React Native Vs Flutter-Which one to choose ?

Flutter and React Native, the two Cross-platform solutions are leading the market. Want to meet user expectations better? Want to lead in the competitive market. But not sure Which Hybrid Framework is better: React Native or Flutter in 2021?

Get rid of all your doubts and answers to your queries regarding the right technology framework to best fit your app idea.

The blog is a detailed guide on the argument: React Native VS Flutter in 2021. We back our points on statistics and facts, pros and cons of Flutter and React Native. We also compare them on different factors of performance, popularity, code maintenance, and others.

Statistics:

• In 2020, 42 percent of software developers used React Native worldwide. While for flutter, it was 39%. (Source: Statista)
• 68.8% of the developing community love flutter. (Source: StackOverflow). While 57.9% of developers like React Native.
• In a 2020 report by Google Trends, the average number of “Flutter” queries or search score is 86, while searches for React Native were nearly half 58. 
• Flutter has shown a 10% monthly growth in March. 

QUICK COMPARISON: React Native VS Flutter

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source, JavaScript framework, for creating cross-platform applications. The framework uses XML and JavaScript Esque mark-up JSX.

Pros of React Native

1. Fast Refresh: To beat the Hot Reload feature of Flutter, React Native brought Fast Refresh. The tool, released at the end of 2019, speeds up the development process and bug fixing providing a great developer experience. 
2. Mature Framework: A mature framework with stable API, backed by Facebook. 
3. Easy to Learn: Learn easily using existing React libraries, tools, UI frameworks, and tutorials.
4. Strong Community Support: The framework has a robust, supportive community.
5. Single Code Base: Faster development for iOS, Android, and Web with a single code base. 
6. Rich Ecosystem: Third-party UI libraries to re-render the app with every state alteration.

Cons of React Native

1. Lacks platform-specific modules and native components. 
2. No support for parallel multiprocessing and multi-threading.
3. Not compatible with gaming apps or heavy animations 
4. Do not have in-built plugins and tools, and hence need third-party tools. 

What is Flutter?

Founded by Google, Flutter is a UI software development toolkit, open-source. Develops impressive custom applications for web, mobile, and desktop platforms.

Pros of Flutter:

1. Hot Reload: Immediate reflection of changes without losing application state.
2. Impressive Performance: High-engaging and effective performance with rich widgets for iOS and Android.
3. MVP Development: Sharing of codes on multiple platforms makes a perfect MVP development.
4. Reduced development time: Quick iteration cycles cut development time.

Cons of Flutter:

1. Must have Dart knowledge
2. Not much community support
3. No immediate rendering of plugins
4. Lack of friendly documentation

Top Apps Made with Flutter

• Google
• Tencent
• Alibaba
• BMW
• eBay
• Reflectly

Top Apps Made with React Native

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Walmart
• Bloomberg
• Wix
• SoundCloud

Performance: React Native VS Flutter

Flutter Performance is the best fit for heavy memory applications. So, for applications that require attractive animations and exclusive UI, choose Flutter.

 React Native relies on JavaScript to communicate with native components. Thus, take more time to load the elements. React Native uses third-party libraries to match up faster speed.

Winner: Flutter

Flutter uses Dart programming and gets access to Dart’s in-built tools for UI. Flutter has design tools like Material Design (for Android) and Cupertino(for iOS). Further, it uses the Skia engine to the advantage of the power of these built-in tools.

On the other side, React Native uses a bridge between JavaScript and native modules. Hence, require increased load time for the UI elements.

Winner: Flutter

Again, Flutter offers comprehensive support for automation testing with Dart. Flutter has detailed documentation and access to tons of testing features for a unit, integrated, and widget testing.

On the other hand, React Native has no testing support for UI level and integrated testing. React Native developers rely on third-party tools like Appium and Detox for UI-level testing.

Winner: Flutter

The flutter developer community on GitHub currently has 113k stars. While React Native community on GitHub holds 93.3k stars.

The flutter community has seen a 30% to 39% growth in the flutter market share. As per Statista, React Native community tops on the list of cross-platform application development with a 42% market share.

Flutter is comparatively new and uses Dart programming. Hence, you must learn Dart from scratch. Learning a new language can be difficult.

While React Native works on JavaScript, developers can easily work in multiple libraries of JavaScript.

React Native has a third-party library dependency. Thus, upgrading and debugging are slower. Further, often these libraries are outdated.

On the contrary, maintaining a Flutter application is easier. The simple codes help developers spot issues and also support third-party libraries. Further, it is easier to make immediate changes with Hot Reloading.

Flutter VS React: When to Use?

When to Use Flutter?

• Strict project deadline and limited budget.
• When you need to launch apps in the market fast. 
• Apps with personalize UI with widgets and less testing.
• High-performing applications.

When to Use React Native?

• Lightweight native app.
• Enough budget and sufficient time for development.
• Applications with shared APIs 
• Application with an asynchronous build and a highly responsive UI.

Conclusion: Which one to Choose: React Native VS Flutter in 2021?

The motive of the detailed comparison between React Native VS Flutter is to help developers to pick between Flutter VS React Native in 2021 befitting their project needs and skills.

Picking one framework for application development is subjective. It depends on multiple factors and the needs of your business and the type of application.

Both frameworks, at some points, overtake each other. However, it's always worth taking the support and guidance of a professional development company.

Build excellent mobile applications, with a user-centric approach at minimal costs.