference between React Native vs. Flutter is that React Native is written in JavaScript and uses JSX. However, Flutter supports Dart programming language. The architecture for both frameworks is distinct from each other. Flutter supports the 2D graphic rendering library, Skia. In contrast, React Native supports the Flux architecture, which also demands JavaScript bridging.
No doubt, Creating a cross-platform mobile app has always been the fundamental pillar of the technological world. While developing a new application or updating an older one, most companies prefer to choose a cross-platform framework.
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Here are a Few Reasons to Go Cross-Platform Way for App Development:
- Cost-Effective Solution
- Shorter Time to Market
- Code Reusability
- Consistency in UI Components
- Easy Cloud Integration
- Availability of Plugins
Because of so many benefits, the demand for cross-platform frameworks is rising. And this is another reason for the confusion that leads to the React Native and Flutter comparison. Both React and Flutter are the most potent contenders for the cross-platform framework.
Before moving ahead, let's introduce these technologies and then begin their comparison on the basis of different parameters.
React Native:
To make it short & simple, React Native is based on React, Facebook's JavaScript library (used for building the user interfaces). Similar to the React for web applications, this framework allows the React Native developers to write a mixture of JavaScript and XML-Esque markup, known as JSX.
But unlike React, this framework targets mobile platforms.
Flutter:
Flutter is a mobile app SDK, which allows you to write your application in one codebase and compile it for both iOS and Android. Moreover, Flutter consolidates different processes into one cycle thereby reducing cost.
Flutter applications are developed using Dart, which is an object-oriented programming language. On top of that, UI of the Flutter is the combination of different widgets.
React Native Vs Flutter - What is the difference?
React Native and Flutter, both the platforms allow companies to have one mobile app codebase for the two operating systems (iOS and Android). Then what is the difference? Let's find out:
1. Performance:
Flutter clearly wins the competition on the basis of performance. Flutter makes use of great performance profiling tools, such as the DevTools of Dart Programming Language. The DevTools includes the Flutter Inspector - that helps the Flutter developers to visualize and explore Flutter widget trees. Furthermore, the compilation of code using C and C++ library significantly improves the Flutter app performance.
On the contrary, React Native developers face issues related to architecture, libraries, and native components, especially while building hybrid apps. If you are making react vs flutter comparison, on the basis of performance, you can definitely hire flutter developers and get your project started.
Winner: Flutter
2. User Interface:
Just like the performance, the user interface of a platform can make a huge difference. That's why while making the comparison of the two programming languages, the user interface becomes an important aspect.
In case, of React vs Flutter, React Native clearly wins the battle. It's simply because it has more native components for both iOS as well as Android. Since React Native doesn't have its own library of UI components. Therefore, for making an interactive user interface, you may need the additional support of third-party libraries. Here is a list of the most commonly used libraries for React Native:
- NativeBase Components
- Shoutem UI Components
- React Native Elements
Whereas, Flutter hybrid app utilizes the Proprietary Widgets. Flutter developers can take advantage of Material components, Interaction Models, Styling, Text, Scrolling, Cupertino (iOS-style widgets), etc, to make the UI of the application more interactive.
These widgets are built-in UI components & work as the replacement of native components. Plus, the layered architecture of Flutter, allows the developers to play around the application and provides them the control of every single pixel on the app screen. Not being biased, in this performance parameter, you should definitely go ahead with react native app development.
Winner: React Native
3. Development Time:
Development time plays an important role in the success of an application. Accordingly, mobile app developers have to work on a very strict deadline. The strict deadlines only increase the stress on your developers and may result in negative outcomes. So, it becomes important to choose a mobile app development technology, that allows rapid app development.
React Native has one of the biggest USP; availability of ready-to-use components. Besides that, it utilizes the Redux framework to manage & track changes in application state. Additionally, the hot-reloading feature allows the developers to quickly review the changes in mobile UI. This significantly reduces the app development time.
Recommended Read: Why React Native is Better than Other Similar Platforms?
In the case of Flutter, you have to add separate files for both iOS and Android. Moreover, both these files require you to add the code respective of the platform rules. Apart from this issue, Flutter also has the hot-reloading feature, which allows developers to check the output instantly. This feature saves developers from making modification right from scratch. Hence, Flutter also provides rapid development. But when it comes to React Native vs Flutter comparison, React becomes the clear winner.
Winner: React Native
4. Documentation and Toolkit:
Documentation is always time-consuming. Yet, Flutter gives regimented & smooth documentation making it easy for the mobile app developers to refer while developing the app. Flutter has plenty of Integrated Development Environment (IDEs) and tool. Plus, Flutter has good compatibility with visual studio and this adds value to the framework. So, if you want crisp documentation, go ahead with Flutter development.
Recommended Read: 5 Best IDE’s for Android App Development
On the contrary, documentation of React Native is disorganized and also clumsy. React Native has missed many things in its documentation process, so, developers have to take help from the external dev kits.
Winner: Flutter
5. Stability
Stability is another important factor to consider while making React Native vs Flutter comparison. React Native is an already established framework, that has always been appreciated for its features and reliability. It also supports a large community of contributors.
Whereas, during the early days, the alpha version of Flutter was not recommended for large projects. The Flutter beta 2 version had a few impressive features for the developers. However, with a stable version release of Flutter in July 2019, things have changed a lot. Here's what the new Stable Release of Flutter offers:
- Updates for iOS and Material Widgets
- Updates for tools and plugins
- Introduction to In-App Purchase Feature.
- Support for the updated Apple Store policy.
Recommended Read: Top 8 Reasons to Invest in Flutter Development
Before the stable version release of Flutter, React Native was the clear winner because of its maturity & large community. But with a new version release of Flutter has become worth investing.
Winner: Flutter
Comparison Table for React Native Vs Flutter:
React Native vs Flutter Infographic:
React Native vs Flutter - Who is the Ultimate Winner?
We have done a detailed comparison of Flutter and React Native, based on performance, documentation, stability, development time and user interface. However, it is extremely difficult to pick one as a clear winner. Both of these frameworks have some pros and cons.
We can bet confidently on React Native. Since Flutter has also become stable & mature, so, we are positively utilizing this technology. As a matter of fact, most of our clients are putting forward the demand for developing their application using Flutter.
Here's one way to figure out which one is better!
- React Native for an interactive user interface and experience.
- Flutter for an excellent performance.
If you would like to get a free consultation, we are here to help! Whether you are planning to outsource IT to India or set up your offshore development center, look no further, hire react native developer or hire flutter developer from YTII & bring down your development cost up to 60%!
Reach us at info@yourteaminindia.com & our team will get in touch with you shortly!
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