Web and mobile app development is increasing rapidly. While you are reading this blog, some entrepreneurs or businesses are planning to develop their own web apps using Flutter framework. The biggest dilemma for entrepreneurs while developing a mobile app is to choose a platform or framework to build their app. As there are many platforms and frameworks for mobile app developers out there, it's obvious to get confused. After all, choosing the best platform is not as simple as it seems.
Among the many frameworks and platforms, Flutter has earned its name and recognition when it comes to mobile app development. It's quite popular among the cross-platform development frameworks and has proved to be a robust platform for developing diverse mobile apps.
Although Flutter is still a newbie in the mobile app development frameworks, it has achieved immense success due to its robust features and exclusive benefits. Being known for one of the most rapidly growing mobile app development frameworks, Flutter is ideal for MVP, which is the quickest approach to authenticate any business idea.
Flutter apps are popular among the masses because who could say no to a cross-platform development framework that doesn't just provide fast development but also saves costs?
If you are still not sure of the Flutter framework and want to know more about it, let's help you with that.
What is Flutter?
Google's Flutter is an open-source, cross-platform framework for developing high-quality Android and iOS apps. Flutter is more like a software development kit that incorporates all that is required for mobile app development across various platforms. It offers a reactive development architecture with features like command-line tools, engine rendering, testing and navigation APIs, and widgets.
Flutter supports layered structure which allows the developers to build customized Flutter apps in less time. Flutter doesn't compromise with the quality of the apps at all, even though it offers fast development.
Now, let's have a quick glance at the key features of Flutter and know this framework a little better.
Here's a list of exciting features of Flutter framework
Hot reload
Any updates made by the developers during the app development process will be visible in the app itself with the hot reload feature. Furthermore, the modifications will be visible in seconds, making it easy to correct any flaws or errors.
Cross-platform development
Flutter offers cross-platform development. This feature of Flutter saves time, money, and energy. It allows the developers to write code just once and then use it to create powerful apps for both Android and iOS.
Flutter doctor
Flutter has a command named Flutter doctor that detects the bugs frequently. This enables the developers to work on those bugs and troubleshoot them at the earliest.
Minimal code
Writing different codes becomes hectic for the developers, but Flutter provides a great solution for this. In Flutter app development, a single code can be used to develop both Android and iOS apps, and therefore, the code becomes minimal.
Native feel
Flutter enables native app functionalities to be added to existing Java, Objective-C, and Swift code. Camera and geolocation are aspects associated with native languages, making working in those languages more convenient.
Rendering UI
Flutter has an excellent rendering UI which is highly required when it comes to developing Flutter apps enriched with high-quality graphic design.
Widgets
Flutter offers customized and complex widgets for all types of apps. Flutter has multiple widgets ranging from material design to Cupertino pack, and these widgets provide an error-free app user experience.
What are the pros and cons of the Flutter framework?
After going through the top features of Flutter app development, we will move ahead with the pros and cons of the Flutter app development framework. So, are you ready?
Let's talk about the good things first. So, we will begin with the pros of Flutter framework.
- Flutter app development enables making instant changes in the app which makes fixing bugs smooth and simple.
- Flutter apps are known for being smooth in their performance which ultimately makes for great UX.
- The single codebase functionality, quality assurance, and testing take lesser time and effort.
- Flutter app development is fast and highly efficient.
- Flutter platform is easy to use and learn.
Like every other framework, Flutter app development also has its share of cons.
So, let's see what are a few downsides of Flutter framework.
- The Flutter apps are generally heavier than other apps.
- Flutter lacks third-party libraries, which helps in reducing development time and costs.
- The platforms where Flutter applications work are limited at the moment.
- To use Flutter, one needs to learn Dart, which is not a very popular language.
Which top reasons make Flutter the best framework for mobile app development?
After talking about the Flutter framework, its features, and pros and cons, we will move forward to the top reasons that make Flutter the best for mobile app development. So, shall we begin? Here we go!
Open source code
Flutter is a leading cross-platform development framework that allows users to access documentation from open developers' forums easily. The open-source code enables the Flutter developers to learn and grow within the community. Moreover, it increases the coder's efficiency and takes less time to finish, committing the coder to the entire plan.
Single codebase
One major trend of Flutter is the single codebase. This functionality removes the need to write multiple codebases for different platforms. Developers can write a single code and use it to create apps for both Android and iOS. Thus, developers' efforts and expenditures are reduced as a result of code reusability.
Time-saving
It's a smart choice to hire Flutter developers to develop the app. The flutter framework drastically decreases the deployment time. Flutter allows executing new changes in the app without losing the existing app. It also enables fixing bugs and adding new features without interrupting the speed of the application.
Less and simple testing
App testing consumes less time in Flutter as compared to other frameworks. That's because Flutter's code reusability cuts down on development time and also saves the time it takes to run multiple tests for quality assurance. Simple quality assurance in Flutter is sufficient to ensure the app's quality and launch it on the play store.
Google support
Google's support is the backbone of Flutter apps. With Google's support, Flutter always remains updated bug-free. Furthermore, Flutter also has built-in compatibility for Google's other ready-to-use SDKs, such as Firebase. Thus, we can say Google's support is one of the biggest plus points of Flutter.
Highly preferred for MVP
Flutter app development is the simplest way to develop an MVP. As we know, a single code in Flutter can be used for two different apps on Android and iOS, and developing an MVP becomes relatively simpler. So, whether you are a growing company or a startup, you can rely on the Flutter framework for developing MVP.
Efficient code writing
The efficient code writing makes Flutter app development very efficient. As we are aware that a single code can be used to develop powerful apps for multiple operating systems, it speeds up the app development process. As a result, the app development becomes quite efficient.
Native like functionality
Flutter applications are written in Dart language, which reduces the JavaScript bridge and is compiled with native machine code. Moreover, it offers some native features like a camera and geolocation, which gives the convenience of native app development.
Better maintenance
The biggest challenge for every framework is to maintain the app after its development, and Flutter has a modular architecture. So when you, they will offer maintenance even after developing the app. Moreover, Flutter is easy to use, and its maintenance is also budget-friendly and cost-saving.
Hot reloading
Flutter's hot reloading feature is advantageous for both developers and designers. The designer makes changes in the UI as soon as the developer requests them, and both of them can see the changes in real-time while the app development is going on.
Using UI elements as widgets
Widgets are an inseparable part of the Flutter app development. Flutter UI elements are ready-to-use customizable widgets, and Flutter provides optimized widgets that enhance the overall user experience irrespective of the size of the screen.
When to use Flutter framework for mobile app development?
Although Flutter is a great choice for every mobile app development, there are still a few cases where Flutter works the best. So before making up your mind to hire Flutter developers, have a quick look at these cases where Flutter works the best.
- To build an app in the least amount of time
- Dedicated to developing an MVP
- Develop an app with a complex user interface
- When you need your app to perform better without any lags or errors
- When running short on time and require quick code writing
If you and your mobile app development project relate to these cases, then Flutter app development is for you. Once you make up your mind to develop an app on Flutter, the next step is to hire dedicated Flutter app developers from a renowned Flutter app development company and kickstart your app development journey in full swing.
Future of Flutter framework in 2022 and beyond- what does it look like?
It's no secret that Google's Flutter has become a game-changing platform in mobile app development. In the past few years, there has been a significant rise in cross-platform development using Flutter.
Moreover, the number of companies offering Flutter app development services has also gone up. Flutter's abilities to deliver projects on time, speed of development, and cross-platform nature are some of its biggest selling points.
Flutter has it all: wonderful third-party libraries, an incredible cross-platform experience, powerful widgets, and excellent app performance. Even small businesses and startups can go for Flutter app development trends because it is less expensive than other similar platforms.
Looking at the current popularity and many benefits of Flutter, we can say that this framework has a lot of potential to transform mobile app development in the future.
