Flutter v/s React Native v/s Xamarin is a burning query that every app developers faces while developing an app. The platform makes a big difference in app development. There are several app development platforms available. Android, iOS, Kotlin, Xamarin, React Native, and Flutter is some of them. Most of the time, app owners choose iOS and Android platforms over the cross-platform. Being a leading company for Flutter and React Native app development services, we are acquainted with cross-platforms. In this particular post, we are addressing Flutter v/s React Native v/s Xamarin to know which cross-platform is better for you.
The most appealing benefit of cross-platform is that they consume less time in development. Cross-platform allows developers to craft the app development in minimal time. It works on the simple theory “ Code Once & Uses It Everywhere.” That’s why developers don’t need to write code separately for different platforms. On the other side, a native app always demands unique code for different operating systems like Android and iOS.
As mentioned above, the cross-platform allows a developer to code once and use it on different platforms. So it reduces the development time. That’s why the development cost is also decreased. Most app owners choose cross-platform because the app development will take less time and is cost-effective.
For consistent brand identity, an app design should be the same on each platform. This way, users can easily remember the brand. With cross-platform development, a developer can reuse the code on each platform that gives a similar UI and layout of the app on different platforms. Thus, cross-platform fits perfectly in the shoes of business applications.
Progressive Web Apps (PWA)
Flutter is a framework that defines the lead structure for crafting UI. As we all know, Flutter is not a programming language. It is a mobile app development framework used for crafting app UI. Actually, Google developed Flutter for creating apps for Google Fuchsia. But lately, they made it open source for developing an application in Android and iOS platforms.
Flutter is a complete SDK for developing cross-platform app development. It offers almost all tools used in cross-platform application development. Flutter was used for creating the app development and UI design for Android & iOS until 6-May-2019. But this definition becomes part of history. Google may expand Flutter SDK to the web, desktop, and embedded devices.
Flutter is an open-source platform. Its architecture relies on Reactive Programming.
It is based on Dart, an object-oriented programming language with easy coding.
Flutter offers APIs, readymade widgets, and command-line tools.
Flutter is grown up and compatible with web, desktop, and embedded devices.
Flutter supports faster code implementation and bug fixing.
Compared to native development, Flutter is not yet rich and robust.
It is not compatible with the CI (Continuous Integration) like Travis and Jenkins.
Flutter is not stable. Thus, it is running on the beta version.
It is a JavaScript structure for composing genuine, robust, and natively rendering mobile applications for iOS and Android. It depends on React, Facebook’s JavaScript library for building UIs. However, as opposed to focusing on the browser, it targets the mobile platform. It is developed by Facebook for iOS only. But lately, it was made available for Android too. Just code once, and the applications are accessible for the two iOS and Android stages, which spare development time. It comes with native components & modules that improve app performance.
It supports faster development with pre-installed elements
React-native-based apps get easy access to the camera and accelerator
Hot Reload offers a real-time refresh for the pages
React Native builds a high quality mobile user interface
It offers fast development by pre-install elements
The output of the app is a little bit slower than native apps
The navigation designed in React Native is not that smooth compared to others
It allows third-party plugins but does not give robust security compared to the native app
It stumbles in developing complex transitions & animation and is unable to perform on multiple screens
Read Also: 3 Hidden Benefits Of React Native As Cross-Platform App Development
It is also a cross-platform app development framework, but it is more popular among developers. The reason behind its popularity over other cross-platform is its flawless functionality like native app development. It was launched in 2011 and was recently acquired by Microsoft. Xamarin allows reusing the code on other platforms. It gives access to native API. Developers can get platform-specific functions as native apps. It is close to native app development. Thus, it provides faster app development compatible with the NuGet and Xamarin plugins. This framework relies on the C language that performs smoothly for Android, iOS, and Windows.
Xamarin supports pre-installed layouts and controls for faster development
Developers can access the native API, and thus it seems like native development
It offers platform-specific elements with functions and custom interfaces
Faster app development with NuGet and Xamarin plugins
Xamarin Component Store allows developers to use free or paid elements
Xamarin is not totally free. Developers have to buy the paid framework. Thus this is not at all for startups or budget-constrained businesses.
Xamarin has limited resources for the development. Xamarin component store allows users to use third-party elements, but most of them are paid.
Community support is a big concern while working on the Xamarin. It has limited community support.
User-Interface (UI) development is time-consuming as the core user-interface creation is not mobile-friendly.
App speed is always a concern for app owners, so it has to be quick and responsive. Flutter offers faster app development with faster app speed at the output. Other platforms like React Native and Xamarin also perform well in the app speed. But as compared to Flutter, they are slightly slower. The app speed also depends on the development process, functions, features, and other terms. Thus, it’s hard to compare these instantaneously. But we can conclude that Flutter is the fastest cross-platform app development framework among these.
Security of the source code and application is a must. That’s why security is listed in the priority action for all cross-platform developers. As mentioned earlier, React Native supports third-party plugins and does not have robust security supports. Flutter and Xamarin based apps are robust and compatible with security access.
As we know, React Native allows third-party plugins that simply means customization with React Native is compatible with Flux. Flutter’s Hot Reload feature and Xamarin Live Reload feature empower both platforms for live changes in the ongoing development. Flutter and Xamarin have pre-installed layout elements that simply indicate the freedom of customization with cross-platform app development.
Community is built to give support and point out any issues related to the framework. While talking about community support, Xamarin has lost in the competition because of its limited community support. On the other hand, React Native and Flutter have a better community for solving any issues and making it better for the users. According to GitHub, React Native has more stars and followers compared to Flutter. So we can say React Native is the clear winner in terms of community supports.
The Xamarin is based on the C#. It is simple and easy to learn the language. Flutter works on the Dart, an object-oriented programming language that is also easy to learn for newbie developers. React Native, coded in Java, is most widely used in any development. So working on Java is a piece of cake for every developer. In short, Xamarin and React Native are the easiest to access cross-platform app development frameworks.
Xamarin is the most popular cross-platform on the list. Approx 1.4 million developers used Xamarin till the first quarter of 2017. Due to its ability to write native UI code for app development, many popular brands use Xamarin for crafting their application. Xamarin develops native code, but it is not free, so it is considered for premium users. As most of the developers use Xamarin, but still many developers rely on Flutter and React Native.
Google AdWords
AppTree
Google Greentea
Alibaba
Hamilton Musical
Walmart
SoundCloud
Bloomberg
World Bank
APX
SuperGiant Games
Skulls of the Shogun
It is a rumor that cross-platform and hybrid apps give the same performance. Actually, they are not the same. Hybrid app development is standing in the middle of web apps and native apps. A progressive web app is a good example of Hybrid apps. On the other side, cross-platform app development is a kind of app development method which allows developers to reuse the code for multiple platforms. In short, a developer can copy the code of an Android app and reuse it for the iOS app.
Yes. As we discussed before, Flutter relies on the Dart with dependency on the C/C++ libraries. It takes code faster than native code. Thus overall development is faster in Flutter. Whereas React Native provides a complex output and does not have good compatibility with the native code compared to Flutter. In short, we can admit Flutter is faster than React Native.
Several benefits of Xamarin crushed the importance of React Native and Flutter in terms of cross-platform app development. But reusability of code is its most appealing advantage. Xamarin allows developers to reuse the existing code up to 96% for another platform. While React Native and Flutter only share 60% – 90% of code.
Acquaint Softtech - Flutter app development company. Our dedicated developers have ample knowledge of cross-platform app development. And they are masters in conveying the best possible solution. Our Flutter app development services are up to the mark that reduces the development cost and time. We can transform your dream idea into a masterpiece. As Flutter becomes the fastest app development framework, we use its functionality for deadline developments.
We all agree that every tool has its own advantage and disadvantage, so it’s hard to compare tools and give a final thought. As we discussed, Flutter offers the fastest app development. So if app owners want to craft their app in minimal time, they can choose Flutter over Xamarin and React Native. On the other hand, Xamarin allows developers to reuse 96% of the code. This is higher than any other cross-platform framework. It also gives a closer exposure to native apps. React Native is simple, popular, and has good community support, so you can choose this also. In short, it’s all up to you whether you want to build your dream app with Xamarin, Flutter, or React Native.
If you are looking for Flutter app development or searching for the best React Native app development services, then we are the best choice. Acquaint Softtech is a Flutter app development company catering to Flutter app development services and React Native app development services. So let’s make things together. Drop your inquiry and feel free to discuss your dream idea with your experts at info@acquaintsoft.com or give us a call at +1 773 377 6499. If you found something amusing in this post, then keep SHARING this piece of content with your colleagues.
I love to make a difference. Thus, I started Acquaint Softtech with the vision of making developers easily accessible and affordable to all. Me and my beloved team have been fulfilling this vision for over 15 years now and will continue to get even bigger and better.
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