Posted on

How Leveraging Flutter App Development can Scale Your Business

What is Flutter

With Android exceeding the 100 thousand per month mark, scaling the business is getting more challenging. And it’s not just Android; around 30,000+ apps are on the list for iOS devices. Flutter is a one-in-all solution to all your business challenges and has also swiftly gained popularity in the last few years. Choosing Flutter app development helps you in multiple areas:  

  • In creating cross-platform mobile applications.
  • Building simple or feature-rich programs. 
  • Building programs for multiple OS while preserving integrity and speed.

cross platforms mobile apps used by software developers

 

Statista research shows Flutter is the second most sought-after cross-platform mobile application development framework, with React Native holding the first spot. 

Let’s dive deeper and uncover why Flutter heeds the list.

What is Flutter?

In May 2017, Google developed an advanced framework with a single codebase to create high-quality, high-performance mobile applications for Android and iOS with flexible UI designs and named it Flutter.

Being a free and open-source platform, Flutter gained a massive user base and helped millions of developers all across the globe. Flutter is not just free but a simple, powerful, efficient, and easy-way-to-understand SDK that allows mobile application building in Google’s own language, Dart. 

Technically, Flutter is not completely a framework but a comprehensive SDK that allows cross-platform app creation for various Operating Systems and offers different functionalities like rendering engine, testing and integration APIs, ready-made widgets, and command-line tools.

Flutter is divided into two segments:

  • Software Development Kit (SDK): SDK is required to create fully functioning applications, as it contains a collection of tools, APIs, frameworks, and libraries.
  • Framework: Like any other framework, Flutter also contains a collection of reusable UI elements that you can use and personalize for your development needs.

The Three Architectural Layers of Flutter

Architectural Layers of Flutter

The three architectural layers or the three-tier architecture (N-tier) is one of the most popular architectures for developing applications and programs. These three layers of Flutter are- 

Framework

Also known as the interaction layer, most developers associate with Flutter’s platform through this layer. The framework layer is also among the most modern frameworks available.

Building block services and core classes with pictorial explanations, animation, and gestures make Flutter application development easy. 

Components of Framework layer: Widgets, Material, Rendering, and Cupertino

Embedder

It is the second layer in the architecture where the flutter code is added to an existing or new app as a module or as the entire application’s content. The Embedder application framework can gain required services like accessibility, input, and rendering surfaces.

Moreover, embedder is created in a platform-specific language for iOS, Android, and macOS. For Android, it’s Java, and for macOS and iOS, it’s C++, Objective-C/Objective-C++. 

Engine

It is the final layer in the architecture that manages network requests, output, and input. Flutter has Skia as its rendering engine, which reaches Flutter’s framework through Dart. Dart encapsulates the C++ code to Dart classes. Flutter Engine also handles rendering translation challenges in C/C++.

About Dart: Flutter’s Programming Language

In 2011, Google developed Dart as an open-source, object-oriented programming language with C-style syntax, which developers can use as a general-purpose programming language. Application developers can use Dart programming to create front-end user interfaces for mobile and web applications.

Features of Dart

Dart is under active development and is compiled into native machine code for building mobile apps and programs using modern tools. It is inspired by other popular programming languages like Java, JavaScript, and C#. You cannot execute code directly in Dart as it is a compiled language. The compiler parses it and transfers it into machine code for executing the code.

What is Flutter used for?

Fortunately, many answers to this question vary from user to user. 

For users, the Flutter development framework gives life to amazing applications.

For developers, Flutter helps lower the entry bar for creating apps. It also helps reduce complications and fares and increases the speed of application production across different platforms.

Flutter

For designers, Flutter is a tool that provides amazing UI/UX. Flutter can turn concepts into production code without any compromises typical frameworks impose. After the recent update, CodePen support is added to share your ideas with fellow developers, making it a prolific tool

For tech support teams, engineering managers, and enterprises, Flutter enables the integration of application developers into one desktop, web, and mobile application team. This unification helps build branded apps for multiple platforms out of a single codebase. Also, development gets faster with Flutter synchronizing the releasing timetables through the user base.

Why Opt For Flutter App Development?

The most prominent reason why to opt for Flutter. The primary languages used are Kotlin, Objective C/Swift, and Java. Also, using these languages makes the overall development less expensive and fast, allowing code repetition. 

In the past few years, Flutter has become famous among organizations and cross-platform tools like React Native, PhoneGap, and Xamarin.

With Flutter, you can facilitate responsiveness for mobile applications without JavaScript bridges, reducing most hectic development procedures. Also, it aligns perfectly with various iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, MAC, and Google Fuchsia.

Flutter Details

Flutter’s recent stats say: 

Total Number of Apps: Over 25 Thousand

Total Downloads: Over 12 Billion

Here’s a list of reasons why one should choose Flutter over other application development frameworks: 

Enhanced Performance

Flutter uses Dart language that gets compiled directly into machine code and enhances performance. It also eradicates errors caused by interpreting mistakes which increase competitiveness and performance.

Faster, More Productive, and Steady

At Flutter, you get readymade gadgets and syntax with fewer code lines. Shorter code makes bug fixing and updating more simple. Application takes less time to develop than other native languages and less time to roll out to the marketplace, which ultimately increases overall efficiency and development speed. 

Competitive

Due to its effective and cost-efficient flow, it gives a tough fight to other cross-platform application development frameworks. Flutter takes less time to establish a mobile app than other development frameworks.

Supports Cross-Platform Application Development

Flutter is an open-source app development framework that offers cross-platform app development. Both Android and iOS device applications can be built using Flutter. 

Enhanced User Experience

The Flutter app development framework helps create the best presentation layer/ UI interface that enhances user experience.

Flutter App Development is Cost-effective

Reusing the code reduces cost and complexity, ultimately making development faster.

Support for Older Devices

Taking modern devices as the primary user platform is essential to compete in the current business race. But, Flutter builds applications that work seamlessly on both new and old devices.

Google guaranteed

Brand trust from Google is enough to ensure quality and modern functionalities. 

Availability of Widgets: Simplifying App Development

Flutter highlights widgets as a constitutional unit to simplify application development. Widgets are simple building blocks of Flutter’s UI, where each widget is a fixed manifesto of the UI.

Based on composition, Widgets outline into different levels where every widget nests in the center of its parent and get context from the parent. This structure carries up to the root widget (the container hosting Flutter, like CupertinoApp or MaterialApp)

Basic widgets

Text

It helps to build a run of designed text in the program or your app.

Column, Row

These widgets enable the development of adaptable layouts in the vertical (Column) and horizontal (Row) directions. 

Stack

This widget lets you place other widgets above the other in the paint order rather than following a linear orientation.

Container

This is the most creative widget that allows you to build a rectangular perceptible element.

What Kind of Apps Can You Develop in Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source, cross-stage mobile application development framework for building local interfaces on Android and iOS. Presented by Google in 2017, Flutter works by wrapping a web view in a local application.

Besides its ability to fabricate applications with a native look and feel, this application development structure by Google is generally welcomed by engineers and ISVs for improvement.

Since Flutter works with developers to build cross-platform native apps with very little compromise, Flutter has been dependent on new companies and set-up brands. Here’s a recent usage statistics of the Flutter app development framework – 

Flutter App Development Stats

Benefits of Flutter App Development

Some benefits of Flutter app development are:

Advantages of Flutter App Development

Reusable Code: Single Codebase for Android and iOS

A reusable codebase makes Android and iOS app development easy and quick. It also reduces development time. 

Ready-to-use widgets offer countless possibilities

Widgets are the most useful and innovative features that let you create interfaces through various building components. It offers different fonts, padding, and buttons. It also helps create different layouts and customization from basic to complex.

Flutter App Development has a Low Learning Curve

The accessibility of easy-to-understand documentation makes Flutter learning easy for beginners and gains admiration from developers. The other best part about Flutter learning is that it uses Dart, one of the simplest languages for app development.

Popularity of Flutter App Development

Flutter framework allows mobile app developers with only fundamental programming experience to develop applications and prototypes.

Availability of the Skia Libraries

Skia is a swift and dynamic open-source library with a strong backend. It redrafts the user interface, enabling the rapid load of the application at sixty frames per second. This makes the users like the seamlessness of the application more than any other frameworks available.

Fast testing with hot reload

This feature got the most attention and praise from Flutter engineers worldwide. Yes, almost negligible reloading when making changes. Also, Flutter offers faster updates, testing, the introduction of newer features, and bug fixes.

Cons of Flutter App Development

Drawbacks are not like a deal-breaker, but they allow you to understand if it may not be the best choice for a project. Here are some drawbacks you may come across using Flutter. 

Lack of Support for iOS Features

As Flutter is a Google product, the iOS application support quality suffers. If most Software Development Kit features and functions work perfectly on Android (primary devices), then there are a few problems with iOS. 

Large file size because of the widgets

Adding widgets increases functionalities and file sizes, becoming a substantial concern. Sometimes this storage issue causes a developer or a flutter mobile app development company to select a different tool for development.

Limited tools and libraries

Flutter does not allow third-party libraries (majorly paid) for application development, so developers can only access certain functionality. 

Moreover, searching for free libraries and packages with pre-tested functions is quite difficult.

Tiny Flutter App Development Community

Dart still lacks a wide community since a handful of developers use it for app development. This is why Dart programming language has a relatively smaller application development community than JavaScript.

Examples of Popular Apps Developed on Flutter

Apps like Google Ads, Hamilton, and Alibaba’s Xianyu have distinctive and rich SDKs and are developed on Flutter. One of those prominent reasons why organizations use Flutter is because it helps apps expand faster.

Google Ads

Regarding marketing and monetizing, there’s no one close to Google Ads. It is a mobile application that helps in managing Google Advertisement campaigns. Earlier, managing Google Ads was only possible on a desktop. 

Google Ads is smartly designed to show campaign statistics, budget updates, real-time bids, keyword tweaking, and live notifications. In its recent update, there’s an additional feature to reach a professional for any queries and suggestions. The attractive UI encourages users and also makes it easy to use. 

Other examples of apps developed on Flutter are:

App Examples through Flutter App Development

  • BMW App
  • Google Pay
  • Alibaba
  • Reflect
  • Cryptograph
  • Dream 11
  • Tencent
  • Philips Hue 
  • MGM Resorts
  • Nubank

Have an App Idea? Start Flutter App Development Now with OnGraph

Flutter app development enables organizations and developers to seamlessly create native-like apps without worrying about the strict budget plan. Flutter also stretches the user base by publishing the apps on Android and iOS stores. 

Organizations mastering Objective C/Swift, Java, and Kotlin can directly move to Flutter as these are their primary languages. Further, it offers cross-platform toolkits like React Native, PhoneGap, and Xamarin for application development.

At OnGraph Technologies, we have about 250+ hand-picked top developers with expertise in various technologies and tech stacks. We provide the best resources for Flutter App Development and have created multiple Flutter applications despite the brief existence of this emerging technology.

You can schedule a consultation with us if you’d wish to realize an App idea and discuss Flutter’s benefits and cross-platform app development.

Posted on

Flutter vs Native: Choosing the Right Mobile App Development Technology

Flutter vs Native: Choosing the Right Mobile App Development Technology

Flutter and Native are not new terms to come around. If you are a mobile app developer, these are the terms that you listen to and work on a daily basis. But if you are a business owner and want to develop a mobile app, they must be confusing for you.

Choosing the right technology stack for mobile app development could be a tough job even more than the whole creation process.

So, should you make a native app or a Flutter app? In terms of development pattern, performance, maintenance, pricing, and other various factors, these approaches are totally different.

Many organizations are still interested in cross-platform apps because native apps for iOS and Android are more expensive to develop and maintain. Furthermore, cross-platform programming is less difficult than native development which is an important factor for any business. Since 2018, Flutter’s cross-platform architecture has been getting popular in various industries, including retail, financial, and e-commerce.

When comparing Flutter vs. Native programming, both offer excellent scalability and a good user experience. However, developing your app with Flutter is faster and easier because you’ll require fewer developers and their time will be limited.

There are pros and cons of both technologies.
As you go through this blog, you will learn everything about Flutter and Native technologies which would help you choose the best one.

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source framework that uses Dart by Google as its programming language. It’s also known as an enhanced UI toolkit that’s used to create cross-platform apps from a single codebase. The framework makes it possible to create a user interface that is simple to read and versatile while maintaining native speed. A team of Google developers, as well as the entire flutter community, maintain and support it.

Here are the use cases of Flutter:

  • MVP mobile apps
  • Material design apps
  • OS-level based apps

At the same time, the major drawbacks of most cross-platform frameworks are the user experience that is not as good as native. But Flutter is an exception.

With Flutter, you can build robust and scalable apps with high-quality UI/UX that look like native iOS and Android apps.

Use cases of Flutter:

Flutter

  • MVP mobile applications
  • Apps with material design
  • Apps that function with OS-level features
  • Advanced OS plugins with simple logic
  • High-performance apps with Skia rendering engine
  • Flexible UI with high-level widgets
  • Reactivate apps with vast data integration

What are Native Technologies?

Native technologies are used to create an app for iOS, Android, or Windows specifically. Native languages such as Java and C++ are used to develop Native apps. As expected, Android native apps look and feel different from iOS ones, even though they share the same functionalities. Even though they have the same functionality, Android native apps have a different look and feel than iOS apps. Native apps are downloaded via Google Play for Android and Apple’s App Store for iOS.

The following are some of the most widely used Android and iOS frameworks and programming languages:

  • Android languages: Kotlin, Java. Development environment: Android Studio
  • iOS languages: Swift, Objective-C. Development environment: Xcode

Native app development and support, on the other hand, require significant investments. This is due to the fact that two separate development teams are required for two different platforms. They must also adapt business logic, duplicate interface logic, and layout to each platform’s characteristics.

Use cases of Native technologies:

Native technologies

  • AR/VR applications
  • Apps with rich-animations
  • Gaming apps
  • Standalone native applications
  • Apps with complex/advanced UI
  • GPS-centric apps
  • Travel based applications

Flutter vs Native: Comparison

Flutter vs Native: Comparison

1. Speed and Cost of Development

Flutter

Flutter uses the write-once, run-anywhere design. This means that developers can build a single piece of code that works the best on both iOS and Android. Platform development expenses and time are cut in half with this method.
Flutter makes it simple for developers to create code. Furthermore, the codes are simpler to comprehend. Because of the low cost of training, even novice developers can quickly learn.

Native Technologies

The time it takes to develop a native app is determined on your budget, deadline, and scalability. The main reason for choosing native technology to create small-scale and enterprise-level apps is to meet the expectations of Android and iOS users. The development team may be larger in this situation, or two independent teams for Android and iOS may be formed.

This method increases the investment budget by requiring the teams to build two sets of code for different platforms.

2. Code Maintenance

Flutter

Because you only have to maintain one codebase for both iOS and Android apps, a Flutter app is easier to manage. This ease of use aids developers in identifying issues, locating and utilizing external tools, and integrating third-party sources.

When compared to native structures, the time it takes to deploy updates and change app features and specifications is less. This provides flexibility, which aids in corporate stability.

Code example: Flutter MainScreen, UI component in “HomePage”

Flutter

 

Native Technologies

In this case, you’ll have to program your app for many platforms, maintaining a native app takes more time and money. Maintaining two independent codebases, for example, requires the developer to identify faults and issues for each platform and create regular updates. Additionally, as the number of supported operating system devices grows, so does the expense of maintenance.

Code example: Kotlin UI design in XML File-

Kotlin UI design in XML File

 

3. App Performance

Flutter

Flutter does not require a bridge to communicate between native modules. This is made possible by the fact that native components are available by default. Even a very basic app developed on Flutter performs at 60FPS, according to the performance metric used by an average device. As a result, the time it takes to render each structure is not more than 16 milliseconds.

Flutter uses the Skia graphics package, which allows the UI to be revised whenever the app view changes.

Native Technologies

Without relying on any external library package, Android and iOS apps operate admirably. Native performance functionality is the only reason for this performance. At 60 and 120 frames per second, native apps perform exceptionally. Furthermore, performance in apps using core animation remains unaffected. Native technology can load to RAM up to 30 percent to 45 percent of overall GPU performance.

4. Native Features and Integration Capacities

Flutter

Integration of unique features of third-party libraries or plugins is not difficult with Flutter, although it may appear quite difficult to developers not familiar with Dart’s capabilities. Add-on plugins such as Android Archive (AAR), CocoaPods, and others are needed to integrate specific functionalities for iOS and Android. The Flutter engine, on the other hand, has several limitations when using Xcode to import native modules into Android Studio.

It comes with step-by-step instructions for overcoming these obstacles and successfully integrating it with iOS and Android devices.

Native Technologies

Based on the software design pattern and application performance, the integration possibilities of iOS and Android via their respective frameworks and programming languages differ. To summarize, most native frameworks, including Swift, which are used to develop iOS apps, offer increased security and expressive developments in capabilities, as well as quick integration options.

Consider the Android programming languages Kotlin and Java. By simply using their default runtime classes or Intellij environment, both frameworks provide seamless integration.

5. App Size

Flutter

The size of an app is primarily determined by the Dart Virtual Machine and the C/C++ engine. The “hello world” program written in Flutter, for example, uses about .5 MB of memory. Flutter, on the other hand, can be designed to hold all codes and assets in order to keep away from size constraints. Flutter’s usage of unique tags, such as –split-debug-info, also helps to minimize code size.

Native Technologies

To demonstrate the minimum size that native technologies provide to Android and iOS platforms, a basic app can be employed. In this scenario, the size of the Android app written in Java is 539 KB, while Kotlin is not more than 550 KB.

The basic app on iOS, on the other hand, is between 1MB and 3MB in size. For Android, an app’s maximum size is between 15MB and 35MB. However, if you use an external third-party program, you can drastically minimize this size.

Conclusion:

Experts at OnGraph believe that crisis conditions will inevitably force more companies to choose Flutter app development as an excellent opportunity to move quickly online and extend their impact in the digital world.

If you are looking for an option to quickly develop an application for Android and iOS without serious losses in quality and budget, give Flutter app development a chance now, and contact us.