React Native Vs. Flutter: Which One Is Better For Your Project?

Are you considering building a mobile app but unsure which cross-platform development framework to choose??

In this edition of the newsletter, we'll explore the differences between two of the most popular frameworks: Flutter and React Native. By examining their differences, similarities, and popularity, we aim to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision when choosing between these options. These frameworks, developed by Google and Facebook, aim to streamline the mobile app development process for both iOS and Android platforms.

Similarities between Flutter and React Native:?

Flutter and React Native are two popular frameworks for developing mobile apps. Despite their differences, they share some similarities that make them both attractive choices for developers. Here are some key similarities between Flutter and React Native:

1. Declarative: Both Flutter and React Native are declarative, meaning that developers can describe the user interface based on its appearance rather than focusing on how to achieve it. Doing so makes writing code more straightforward and leads to a more efficient development process.
2. Reactive: Both frameworks are reactive, meaning they respond to user input and changes in data in real-time, updating the user interface as needed.
3. Component-based: Flutter and React Native use a component-based approach to building user interfaces. Developers can create reusable components or widgets and assemble them to create complex user interfaces, offering a common abstraction layer for code to run on iOS and Android platforms.

Differences in Programming Language:?

While React Native uses JavaScript, Flutter utilizes Google's Dart programming language. Dart shares much of its syntax with JavaScript, but it fixes some of the weaknesses of JavaScript and optimizes code for mobile devices.

User Interface Rendering:?

React Native relies on native widgets for user interface rendering, ensuring consistency with each platform's design philosophy. On the other hand, Flutter uses a 2D rendering engine called Skia, which provides greater graphical flexibility compared to React Native.

Compilation and Performance:?

Flutter compiles Dart code directly into iOS and Android binaries, so the app can run faster and smoother. In contrast, React Native uses a JavaScript virtual machine to communicate with the native core of the application, which can cause a slight delay in performance. Therefore, in situations where performance is crucial, Flutter may offer better performance than React Native.

Ease of Learning and Versatility:?

If you already have experience with React.js, you may find it easier to learn React Native because they follow a similar approach to building user interfaces. However, learning Flutter may be more challenging because it uses Dart and has a wide range of widgets and components. Flutter provides more versatility and power in terms of development capabilities.

Popular Apps: Flutter vs. React Native

6 Top apps developed using Flutter:

1. BMW - The BMW Group used Flutter to develop its flagship app, which allows customers to book appointments, check the service status, and more.
2. Google Pay - Google's payment app uses Flutter to provide a smooth and fast user experience for managing payments and transactions.
3. Alibaba - The Alibaba Group used Flutter to develop its mobile app, which provides a one-stop shop for all its e-commerce platforms.
4. eBay Motors - The eBay Motors app uses Flutter to create a seamless buying and selling experience for car enthusiasts.
5. PUBG Mobile - The popular online multiplayer game uses Flutter for its in-game interface, allowing for fast and responsive gameplay.
6. Google Classroom - Google's educational platform uses Flutter to create a user-friendly and engaging interface for teachers and students.

6 Top apps developed using React Native:

1. Microsoft Teams - Microsoft used React Native to develop its popular team collaboration platform, which allows users to communicate and collaborate on projects.
2. Coinbase - The cryptocurrency exchange uses React Native to provide a mobile app for buying, selling, and trading cryptocurrencies.
3. PlayStation App - Sony's gaming platform uses React Native to create an intuitive and user-friendly mobile app for connecting with friends, managing games, and more.
4. Puma - The popular sportswear brand uses React Native to create its mobile app, which provides a fast and responsive user experience for shopping and browsing products.
5. Discord - The popular communication platform for gamers uses React Native to provide a seamless user experience for connecting with friends and communities.
6. Tesla - The electric car manufacturer uses React Native to create a mobile app for controlling and monitoring its vehicles.

Popularity on Github & Reddit:

Flutter has a slightly higher number of GitHub forks (25k) and stars (152k) than React Native's 23.1k forks and 109k stars. On the other hand, in terms of Reddit communities, React Native has a slightly higher number of members (102k) compared to Flutter's 106k members. Overall, both frameworks are popular and have a strong following among developers.

Stack Overflow 2022 Survey:?

According to the Stack Overflow 2022 Dev Survey, React Native is slightly more popular than Flutter among senior developers, with React Native being used by 13.62% of the survey respondents compared to Flutter's usage by 12.56%.

Salaries: Average base pay

As per Glassdoor, the average base pay for React Native developers is $89319/yr in the United States, while Flutter developers earn an average base pay of $69816, a significant 24.5%% difference.

The Final Verdict: A Complex Choice

Ultimately, choosing between React Native and Flutter can be a complex decision. Both frameworks have strengths and weaknesses; the right choice will depend on your specific needs and goals. We hope the information provided has been insightful.

These questions can help you weigh the pros and cons and make the best decision.

• What platforms do you need to support??
• What is your team's skill set??
• How important is performance to your project??
• What is your budget??
• What is the app's purpose and functionality??
• Do you want something more popular or something that pays more??
• Are there deeper reasons to select one over the other??

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.