Why Choose Flutter for the Cross-Platform App Development

We all live in a world where we need everything quickly. If we talk about the technology that is used to build websites and applications which we nowadays use daily as they are no more the premium stuff but a necessity now. We need every application to be built fast without compromising on quality.

You’ll find the following information in this article:

These days cross-platform mobile app development is the first choice of every business owner and an app development agency as one-third of the developers use cross-platform technologies. Using this approach allows companies, business owners with a future vision to save time, money, and efforts as it enables developers to build an application once and run them on every platform, which could be Android, Windows, iOS, and any other environment.

Statistics

It should not surprise to know: 39% of the developer used Flutter for mobile app development in 2020.

“As per other studies like Statista, in 2020, flutter was the 2nd most famous cross-platform mobile app development framework among the developers to build robust, fast, and responsive mobile applications.”

And According to Google Trends showing search results from January 2020 to 2021, between Flutter, React Native, Xamarin, and Native Script, Flutter was and is the most searched term on Google Trends

Flutter is powered by Google and is an open-source framework that functions with a language called Dart that enables developers to build cross-platform applications with a single codebase. Application of your choice can be built using Flutter from which few are listed below:

  • MVP mobile applications
  • Apps with material design
  • Apps that function with OS-level features
  • Advanced OS plugins with simple logic
  • High-performance apps with Skia rendering engine
  • Flexible UI with high-level widgets
  • Reactivate apps with vast data integration

Do you know?

Statista reports that, with the arrival of cross-platform technology, 42% of the small enterprises have already switched to mobile apps and 30% are planning to build the secure engaging, and impactful mobile app.

Without knowing, you may have used some Flutter apps. Whether you used some digital coupon or ran an ad campaign on Google Ads, you’ve used Flutter. Flutter is the new transformative technology for developers and users that is expected to bring in revolutionary changes in the mobile app development company.

React Native seems to be losing in 2019 with the advent of Flutter app development. Some of the notable companies have started abandoning React Native and are switching to Flutter for cross platform mobile app development.

There’s an ongoing debate among the developers, users, and industry experts for this one question:

Is Flutter better than Xamarin or React Native?

Flutter is winning the debate, battles, and decisions of the companies like Alibaba, Google Ads, Myntra, uber eats, and more to make their mobile applications real quick. It is the first choice as it uses a single code base, unifies the team, decreases risk, and pre-date deploying to market while having the advantages of native looks and efficiency.

When it’s about covering the 360-degree angle while developing high-performing mobile applications, Flutter leads all other cross-platform technologies including its top two competitors React native and Xamarin.

  • Flutter uses Material Design and Cupertino for its widgets to enables developers to easily render the UI on both iOS and Android platforms with fast prototyping
  • Helpful in building native apps with real-time databases and modernistic cloud services
  • Flutter uses the Skia graphics library that allows flutter to perform even at 60 FPS. Currently, it has the ability to perform even at 120 FPS
  • Flutter follows the “write once” run anywhere formula which enables you to easily maintain the code for 2 or more applications. Flutter also takes less time than other frameworks in releasing quality updates.

We’re going to figure out what makes Flutter the best platform for cross platform app development.

List of popular apps made in Flutter

There is a huge list of companies that have adopted flutter to build their mobile application. Alibaba, the biggest online eCommerce company that comes from China has chosen Flutter for its mobile application development which resulted in them gaining rapid popularity and 50+ million users on its Xianyu app and worldwide.

Github the company that provides internet hosting services also uses flutter for application development in the majority of its projects.

Check out a few big names from the huge list we have shortlisted that have used Flutter for their app development:

What is Flutter?

  • Flutter is Google’s open source technology that helps to build iOS and Android mobile apps with a single codebase.
  • It is not just a framework, but a complete SDK for building cross platform mobile applications.
  • This platform includes a rendering engine, widgets, APIs, and command-line tools.
  • Dart is the programming language that is used by Flutter. It uses Ahead-of-time compilation. The upcoming operating system known as Fuchsia would also be built on Flutter.
  • In short, it has everything that is needed for developing cross platform apps.

The Good About Flutter Development

Talking about the mobile app owners, Flutter speeds up the app development process, reduces the cost of application development, and helps to build beautiful and attractive apps with amazing animations. Let’s take a look at the detailed pros of choosing Flutter for mobile app development:

1. Faster code writing

For developers, choosing the right platform that helps to write code faster is a major concern. That’s where Flutter comes into the picture. Flutter helps to write code faster and helps to build dynamic apps. Flutter app developers can make the changes in the code and see them in the app instantly. The Hot Reload feature in Flutter helps the team build the apps faster, fix the bugs on-the-go, and experiment with mobile app development services. Being designer-developer friendly, Hot Reload is an added advantage of using Flutter for mobile app development.

2. Reusable Components

Developers can write the code once and use the same code for another OS. A single code can cover iOS and Android platform. Some developers and industry experts may say that’s exactly what React Native does. Believe it or not, it is more natural with Flutter. As it has its own widgets and designs, it becomes easier to build cross platform apps with Flutter development tools. And yeah, if you want to differentiate apps for different platforms – that’s possible with Flutter.

3. Less testing

One can save time and efforts with Flutter mobile development. When you have the same app for two different platforms, the QA testing processbecomes faster. Flutter developers can test the app only once by running automated tests. If there is some difference in apps for different platforms, then in that case developers or QA team will have to run the tests separately.

4. Excellent User Interface

As Flutter has design-centric widgets and advanced navigation features, you can expect amazing user interfaces for the mobile apps. Widgets can be used to enhance the visual aspects of the mobile app. You can use the available widgets or even customize them as per your exact requirements. A good Flutter app development company can help you customize the widgets and add the desired functionality to your mobile app.

5. Widgets

Use of widgets improves the app’s interface. They provide a natural look and feel to your app irrespective of the screen size. Flutter offers a wide range of widgets that possess extensive capabilities to build the best apps.

What are Flutter widgets used for?

  • To add a structural element such as menu or button
  • To integrate stylish elements like fonts
  • To incorporate aspects of the layout

And a lot more…

Flutter for Android App Development

1. High-Speed Animation
Flutter can be the right choice when your app requires animation. This SDK offers high speed animation for your Android app and this is what makes it the best option for mobile application development.

2. Single Language for Layout And Backend
Flutter uses a single language for designing the layout and creating the backend. Developers would not need references and widgets with Flutter for Android app development.

3. Dart is the best for multiple languages
After the launch of Java 8, there are a few faults that are sorted. Dart offers a huge list of features for multiple languages and still maintains the look and feel of Java. Flutter developers can build Android apps effortlessly.

4. Eradication of Repetitive Gradle Build Time
Gradle is one of the best tools for Android. Flutter requires Gradle for building Android apps. If you want to make the changes to app or want to rebuild it, Gradle can help for making the deployment faster and easier.

Flutter for iOS App Development

1. Single Tech Stack
Flutter has everything that is required to build iOS apps. As it uses Dart language, iOS apps can be built easily and smoothly.

2. UI Elements
The native framework that is used by Apple as of now has an event-driven interface. The framework offers a complete package of drawing, printing, animation, and support for documents. The UI elements of Flutter function differently. There are plenty of widgets available for pixel perfect quality of UI elements for iOS application development.

3. Testing
Apple provides a framework known as XCTest for integration, performance, and testing of iOS apps. It comes with a wide range of elements for testing of the apps. Although most of the developers use it, it requires a lot of coding and lacks native support.

When using Flutter, the above concern can be resolved. iOS developers can write test at different levels and ensure a bug-free app. Flutter Driver can be used for a better testing experience of iOS apps.

4. Productivity
When building native apps, developers need to rebuild the entire app. They have to use third party libraries to view the changes made in the devices. This process needs to be repeated each time they make changes in the app.

Flutter offers a reload option that displays all the changes that are done in simulator in real time. This improves the productivity and efficiency of the developers while they build iOS apps.

How much does Flutter Mobile App Development Cost?

Cost of Flutter app development would depend on the features you require. Usually, it may take 200-400 hours for building an average app in Flutter. You can hire dedicated Flutter developers for your next project to build apps for both the platforms iOS and Android. You’ll be able to save money while developing cross platform app with Flutter.


What do we think about Flutter app development?

Personally, we think that Flutter is a very useful technology that can be used when you need to reach the widest user base quickly. If you are a startup or a small business looking for releasing apps quickly for multiple platforms, Flutter mobile app development can be the right choice. Instead of building two apps for different platforms separately, you’d have a single app, helping you save money, time, and efforts. And the best thing is that you’ll have a 100% native looking UI with Flutter development. This framework will surely mature in the coming few months and years. Let’s wait to see what new opportunities it brings for us.