Why Choose Flutter for Cross Platform App Development?

Are you a business owner and want to use Flutter for cross platform app development? Then, this blog is useful for you. We are going to add everything about this framework from UI capabilities to development speed, comparison with other frameworks, challenges and future trends. 

According to a survey by Stack Overflow, the popularity of Flutter is 9.12% higher than different frameworks for mobile app development. For example, the popularity of Xamarin is 5.21% and that of Iconic is 5.27%. Reading the blog further will provide you with the knowledge to select the best framework for mobile app development. 

Overview of Flutter For Cross Platform App Development?

Flutter was developed by Google as a UI toolkit whose single code can be used to run web, desktop, and mobile applications. After its introduction in 2015, version 1.0 was released in 2018 and had gathered attention from a wider audience. It is fast and allows developers to build quality mobile apps. 

The seamless integration with Google and Apple services, such as Firebase, GPay, Google Play, Maps, and Apple Pay, allows users to connect with the entire Google and Apple ecosystems. Businesses can choose Flutter for cross-platform app development to ensure that the application is listed on both Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store.

Enterprises that are seeking mobile app development with complex UI can prefer Flutter because of its widget-based architecture. Extensive customization with a clean and organized code structure is accomplished to facilitate enhanced user experience. Also, a high quality application can be built saving the development cost and time. 

How Flutter Works?

After a basic understanding, we shall describe how Flutter works. This is based on a layered structure. Kindly refer to the image below:

You will find discrete segments in which Dart is the crucial one. It is the foundation that supports just-in-time (JIT) and ahead-of-time compilation. The sub-part of JIT is a hot reload that allows developers to make changes in the application without restarting it.

This saves development time promoting enterprises to gain a competitive advantage with faster time-to-market. Another tendency of Dart is to complete ARM Code enhancing the performance of Flutter apps. In short, it is easy to add functionality resulting in the creation of scalable mobile applications. 

We think that a video could be of great help to you in knowing all about Flutter.

The link shares the basic details of Flutter; what it is about and how it helps to create a functional mobile app. The video has explained the specifics in simple terms so that enterprises can decide whether to choose this UI toolkit for building cross-platform apps or not. 

Read the blog further to get acknowledged about the key features of Flutter, its advantages, comparison with other cross-platform frameworks, challenges and more.

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Key Features of Flutter 

Enterprises can experience various benefits of Flutter for cross-platform apps. The faster time-to-market, better UI, and high-performing mobile apps can be built with this framework. The key features include: 

• Being able to include so many UI components, Flutter’s mobile applications are responsive. 
• The most important is the cross-platform compatibility. Once written code works for various other platforms. 
• The mobile developers had to restart the whole app if they needed to make a certain modification. But with the ‘hot reload’ feature, developers can make the changes instantly. 
• Dart is used to compile Flutter apps with native ARM code to enhance the performance of iOS or Android applications. 

Considering these features, the project stakeholders must also check out the advantages of Flutter app development to understand the reasons for using this framework.

Also Read: Flutter vs Swift: Which is the better selection for iOS App Development?

Advantages of Flutter for Cross-Platform Development

Discover how this framework has revolutionized the mobile app development process with stunning UI and responsive design.

1. Single Codebase for Multiple Platforms

The development process is streamlined as the developers can work on a single codebase. This can save maximum time to write code for each platform. Enterprises can experience cost efficiency when choosing Flutter for cross-platform development. The project team can focus on improving the overall application avoiding the time in writing code. The rich set of widgets is useful for material design for iOS and Android applications. This advantage avoids duplicity and promotes rapid mobile app development. 

2. Rich User Interface and Performance

Material Design and Cupertino standards are essential for iOS and Android app development which is possible with pre-designed widgets of Flutter. The amazing thing to know is that each widget is customizable, that is developers can change the layout, style, or behavior. The compilation of native ARM Code allows apps to show near-native performance. In comparison to other frameworks, React Native or Xamarin, Flutter allows developers to build high-performance graphics and animations. 

3. Hot Reload Feature

The real-time data analysis of the development workflow helps developers make suitable changes to the code without losing the current application state. The modifications are done simultaneously without restarting the mobile application. The changes can be in the layout and style of the app which does not affect the working of the app. The developers can experiment with the UI to make the app fully functional. 

4. Strong Community and Ecosystem

Flutter’s community is growing, providing libraries and other features for effective mobile app development. The availability of packages, libraries and plugins enhances the development process. The developers create extensive documentation including challenges, benefits, approaches and tools used. Hence, selecting Flutter for cross-platform development can be an effective decision by enterprises. 

5. Support for Web and Desktop Application Development

A robust framework has extended capability to be used for building web and mobile applications. URL routing, service workers, and HTML/CSS rendering are some of the web-specific features that adhere to the web standards while maintaining a native-like experience. Access to native API functionalities and widgets to build a desktop’s UI/UX makes it compatible with desktop application development as well. 

Enterprises that want to rapidly develop a mobile application with the required features can choose Flutter for cross-platform development. This is a versatile framework that maximizes code reuse. The businesses can accomplish client requirements quickly while assuring responsiveness. 

Comparing Flutter with Other Cross-Platform Frameworks

For example, your business has created a product that has multiple applications. It will be convenient for the consumers to buy because it fulfills their requirements. Similarly, the product will be helpful for the managers to handle responses, product management and more work processes.

Now, come to cross-platform frameworks that allow a particular application to run on various platforms. The most common among these are Android and iOS. The developers have to write only one code that could be used for both operating systems. Thus, Flutter for cross-platform development can help to create high-performing mobile apps rapidly.

1. Flutter vs. React Native: Better UI Flexibility and Performance

2. Flutter vs Kotlin: Cross-platform Support and UI Flexibility

Also Read: Flutter Vs React Native Vs Kotlin: Which One To Choose?

Flutter vs. Native Development: What Enterprises Must Know

In the above section, we have discussed the comparison of Flutter with other frameworks but were missing out on the Native Development. Scroll to know the specific details. 

1. Application Performance

Though Flutter gives a competition in efficiency with Native Development, either one is superior in performance. This is due to the direct access to API and hardware of the mobile devices. Mobile apps with Native development leverage optimization that increases performance, while Flutter is incapable of managing efficiency for resource-intensive applications. 

2. Comparison with UI Flexibility 

Flutter is ahead in this parameter because of the widget-based architecture. Developers can add seamless animations and more visuals than in native development, as this requires more effort to achieve UI consistency. Enterprises that are searching for a framework that could make the mobile app visually appealing then Flutter for cross-platform app development is a great choice. 

3. Development Speed 

The time-to-market is faster for Flutter apps than native development as it requires a separate codebase for each platform. On the other hand, Flutter can be used for rapid mobile app development. It utilizes a single codebase for building a mobile application for iOS or Android phones. In short, Flutter reduces complexity, which can be observed in Native Development. 

In native development, the developers can build an app for only one operating system, iOS or Android. But Flutter has the ability to compile to native ARM code, maintaining a near-native performance. Also, it has a hot reload feature that saves a lot of time during the development process. 

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Top Companies That Had Used Flutter for Cross-platform Development 

While browsing the blog sections, you might be reading a ‘single codebase’ multiple times. This is the core functionality of Flutter that makes the application development fast and unique. Enterprises can target a wider audience with tremendous features. In this section, we have discussed the real examples of Flutter for cross-platform development in reference to top companies across the globe. 

1. Google Ads

The ad campaigns and complex functionalities of iOS and Android applications are managed by Flutter. There is no doubt that the framework has allowed users of Google Ads to access the app with ease. They can check out the details to run or schedule the ads. Flutter for cross-platform development for this organization provides a consistent user experience for operating systems such as Android and iOS. 

2. Alibaba 

Remember the time when the e-commerce app was Alibaba? The Flutter framework provides a seamless user experience. The app can handle a large amount of data without any concern about page loading. The application is scalable meaning that any other upgrades can be made without affecting the performance. 

3. The BMW App 

The most intriguing example of Flutter for cross-platform development is this application. BMW App allows users to check the data in real time. It offers a rich user interface that enhances the driving experience. The users have to complete the registration process and they are all set to check the vehicle aspects. 
The examples above share the knowledge that high-quality and feature-rich applications can be built with Flutter. Enterprises can opt for Flutter App Development services to build beautiful, natively compiled, multi-platform applications for iOS and Android.

Challenges to Implement Flutter App Development

Project stakeholders should check out the challenges that might occur when proceeding with Cross-platform mobile app development with Flutter. We have also mentioned the relevant solutions for each. 

1. Integration with Legacy Systems 

Challenge: Enterprise might have a complicated backend system with which API integration can be tricky. 

Solution: The developers can use RESTful APIs or GraphQL to ensure that the backend is decoupled from the front end. 

2. Concern of App Size

Challenge: The app development with numerous features and functionalities increases the overall app size. This might affect the performance or bandwidth of the application. 

Solution: The tree-shaking tool can be used to eliminate the unused code that optimizes the app. 

3. Talent Acquisition and Skill Gap

Challenge: The enterprises might find it challenging to find skilled developers. Expertise in Dart and Flutter is required to include the mandatory features and functionalities. 

Solution: Enterprises can Hire Flutter App Developers to build a single codebase for robust mobile applications. 

4. Limited Third-Party Libraries and Plugins

Challenge: As we have already discussed, Flutter has a growing ecosystem, it may lack specific libraries or plugins available in more mature frameworks, which can slow development.

Solution: The contribution to the community by developing its own libraries can be effective in this case. 

5. Challenge of Continuous Updates 

Challenge: The users have to constantly update the Flutter application to keep pace with the advanced features. 

Solution: Actively checking the latest release notes can be effective for the users otherwise the application will become slower in performance. 

As we have mentioned the solution, the enterprises can overcome limitations by implementing effective strategies. Businesses can connect with the companies that provide Mobile Application Development Services to solve the Flutter app-related issues. The experts will follow the best practices for Flutter cross-platform apps to build the required mobile app.

Is There a Future of Flutter App Development for Enterprises? 

Flutter app development has a promising future for enterprises with a rich set of libraries and more features. Enterprises can choose to hire react native developers but the uniqueness of Flutter is incomparable. The demand for cross-platform application development assures enterprises that there will be a continuous usage of Flutter. Innovative applications can be built for discrete platforms. 

The introduction of many UI elements stands out the mobile app from the competitors. On the other hand, technological trends are ongoing which is an opportunity for enterprises to reach a wider audience. The interesting statistic is that around 40% of the developers prefer the Flutter framework for mobile application development. The layered architecture, intuitive user interface and responsiveness promote efficiency.

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How Hidden Brains Can Help Enterprises to Build a Mobile Application with Flutter? 

As a leading Flutter app development service provider, we will validate your app idea and build platform-agnostic applications exactly according to your needs. Our team specializes in covering all the aspects of Flutter app development services such as designing, testing and deploying to build highly functional apps.

Prioritizing time delivery of a project with quality, we ensure to take your mobile application idea to the next level. Simply drop an email to us at biz@hiddenbrains.com mentioning your specific app requirements. The professionals will make sure to communicate with you further regarding the mobile app development.  

Conclusion

The enterprises today want to build scalable and high-performing mobile applications. They can choose Flutter to enhance the overall user experience. The functional and interactive user interfaces will allow the users to effectively engage with the mobile application. Flutter is the right choice for enterprises for building a mobile app but they can also hire mobile app developers for cross-platform application development.

Ionic is developer-friendly and promotes rapid app development. To conclude, we will be focusing on the ‘why’ factor in choosing Flutter app development. Custom applications can be built with this framework including many UI components that make it an ideal choice for enterprises to use it for the next project.

Frequently Asked Questions 

We believe that the blog has provided the required information to you regarding the Flutter app development. We have shared fewer FAQs in this section to resolve any of your remaining queries.