If you want an app on both iPhone and Android without building two separate apps, Flutter and React Native are the two most common choices. Both let one codebase serve both platforms. Here is how to think about the decision.
What they are
Flutter is Google’s toolkit for building apps with the Dart language. It draws its own interface, which gives it precise control over how the app looks. React Native comes from Meta. You write in JavaScript or TypeScript with React, and the app uses the platform’s own interface components.
Look and feel
Flutter is well suited to highly custom designs that look the same on every device. React Native tends to follow each platform’s native look more closely. Neither is better in general. It depends on whether you want a distinctive brand design or a platform-native feel.
Team skills
If your team already works with React and JavaScript, React Native has a gentler learning curve and lets you share some knowledge with a web team. Flutter requires Dart, which is straightforward to learn but is a new language for many developers.
Performance
Both are fast enough for the large majority of business apps. For apps with heavy animation or graphics, build a small prototype of the demanding part and test it on real devices before committing.
Ecosystem and libraries
Both have mature ecosystems. Before choosing, check that the libraries you need, such as payments, maps, notifications or analytics, are available and well maintained for your framework.
Web and desktop
Flutter can also target web and desktop from the same codebase, though mobile remains its strongest area. React Native focuses on mobile, and teams often pair it with a separate React website.
When native development is better
If your app depends heavily on deep device features or needs the very latest platform capabilities on day one, building natively for each platform may be the better choice.
Cost and timeline
One codebase usually reduces both build and maintenance effort compared with two native apps, although the real figure depends on the features you need.
How to choose
- Choose Flutter if you want a highly custom, consistent interface and are happy to use Dart.
- Choose React Native if your team already uses React or you want closer platform-native behaviour.
- Prototype risky features early, whichever you pick.
Get advice on your app
We build apps with both frameworks. See our mobile app development service, or request a quote and tell us about your idea.
