What Are React Native and Flutter?

React Native is a framework developed by Facebook that allows developers to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It’s been around since 2015, and it’s the most widely used framework for cross-platform mobile development.

Flutter, on the other hand, is a newer framework released by Google in 2017. It uses Dart, a language that isn’t as popular as JavaScript, and it has its rendering engine (Skia) instead of relying on native components. Flutter is making waves because of its speed and flexibility, but it’s still growing in terms of community and support.

Language and Learning Curve

React Native:

Primary Language: JavaScript (or TypeScript).

Learning Curve: If you’re already familiar with JavaScript and React, then React Native will feel like a natural extension. You’ll be able to get up and running fairly quickly. The documentation is solid, and the community is massive, meaning you can almost always find help for any problem you run into.

Flutter:

Primary Language: Dart.

Learning Curve: Dart isn’t a widely known language, so if you’re already entrenched in JavaScript or another more popular language, you’re going to have to learn something new. Dart is simple and clean, but it’s not something you’re likely to use for anything outside of Flutter. If you don’t want to invest time in learning a new language, this might be a dealbreaker.

Performance

React Native:

React Native uses native components for rendering, which means there’s a “bridge” between JavaScript and native code. While performance has improved significantly over time, that bridge can still create bottlenecks, especially with more complex or resource-heavy apps.

Simple apps? React Native does great. But if you’re building something with lots of animations, custom components, or intensive processing, you might start noticing lag.

Flutter:

Flutter doesn’t rely on a bridge and uses native compilation. This allows it to deliver faster performance and smoother animations right out of the box. Since it controls everything from rendering to layout, you can expect your app to run smoothly, even with more complex UIs.

UI and Customization

React Native:

React Native uses native UI components, which means that your app’s look and feel are tied to the platform (iOS or Android). For most apps, this is a good thing because it gives the app a “native” feel. But, if you need more control over the design or want your app to look the same on both platforms, you’ll find React Native a bit limited.

You’ll end up using third-party libraries or custom components to customize your app, which can be both a blessing and a curse. Libraries are great, but they can introduce their quirks and bugs.

Flutter:

Flutter comes with a full set of custom widgets that are consistent across platforms. You have complete control over the UI, so if you want your app to look the same on both iOS and Android (or create something unique), Flutter makes it easy.

Because of its Skia rendering engine, Flutter doesn’t use native components but instead renders everything itself. This gives you full flexibility, but it also means you have to do a bit more work for some platform-specific tweaks.

Community and Ecosystem

React Native:

React Native has been around since 2015, so it’s got a massive community, tons of libraries, and a vast amount of resources. This is both a blessing and a curse. It’s great because you have access to a ton of solutions, but it also means that some libraries can be outdated or poorly maintained. Plus, you’ll often end up writing native code for things that aren’t covered by the community.

Flutter:

Flutter is still growing in terms of community and ecosystem. It has great official documentation and is backed by Google, which gives it a lot of credibility. The community is growing fast, but it’s still not as big as React Native’s.

The number of plugins available for Flutter isn’t as extensive as React Native’s, but it’s getting there. Flutter’s ecosystem is more consistent since everything is managed by Google.

Platform Support

React Native:

iOS and Android are the primary targets for React Native, and it does a pretty good job supporting both platforms. There’s also some support for Web and Desktop via third-party libraries, but it’s still hit or miss.

Flutter:

Flutter supports iOS, Android, Web, and Desktop (Windows, macOS, and Linux). Its approach to cross-platform development is more unified, so you’ll get a consistent look and feel across different devices. But, be aware that Flutter for Web and Desktop is still in the “experimental” phase, and there may be limitations.

Which One Should You Choose?

Go with React Native if:

• You already know JavaScript and React.
• You need to get a mobile app up and running quickly.
• You’re building a relatively simple app and don’t need heavy customizations or complex animations.
• You don’t mind working with a larger, more mature ecosystem, but one that can sometimes feel like a mixed bag.

Go with Flutter if:

• You need top-notch performance and smooth animations.
• You need full control over your UI design.
• You’re building an app for multiple platforms (iOS, Android, Web, and Desktop) and want everything to work seamlessly across them.
• You’re open to learning Dart and dealing with the growing pains of a newer framework.