MobileDecision Guide
Flutter vs React Native
Both are solid cross-platform frameworks. Flutter offers consistent UI and performance, while React Native provides JavaScript ecosystem access.
Quick Verdict
Choose Flutter if...
- You want pixel-perfect UI across platforms
- Performance is a top priority
- Your team is open to learning Dart
- You need custom animations and transitions
- You want a single codebase with minimal platform-specific code
Choose React Native if...
- Your team already knows JavaScript/TypeScript
- You need to integrate with many native modules
- You want to reuse web developers for mobile
- You need access to a larger ecosystem of libraries
- You prefer incremental adoption in an existing app
Side-by-Side Comparison
Feature
Flutter
React Native
Language
Dart
JavaScript/TypeScript
UI Rendering
Custom engine (Skia)
Native components
Performance
Near-native, consistent
Good, varies by implementation
Hot Reload
Yes, fast
Yes, fast
Learning Curve
Moderate (new language)
Lower if JS-familiar
Community Size
Growing rapidly
Large, mature
Code Sharing
High (95%+)
High (85-95%)
Native Modules
Good, improving
Extensive ecosystem
App Size
Larger baseline
Smaller baseline
Backed By
Google
Meta
Decision Checklist
Ask yourself these questions to guide your decision:
1Does your team have JavaScript experience?
2How important is UI consistency across platforms?
3Do you need many third-party native integrations?
4Is app download size a concern?
5Will web developers work on the mobile app?
6Do you need complex custom animations?
7Is this a new project or integration into existing app?
8What is your timeline for development?
Tradeoffs & Gotchas
Flutter's Dart language means hiring or training developers
React Native's bridge can cause performance bottlenecks in heavy computation
Flutter apps tend to be larger in file size
React Native may require more platform-specific code for complex features
Flutter's ecosystem is smaller but growing quickly
React Native architecture is being modernized (Fabric, TurboModules)
Flutter provides more consistent look across platforms
React Native feels more native on each platform
Our Recommendation
Pick Flutter if building a new app from scratch with custom UI
Pick React Native if your team is JavaScript-heavy
Pick Flutter for apps requiring complex animations
Pick React Native for apps needing many native module integrations
Pick Flutter if UI consistency matters more than native feel
Pick React Native for gradual migration of existing apps
Frequently Asked Questions
Which framework has better job market demand?
Both have strong demand. React Native has been around longer with more legacy projects. Flutter adoption is growing rapidly, especially for new projects.
Can I share code with a web app?
React Native has better code sharing with React web apps. Flutter Web exists but is less mature for production web applications.
Which is better for startup MVPs?
Both work well. Flutter may be faster for consistent UI across platforms. React Native may be faster if your team already knows JavaScript.
How do they compare for enterprise apps?
Both are used by major companies. Flutter is used by BMW, Alibaba. React Native powers Facebook, Instagram, Shopify.
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Need help deciding?
Every project is different. Let us analyze your specific requirements and recommend the best approach.