Flutter vs Native

5 min readJul 3, 2022

Flutter vs Native

Flutter is an open-source, portable user interfaces development toolkit to create natively comparable apps on mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Flutter is Google's mobile application SDK to create a quality native experience on both iOS and Android using a single codebase. Flutter's cross-platform framework gives developers the ability to build a single code for two different platforms, significantly cutting down on development time and costs. Show Source Texts “Flutter is a portable open-source UI development toolkit for building natively-compiled apps across mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase.” 0
“Flutter is Googles mobile app SDK for crafting a high-quality native interface for both iOS and Android using a single code base.” 4
“Flutter provides developers with the capacity to create a single code for two different platforms, which significantly reduces development time and cost.” 10

We are going to compare Flutter, the framework to develop a cross-platform application, with native iOS development, in order to help you decide on the correct tech stack for your next project. Now, I personally do both Flutter and Native Android Development, but I have not done iOS Development, so we are going to be comparing Flutter vs. Android, for the most part. Before developing an iOS app, you must be aware of two of the most popular technologies that can be used, that is, Cross-Platform (Flutter) or Native iOS (Swift). Show Source Texts “Also, we will compare Flutter, the cross-platform app development framework, to Native iOS development to help you determine the right technology stack for your next project.” 1
“Now I have personally done both Flutter and Native Android Development, but not iOS development, so for the most part, we will be comparing Flutter to Android.” 5
“Before developing an iOS application, you should know that there are two most popular technologies you can employ i.e., cross-platform (Flutter) or Native iOS (Swift).” 1

The best-known mobile application platforms which make use of the Native technologies for developing apps are iOS and Android. Cross-platform apps are still a big draw for many businesses since iOS and Android native apps are more costly to develop and support. When developing with Flutter, you should keep in mind Android and iOS anyway, since it makes little sense to create a mobile app for a few abstract platforms. Show Source Texts “The most well-known mobile app platforms that make use of native technologies to develop apps are iOS and Android.” 9
“Cross-platform apps remain of great interest for many businesses as native apps for iOS and Android are more expensive to develop and maintain.” 10
“When developing with Flutter, it is still necessary to keep Android and iOS in mind, since there is not much of a point in building a mobile app for some abstract platform.” 2

There is no question that developing for iOS natively has a lot of advantages over Flutter, like better performance and features, but developing Flutter apps can help you create an app for two different platforms using one codebase. While Swift or Objective-C comes into play while developing iOS apps for native, Flutter makes use of the Dart language. Show Source Texts “There is no doubt native iOS development has many advantages over Flutter, such as higher performance and functionality but Flutter app development can help you build an app for two multiple platforms using a single codebase.” 1
“While Swift or Objective-C comes into use when developing Native iOS apps, Flutter makes use of Dart language.” 7

To get the full effect of Flutter in developing iOS and Android apps, Gradle builds are also required in Flutter, but not so much as in native android. To briefly explain Flutter Engine Architecture, all you will need for developing native apps is found within Flutter Engine itself. Perfect for MVPs The time required for developing an MVP is lower with Flutter apps, which can be built to appear as native apps for both iOS and Android, which allows you to show off your app to investors within a shorter period of time. Show Source Texts “For having a complete impact of Flutter on iOS and Android app development, it too requires Gradle build but not as many times as the Native Android.” 7
“However, to explain it in short, everything that you need for developing a native app, you will find in the Flutter engine itself.” 3
“Ideal for MVP A Flutter app development time is less, and it can be built to look like a Native app on both IOS and Android, allowing you to showcase your app to your investors within a short span.” 8

What are the highlights and challenges with using flutter apps Highlights Cross-platform development Flutter is also a cross-platform application, similar to React Native, where you can have one codebase for two apps. Although both the frameworks are indeed excellent in developing mobile apps, Flutter offers many features which help us to develop nice-looking mobile apps, better UX, and faster — which allows saving more time and money. Show Source Texts “What are the highlights and challenges of using Flutter apps Highlights Cross-platform development Flutter is also a cross-platform application like React Native where you can have one codebase for two applications.” 8
“Although both frameworks are really great for mobile app development, Flutter offers many features that can help us develop beautiful looking mobile applications, with a better user experience, and do it faster — letting you save more time and money.” 6

Flutter vs Native

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Written by Jlius Suweno