Choosing the right framework for cross-platform mobile app development is one of the most critical decisions a founder or CTO needs to make. React Native and Flutter are the two dominant players. Let's compare them.
React Native
Developed by Facebook, React Native allows you to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It's famous for:
- Huge Ecosystem: Massive library of third-party packages.
- Web Compatibility: Easy to share code between web and mobile if you use React.js.
- Native Feel: It uses native components under the hood.
Flutter
Created by Google, Flutter uses the Dart language and compiles to native code. Its key strengths are:
- Performance: Often faster than React Native due to lack of a JS bridge.
- Consistent UI: Renders its own widgets, ensuring pixel-perfect consistency across OS versions.
- Great Documentation: Google's documentation is top-notch.
Which to Choose?
If your team already knows JavaScript/React, React Native is the logical choice. If you want maximum performance and a highly custom UI design, Flutter might be the winner.