Flutter vs React Native (2021) : Which one is better?

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Do you want to build a mobile application by using a single code base?
If yes, then a cross-platform framework like React Native and Flutter serves best to your application requirement.
In the last few years, the graph of cross-platform shows a sharp uptick that aids the developers in writing code for once and deploying it across multiple platforms.
During the TechCrunch Disrupt Conference, held in San Francisco, Mark Zuckerberg has made a statement and because of that, today the software market is flourishing in the hand of cross-platform.

The biggest mistake we’ve made as a company is betting on HTML5 over native.

And, according to the Statista 2019 Report, 42% of the developers use React Native. While only 30% of the developers use Flutter because React Native was initially launched in 2015 and flutter was launched in 2017.

So, which one is better? React Native or Flutter? Is React Native worth it in 2021? Or Is flutter good in 2021? Are you struggling to find answers to these questions?

Here, we have discussed in detail about – Which is better, flutter or react native? You can check this out and hire developers to build your next best project.
Let's compare Flutter Vs React Native against several factors in detail

a. Flutter vs React Native – Programming Language

React Native

React Native uses a dynamically typed programming language called JavaScript. It contributes significantly to building a user interface that doesn’t require much technical knowledge. Thus, for the developers, it’s quite easy and convenient to create an application using React Native.

According to the 2020 Developer Survey, JavaScript has been awarded as the most commonly used programming language for eight years in a row. This represents the scope of JavaScript in the coming years.
Flutter

Flutter is using Dart, the programming language created by Google. This is a client optimized programming language that uses Ahead Of the Time methodology for improving the performance of an application.

Developers who have refined knowledge of the C++ and Java and other OOP languages find it simple and not rocket science to productively develop an app.

b. Flutter vs React Native – Native Components

React Native
React Native provides valuable elements like Device API access and UI rendering capabilities that contribute crucially to developing an application.
For the additional functions, it also provides a few of the third-party libraries, native modules, and many others. Though it enhances the performance of the app, at the same time, these are less convenient compared to getting tools in one single package.
Flutter
Do you know, Flutter doesn’t depend on the native components? In fact, it forgoes the use of third party libraries.
So, if you want to create a visually appealing interface with minimal effort, explore its own set of widgets and testing tools alongside the standard device API access.
This kind of bundle is relatively convenient to handle and offers all the essential elements into it that fulfill your designing requirements.

c. Flutter vs React Native – Performance Comparison

React Native
An application built with React Native recompiles using the UI component and JS that run into a separate thread; The thread gives a command for any action to the OS through a bridge. It doesn’t include C/C++ or any native language.
It may take more than 16 milliseconds for rendering the program while developing the app.

However, you can improve the performance of your application by using ProGuard for removing and obfuscating the unused code from the project.

Flutter
Apps built with flutter perform better and it doesn’t require a bridge for communicating the native modules. It uses the Skia graphics library where you can redraw the UI and make any modifications. Rentech Digital also provides the Flutter App Development service to deliver robust and scalable performance to your application.
If you conduct the performance test with Flutter, you can perform an application at 60 FPS (frame per second) and for 60fps, frames need to render approximately every 16 milliseconds.

d. Flutter vs React Native – Ease of learning

React Native
Since React Native uses JavaScript as the programming language, it shows an easy learning curve. JavaScript has been prevalent for years and thus developers are quite familiar with applying the fundamentals to your app development with React Native.
Flutter
As discussed earlier, Flutter uses DART programming language which is relatively newer for developers. But, on the other side, it is supported by Google. Google’s efforts in maintaining online material streamlines its learning curve.
Dart is a statically type, class-based Object Oriented Programming language like C#, and Java. If you know any of these languages then it becomes quite easy to learn Flutter.

e. Flutter vs React Native – Documentation Support

React Native
React Native helps you in creating more of generalized content that is lesser to the point. And that makes it disorganized for the developers to incorporate for the further app development process.
Flutter
The documentation support with Flutter is smoother and far more comprehensive. Here, you can get more information and detailed content.

f. Flutter vs React Native – Size of the application

React Native
Do you know, the initial size of an application in React Native was created with 7MB? However, by including the native dependencies, you can raise the limit to 13.4 MB.
When it comes to a speeder and quicker iteration solution, React Native is the best choice that performs even at a minimal size.
Flutter
Here, the size of an application with Flutter is widely influenced by the C/C++ engine and Virtual Machine of Dart. For avoiding the size concerns, it includes all sorts of self-contained codes and assets, and that matters the most while selecting the mobile app framework.

The initial size of the Hello App created in flutter was 7.5MB. Also, there is a special tag called split-debug-info that supports in reducing the size of the codes.

g. Flutter vs React Native – Installation Process

React Native
Node Package Manager (NPM) contributes prominently in implementing the React Native framework. If the developers have considerable knowledge or background with JavaScript, then the installation process becomes easy.

For a novice, you need to learn about the Node Package Manager, understand the location of binary and simultaneously, know how to run the commands with the React Native on macOS.

Flutter
For installing the Flutter, you need to download a binary from the source. However, for the Flutter macOS version, you must download the flutter.zip file.
If required, you can consider APT, MacPorts, Homebrew, and others to avoid additional steps for the installation process.

h. Flutter vs React Native – Setup and Project Configuration

React Native
React Native doesn’t provide any Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery support solutions. There is no setup guide for developing the projects on the Android Platform.
You need to use third-party solutions for setting up and configuring the projects extensively.
Flutter
Compared to React Native, Flutter is easy and has all the setup and project configuration for working on an application.
Also, flutter is documented properly and has a CLI tool (Command Line Interface) that thoroughly guides the developer throughout the process.

i. Flutter vs React Native – Productivity

React Native
The productivity of the developers is of paramount importance when it comes to building an application.
React Native supports “Hot Reloading” that enables simultaneously running new code and keeping hold of an application state, instead of recompiling. This makes development faster, instant, and efficient.
If we are referring to the backend API then the front end does not reflect without refresh/recompilation. And the hot reloading and restart feature will only work when the developer makes any changes during the development process.

If we have to make changes on the frontend using backend codebase then we have to use third-party library support like Socket and Peer to Peer.

Along with that, developers have a complete freedom for using the IDE or text editors.
Flutter
Flutter is not left behind. By introducing “Hot Reloading” , it supports an immediate reflection of changes without restarting or in case of loss of application state.
However, the compilation time in Flutter is comparatively shorter. It also supports IntelliJ IDE or text editors with the DART programming language.

j. Flutter vs React Native – Community Support

Community Support is equally important for developers because it helps them in resolving their queries, adding knowledge to updates, and following the latest trend in app development.
React Native
React Native has been launched by Facebook in 2015. It has large community support because JavaScript has been prevailing for a long time.
Check out this React Native community channel to know its widespread popularity.
Flutter
Since Flutter has been launched by Google in 2017 and therefore, it holds a relatively smaller but fast-growing community because of the self-promotion of Google.

k. Flutter vs React Native – Code Maintainability

Though React Native has a wider community and official support, does it rank one for code maintainability?
React Native

As discussed, in React Native, native components are hugely dependent on the third-party library and with the growing time, these libraries become obsolete. Thus, resolving issues and maintaining it properly becomes a hassle.

On the other side, when the developers fork up the coding to adjust with their application, it will interfere with the logic of the framework which further reduces the speed of the development process
Flutter
Maintaining an application in Flutter is relatively easy and convenient. Here, developers can quickly find out the complexity, support any third party libraries, and source external tools.
Also, code maintainability never risks the development process, instead, it contributes a lot especially for developers in saving their time and effort for resolving the technical glitches.

l. Flutter vs React Native – Technical Architecture

React Native
React Native apps include two architectures – Redux and Flux. Where, Flux includes multiple stores per application and Redux includes a single store per application.
Both of these architectures store the state of an application in one central place called ‘Store’.
React Native is quite reliable on JavaScript environment architecture, known as JavaScript bridge. It uses the Flux architecture from Facebook. This means that it requires a JavaScript runtime environment for communicating with the native modules. But, not all the native components are innate in the framework, and that ultimately results in poor performance.
Flutter
The architecture of Flutter is young but layered. The technical hierarchy of building an app with the flutter depends on basic widgets that render layers and simultaneously, transfer API calls to the app.
Along with that, if you look for separating the presentation layer from business logic, Flutter Bloc serves as the best option for young and professional developers where they can work on the complex app with the utmost ease and convenience.

However, the Flutter engine includes several native components into the framework itself and doesn’t require any communicating bridge, which results in a better performance compared to React Native.

The final Words: Flutter vs React Native

Thus, the selection of the best framework depends on various parameters. You need to specify your requirement for any particular project and accordingly make the final decision to build your app with any of these cross platforms.
If you want to build a light weighted application or improvise the existing app with cross-platform modules, React Native is the best choice. But, if you have a tighter budget and want to customize the UI with widgets, then Flutter aces the race.
Therefore, it varies and is quite subjective by nature. Thus, select the best platform for your app development and hire a developer now to work upon. And, if you still have any queries, call us immediately.
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