Flutter App Development

What Flutter is

Flutter is an open-source software development kit (SDK). It was created by Google and launched in May 2017.

The kit includes an engine, framework, Dart platform, a set of widgets, Foundation library, and devtools. All of them allow us to develop multiplatform apps compiled in their own code.

Flutter supports 6 target platforms:

1. Android.
2. iOS.
3. Windows.
4. macOS.
5. Linux.
6. Web platform.

Flutter’s main advantage is cross-platform compatibility, that is, native apps for the platforms listed above are developed based on a single code. This significantly reduces the time and cost of development, because we no longer need to create and maintain individual codebases for each platform.

Flutter and programming languages

Flutter itself is mainly based on C++, while apps created with it are written in Dart. This is also a Google creation and was launched in November 2013.

Dart is an object-oriented language with clear and concise syntax that aids programmers in expressing their ideas in the codebase and contributes to a pure coding style. Dart is similar to Java, Kotlin, Swift, and Typescript. It seeks to give programmers a familiar system that provides a smooth transition for those who have worked with these languages. However, it doesn’t copy existing languages, but paves its own path.

Dart’s aim is not only to gain a foothold amongst programming languages, but also to become a formidable rival to JavaScript. This difference is pertinent to web development, where JavaScript has long been considered the de facto standard. Dart’s versatility and adaptability allow developers to create multifunctional web apps coupled with the traditional emphasis on the development of mobile apps, which is where Flutter thrives.

Who uses Flutter and why

Everyone knows how Google tries to provide support when it comes to its own technologies or platforms. The corporation organises events, assisting other companies in catching up, discussing, or telling how Flutter can help to develop their businesses. By giving the world its SDK, the tech giant has done everything possible to constantly support developers who create apps via Flutter.

Google itself has used Flutter on 8 projects and websites:

1. Flutter Gallery — to demonstrate the capabilities of this SDK (UI components, animations, design templates).
2. Google Ads — for parts of the mobile app and for ads with rich animations and transitions.
3. Google Assistant — for intuitive interfaces of its own voice assistants, smart displays and speakers.
4. Google Fonts — for the web app interface.
5. Google Nest Hub — for the configuration interface of its own smart display.
6. Google Pay — for fast and smooth interaction with users on Android and iOS devices.
7. Google Play — for some sections of the console.
8. Google Stadia — for the web app interface.

Over 56,500 projects have been built with the aid of Flutter, some 40,500 of which still work on it. Alibaba, Amazon, eBay, and Groupon—the largest e-commerce representatives—used this SDK to give their mobile and web apps a unified appearance. Skandia (Sweden) and Crédit Agricole Bank Polska (Poland)—the financial corporations—used it to completely redo their mobile banking apps.

Flutter use statistics

According to Statista, Flutter was the most popular cross-platform mobile framework in 2021, with 42 % of developers using it around the world:

And in 2022, it ranked 6th amongst frequently used frameworks for any platform, with 12.64 % of developers using it around the world:

Companies and their developers prefer Flutter, considering it ideal for creating or improving mobile apps. You no longer need to write different codebases for each OS thanks to it.

Pros and cons of developing apps in Flutter

Every SDK has its pluses and minuses. If you compare Flutter with similar toolkits, it has more advantages and they outweigh the disadvantages. Take into account specific requirements for the project and the experience of your team of developers when choosing. Before making a decision, weigh the pros and cons, comparing them with both the needs and restrictions of the project.

Pros of developing in Flutter

Developers have highlighted the substantial advantages of this SDK:

• One codebase for all OSs. The ‘write once, run anywhere’ principle eliminates code duplication, simplifies maintenance, and ensures consistent execution. Reusing the Dart code allows you to write only one codebase for both mobile and web apps, thereby significantly reducing development time.
• High performance. Apps run in the DartVM virtual machine, which can compile code into either the ARM or x86 native codes. They possess almost the same level of performance as native apps because of this. And the Skia graphics engine provides quick rendering, making the animation smooth and optimizing user interaction.
• Rapid testing. The hot reload function permits you to see each change you make without having to restart the app. Changes are easily made in real time, giving you more opportunities to experiment with the code, correct errors on the fly, and quickly conduct iterations.
• Widget set. By using widgets and templates, you can create an attractive, dynamic, and responsive UI that works equally well on various devices.
• Ready-made packages. Flutter and Dart packages contain many tools and plugins available in repositories. They help to accelerate development, providing ready-made solutions for common tasks.
• Open source code and active community. Open source code has contributed to the formation of an active community. Experienced developers constantly provide the mentioned templates and packages, as well as other resources to support beginners in order to facilitate their training and solve problems.

Cons of developing in Flutter

This SDK doesn’t possess very many (or significant) flaws, but they should be noted as well:

• Immaturity. Flutter is a relatively new SDK that is continuing to develop and often changes. Its level of maturity isn’t as high as that of long-standing frameworks for native development. This can cause problems with stability, compatibility, or documentation to occur.
• Few third-party libraries exist. In comparison to more mature frameworks, Flutter so far hasn’t managed to form numerous third-party libraries and tools. Items needed in a particular case may not always be available.
• Limited native access. Although cross-platform compatibility is thought of as an advantage, it can create restrictions in terms of access to specific functions or APIs that aren’t yet supported via Flutter plugins.
• Difficulty in customising widgets. Despite widgets offering a broad spectrum of opportunities for customisation, complex tuning may require a deeper understanding of the framework.
• Large file size due to widgets. Apps end up being clunkier than native ones. They take a long time to download, install, and update, and then take up quite a bit of space.

Benefits of creating apps in Flutter to businesses

While the advantages of Flutter are clear to developers, they may not be that obvious to companies intending to order a mobile app. Let’s list them so you can be sure that Flutter is right for your business:

• Fast prototypes and MVP. They will allow you to verify and confirm ideas, as well as to more swiftly demonstrate the app to both investors and users.
• Accelerated market entry. A quick launch of the app will immediately gain you competitive advantages. You no longer need to wait for individual development cycles for each OS.
• Economic efficiency. One team is sufficient to create a cross-platform app in Flutter with a single codebase. You no longer need to hire different teams or attract additional resources for a separate development.
• Access to qualified developers. It’s easy to assemble your team to develop a project, or to outsource it to a company that has experience in dealing with this framework.
• Design flexibility. This will allow you to experiment more freely with ideas for the UI, without restrictions on a particular OS, thereby making the app innovative and visually appealing.
• Uniform UX. Brand recognition and customer trust will increase if you ensure the uniformity of the user experience on various devices and OSs.
• Reduced maintenance costs. Support after launch will become less expensive, as updates with additional functions and the correction of any errors will be applied to several OSs all at once.
• Scalability. The ease of updates, support, and porting the app to other OSs will help maintain the growth and expansion of your business.
• High ROI. The blend of saving on the development, accelerated entry into the market, and app quality will help to ensure a high return on investment.

So, the use of Flutter in mobile development offers a lot of benefits, allowing you to effectively create attractive products geared towards a wider audience. This SDK will save you money by providing users with two apps for the price of one, while developers will enjoy the process and the speed it takes to complete. Follow in the footsteps of Airbnb, Baidu, BMW, Philips, SpaceX, Tencent, Toyota, Uber!

Polygant’s specialists are both knowledgeable and experienced in developing mobile apps via Flutter. Drop us a line for a consultation, and we will get started on your project right away!