How To Choose The Right Framework: React Native Vs Flutter

Nowadays, having an app is quite useful for a business. It is the second thing a company needs after a website. You, as a freelancer, can offer your expertise to help create this app. But what tools to use? Cross-platform app development can be enabled by a special framework. Good examples are Flutter and React Native (RN). Both have been used by very high-profile businesses. For example, Instagram employed RN, and BMW uses Flutter. We want to discuss what these two frameworks offer and when to choose one or the other. Let’s begin!

Why Choose a Cross-Platform Framework?

Both RN and Flutter have one major advantage that they share: they are cross-platform frameworks. You can create the code for the app once but have it perform on different platforms. Naturally, that is very attractive to clients. After all, the process of writing code once is faster and cheaper than creating its separate versions for each platform. 

However, RN and Flutter share this advantage. That means that you cannot use it to decide which one fits your project better. Fortunately, they have more benefits and drawbacks, some of which are more unique. 

RN

Developed by Facebook (now Meta Platforms), RN uses JavaScript and React to create apps for different platforms. RN is open-source, and its apps have a nearly native performance.

The Framework’s Advantages

• The primary advantage of RN is that it uses JavaScript and React. For a lot of developers that means less time spent on learning a new language since they already know JavaScript. 
• The apps that use RN appear to have very good performance. It is close to that of native apps.
• With RN, you can create platform-specific code and modules in case you need to. That further improves the performance of the app on specific platforms.
• For a developer, RN’s Hot Reload is very useful. It allows making changes to the app in real time, which results in faster testing and experimentation.
• The ecosystem of RN is impressive. It has a lot of third-party libraries, as well as modules, which further expand the functionality of the framework. The same can be said about RN’s community. It is quite active, which means a lot of support and useful documentation for RN.

Additionally, the support of a company like Meta can be considered an advantage due to the resources available to it.

Written in JavaScript, rendered with native code.

RN website

Disadvantages

• Despite good performance, RN does not offer native apps. The result performs well, but it cannot compare to native apps, which usually work even better. 
• Similarly, RN can create a native-appearing user interface, but sometimes, it does not look as good as that of a native app.
• Cross-platform apps might require some platform-specific modules. RN allows creating such modules, but this decision can limit some of the benefits of cross-platform app creation. While enabling platform-specific coding is an advantage, it increases the complexity of the app.
• Third-party libraries are another benefit that comes with limitations. It is great that RN has access to third-party materials. However, they might not be updated regularly or have compatibility issues. Additionally, the quality of these libraries varies.
• The use of JavaScript can also mean limitations. In particular, the access to low-level device features is more complicated for this language. The fact that RN uses a single thread for both user interface rendering and logic can also cause issues, especially when the UI is complex.

It is possible to argue that depending on one company, even a large one like Meta is an issue. After all, Meta can decide to discontinue RN. In other words, some of RN’s advantages have their disadvantages. 

Flutter

Developed by Google, Flutter is an open-source toolkit. It works for Web, mobile and desktop applications. It compiles to native code, and it uses Dart language. 

The Framework’s Advantages

• Good performance and speed are the core advantages of Flutter. The use of Dart improves both because it is a modern language that is commended for fast performance. 
• Like RN, Flutter uses Hot Reload, which is very useful for developers.
• Flutter offers a lot of widgets, including simple and complex ones. An example of the former is buttons; an example of the latter is animations. The widgets also follow the Material Design guidelines and Cupertino design language. The former is meant for Android while the latter is important for Apple devices. Both make the app look native on their respective platforms.
• Flutter also has an ecosystem of useful libraries and a community that can support a developer. 

One could also argue that the support of a giant company like Google is an advantage as well. Flutter integrates with other Google products.

Supported by Google, open to everyone.

Flutter website

Disadvantages

• Despite being a great language, Dart needs to be studied before Flutter can be used. Its use is not as widespread as that of, for example, JavaScript.
• Flutter’s ecosystem is newer than that of RN, which may mean that it may be less robust.
• Flutter’s file sizes are notoriously big, even though that parameter has been steadily improving. That can be an issue both in terms of downloading and storing the apps developed with this framework.

Being reliant on one specific company (Google) can be a disadvantage in the long term for the same reasons as the dependence of RN on Meta.

Which Framework to Choose?

Several recommendations can be made on which framework is the better choice in specific situations.

• For minimum viable products, as well as prototyping, both frameworks are suitable. They both have Hot Reload and offer quick development speed. Flutter’s widgets are also useful for fast development.
• Because of the same reasons, both frameworks are good for apps that require frequent updates. 
• For medium-sized and large apps, RN might be the better choice. Indeed, RN strikes a balance between development speed and performance. Flutter’s use, on the other hand, results in increased file size. Therefore, it is not as suitable for larger apps.
• Apps with complicated UI can use both RN and Flutter. Flutter’s widgets help create complex UI, and RN ensures good performance.
• If you know that the project will require some native coding, RN is the solution. 
• When the app will be using a lot of native devices, for example, cameras, RN is considered to be the better choice as well.
• If you need animations, Flutter is generally more suitable due to its widgets.
• If you (or your team) already know JavaScript but do not know Dart, RN will be easier to use.

However, the ultimate choice depends on the needs and special features of every individual app and the capabilities of the people working on it. 

Market Potential

Both Flutter and RN are already robust and growing options for development. RN is slightly more popular and easier to use due to JavaScript. It was created  in 2015, two years earlier than Flutter. One could argue, therefore, that it had a headstart. However, each framework is developing and improving, addressing the issues that it encounters. For example, Flutter’s file sizes have been growing smaller. As a result, it may be worth it to study both frameworks since their potential is substantial.

In Conclusion: Best Framework

Both RN and Flutter are very useful open-source cross-platform frameworks for app development. RN uses a language that is more widespread and has an impressive ecosystem. Flutter is fast and includes very helpful widgets. Both have the Hot Reload feature. In addition, both of them are very useful for minimum viable products, but Flutter works better with smaller apps. Overall, however, the choice of the framework can depend on many factors. Insolvo freelancers can help with the choice.