When it comes to mobile app development, there’s no shortage of tools and frameworks out there—but few have captured the industry’s attention quite like Flutter mobile apps.
Developed to make app creation smoother and faster, Flutter has quickly made a name for itself as a go-to toolkit for building visually captivating, high-performance apps. But is it the right choice for every project? You need a pros and cons list to determine if it fits your requirements.
So, what is it that makes Flutter special? Let’s explore how it works, its strengths and weaknesses, and who has used it to develop their apps.
What is Flutter?
Released by Google in 2018, Flutter is an open-source UI software development toolkit used primarily for building mobile apps, although it’s also capable of supporting web apps. It uses a unique approach, allowing developers to create cross-platform applications with a single codebase, meaning one code can work on both iOS and Android systems. Teams use this advantage to launch across multiple platforms without duplicating efforts.
The heart of Flutter is its use of the Dart programming language, which was also developed by Google. Dart is known for its fast compilation, making it ideal for mobile app development, where speed and smooth visuals are essential. With Dart and a powerful rendering engine, Flutter can deliver dynamic, high-performance apps with a native-like feel, all from one codebase.
[Read more: What is Flutter?]
Features of Flutter
Flutter development comes with several key features that have made it a popular choice for developers and organizations:
- Open-source: Free to use and supported by a large developer community.
- Flutter widgets: Pre-designed, customizable widgets make it easy to create attractive user interfaces.
- Dart programming language: Enables fast compilation and is optimized for user interface creation.
- Hot-reload feature: Allows instant previewing of changes in the app without restarting.
- Rich libraries: Includes a vast array of libraries for additional functionalities, from animations to data handling.
Can Flutter be Used for Mobile Apps?
Yes, Flutter is designed to excel in mobile app development.
Flutter makes it easy to create consistent, visually engaging UIs across all six platforms it supports: iOS, Android, the web, Windows, MacOS, and Linux. As a cross-platform framework, it offers a different approach than native development.
Native app development vs Flutter app development:
In native app development, coding specifically for each platform allows developers full access to device functionalities, generally leading to faster performance and smoother operation. However, if your goal is to launch on multiple platforms, native development often requires more coding, a larger team, and additional costs. Ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms can also be challenging.
This is where cross-platform frameworks like Flutter become valuable, providing an efficient way to achieve a unified app experience across devices. This flexibility is possible because of Flutter’s architecture, which directly accesses native components without relying on any intermediary code or plugins, giving it near-native performance.
But what are the real advantages and limitations of using Flutter? Let’s dig into the pros and cons to see if it’s the best fit for your mobile app.
Pros of Flutter App Development
Flutter brings a lot to the table, especially when it comes to developing cross-platform applications efficiently. Below are its key advantages and why it’s quickly becoming a popular choice among app developers.
One codebase
One of the biggest advantages of Flutter is its single codebase for both iOS and Android, allowing developers to create cross-platform applications with ease.
With Flutter, building apps for different operating platforms doesn’t mean duplicating work. Instead, you write the code once, and it’s compatible across multiple systems, which is a huge time-saver. This approach reduces development effort and ensures a more consistent user experience across devices, ultimately helping developers deliver a cohesive product faster.
Native-like performance
Flutter is known for providing native app development performance.
Unlike other frameworks that rely on intermediary code, Flutter compiles directly to native code, enabling smooth animations, fast loading times, and responsive interactions. This enables Flutter apps to offer the same level of polish as native applications, creating a smooth and satisfying experience for users.
Fast testing with hot reload
One of Flutter’s most celebrated features is its hot reload, which allows developers to instantly see changes in their code without restarting the app.
This feature greatly speeds up the development process by allowing for rapid experimentation, quick bug fixes, and efficient UI updates. With the hot reload feature, developers can focus on perfecting the app without constant delays, making testing and debugging much faster.
Cost-effective development
Since Flutter lets developers create a single app that works on multiple platforms, it reduces the costs associated with hiring separate teams for iOS and Android development.
With one codebase to maintain, businesses can save on development and maintenance costs, making it a budget-friendly choice, especially for startups and small businesses. Flutter’s cross-platform approach also means quicker iterations, further contributing to cost efficiency.
Solid community
Flutter’s open-source nature has attracted a robust and active developer community. This community support translates to extensive documentation, a variety of plugins, and a wealth of resources for troubleshooting and advice.
So, beginners and seasoned Flutter developers can access a network of peers for help, making it easier to solve challenges and implement innovative features. This strong community involvement means Flutter is constantly evolving and staying up-to-date with industry needs.
Cons of Flutter App Development
While Flutter has some strong advantages, it’s important to consider the challenges it might present.
Like any technology, Flutter has certain limitations that may impact your project, depending on your goals and technical needs.
Let’s look at some of the drawbacks of using Flutter for mobile app development:
Limited access to certain native features
While Flutter can access many native device features, there are still some limitations. Occasionally, accessing complex or less common native functionalities, like advanced Bluetooth or biometric authentication, may require additional plugins or native code to implement.
This can complicate the development process, particularly for projects that rely heavily on these features. Developers may need to bridge the gap manually, which can counteract some of the time saved with Flutter’s one-codebase approach.
Larger app sizes
Flutter apps are often larger in size compared to apps developed using native frameworks.
Since Flutter includes its own set of widgets and libraries, it can lead to increased app sizes, which may be a drawback for users with limited storage space or slower download speeds. For certain apps or user bases, keeping app size minimal might be essential, and Flutter’s additional weight could be a disadvantage.
Limited resources for specific platforms
Although Flutter is rapidly growing, it’s still a relatively new toolkit compared to mature frameworks like native iOS and Android development environments.
As a result, Flutter may have fewer specialized resources or plugins available for certain operating systems. This can sometimes limit the options for developers and lead to additional time spent creating custom solutions.
Learning curve with Dart
Flutter uses the Dart programming language, which, while optimized for Flutter, may be unfamiliar to many developers. Those used to JavaScript, Swift, or Java may find the transition to Dart challenging, especially if they need to quickly get up to speed with new syntax and best practices.
For teams new to Flutter, this learning curve can impact development timelines as they adapt to a new language and framework.
Popular Apps Developed with Flutter
Flutter’s capabilities have attracted attention from companies across various industries, resulting in several well-known apps being built with this versatile framework.
Let’s take a look at five popular apps that highlight Flutter’s potential and how they’ve leveraged its features.
1. Google Ads + Google Pay
Google Ads and Google Pay were built with Flutter to deliver a smooth, consistent experience on both Android and iOS.
As the creator of Flutter, Google not only backs this framework with ongoing support and development but also uses it in its own products, demonstrating its effectiveness firsthand. Google Ads, a flagship Flutter app, enables users to manage ad campaigns seamlessly. With real-time data, insights, and an intuitive design, it allows advertisers to access and control metrics—even on low-powered devices easily.
2. Alibaba
As a global e-commerce giant, Alibaba chose Flutter to power parts of its mobile app to support millions of daily users across both iOS and Android.
Alibaba’s mobile app benefits from Flutter’s ability to create consistent, high-quality UIs and optimize performance, which is crucial in an app where speed and reliability are key. This approach enhances the user experience, making it easier for millions of customers to shop, track orders, and engage with the platform smoothly.
The success of Flutter within the Alibaba app demonstrates how well it can handle high-traffic applications while maintaining fast, smooth user interactions and visually rich interfaces.
3. Nubank
As Latin America’s leading digital bank, Nubank relies on Flutter to deliver a seamless, responsive banking experience for its users. Nubank’s app supports both Android and iOS, allowing the bank to reach a wider audience with a single codebase.
The app’s clean design and robust security have made it a customer favorite. With Flutter’s cross-platform capabilities, Nubank provides a consistent experience that has played a key role in its rapid growth and success.
4. BMW
BMW’s My BMW app, a mobile solution for vehicle tracking, remote access, and other car-related features, incorporates Flutter for parts of its functionality. The app enables BMW owners to locate their cars, control climate functions, and view service information in a responsive, intuitive interface. The decision to use Flutter allows BMW to provide a seamless experience across devices, supporting the brand’s high standards for design and performance.
Flutter’s ability to support beautiful UIs and quick interactions is a perfect fit for BMW’s commitment to quality and user experience, proving that the framework is suited even for established brands with high-performance needs.
5. eBay Motors
eBay Motors, an app for buying, selling, and browsing vehicles, uses Flutter to provide a consistent and user-friendly interface for its vast audience. With features like in-app messaging, vehicle photo uploads, and listing management, eBay Motors needed a framework that could handle a range of functionalities without compromising performance. Flutter’s cross-platform capabilities and rich libraries enabled eBay Motors to deliver a cohesive user experience for buyers and sellers alike.
This app illustrates how Flutter can support complex applications with multiple features, giving users a smooth and enjoyable experience that’s easy to navigate.
Develop Your Flutter Mobile Apps with Startechup!
With its impressive features, wide community support, and cost-effective approach, Flutter has proven itself as an ideal framework for businesses looking to build high-performance mobile apps. So, whether you’re a startup aiming to launch quickly or a large enterprise seeking to streamline development, Flutter provides the flexibility and power to bring your vision to life across platforms.
At Startechup, we specialize in Flutter app development, helping businesses like yours take full advantage of this dynamic framework. Our team of experts is ready to support your project from concept to launch, ensuring that every feature and function aligns with your goals.
Contact us today to discuss your project and see how we can turn your ideas into a seamless, engaging app experience!
