Mobile applications are the cornerstone of any digital ecosystem. In these unprecedented times of COVID-19, businesses and enterprises will experience a growing dependence on smartphones. Apart from that, mobile apps have also become one of the most adapted mediums for making a fortune by offering it to masses as a technology Solution.
But whether the mobile application is developed for enterprise digital transformation purposes or to offer it to the masses as a technology product, the success of that mobile application is highly dependent on its adaptability, usability, reliability, affordability, and scalability!
A mobile application with all the traits mentioned above must be developed by the best of the resources with the necessary technical proficiency and an entrepreneurial mindset. While the technical expertise of the resources is highly dependent upon the mobile app development partner that you choose for mobile app development, one other factor that ensures your mobile app’s success is the technology platform that you choose to develop your mobile app.
Make an informed decision about the technology platform and ensure that you have an effective and efficient mobile application developed in the least possible time, money, and resources. Apart from that, your decision of the technology platform will also determine whether your mobile application is scalable, futuristic and if it has a singular and reusable code!
Currently, if you search for such technologies that enable native and cross-platform development, have code reusability, have rich UI components, and are also an open-source platform for affordable development, there are two such technologies, and both are considered best in the market!
React Native and Flutter
While React Native was developed and released by Facebook in 2015, Flutter was released by Google in 2017! Both of these technologies allow cross-platform mobile app development, and both of them are open-source technologies.
Apart from that, the React Native platform uses JavaScript for cross-platform development, and Flutter uses Dart programming language for cross-platform development. Both React Native and Flutter have features like code reusability, hot reload, native development, and the code from both the technologies can also be reused for web application development.
Both these technologies have such a huge community, use cases, and resources that there is now an ongoing debate as to which technology is superior! So, to help you make an informed decision, we have decoded both of these technologies from the technology as well as business perspectives.
The technologies are explained below from the mobile app Development Life Cycle perspective right from development to design to innovation or the software upgrade perspective.
React Native vs. Flutter:
Explained from the technology perspective based on each stage of Mobile App Development Life Cycle
1) Native Development
To help you understand both of these technologies, we have further bifurcated Development into the Installation of technology, App Architecture, and the ability to develop complex code and functionalities.
- Installation
If you are planning to hire dedicated resources for your mobile app development project or if you wish the resources to work onsite, the installation of the framework will be your responsibility. Thus, the framework installation must be quick and hassle-free!
Installation of React Native:
React Native can be installed using the Node Package Manager (NPM). If you have experienced Java-based resources, they can quickly and easily install the NPM globally and locally! And if you are planning to install React Native on devices that have macOS, then it is done with HomeBrew Package manager.
Installation of Flutter:
Installation of Flutter is a bit lengthy process as developers have to download the specific binary for the platform from Github, and then the PATH variable has to be added. Due to these additional steps, the installation becomes a bit tricky and lengthy.
- App Architecture:
For the app to communicate with the native modules, the technical architecture, which is basically the internal of the app, is accessed. This communication is formed in the following ways in React Native and Flutter.
Technical Architecture Communication in React Native:
To establish communication with the Native Components, React Native uses the JavaScript Bridge. Since React Native Cross-Platform Apps are dependent on JavaScript Bridge, the request time can be affected, and ultimately it might also adversely affect the overall performance of the application.
Technical Architecture communication in Flutter:
Flutter uses Dart Programming Language, and Dart has almost all the necessary components in the framework itself, and thus, there is no need for a bridge for communication. Because of this, the performance and the speed of the application are highly boosted.
- Code Complexity
With the increasing demand for continuous development and continuous innovation, mobile apps have complex codes. Thus, the technology platform that you choose must support your vision with its scalability.
Code Development in React Native:
React Native uses JavaScript as a programming language, which is a dynamic language, where developers can develop and do whatever they want. Thus, no matter how complex the nature of the module is, if you have experienced JavaScript resources, the execution can be done.
Code Development in Flutter:
Flutter, as a platform, uses Dart programming language, which is relatively new for the developers in comparison with JavaScript. While Dart as a programming language is completely scalable and easily adaptable for developers from a JavaScript background, for complex designing and coding, developers have to learn and adapt the new concepts of Dart Programming.
Thus, for complex executions, developers might face certain hindrances as Flutter is relatively new, and Flutter developers are still learning and exploring Dart.
2) UI Design
To ensure that your mobile app users have a delightful experience while engaging with a mobile application, it must have a captivating User Interface design.
Apart from that, UI components are lately used to create a unique design with personalized and brand-centric elements to create a unique brand identity for increased customer relevance. Now that you know the significance of UI, let’s understand UI Design capabilities of React Native and Flutter:
UI Designs in React Native:
While using the React Native framework, designers can only have access to UI rendering and device access APIs. For designing UI elements, testing, and UI components, developers have to rely on third-party libraries, and that can result in increased dependency.
UI Designs in Flutter:
Apart from UI rendering and device access APIs, Flutter also has its huge library of UI components, Android, and iOS-specific localization elements and widgets! The platform also supports testing, navigation, and management of UI components, thus removing the dependency on any Third-Party libraries.
Hence it can be safely said that for a better and UI rich mobile application, Flutter is a better platform.
3) Deployment
Both React Native and Flutter platforms can be used to deploy mobile applications on the App Store and Play Store. However, deployment itself is a complex process, and developers always expect maximum support from the Technology Platform. But the deployment process in React Native is completely manual, and thus, it is prone to human errors.
Flutter, on the other hand, has enabled automation of module deployment in their platform.
4) Testing
Testing your mobile application ensures user acceptability and smooth functioning. Thus, the technology platform that you choose for your mobile app development must allow extensive testing support.
Testing Support on React Native:
Since React Native is based on JavaScript, there are limited unit level testing frameworks available for developers. Apart from that, since they do not have UI components in their core framework, developers have to rely on third-party applications for thorough UI testing.
Testing Support on Flutter:
Right from Unit Testing to Integration Testing to UI testing to Widget Testing, Flutter provides a wide range of testing frameworks to the developers.
5) Software Upgrade or Innovation
If you are looking for a successful mobile application, you cannot make it a one time project! The mobile application must be upgraded periodically with ever-changing user expectations to keep the mobile application relevant. Apart from that, optimum reach is also essential for sustainable development.
If you think from that perspective, Flutter is developed by Google. As also the owner of Android, Google is increasing the span of Dart. Thus, the singular code of cross-platform mobile apps can also be used for web applications as well as the integration of applications on Smart Devices.
Also, while React Native is highly dependent on third party libraries, Flutter has not only empowered developers to customize elements and components, it also invites developers to form a community and develop new components for others to use!
6) DevOps
To avoid releasing buggy code and to ensure that your application has continuous integration and continuous delivery along with an effective and efficient request handling and load-bearing capabilities, DevOps is an essential practice to integrate in your mobile application.
But as far as the Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery of DevOps is concerned, there is no official support from React Native! And while even Flutter CI/CD links redirect to third-party tools, the technology platform is made in a way that it complies with those tools easily.
Business Perspective
Now that you understand the technical aspect of React Native and Flutter, below is the comparison table that signifies the business advantages and disadvantages of React Native and Flutter.
Conclusion
To put it in a nutshell, for enterprise mobile applications that do not have much focus on creating captivating UI and have a complex nature in terms of execution, React Native is a better alternative. But, if you go forward with React Native, the alternative can also become expensive in terms of testing and upgrades in the future, which must be kept in mind.
If an enterprise needs a mobile application with captivating UI and crisp code for an open market, Flutter is the best technology platform to go forward with. Even for Enterprise Mobile Applications, learning Dart for new developers is much easier.
Thus, if you can find an expert Flutter Mobile App Development Partner with a relevant work portfolio, Flutter can also work better for Enterprise Applications. Based on all the analyses and perspectives presented above, we hope you can make an informed decision and get a scalable and relatable mobile application that ensures increased productivity and profitability.
