Why Flutter is Best for App Development?
Find out why the top app developers swear by Flutter technology for developing superior quality apps.
Today’s modern lifestyle is completely surrendered to mobile phones and the latest applications. The mobile application development market is increasingly competitive, with many new development teams focusing their efforts on meeting the growing demands.
So, it’s only natural that the best mobile app development companies always search for simpler, faster, and more affordable ways to get their products to the market. This has contributed to the explosive rise in popularity of the Flutter app development technology.
Flutter is one of the most dynamically evolving tools for creating cross-platform applications. It has proved extremely beneficial for app developers and helped them build high-performance, scalable mobile apps with intuitive interfaces. If you are wondering what all the buzz around Flutter is about and whether it is worth giving a shot, this article will solve it for you. Check out our detailed overview of the technology and find out why Flutter is best for app development in 2023.
What is Flutter- A Game Changer in Mobile App Development
Flutter is an open-source software development kit that enables developers to build and design native-quality mobile, web, and desktop applications from a single codebase. It is the most valuable modern tool that uses the programming language Dart and incorporates Material Design and Cupertino widgets.
It is a one-of-a-kind framework with a mobile SDK that behaves naturally on any platform and functions independently without a Javascript bridge. For many businesses, Flutter is the first-choice programming framework as it helps them to cut costs and save development time.
Offering a robust solution, the Flutter technology has proved to be a solid alternative to other cross-platform frameworks like React Native. As per a Statista report, Flutter is among the most used frameworks by developers worldwide as of 2023. If you are confused about why to use Flutter and how it can actually help you, let’s break it down for you. A Flutter app developer can build exceptional-looking and functional apps for end users. Along with this, you can also count on the transparent, flexible, and community-driven mobile app development offered by Flutter.
What are the major advantages of using Flutter for app development?
Flutter is undoubtedly the best solution for simplifying the mobile app development process and saving your budget. This technology has been around since 2018 and is often recommended for its exceptional benefits. So, is Flutter good for app development? Absolutely, and here’s why.
- High-speed App Development
Flutter is a cross-platform development technology that supports a hot reload feature to make the app development process much quicker and simpler. Additionally, it enables developers to build apps for different platforms using a single codebase, shortening the overall app development process.
This app development technology facilitates real-time changes in the app and gives you additional opportunities to experiment with the code and fix bugs easily.
2. Synchronized App Updates
One of the primary advantages of using Flutter is that the development of apps is based on a single codebase. Using the same code to release the apps on different platforms allows you to make updates simultaneously.
It is the best cross-platform tool that supports code reusability for all platforms, including Android, iOS, Web, Desktop, and more. If you wish to reduce development costs and save time, opting for a Flutter app development company is an ideal solution for your business.
3. Easy Maintenance and Addition of New Features
Using Flutter technology for app development enables you to capture a wider user base once your app is published on the app stores. After launching the app, you can easily put it on maintenance mode to fix any glitches and make necessary modifications based on user reviews and suggestions.
A knowledgeable and experienced Flutter app developer can easily perform maintenance tasks for all platforms simultaneously. Developers can make changes instantly and modify the app in real time to meet dynamic consumer demands.
4. Advanced UI Mastery
Top Flutter app development companies aim to deliver a native UI look and feel on both Android and iOS platforms through its Material Design and Cupertino widget sets. The widget sets aim to provide a familiar and consistent user experience for Android and iOS users.
With Flutter, creating beautiful, custom UI elements is extremely simple, and you can integrate them seamlessly with both platforms. Its advanced and exceptional UI capabilities make it a perfect choice for mobile app developers.
5. Trusted Technology
Compared to other cross-platform app development technologies, Flutter is relatively new. However, it is a tried and tested technology trusted by tech giants like Google, BMW, eBay, and others.
Its exceptional development capabilities and wide range of unique features make Flutter the best choice for your next mobile app development project. Flutter also benefits from an extensive range of documentation that makes it easier for developers to browse through resources, tutorials, and technical support.
6. Excellent Animations
Flutter mobile apps are created with excellent animation support that facilitates easier interaction as compared to native iOS and Android apps. Creating an animation using Flutter is a pretty clear and straightforward concept that will not consume much of your time.
The framework offers a wide range of ready-made solutions and a set of robust tools that can help you bring creative ideas to life. If you wish to explore a new realm of creativity, invent interactive elements, and play around with cool animations, Flutter is the perfect choice for you.
7. Easy Access to Device Features
Most cross-platform development solutions restrict the ability to access native features. However, this is not the case with Flutter, as it allows you to easily access almost all the smartphone functionalities and features.
Flutter developers can use all the native functionalities of smartphones, including the microphone, camera, geolocation, and much more.
What are the main components of Flutter?
There are many benefits of Flutter app development that make it a preferred choice for most app developers today. A single codebase can be used for creating a front that works effectively across Android and iOS platforms.
The working of Flutter is based on 4 key components, which are discussed below.
- Flutter Engine
The Flutter engine is the foundation layer responsible for rendering the UI, managing animations, and executing the Dart code. Apps built with Flutter are primarily based on C++ and offer excellent performance across all platforms.
The Flutter engine implements core libraries, including high-quality graphics, animations, plugin architecture, and exceptional accessibility support.
2. Foundation Library
The Foundation Library is packed with all the necessary elements to help a Flutter app developer design and develop a promising mobile application for the client. The library offers basic building blocks for writing a Flutter application.
The Foundation Library is written in the Flutter programming language- Dart, and offers a selection of pre-designed widgets, tools, and APIs to support the development of high-performance mobile applications.
3. Widgets
Flutter widgets can simply be characterized as reusable and customizable UI components that can be blended together to build complex and interactive UIs. The widgets are responsible for controlling and regulating the view and basic interface of the app.
In Flutter, the app is itself a widget that contains many sub-widgets. This implies that the app is a top-level widget that is supported by one or more children widgets that work together to simplify the process of developing complex UI.
4. Design-specific Widgets
Flutter cross-platform apps are designed using two widgets conforming to specific design languages. The Material Design widget is based on Google’s design principles and is used for creating mobile applications for Android. Conversely, the Cupertino-style widget mimics the design and aesthetics of iOS and is used for building high-performance applications for Apple users.
Apart from the components mentioned above, the Flutter framework also utilizes other elements like-
a) Layout System
b) Animations
c) Gestures
d) Accessibility controls
e) Navigation
f) Plugins and more
Top Use Cases of Flutter App Development
The benefits of Flutter app development and its exceptional capabilities expand way beyond conventional app development methods. With powerful and customizable design widgets, Flutter developers can easily create visually stunning and highly functional applications for their users.
Let’s explore some real-world use cases that will help you explore the advantages of using Flutter for mobile app development.
- Journaling Apps
Flutter technology offers an appealing and simple interface for Journaling apps. Reflect is one of the best examples of journaling apps made with Flutter.
2. Smart Home Apps
Smart home apps support interconnectivity between different devices and demand a simple and organic foundation. The Flutter app development kit makes it easier for developers to add such functionalities for end users. Philips Hue is an excellent example of a mobile app that uses Flutter programming language.
3. Music Platforms/ Streaming Apps
One of the lesser-known advantages of using Flutter for mobile app development is that it offers serviceable packages that can be used for various tasks. Controls like play, pause, seek, and volume regulators can easily be added through a Flutter tool kit. Chillify is a well-known music platform based on this open-source framework.
4. Banking and Mobile Wallets
Offering the best security capabilities is one of the primary benefits of Flutter app development. Online banking and mobile wallet apps facilitate a secure, convenient, and smooth banking experience for all users. Flutter helps developers design a safe app with a streamlined and highly secure user interface. Paytm is a digital wallet that has successfully harnessed all the advantages of Flutter app development through its Android and iOS mobile apps.
5. Gaming Apps
The best gaming apps are known to offer immersive gameplay and high-quality animations to engage users. Flutter is best known for its animation tools and design widgets that help developers create playable game apps with life-like animations and the best gameplay. Alto’s Odyssey is one of the most popular game apps created with Flutter.
A Flutter mobile app development company can also assist businesses in web app development. Using Flutter for web development is cost and time-saving and is thus used for the following purposes-
a) Spreadsheets
b) E-commerce platforms
c) Project Management Tools and many others
What are some of the best Flutter-powered apps in 2023?
A bold and innovative idea combined with the most advanced tech stack is the perfect recipe for launching a world-famous app in modern times. The good old tools like Java, Kotlin, and Swift are now in competition with Flutter- a relatively young framework for app development in 2023.
Here’s a list of the top companies that have launched noteworthy mobile apps by harnessing the power and advantages of Flutter app development. These real-life case studies will help you know more about why to use Flutter and how it can help expand your business.
- Google Products- Google Ads, Google Assistant, and Stadia
Google products are the pioneers among the top apps created with Flutter. Products like Google Pay, Google Ads, Google Assistant, and others are based on the Flutter framework. The Flutter-based applications offer better insights, efficient management tools, editing tools, and much more.
Google is the best example of an internationally renowned company that has fully utilized the benefits of Flutter app development to design apps characterized by robust functionalities and high performance for all platforms.
2. Alibaba Group- Xianyu App
Xianyu is recognized as the second biggest retail platform of the Alibaba Group that offers a feature-packed app based on Flutter technology. The app has over 10 Million active users on a daily basis and is widely preferred by consumers globally.
Alibaba modified its pre-made app by gradually introducing advanced Flutter features, adding more functionalities, and improving the overall user experience. With a single codebase, the company has managed to create and maintain a powerful app easily.
3. eBay- eBay Motors
One of the most popular products from a popular retail platform, eBay Motors, is built using Flutter technology. It is among the most popular apps made with Flutter that facilitates the buying and selling of vehicles through smartphones. With just a few simple steps, users can browse through exciting offers to sell or buy vehicles at the best prices possible.
Flutter helped eBay to design and launch a power-packed app that was ready to hit the market in just one year. The fast platform development capabilities and impressive UI designs offered by Flutter helped in designing eBay Motors for both Android and iOS users.
4. Hamilton
The Hamilton Musical Flutter app was developed by GoPosse, which had a quest to develop a mobile application for Hamilton Broadway Musical. The team picked up Flutter for web development and app designing as it was faster and extremely simple to work with.
Flutter assisted GoPosse in developing a high-quality mobile app with a unique feature set and excellent interface. The company is committed to delivering the best user experience for all its users and updates new features on a weekly basis. The ‘hot reload’ capability offered by Flutter has been extremely successful in facilitating quick and real-time changes in the Hamilton app.
5. Philips- Philips Hue App
Philips Hue facilitates home lighting solutions through a unique, Flutter-based app for all its users. Philips is known for selling high-quality lamps, lights, bulls, and other accessories for users who are looking for small lighting solutions. All these accessories can be regulated and monitored using mobile controllers like Hue Sync and Hue Bluetooth.
These apps are packed with exceptional features that enable clients to regulate the tone of light and synchronize lamps as per their preferences. With Flutter, Philips could easily devise unique and highly functional apps for their users on both Android and iOS platforms.
6. Other apps made with Flutter
Some other popular Flutter mobile apps include the following-
a) The New York Times
b) Birch Finance
c) Flydirekt app
d) NuBank Flutter app
e) Coach Yourself Meditation app
f) Insight Timer Flutter app and more.
Is Flutter, then, the Future?
Flutter was released in 2017 and has gained immense popularity over conventional app development tools. There are many advantages of using Flutter, and it is thus a preferred choice of top app developers globally.
This open-source framework has proved to be an extremely efficient, flexible, and cost-effective alternative to other cross-platform development tools. As per a Forbes report, Hybrid or Cross-platform apps have multiple advantages over native apps. The increasing popularity of hybrid apps will consequently lead to a rise in demand for Flutter technology.
Flutter’s exceptional capabilities, like Hot Reload, reactive architecture, simple programming language, high security, pre-built UI widgets, and other features, help companies streamline the development process by making it more manageable and efficient. Additionally, the Flutter app development cost is less as compared to other cross-platform development tools and technologies.
With an active and supportive community globally, Flutter is set to grow and evolve in the upcoming years as well. A community-driven approach and unique functionalities have contributed to the popularity of Flutter, which is set to expand in the coming years as well.
Conclusion
After carefully examining and studying the multiple advantages of using Flutter app development, we can confidently predict that this technology is set to become a dominant force in the mobile app development industry. With a single line of codes and a range of design-specific widgets, Flutter can deliver aesthetically pleasing solutions quickly and easily.
The business benefits of Flutter are extremely significant, helping companies to save costs, reduce development time, and capture a wider user base through multiple platforms. Flutter has come a long way from being a development tool limited to only mobile apps to making inroads in desktop support.
If you wish to explore and hire the best flutter app development company for your business, you can browse through the MobileAppDaily reports to find your perfect tech companion.
