Flutter vs. React Native

React Native and Flutter are frameworks used to develop cross-platform mobile apps. They’ve made app development easier, so the developer doesn’t have to separately create a native app for either Android or iOS. With both platforms being good in their own ways, the question arises which one is better, for you? We'll explore the answer to this question in the following article.

React Native vs. Flutter

React Native is an open-source UI framework launched by Facebook (now Meta) in 2015. It has been used in developing several components of Facebook and Instagram.

Flutter is an open-source UI SDK (Software Development Kit) launched by Google in 2017. It has been used in developing several popular apps including Dream 11, Google Pay, and Alibaba.

Language

React Native framework is based on the programming language JavaScript. So, it will be easier for you to learn it if you have a background in React JS or JavaScript.

On the other hand, Flutter is based on a comparatively new programming language called Dart, which is also developed by Google. If you know C#, Java or C++ where you have to work with objects and classes a lot, learning Dart will be easier for you. So, you can opt for Flutter.

Development

React Native is comparatively better in terms of creative freedom. So you can create custom components keeping in mind the user experience you want to deliver. But this becomes a drawback for the framework also as due to the absence of pre-built components, your reliance on third parties increases.

But, Flutter gives you access to its own widgets which you can directly use in building your app so that you don’t have to build any custom components.

Architecture

React Native uses a JavaScript bridge to interact with the native components of operating systems like Android and iOS. Due to this, its working is a little slower compared to Flutter.

Facebook recognised this problem in 2018 and promised to roll out a new architecture. Till that happens, you can go with Flutter to create apps that display heavy animations or perform calculations.

Documentation

In terms of documentation, Flutter is the clear winner. It provides perfectly structured and easy-to-read documentation.

On the contrary, React Native only provides general documentation because of its high dependency on external div kits.

Community Support

React Native has a bigger community compared to Flutter. The two main reasons for this include the fact that it has been in the market for a longer time, and it provides the ease of JavaScript programming.

But Flutter also has a decently sized community and it’s growing day by day. In Stack Overflow’s 2019 developer Survey, 75.4 per cent of people showed interest in Flutter in the most loved/wanted category. About 62.5 per cent of people chose React Native.

Which is best for me?

The decision of which is better is subjective. It highly depends on the project and the business needs surrounding it. Although there are a few more things to consider which can help you decide.

Such as, if a project needs 3D, Flutter doesn't support that. Also, if you’re building an app that requires multiple interactions with an OS, is too platform-specific, or demands little-known libraries, avoid Flutter.

Similarly, you should avoid React Native if you need the app to perform less common and very specific tasks (like calculations) in the background. Furthermore, if your project needs custom communication via Bluetooth or you're making an app for Android only, avoid React Native.

We have laid out the most important things you need to know to make an informed choice. Hope it helps!