Pros & Cons of Flutter: Why Should You Choose Flutter

Flutter is among the most continually changing tools available for producing cross-platform apps. If you came across this post by googling Flutter, you most likely wonder what all the fuss is about and whether Flutter is worth a try or not.

Google claims that Flutter is becoming more and more popular; over 100,000 apps have been created in Flutter already. That makes perfect sense. Easy deployment of flutter code is made possible by a rendering engine, a range of pre-built and simple-to-use widgets, testing and integration APIs, and command-line tools in the kit, therefore enabling a nice app.

In this blog, we will overview the performance and the advantages and disadvantages of Flutter and why developers still choose Flutter for cross-platform app development.

What is Flutter and how does it work?

Flutter is an open-source UI framework, developed by Google that enables developers to build native-quality mobile, web, and desktop apps from a single codebase. Modern tools like Flutter allow you to construct amazing cross-platform apps rendering native code on every device and OS. Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, etc. all fit Flutter.

Flutter’s two main components are:

SDK (Software Development Kit) is a set of tools, frameworks, and documentation meant to let developers create apps. The Flutter SDK includes pre-built widgets, a  Dart compiler, a Flutter engine, and tools for building, testing, and debugging Flutter apps.

UI Library Based on Widgets: Built entirely from reusable components that define an app’s appearance and behavior, widgets form Flutter’s UI. Flutter offers:

• Material Widgets: Designed for Android apps using Google’s Material Design rules, 
• Cupertino Widgets: Designed to complement Apple’s iOS design scheme.
• Custom Widgets: Developers can construct custom widgets to specify distinctive UI components.

Flutter Architectural Overview

Three architectural levels are included in the Flutter tool:

Framework: The most obvious Flutter technological component. It is grounded in the Dart programming language.

Engineer: Designed in C/C++, this layer offers other necessary APIs, text layout, accessibility assistance, and graphics.

Embedder: The Flutter App runs on any OS using a platform-unique embedder.

Why is Flutter used?

1. Development of mobile apps across platforms

Flutter will be useful when you require an app for both Android and iOS—that is, almost always. The concept is not that you might create a shared codebase and cut development costs but also that you shouldn’t worry too much about consistency and different approaches to maintenance. No users will suffer waiting for the next release; the apps can be upgraded right away. We will also discuss more specifically situations when there are limitations of Flutter in contrast with alternative cross-platform solutions.

2. Prototype development and minimal viable products

An MVP is the first form of the product developed to get comments before you commit all your resources to development. Though it sometimes incorporates all the design components and seeks to show the final appearance and feel of the product, a functional prototype is somewhat similar. 

Flutter is the ideal tool to rapidly test your business idea on several platforms thanks to its fast development cycle, portability, and ready-made widgets.

3. Responsive web applications

Though not mobile apps, administrative portals, content management systems, and eCommerce platforms are some instances of online apps that must be flexible and adaptive. Flutter is versatile enough to enable you to create your unique widgets, helps maintain their design consistent, and lets you integrate complex animations and interactions.

4. Progressive web apps, or PWAs

Along with Flutter, PWAs are a match made in heaven—web apps that look and feel like native mobile apps. Flutter benefits guarantee performance on par with native apps, polish their design, and store assets for offline access. PWAs and Flutter fit perfectly with online stores, news sources, or even registration sites.

5. Start-up applications

Since the SDK is open-source, feature-rich, and reasonably priced, it also fits quite nicely within the startup apps.

How to begin your Journey of developing a Flutter app

Some preparations are required before beginning to create applications using this SDK.

First Step: make sure your system settings enable Flutter app creation

If you run a Windows PC, its CPU must be either 10th or newer, 64-bit. You need to have a minimum of 1.64 GB of free disk space and Git for Windows and PowerShell 5.0 should be preinstalled.

If you are a macOS user, you must have at least 2.8 GB of free disk space and install Xcode of the most recent edition.

600 MB on the disk will be sufficient using Linux; but, in the development environment, you will also require some common-line tools including bash, curl, file, zip, unzip, and others.

Second Step: Download Flutter SDK

Opening the official Flutter website will first require selecting your operating system and then using the given directions. You can create Flutter apps for Android and iOS regardless of the platform you decide upon. It will be necessary, nevertheless, to have a platform-specific editor. You should have a Chrome browser as well if you wish to create a web solution. Regarding Dart specifically, its plugin works with Flutter.

Third step: decide and install an editor

Working with an editor, the Flutter app development lets you choose any integrated development environment (IDE) having Flutter command lines. Still, it’s advised you should choose IDEs formally endorsed by Google. As in Visual Studio, IntelliJ, or Android Studio.

What type of Apps can be created with Flutter?

Flutter is meant to support interactive apps you wish to run on your desktop or web pages as well as mobile apps running on both Android and iOS.

Particularly appropriate for apps that need highly branded designs. With Flutter, though, you can also construct pixel-perfect experiences that complement the Android and iOS design languages.

The package ecosystem of Flutter supports a great range of hardware (such as camera, GPS, network, and storage) and services (like payments, cloud storage, authentication, and adverts).

Can Flutter be included in the current app?

Let’s suppose you already have a native mobile app. Once you understand all the advantages of Flutter, you could start to second-guess your native choice. You should know that your decision was correct; recently Flutter developed enough maturity to persuade established players to migrate their apps to Flutter.

But how to include Flutter into a pre-existing native app? From a technological standpoint, a green field project where you may start from nothing is the most reliable situation. For the company, this would mean that the development of the present app would most certainly be stopped, which is unacceptable.

The good news is Flutter allows you to add new features even if the mobile app is natively developed. When you choose to begin your migration, this Flutter tool—Add-to-App—may prove helpful in this situation. While still maintaining your current project, the Add-to-App tool lets you develop fresh app features and rewrite other areas of the app in Flutter.

Of course, you can also create your whole app at once based just on Flutter. If your program isn’t complicated, it could be a good concept; but, concurrently it is old and needs an update. Such transfer allows you to quickly fix app problems and enhance UI. Use our audit service to confirm whether Add-to-App can be applied in your situation should you have a project and wish to find out.

Why Use Flutter: Pros & Cons

Flutter is the most widely used tool for creating cross-platform apps and has its pros and cons. Let’s discuss in detail the advantages and disadvantages of flutter.

The Advantages of Flutter

Over native programming solutions and other cross-platform platforms, flutter offers some benefits. The principal Flutter advantages are:

An effective approach to development

Flutter is a cross-platform technology that lets create an app for both running systems using the same codebase. Still, the pros of Flutter app development accelerate the process of development rather than merely speed. It also comprises a well-liked “hot reload” feature that lets you view updates in real-time without restarting the app.

This greatly accelerates the progress. Though slower, React Native and Xamarin serve comparable purposes. These tools let Flutter save money and time.

Widgets and suitability

The building components of the entire application are widgets. Both customizable and ready-made versions; everything in Flutter may be created from widgets includes the advantages of Flutter. The result will most likely to have fewer compatibility problems on several platforms and iOS versions since widgets are part of the app and not the particular platform.

Strong performance

Flutter apps are defeating other cross-platform solutions and operate at a level equivalent to native mobile apps. This is largely because it is one of the main flutter benefits. It is the only mobile SDK not using a bridge— JavaScript or webview—for app-platform communication. You therefore receive faster-starting software with lovely, rapid animations and fewer performance issues.

Compatibility

Many developers are already creating Flutter products that work on desktop, web, and even TV. Though these technologies are still under development, given how crucial IoT is to the business, they will probably keep developing Flutter in this line.

Internalization and reach

Internalization usually occurs after the app is developed, creating several language and region versions of your app—usually results in multiple inconsistencies. Flutter Advantages offers tools to simplify this process and apply it right into development. Large fonts, screen readers, and improved contrast all of which are automated from within the platform.

Open source and active community

Being an open-source platform, Flutter is free to use and features a growing community helping with problems developers could run across and providing exceptional documentation. For individuals wishing to start learning Flutter or advance their skills in Google’s mobile UI framework, there are also plenty of YouTube videos accessible.

Faster Time-to-Market

Choosing Flutter development has many Flutter benefits since it naturally helps to speed up the time-to-market process. Flutter enables you to deliver your app to the market in record time, all while effortlessly deploying new features and updates to both iOS and Android platforms concurrently. With so many tools that finely enable the software development experience.

The advantages of Flutter help in accelerating the time-to-market path depend mostly on the efficiency of Flutter’s consistent codebase offers across several platforms. Flutter uses a single codebase to serve both Android and iOS, unlike the traditional method requiring separate codebases for each. By removing the need for duplicate coding efforts and enabling developers to concentrate on improving the features of the app instead of battling platform-specific complexity, this harmonic coexistence of code speeds up the development process.

All Platform Unified App UI and Business Logic

One of Flutter’s advantages is that it lets one design apps with a consistent UI and shared business logic on all devices. Flutter developers may use a single codebase for both operating systems, unlike conventional native apps that demand separate codebases for Android and iOS.

This guarantees that the user experience is consistent across mobile devices across platforms, therefore simplifying development initiatives. Using Flutter’s features can help you to lower development costs, speed time-to-market, and provide your users with a flawless app experience.

Hot Reload Characteristics

The strong”hot reload” capability is considered one of the main pros of Flutter app development. This feature helps creators to see real-time updates in their program without having to restart it.

Flutter’s hot reload is unique among comparable features in rival systems like React Native and Xamarin because of its incredible speed. This tool lets developers quickly iterate, test, and refine their code, therefore hastening the development process. Flutter is therefore a perfect fit for agile and dynamic development environments since developers of Flutter experience improved productivity, shortened feedback loops, and quick resolution of problems.

Less Testing Procedure

One clear Flutter benefit for mobile app development is that it simplifies the testing process. Flutter apps’ cross-platform character—using a single codebase for both Android and iOS—transports to a less testing load.

Unlike conventional native app development, in which every platform requires different testing, Flutter developers may do thorough testing once. This effectiveness reduces the possibility of running across platform-specific problems in addition to cutting testing time. Using Flutter’s simplified testing methodology can help you guarantee faster releases, reduced testing expenses, and a more uniform user experience across many devices.

The Disadvantages Of Flutter

No technology comes without its drawbacks, Likewise, there are certain limitations of Flutter that you should not ignore while deciding on your SDK either.

Phase of experimentation

Still, a relatively new platform with its own set of problems. It is still under continuous development hence some edge situations might not have ready-made answers.

If you’re not ready for more risk than designing a product with a more established toolset, you might want to wait until then to utilize Flutter even if we shall see whether it is soon enough.

Insufficiency of Advanced Features

Flutter might not be the ideal answer for more complex apps and still lacks some more advanced tools:

Sometimes it could be challenging to create pixel-perfect experiences in Flutter that fit native Android and iOS apps. Apps for TVOS, watchOS, CarPlay, or Android Auto cannot be built in Flutter which is one of the big cons of Flutter app development.

Few Skilled Developers

Still, quite a few Flutter developers are available in the market. This is why choosing Flutter over React Native can make building a team of seasoned experts more challenging.

Lack of native widgets

One advantage of Flutter‘s non-native widget approach is also a disadvantage of this SDK. See why.

Your app will not update to the most recent UI updates should you choose to create an app utilizing the Flutter framework and subsequently a new version of iOS or Android is introduced.

This case scenario calls for you to rebuild a program, fast update a library, and thereafter release its updated edition to app stores. Conversely, employing Flutter widgets guarantees that, should you not know about it, the app you publish in app stores won’t alter. You won’t be surprised then that a new OS version altars something in a program.

Is Flutter Good for developing apps?

Because of its adaptability, efficiency, and capacity to produce cross-platform, high-performance applications, flutter is a great choice for app development. Originally developed by Google, Flutter lets creators create a single codebase that runs perfectly on iOS and Android, therefore drastically cutting development time and expenses. The Dart programming language is among its best qualities since it guarantees quick execution and seamless animations, thereby giving consumers a native-like experience.

A rich set of customizable widgets in the framework helps developers design aesthetically pleasing and quite responsive user interfaces. Furthermore, Flutter’s hot reload function lets quick updates without running the program, therefore optimizing the development process. Flutter’s cross-platform features help companies since it guarantees constant performance over several devices, therefore removing the need for independent native apps. Moreover, Flutter enables desktop and online apps, therefore ensuring a future-proof solution for scalable development.

Strong support from Google and the developing community helps Flutter to stay current with the most recent developments in mobile technologies with its added Flutter advantages. It has shown to be a dependable and strong framework as businesses such as Alibaba, Google Pay, and BMW use Flutter for their needs. For big companies or startups, Flutter provides the perfect for creating premium, reasonably priced mobile apps.

Our Experience with Flutter App Development

As a leading Flutter app development company, BitsWits has worked with a range of companies to produce cross-platform, high-performance apps driving user engagement and growth. Using Flutter’s features has helped our customers to reach native-like performance on several platforms, therefore saving development time and expenses.

Soul Scribe is a social networking app, we developed a digital diary for them whereby users may invite friends and relatives to add to an online journal. Using a freemium membership approach with a free family room choice.

We created Crave Cuisine, a food delivery app that simplifies ordering from nearby restaurants and choosing ones. Enjoy quick dining with a large selection of meals available all in one simple app.

Practice Pen is a gamification and video-based learning tool meant for skill development. Learning is made enjoyable and interesting by users uploading practice films, getting comments, and competing in interactive challenges to win prizes.

Fitnow is a user-friendly fitness program designed to let users choose workouts, create goals, and personalize regimens under professional direction. Our Developers create stunning apps that include all health-tracking features.

We also developed Route Rover, a navigation and route-planning app meant to maximize your travel experience Users may easily find quick routes, avoid traffic, and investigate new locations whether they are for road trips or daily commutes.

Conclusion

Is Flutter good for the development of apps? The quick response is “yes.” The development of Flutter presents fresh chances for creating premium, feature-rich cross-platform applications with original, aesthetically pleasing interfaces.

You should speak with professionals who can investigate your needs and expectations, and provide the best choice before deciding on using this SDK for your project. At Bitswits, we can assist you with your next Flutter app development project. Our team is constantly eager to share with you our broad expertise in developing innovative ideas with Flutter.

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