React Native Native vs. Flutter – Let’s See Which One is the Winner

React Native by Facebook and Flutter by Google. These are the two hot cross-platform app development technologies creating a fuss in the digital world. Mobile Applications are the essential source to extend the business. An average individual spends over 90% of the online time using mobile and web applications. Application Development should be approached in such a manner that the apps can be used by everyone similarly.

Due to the growing popularity, every business is looking for applications to survive in the competitive market. Most importantly, companies are looking for options to build a mobile app that is compatible with Android and iOS. For this, the developers in the market need to learn so many technologies. Companies are switching to cross-platform app development over native solutions to build the applications for Android and iOS with faster speed and fewer resources to solve this problem.

Out of the various options available online, Flutter and React Native are the two best cross-platform development frameworks for mobile application development.

React Native is an open-source platform built by Facebook in 2015. It has easy access to the native UI components, and you can also reuse the code. Along with access to top-quality third-party libraries, it also has a hot reload feature. In comparison, Flutter was developed and open-sourced by Google in 2017. Flutter contains a vibrant ecosystem with maximum customization. Like React Native, Flutter App Development also has a reload feature, but the advantage is, it offers a faster code compilation feature. Hence, when React Native and Flutter are compared, Flutter has the edge over its competitors.

React Native is already a mature tool, but Flutter has also started gaining popularity since its launch in 2017. In this article, we’ll see a React Native vs. Flutter comparison on various exciting criteria.

React Native vs. Flutter – A Developer’s ViewPoint

  1. Based on Programming Language

    Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks can use only one programming language to develop an app for all platforms. React Native App Development Services uses JavaScript Programming Language, which is the dynamically typed language for all the platforms. ReactJS is a JavaScript library especially used for making user interfaces.
    On the other hand, Flutter uses Dart Language. Dart was launched by Google in 2011 and is primarily similar to all the other programming languages. It is a coding language that developers quickly adopt because it is very expressive. However, JavaScript has been around for so long that developers prefer React Native against Flutter. Dart also has a great feature set, but it’s lesser-known and used by the developer community. With reference to the above information, React Native wins a point in the programming language category.

  2. Design & Graphics – Capabilities of React Native and Flutter

    Although React Native and Flutter use entirely different approaches to design user interfaces for the apps, both have excellent features as a whole. Any of these technologies could achieve pixel-perfect graphics and complete appealing animations. React Native inherits native visual elements and appearances like buttons and navigation bar. These elements provide a seamless, personalized experience to the user. In case of the updated OS, the app elements will be upgraded respectively and maintain the nativeness and similarity to other native applications.
    With React Native, the apps will look slightly different on Android and iOS devices, whereas with Flutter, the apps will look the same for all the OS Versions or Device models. Unlike React Native, navigation and the elements will remain the same unless intentionally changed by the software developer. With additional efforts, a personalized Native feel and look can be achieved for both the platforms individually, ready-made with React Native.

  3. Architecture

    While studying the React Native vs. Flutter comparison, it is crucial to understand both the cross-platforms’ technical architecture. React Native Architecture relies on the JavaScript Runtime environment, which is also known as JavaScript Bridge. It provides a path to communicate with the native modules, which means the JavaScript code compilation is done into the native code at runtime. React Native uses the Flux architecture from Facebook. JSON messages are used to communicate between the two sides, which requires a smooth User Interface.
    When Flutter is compared with React Native in terms of its architecture, it contains most of the required components. It reduces the need for a bridge for communication. Flutter uses frameworks like Cupertino and Material Design; and uses skia engines for its purpose. Therefore, the Flutter App Development is more stable as compared to react native app development services.

Read also: Which is going to dominate in the future, React Native or Flutter?

  1. Setup and Project Configuration

    The process of setting up the developer machine to use the new framework is time-consuming. Proper guidelines are necessary to set up a framework. React Native does not provide a sufficient blueprint for the setup. Flutter, on the other hand, provides proper guidelines to install the framework properly. In the React Native guide, there are a few guidelines for using the XCode tools. However, it does not provide sufficient information for the setup.
    Flutter Doctor is a CLI(Command Line Input) tool that provides developers with detailed guidelines to install the setup efficiently. It inspects which tools are already installed on the local machine and which tools need to be configured. By using Flutter App Development, you can also configure your project efficiently. Therefore, it is clear that Flutter provides a much better CLI Support and a proper blueprint for setting up the framework properly.

  2. UI Components and Development API

    It is necessary to have a proper API to access the native modules. When developing cross-platform mobile apps, the framework must have an API to access the native modules easily. The core React Native framework provides the UI rendering and device access APIs. React native is dependent on third-party libraries for app development. Conversely, Flutter Framework comes with UI Rendering and device access APIs, navigation, and many other libraries.
    Using the rich set of Flutter will reduce the use of third-party libraries. Flutter also has the tools that allow the developers to render the UI on Android and iOS. Flutter Framework has everything you need to develop a mobile application.

  3. Adoption and Popularity

    React Native is used in top-rated applications like Facebook, Instagram, Skype, etc. React Native App Development Services have been around since 2015, so the organizations and the developers have spent a lot of time working with it. Hence, it is clear that React Native has higher popularity and is adopted by the best applications online.
    On the other hand, the very first stable mobile application of Flutter came in December 2018. Flutter is relatively new, but it is still used by many famous companies like Alibaba, Tencent, etc. Within a significantly less time frame, Flutter also has gained popularity and is now used by so many esteemed organizations for app development.

  4. Developer Productivity

    A productive developer is vital to develop the apps faster. Productivity is essential to be able to develop mobile applications with focus and efficiency. If the developer is experienced, then it’s easy to use the skills for cross-platform app development. As explained above, React Native has a hot reload feature which saves a lot of developer’s time while testing the changes in the user interface. In React Native, developers can use any IDE(Integrated Development Environment) or text editor of their choice.
    Conversely, Flutter also has a reload feature, and it’s relatively easy to start with a demo app. Nonetheless, as the apps’ complexity grows, developers would have to learn the new concepts of Flutter. Moreover, Dart is not a commonly used programming language and is not supported by many IDEs or text editors. React Native is a matured framework and has many developer support when IDEs and text editors are considered.

  5. Analytics

    Both the cross-platforms use external apps like google analytics, AppsFlyer, etc., for the analytical solutions. Flutter does not have any problem with the performance using any of the analytical tools. On the other hand, React Native app’s performance can sometimes be affected if there are many analytical solutions to be reported.

Finally, Which One Wins the Battle – React Native vs. Flutter?

If we compare React Native and Flutter, it is evident that Flutter is one hand ahead of React Native. Flutter is better in terms of performance, compatibility, UI Components, and Development APIs. However, when it comes to finding productive and skilled developers for app development, React Native has significant popularity and is adopted by many businesses.

Conclusion

React Native and Flutter both are parallel. Both the cross-platforms have their pros and cons. React Native can be the best choice in terms of experienced developers and productivity, and Flutter can be a good option if you want to use a new platform. Many industry experts have predicted that Flutter can be the future of cross-platform app development until React Native community keeps updating itself. Well, it isn’t easy to choose between the two. Flutter has very strongly entered the app development industry, and it is a bit difficult to predict the future. So let’s wait and watch which one comes out to be a winner of this race.

React Native Vs Ionic- Which is a better framework for your app development?

The mobile application market is mounting up, and according to the current statistics, the number of apps has already surpassed 8 million. The race for the mobile app development industry is becoming more challenging as it can boost customer engagement.

Most developers would accept that the adoption of a platform or framework plays an indispensable role in improving customer retention and magnifying its popularity. And there is no insufficiency of choices as far as the number of frameworks is concerned.

If you are thinking to develop a cross-platform app, you’re on the same page as others. With plenty of options such as React Native, Flutter, Ionic, etc., you can choose the best framework that ideally suits your project requirements.

However, in this blog, we would be comparing the two most popular platforms: React Native vs. Ionic. Before beginning the comparison, let’s start with a quick introduction about both React Native and Ionic.

What is React Native?

React Native made its first debut in the year 2015, developed, and widely supported by Facebook. It is a JavaScript framework used for building native mobile and web applications using Java as the programming language.

It completely supports both Android and iOS platforms and applies designs similar to React, giving an interactive mobile user interface. However, don’t forget that React Native does not extend any support to HTML5 or hybrid apps.

What is Ionic?

Ionic is one of the popular open-source platforms optimized for building exceptional hybrid mobile applications. It was initially introduced in 2013 by Drifty Co. Developers with extensive knowledge of JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5 choose Ionic as its ideal framework.

The framework utilizes Angular and Apache Cordova, which is the primary reason why developers choose this platform. Similar to React Native, it also supports cross-platform app development. The tools like SaaS and CSS, etc., additionally assist in the development process.

What are the significant differences between React Native and Ionic?

  • Native and Hybrid-

It is apparent from the quick introduction of the React Native app development that it is only used for developing web applications and native mobile apps using JavaScript. It allows developers to share the codes across the platform by providing the native components. The User Experience works closely with the other native apps adhering to the models offered by the Operating System.

The React Native also contributes to improved performance as well as seamless animations. However, you would only get the craved result if the bridge components are written for the native elements and offers a default.

On the other hand, Ionic is a strong supporter of the hybrid application development framework. It usually makes use of the web-based technologies for writing and running the application and determines PhoneGap or Cordova for the evaluation of natural features.

Ionic also offers a feature called Ionic Native. But don’t create a misconception that you can create native apps using this feature. It is also recognized as the ngCordova, which helps in utilizing the current PhoneGap and Cordova plugins.

  • Technology Stack-

If we discuss the React Native, it is based on the belief ‘Learn once, write anywhere.’ This means that the developers will have to understand the set of rules and make use of the native elements accordingly. React Native highlights precisely on the UI with the presence of the UI components.

For example, you know that Android has a profound customizable toolbar, which is missing in iOS. So, you can use something else in that place. Several components have equivalents, and if it isn’t there, you can easily separate the platform-specific logic.

On the other hand, the theme of the Ionic is ‘Write once, run anywhere.’ It extends a comprehensive Software Development Kit to create hybrid apps efficiently. As we’ve mentioned before, it gets the fuel from web technology and is built on the top of Angular. You can create multi-platform apps using minimum codebase.

  • Performance-

When it comes to app performance, nothing can ever beat React Native. The aim is that it is recognized for its more familiar resemblance with native and relatively faster.

However, the developers need to make some changes to the platform-specific element. React is also acknowledged for its stability and is suitable for developing large-scale apps. More so, creating native apps is costly than hybrid apps.

Ionic is quite slower than React Native due to WebView. It primarily uses the mobile-optimized CSS, HTML, and JavaScript components. When you want to add a hybrid factor in your native apps, you can pick Ionic.

  • Ease or difficulty of the language-

The Ionic framework is precisely related to the Angular, which is another common JS framework. It supports the Mode-View-Controller model surely and has got the logic wholly isolated. It employs the HTML view for its views.

React Native also is based on the JS framework, and its code is similar to HTML, known as JSX. The JSX is a secure codebase to work with. However, if you are working solely or if there is a lack of collaboration in a team, you might find it challenging as it wouldn’t be as simple as editing the template files and writing CSS.

  • Community and plugins-

You would be fascinated to perceive that while working with React Native, you would encounter various plugins available on the NPM. The plugins are also accessible while using the PhoneGap or Cordova, enabling you to straight away take a lot of plugins from other communities as well.

Again, if you compare the two based on stars they have received on GitHub, React Native is ruling the market. React Native has won 36,000 stars, whereas Ionic has won 25, 000 leads to date.

Conclusion

Both Ionic and React Native is the most desirable choices as far as cross-platform app development is concerned. However, they may be different in the project requirements. It is very tough to pick a distinct winner in between them as they both work excellently.

If you’re looking for a company that can help you choose the right framework for your next app development project, contact us, and we will get back to you within 24 business hours.