Difference: Flutter vs React Native
Here’s a table feature of Flutter and React Native:
| Feature/Criteria | Flutter | React Native |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Dart | JavaScript (with React) |
| Developed by | Facebook (Meta) | |
| Performance | Near-native performance, uses C++ engine | Good, but depends on native modules |
| User Interface (UI) | Customizable widgets, Skia rendering engine | Native components, relies on third-party libraries |
| Code Reusability | High, same code for Android & iOS | High, with platform-specific code sometimes required |
| Community Support | Growing but smaller than React Native | Large and mature community |
| Learning Curve | Moderate (requires learning Dart) | Low to Moderate (JavaScript & React) |
| Hot Reload | Yes, fast | Yes, fast |
| Libraries & Packages | Smaller ecosystem, but growing rapidly | Large ecosystem with many third-party packages |
| Development Time | Faster with built-in widgets | Slower due to reliance on native components |
| Native Feel | Customizable to provide a native look | Closer to native look with actual native components |
| Maturity | Newer compared to React Native | More mature, established since 2015 |
| UI Customization | High, supports fully custom UIs | Depends on native components, but can be extended |
| App Size | Larger due to built-in widgets | Smaller, but depends on native libraries |
| Documentation | Excellent, well-organized | Good, but some gaps exist |
| Cross-Platform Support | Android, iOS, Web, Desktop (Linux, macOS, Windows) | Android, iOS (Web is experimental) |
What is Flutter?
Flutter is a free, open-source framework It’s used to create the user interface (UI) for mobile, web, desktop, and embedded devices and is developed and supported by Google.
Flutter is not a framework or a library; it is a complete SDK – Software Development Kit. Many large businesses have chosen Flutter to design branded mobile apps, famous clients include eBay, Alibaba Group, Toyota, BMW, Groupon and Etsy, just to name a few.
There are several main advantages of using Flutter to develop mobile apps. These include:
- Flutter is fast
- Flutter is open source
- Google supports Flutter
- Flutter creates cross-platform applications
- Flutter has a rich set of widgets
- Taking inspiration from large successful apps built with Flutter
- Easy debugging
- Automated testing
- Hardware and software usage
- Different screen adaptability
- Flutter is free
What is React Native?
React Native is known for its cross-platform development capabilities, and it is a JavaScript-based framework for developing mobile apps for Android and iOS, which means developers can use the same codebase for both iOS and Android apps in React Native.
Originally developed and publicly released during Facebook’s internal hackathon project in 2013, React was first released in January 2015 and became open source on GitHub in March 2015. Facebook, Pinterest, Oculus, Salesforce, Airbnb, Coinbase, and Shopify are all based on React Native.
There are several main advantages of using React Native to develop mobile apps. These include:
- Easy to learn: React.js has a large community that has created many learning materials, including documentation and tutorial videos.
- Code stability: React.js’ downward data flow ensures that changes made to the child structure do not affect the parent structure.
- Component reusability: React.js’ component reusability allows developers to reuse system components.
- SEO friendly: React.js websites are SEO-friendly.
- Virtual DOM: React.js’ Virtual DOM feature improves performance and UI.
- Component-based architecture: React.js’ component-based architecture allows developers to create, reuse, and manage web page components independently.
Performance Comparison: Flutter vs React Native
| Feature | Flutter | React Native |
|---|---|---|
| Language | Dart | JavaScript |
| Rendering Engine | Skia (Own rendering engine) | Native components with JavaScript bridge |
| Performance | Faster and smoother, due to native compilation | Slight overhead due to JS-to-native bridge |
| UI Components | Custom widgets, consistent across platforms | Uses native components, closer to platform feel |
| Development Speed | Slower initially (due to Dart) but fast with widgets | Faster, large JavaScript developer community |
| Community Support | Growing, but smaller than React Native | Larger, more mature ecosystem |
| Startup Time | Generally faster | Slightly slower due to JavaScript bridge |
| Animations | High-performance, smooth animations | May lag with complex animations |
| Third-Party Libraries | Fewer but growing | Extensive and mature library support |
| Hot Reload | Yes | Yes |
| Learning Curve | Steeper (Dart is less known) | Easier (JavaScript is widely used) |
Code Reusability: Which is Better?
Both Flutter and React Native allow developers to reuse a lot of code across platforms, but they handle it in different ways. Let’s see.
React Native lets you write most of your app in JavaScript, which works on both iOS and Android. It also gives you the option to add native code if needed, and you can even reuse your code for web apps with additional tools like React Native for Web.
Flutter uses the same codebase in Dart that runs on both iOS and Android, making it easier to share code. Its UI is the same across all platforms, but Flutter is not as widely used as React Native for web apps.
In short, React Native is slightly better for code reusability, especially if you want to target web and mobile platforms.
Conclusion: Which Framework to Choose?
When deciding between Flutter and React Native, choose Flutter for its smooth performance and beautiful, consistent UI. If you need better code reusability, a larger library ecosystem, and the ability to target both mobile and web apps, choose React Native. Now it’s your turn to choose between the two.
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FAQs: Flutter vs React Native
Which framework is easier to learn?
React Native is generally easier for developers familiar with JavaScript, while Flutter may require more time to learn due to the Dart language.
Can I reuse code with Flutter and React Native?
Both frameworks allow significant code reuse. React Native supports mobile and web code sharing, Flutter on the other hand offers a single codebase for iOS and Android, with growing web support.
