React Native Vs Flutter: Select One For App Development?

If we ask you to name two hot and happening applications of app development, what comes to your mind? If they happen to be React Native and Flutter, we can understand that you cannot decide between them. Today, we will provide a React Native vs Flutter comparison for you.

Two tech goliaths, Facebook and Google, own React Native and Flutter separately. This specific post will give you a point by point record and help you select one for your upcoming developments.

The mobile application market is seeing consistent development which includes rich applications fueling up our mobile phones. A serious rivalry stays alive between the utility and execution of iOS and Android applications.

Businesses always seek a viable option to build iOS and Android apps that can run fast with limited resources. One can build mobile apps with reactjs.

Software engineers find it challenging to study both to build apps. To get rid of this inconvenience, businesses have embraced cross-platform resolutions.

What is Flutter?

Flutter is a compact, manageable UI toolkit. We can say that it’s a well-structured app Software Development Kit (SDK), containing necessary widgets and accessories.

Also used to develop apps for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Google Fuchsia.

What is React Native?

A free mobile application framework that runs on Javascript, is React Native. It is used for developing mobile applications for Android, iOS, Web and UWP.

React Native enables the developers to have nattier capabilities in the mobile applications.

What’s Flutter for?

Let’s look at the possibilities.

  • The Flutter API remains in the construction stage hence generating desktop applications is a bit easy. Developers can establish and deploy visually engaging, locally-compiled applications, networks, and desktops without any extra codebase.
  • Developers can employ Flutter for Web technical previewing.
  • No cost involved in running Flutter.
  • Dart is the foundation of Flutter. It is an agile, object-oriented programming language with an increased stake for UI-as-code features.
  • The structure of Flutter is not vastly different from the very common react-native programming.
  • It produces its widgets, formed of high-performance rendering engine which deliver quick and customizable results
  • Applications designed in Flutter apps have an impressive interface.

What is React Native for?

React Native is an efficient skeleton for:

  • Multi-platform support for mobile application development
  • Use JS knowledge to build apps
  • One standard codebase, for major mobile operating systems
  • It has similarity in design with React as it employs the same underlying UI building blocks as regular iOS and Android.
  • Outsourced libraries are available to web builders working with React Native.

Who created Flutter?

Google developers made Flutter and continue to upgrade it.

Who created React Native?

The revolutionary programming service React Native was given birth by Facebook.

Pros and Cons of Flutter

Summarizing the chief advantages and disadvantages of Flutter.

The myriad advantages are:

Pros of Flutter:

  • In Flutter, Reload results are faster in coding, ensuring more dynamic and faster app development.
  • Developers can use Flutter to write merely a single codebase for a couple of applications that support major mobile OS platforms.
  • Developers write less code, roughly 50%, compensating the rest with automation.
  • Flutter apps are built to operate smoothly and quickly, seldom going into a “not responding” state or hanging the phone.
  • These apps indicate ease of use, thanks to their user-friendly UI. Because of this, Flutter stands out in competition with React Native taking all visual traits into account.
  • Most flutter apps, new or old, have a similar UI. New apps resemble an updated replica of the previous iOS or Android versions. Thus, users do not have to worry whether the app will support older devices or not.
  • One-stop programming solution for coders to produce an MVP.

Cons of Flutter:

Flutter is not all-good. Let’s look at a few disadvantages.

  • Flutter boasts a scantier, less qualified association of experts.
  • It has impressive libraries but the richness in function and production does not equal React Native development.
  • Flutter does not integrate with CI platforms like Travis or Jenkins. Developers labor to create custom scripts to automate build, tests, and deployments.
  • Applications coded in Flutter are larger than those coded in React Native.

Pros and Cons of React Native

Pros of React Native:

  • Decent job by React Native with performance speed.
  • Good news for developers who can concurrently formulate code on operating systems aside from iOS and Android.
  • The foundation of React Native is JavaScript.
  • Developers have the opportunity to make a preference call when they use React Native to bring about a solution to the project.
  • Facebook released React Native 5 years ago so the developers had enough time to stabilize the API.
  • React Native has a larger mass of developers. Consequently, there are abundant learning materials, libraries, and UI frameworks.
  • Programmers work less, thanks to 50% fewer automated tests. Once they create a test, they can run the same tests on Android and iOS.

Cons of React Native:

There are a few disadvantages of using React native.

  • A multi-platform tool where the UI, UX, and app execution fares below expectation.
  • React Native supports only a few extra unique components.
  • When a developer has finished designing a new project, only then they can choose a navigation package.
  • There are enormous libraries in React Native but many of them lack quality; or are discarded completely.
  • Sometimes, updates to a program can render uncertain changes in the Native Components API.

Flutter vs React Native: Comparison Table

TechnologyReact NativeFlutter
Programming LanguageJavascriptDart
Components LibraryVery large inclusive librarySmaller, non-inclusive
Adaptive apparatusSome are adaptive without human interventionMachinery isn’t adaptive. Calls for manual configuration
Knowledge growthEasy to pick up, especially if you used to React or Javascript beforeQuite steep, you need to pick up Dart, and reactive programming isn’t all intuitive
Created ByFacebookGoogle
core ArchitectureFlux and ReduxBLoC
EcoSystemfully grown, employed by corporations globally, countless packages availableRudimentary,  with one or two packages
Hot ReloadSupportedSupported
Github Ranking68,69037,200
Initial ReleaseJan 2015May 2017

Flutter or React Native: Analyzing The Key Differences

1. Programming Language

Flutter

Flutter works with Google introduced Dart programming language which is not prevalent among developers.

The syntax of Dart is easy to register for anyone with knowledge of JavaScript or Java. As it is quite comparable to object-oriented concepts.

Learning Java is a piece of cake as on the official Dart site, developers get a comprehensive document.

React Native

React Native utilises JavaScript in giving birth to cross-platform apps. JS is a particularly prevalent language in the software web development area. Developers use it with React and other popular JavaScript frameworks.

With React Native, web builders can create mobile apps with a slight practice. Companies, thus, adopted React Native as a dynamically typed language that can work in association with JavaScript, which has pros and cons.

Result

Acknowledging this, React Native wins between Flutter vs React Native in the programming language section.

2. Architecture

Flutter

Dart framework parts are built from scratch. Thus, it’s larger in capacity and does not necessitate the bridge to interact with the native modules.

Dart has myriad frameworks, viz. Material Design and Cupertino, stuffed which accommodate all the technologies required to produce mobile apps.

Working with Skia C++ engine the Dart framework follows all its etiquettes, forms and courses. The design of the Flutter engine has everything needed for app development.

React Native

React Native structure profoundly depends on the process benefits of JS runtime environment, commonly called JavaScript bridge. The integration of JS logic and Native logic produces a modified code that is administered at runtime.

The flux architecture from Facebook reflects in React Native. There is a comprehensive essay on the gist design of React Native available online. We can conclude that React Native employs JS bridge to interact with the native parameters.

Result

Flutter comprises the majority of the Native segments within its framework. As such, it rules out the demand for a bridge to interact with the native elements.

Although, React Native utilises the JavaScript link to interact with native modules, which produces an unsatisfactory performance.

So, in the battle of React Native vs Flutter, both are competing fiercely for supremacy.

3. Installation

Flutter

To install Flutter on a machine, the user has to download the binary for a distinct program from Github. Load the flutter.zip data and attach it as a PATH variable on Apple computers.

Flutter approves the installation and usage of package handlers like Homebrew, MacPorts, YUM, APT, etc which releases the users from the task to perform additional actions throughout the installation.

React Native

To install the React Native framework one thing users need to have is the Node Package Manager. Do you know for whom the installation of React Native is easy?

It is for programmers with an understanding of JavaScript. Other developers require the devotion of time to study node package managers.

Using the node package manager users can introduce the packages locally or globally. All the coder needs to figure out is the precise location of the binary.

For the people owning Apple computers, you must have the HomeBrew package manager installed as a React Native installation.

Result

React Native is a clear victor between React Native vs Flutter. As we can install it while working on the package managers and not worry about loading the binary from the origin.

4. Setup & Project Configuration

Flutter

If you need to initiate working with Flutter, you need an example for describing the IDE settings and stage fixings for both iOS and Android.

You can go through all the imperative setup instructions and prerequisites for Flutter installation for Apple online.

Flutter additionally has a command-line interface device called flutter doctor that walks the developers through the settings.

The CLI scrutinizes the tools already present on the local desktop and mandates one or two changes. Fix the flutter doctor command properly and carry on development using the Flutter app.

React Native

The introductory tutorial of the React Native outline is sufficient to ascertain that a developer is successful in setting it up for iOS and Android.

Trivial info on the Xcode command line tools is present in the documentation which narrates sequentially the mechanism to build a new project from scratch. Android projects with React Native have no comprehensive document as such.

Result

As a consequence of the above correlation between React Native and Flutter. We can deduce that Flutter provides concise and understandable documentation and CLI backing for installation, setup, and configuration.

5. Development API

Flutter

Flutter framework is not a loner. It is loaded with components that enhance the UI, provide API access, exploration, testing, management and countless libraries.

This intense assemblage of segments eliminates the obligation to employ intermediary libraries.

Catch hold of the Flutter framework, and you own the world you need to create mobile apps.

Flutter is enriched with widgets like Material Design and Cupertino that empower developers to efficiently administer the UI on a mobile OS.

React Native

The essence of the React Native framework is to implement UI rendering tools and device accessing APIs.

A coder can reach the lion’s share of native modules, as React Native depends on intermediary libraries. React Native is exceedingly conditioned on third-party libraries.

Result

Flutter scores a good point thanks to rich APIs and UI components.

6. Developer Productivity

Flutter

Flutter quickly reloads thanks to its hot reload feature. The complexity of flutter does not remain the same all throughout. As it grows, developers need to acquire and embrace modern Flutter theories.

Moreover, Dart is not a traditional programming language because of which it fails to function properly in many IDEs and text editors.

React Native

A developer skilled in JavaScript finds it effortless to apply those talents for multi-platform software development.

React Native has a hot reload feature which helps a developer conserve time while examining the changes in the UI. Developers can freely use any text editor or IDE as they please.

Result

React Native has excellent assistance for developers. Flutter is somewhat different at this juncture but is growing fast.

7. Community Support

Flutter

Flutter is in the stories and lives of programmers for quite some time now. Many people paid attention to Flutter when tech mogul, Google raised it in the Google I/O convention.

The Flutter is skyrocketing its growth. We can witness meetups and conferences happening online. Although the Flutter society is progressing swiftly yet, there is a lack of means for developers to resolve everyday issues.

React Native

After its inception in 2015, React Native earned reputation and fame. GitHub represents an association of React Native developers on its platform where lots of assembly and conferences happen.

Of late, a React Native conference took place in React Native EU, held in Poland. Similar conferences take place in major cities across the world.

Result

The React Native population and resources were already big and growing further in size since its inception. What Is Use of Flutter which is reasonably current in comparison to React Native?

8. Testing

Flutter

Wondering about testing possibilities with Flutter? There are bountiful, elaborate testing characteristics to experiment apps at the block, widget and synthesis segment.

Flutter generates excellent reports on examining Flutter apps. It has a neat widget trial trait where developers can formulate widget tests to examine the UI and administer them at the impetus of system tests.

React Native

Being a JavaScript framework, in RN there are some unit level testing frameworks possible in JavaScript. These accessories like Jest come handy during snapshot testing.

When it is about assimilation or UI level testing, React Native is pretty much useless all by itself. Intermediary tools such as Appium and Detox deserve mention as they make testing React Native apps possible, even though they are not formally approved.

Result

The React Native loses to Flutter community as the former lacks a formal underpinning for synthesis and UI level testing. On the contrary, Flutter has everything React Native lacks.

9. Build & Release Support

Flutter

Flutter boasts a powerful CLI. To build an app binary, developers can make use of the command line means and adhere to the directions in the Flutter document concerning building and releasing of Android and iOS apps.

Flutter has formally described the entire deployment process with Fastlane and it is available on the web.

React Native

The official ebook of React Native official document doesn’t feature automated guidelines to dispose of the iOS apps in the App market.

But it still has a hand-operated method for deploying the application from Xcode. An article is available for guiding developers to do it.

Third-party tools like Fastlane help in the quicker operation of iOS and Android apps written with React Native. As usual, React Native needs extra libraries to build and release automation.

Result

Comparing Flutter vs React Native, Flutter overcomes in build automation tooling to station apps from the command line. React Native apps have a shortfall of support for the CLI tools that are sanctioned for build automation.

10. DevOps & CI/CD Support

Flutter

Developers say that Flutter has made a name for itself thanks to a segment on Continuous Integration and Testing hyperlinking to outside sources.

Flutter’s smart command-line interface enables us to prepare continuous integration and deployment effortlessly.

Nevercode has inherently provided continuous integration and deployment for apps crafted with Flutter.

React Native

Unlike in Flutter if you wish to read out the guidelines on continuous integration and deployment in React Native then sorry to burst your bubble. There are rarely some topics on CI/CD for React Native apps.

Result

React Native alternative, Flutter is not a pain to set up on CI/CD services utilising its robust CLI tools, so it claims a win. So, in the battle of Flutter vs React Native, Flutter wins here.

11. Corporate Backing

Flutter

If you are talking about a framework that has come out late then its Flutter. And are you wondering if any corporation supports its usage?

Let us tell you that Flutter is Google’s creation and uses Google’s open-source SDK for Android and iOS app development.

Google backs Flutter, while Facebook upholds React Native. The Google association funds and finances to make Flutter a best-in-class cross-platform app building tool.

React Native

Facebook seconds React Native, since its foundation in 2015. A committed crew of engineers work round the clock on React Native upgrades every day.

Since Facebook poured significant contribution in React Native, many in-house Facebook commodities are coded using React Native. The substantial engagement of Facebook in React Native, allows clients and coders to trust this application.

Result

A tie between React Native and Flutter for battle of Flutter vs React Native.

12. Performance

Flutter

Flutter does not require a JS bridge as a Dart code is compiled to native machine code. Once you do that, you will see a raging performance in comparison to React Native.

React Native

React Native utilizes a Javascript bridge to communicate with native features. This makes it slow and unreliable for bulk work.

Result

Flutter is superior.

13. Adoption

Flutter

Since Google is the creator of Flutter, many famous businesses are adopting Flutter without a second thought. The notable ones are shopper’s paradise- Alibaba that builds smartphone apps for shopping using Flutter.

If you have heard about Google Ads and Hamilton music, you must know that the companies used Flutter to develop apps. These are a few significant apps that deserve mention

React Native

React Native’s success enlarges its popularity. Apps of businesses such as Facebook, Instagram, Uber Eats, Tesla, and Bloomberg are a reflection of the widespread development with React Native.

Result

React Native is the unanimous winner.

14. Job Prospects

Flutter

What is a development application without abundant job prospects? Today, we can see that Flutter is still growing.

As a result, it cannot promise so many jobs right away. But some years down the line there may be a raging demand for Flutter developers.

Yet, starting today, there are a lot of React Native jobs when contrasted with Flutter jobs in the market. This is on the grounds that React Native engineers are likewise React developers, and React turns out to be the most famous front-end framework out there.

React Native

Currently, in the software industry, there are a plethora of React Native jobs available. Most React Native developers were React developers in the past and have a pretty good working knowledge of the front-end framework.

Result

For growth and employment with immediate effect, choose React Native.

15. Ecosystem

Flutter

Flutter is developing in the IT world at the pace of a horse. There are plenty of essential units in the Flutter ecosystem for mobile development.

React Native

What is the use of Flutter when React Native is undoubtedly ahead of it in terms of Ecosystem?

React Native has existed in the programming world for several years and consequently has many packages.

Result

Flutter Ecosystem is climbing up the ladder fast but until now React Native is the winner.

16. Documentation

Flutter

Flutter’s documentation is crisp and concise. It is easily available for thorough reference to build apps.

A developer with some programming experience will find the written documentation extremely helpful for the developmental tasks.

React Native

React Native documentation is well explained. Several developers had profound help with the way things were explained from the basics.

Result

It is a draw between Flutter and React Native.

17. Maturity

Flutter

The stable release of Flutter by Google happened in 2018.

React Native

In 2015 React Native was born from Facebook.

Result

Flutter is still an infant, so most of us would go with React Native.

18. Native Appearance

Flutter

Flutter developers are in demand because this language uses the core components to build apps without any outside element. The appearance of flutter is improving with subsequent upgrades.

React Native

React Native looks and feels richer than Flutter. Its performance is the key to establish the fact that it will peak in the programmer’s world. The native appearance is vibrant and allures clients and developers

Result

We cannot call a winner as both building apps are developing.

19. User Interface

Flutter

Flutter uses its own widgets that are wholly personalized for a specific purpose.

React Native

If you are planning to tap React Native into Android and iOS you must use an outsourced component. You can find a superior user interface as these widgets are present in Material Design for Google and Cupertino for Apple.

Result

Flutter is a viable option for building a user interface.  So, this gives an answer to Why Does Flutter Over React Native.

20. Tooling

Flutter

Flutter cannot compete with React Native with tooling. It is in vogue for 3 years but still supports a good variety of IDEs and tools.

React Native

However React Native is not equally compatible with Visual Studio Code, IntelliJ Idea, and Android Studio.

Moreover, the debugger, Dart linter, auto-format, code analyzer, and auto format tools of Flutter have won some very promising reports.

Result

Score to React Native

21. Lifecycle

Flutter

Flutter paves the way to improvise programming with widget inheritance. It permits stateless and stateful circumstances, with necessitating the need for tools or storing the application state.

React Native

React Native manages to perform considerably preferred work at defining the app lifecycle administration and optimization.

Result

One point to React Native in Flutter vs React Native.

22. Code Reuse

Flutter

Operate with Flutter and you have the liberty to reuse the codes. Get a chance to describe a separate UI widget tree and reoperate it without changing the content.

React Native

React Native empowers coders to code the logic one time and transfer it everywhere as long as program exceptions are kept in mind.

Developers have to study the working platform they are operating on from time to time. Loading unrelated elements on before-mentioned parameters are indispensable.

Result

Is Flutter the Future for code reuse? We can say yes. So, for now, the battle of React vs Flutter won by React Native.

23. Tech Support

Flutter

Planning on tests with Flutter? Well, it grants testing traits for experimenting with the apps at system, combination, and widget level. Furthermore, expect exceptional documentation.

React Native

Only a handful of unit-level testing frameworks are possible for React Native, without any credible support in integration. Some third-party agents viz. Detox and Appium are availed to examine the app, unofficially.

Result

The length of testing support unquestionably shows how Flutter is advantageous in the React vs Flutter battle.

24. Popularity

Flutter

About 75.4% of programmers have an inclination towards learning and working with Flutter.

React Native

62.5% of coders feel React Native is good for their careers in future.

Result

It is a tie between Flutter and React Native.

25. Industry Adoption

Flutter

Industry readily adopts something that establishes stability with time. Flutter is a new technology, hence fewer companies are adopting the SDK for cross-platform app development.

React Native

This tool is in business for several years now and major industries have adopted React Native as the promising app development tool.

Result

React native scores again.

What’s New In Flutter?

Let’s catch a glimpse of the new feats and features of Flutter.

  • Supports Android X
  • Rich OpenType Typography Features
  • Dart 2.7
  • Upgraded Dartpad
  • Beta Web support
  • Apple macOS support
  • Add-to-App update
  • New collection of fonts from Google
  • Supports dark mode of iOS 13

What’s New In React Native?

The following list talks about the new features expected in React Native:

  • Stability of APIs
  • More reliable GitHub repository
  • Richer documentation
  • Removal of inessential components
  • Added support of tools and platforms
  • Reduce breaking changes
  • New screen
  • Support for Android X

Popular Apps Made With Flutter

Wondering which apps are made with Flutter. Here they are:

  • Xianyu app by Alibaba
  • Hamilton app
  • Google Ads app
  • App for JD Finance
  • Topline app

Popular Apps Made With React Native

Some of the very common apps created using React Native are:

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Facebook Ads Manager
  • Pinterest
  • Skype
  • Tesla
  • Bloomberg
  • com

Conclusion

We hope you had a great experience reading this article. And it proves to be a great value for any Flutter or React Native App Development Company. Thank You.!

More articles –

Leave a Comment

Subscribe Now

Get more useful information directly in your Inbox. Subscribe Now!

Subscribe Now

Get the latest information direct at your inbox. Subscribe our website Now!!