Pros & Cons of Flutter App Development for Android and iOS platforms by App's Founders perspective

Native Vs Cross platform development is an age-long discussion. Since iOS and Android turned into the main platforms for mobile application development, making cross-platform products has been tempting for the two App Owners and App Developers. Entrepreneurs favor toward Native applications for their obvious favorable benefits. They approach the device’s features, offer a smooth interface, and better user experience. They said, improvements in technology have made cross-platform applications similarly as attractive as native applications. Emergent framework permits quicker development and a native-like experience in hybrid applications. Also, they are more cost effective than native applications. Therefore as a result, various technologies have arisen to provide accommodations cross-platform mobile applications. Probably the latest down in the line expansion to the mix is Flutter. Flutter framework is one such progression that makes hybrid application development worth the investment.

Introduction of Flutter Development Framework?

Google began on Flutter framework back in 2015, before officially launching in 2018. From that point forward, it has acquired enormous acknowledgment for its commitment to the cross-platform market. As an open-source framework with a broad community, Flutter is ideal for growing high-performing Android and iOS applications. It uses Dart programming language and comes incorporated with Objective C, Swift, and Java for iOS and Android, separately. Besides, developers can reuse a singular codebase for different platforms, which decreases the advancement time and overall cost of the application. Other Flutter features include a Flutter engine, design-specific widgets, and foundation library. Also, with its 'hot reload' functionality, developers can notice the modification applied to the code in real time, without losing the current application.

There are a few cross-platform development frameworks in the market, including React Native, Angular, and Xamarin. In case, when you put Flutter versus Ionic or against React Native and different options, Flutter offers a several advantages and disadvantages that you need to consider while picking your framework. All things considered, here a couple of Flutter programming pros and cons for Android and iOS applications to assist you with deciding whether it's the right decision for you or not:

Pros of Flutter Framework

Ease of Use

One of the variables that make Flutter application development ideal for Android or iOS applications is its mild learning curve, usability, and growing community. The Flutter programming language, Dart, is not difficult to learn, easy, and competent, with a similar syntax as Java or C++. It is an object-oriented language that helps a wide range of typing styles, making it helpful for junior developers. Moreover, given that Google made the Flutter framework, it likewise offers all around organized and detailed documentation that makes the tool direct and straightforward. From composed documents to video instructional exercises and viable exercise, there is a lot of resources accessible to gain proficiency with the basics. All things considered, the framework is likewise simple to set up and operate. It can work with low-cost operating systems just as high functioning systems. Which means, not exclusively is a solid foundation in programming unnecessary, yet nor is robust equipment for its proper working.

Single Code, Multiple Platforms

As a cross-platform framework, one of the Flutter benefits is its reusable code. This means developers can utilize Flutter development for iOS and Android applications simultaneously. It saves the exertion and time it takes to build up a single application for various platforms independently. They just need to code once and, rather than rehashing the process, they can reuse it for iOS or Android. That implies less coding, a quicker turn of development, and a fast launch time. In addition, with admittance to different platforms, you can set out more magnificent business opportunities. On a side note, Flutter application development is likewise expected to work for the test Fuchsia platform by Google that is supposed to be a swap for Android.

Perfect for MVP Development

MVP or minimum viable product is a practical prototype of your application, conveying the absolute minimum features for its core function and design. It permits you to validate your idea, acquire client input, and show the reason for your application, its advantages, and that's just the beginning. Furthermore, the expense of building up a MVP is not as much as dispatching a completely useful application. This means, it encourages you save your time and exertion on an item that probably won’t be successful. One of the Flutter benefits is that it is ideal for building up an MVP mobile application. In case if you want a functional mobile application to attract investors for your idea, at that point Flutter application development permits you to build an MVP that offer native-like performance on the two platforms. Most awesome aspect all, it is significantly savvier than building separate applications for Android and iOS.

Access to Native Features

One of the most important advantages that native applications have over hybrid applications is access to the device features, similar to a camera or GPS. Applications need platform explicit languages in there codebase to utilize these features. It was a test in cross-platform application development until the rise of frameworks like Flutter, React Native and Xamarin. Flutter application development, specifically permits developers to reuse Java, Swift, and Objective-C code to take advantage of native device features and SDKs on both Android and iOS platforms.

Hot Reload

A few Flutter features accelerate application development. In either case, it is the 'hot reload' work that makes the framework truly outstanding for cross-platform development. It permits developers to test the code in real-time. They can see all the modifications they make immediately. This means the group can experiment and upgrade new features, fix errors, eliminate bugs, and substantially more in only a couple of seconds. Besides, it is the thing that makes Flutter a UI design tool. Developers and designers can work together to guarantee the application looks and functions smoothly.

Fast Development

With Google backing it up and its bounty of libraries, the framework is an ideal decision for cross-platform application development. However, it has its limitations! A relatively new development design, Flutter may not generally offer the functionality and features you need. Native apps accompany their native SDKs like Twilio, Stripe, and web-based features like UStream and WoWza. Flutter app designers would have to build these libraries from scratch, which would boost development time.

Cons of Flutter framework

Limited Libraries

All Flutter features bounded to allow a quick development. Its hot reload' feature will empower developers to see all changes rapidly, permitting them to fix issues, upgrade features, and more in real-time. Also, with a reusable codebase, they just need to draft the code once and use it again over various platforms. It saves time and effort in coding the one application for Android and iOS, distinctly.

Immature Programming Language

The Flutter programming language supports the framework capacity to guarantee quick development. However, Dart is relatively new and misses the mark, in contrast, to other programming scripts, including JavaScript, C#, Objective C, and that's just the beginning. Furthermore, while it is not easy to learn and comprehend, Flutter programming language isn't something developers would go over, or decide on, in their professional journey. All things considered, it can likewise be challenging to discover people with the necessary expertise.

Large File Size

Cell phones have limited storage space. This means developers put effort to limit the size of the app they build, evading animations, compressing pictures, and many more. The minimum application possible with Flutter is 4MB. Since it uses worked-in devices rather than platform devices, developers can't diminish the size, carrying it nearer to native Java 539KB or Kotlin 550KB. Nonetheless, it ought to be realized that different frameworks share a comparable issue. For instance, Xamarin's delivery version has a size of 16MB, while React Native offers 7MB.

So, why choose Flutter?

Regardless of its numerous advantages, Flutter is as yet another framework with a few limitations. At that point it makes one wonder, for what reason would it be advisable for you to consider it for your app idea?

Flutter is ideal when you have an application idea yet aren't sure of its market worth. You can use the framework for its quick development, reusable code, and cross-platform similarity to make an MVP and approve your idea. You can test it out in both Android and iOS markets, present your plan to investors, and gain customer input without heavy investment.

Also, not exclusively in the framework developing exponentially, yet it offers quicker development than React Native. By removing the JavaScript Bridge and utilizing Dagger, it permits developers to write and compose code at speed. Subsequently, if you want to market your app in a short time, have plans to focus on different platforms, and need to approve your idea, and then, consider Flutter for Android or iOS application development.

Every one of these aspects make Flutter an answer for a business to prevent obstacles to seeking experts, adjusting to new technologies and integrating the device into the system. As compared to the cross platforms approaches available right now, Flutter presents minimal risks to a business and subsequently is worth to be the most prioritize choice for your business.

So, do you have any app idea? If you need a little help with your decision, contact us to get free consultation with our Flutter app developers to gain expert insight!