At present the rate at which Flutter apps are published on Google Play continues to increase. Flutter is becoming a hot topic and, whether you decide to use it or not, if you want to develop or improve your mobile app, you should be aware of what Flutter is, as well as what pros & risks it carries. Let’s go for a quick roundup.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is Google’s mobile app SDK, complete with a framework, widgets, and tools, that gives developers an easy way to build and deploy visually attractive, fast mobile apps on both Android and iOS platforms.Flutter enables a smooth and easy cross-platform mobile app development.
What’s more, Flutter:
- Is free and open source,
- Is based on Dart — a fast, object-oriented programming language which is in itself easy to learn,
- Provide its own widgets, drawn with its own high-performance rendering engine. They are fast, pretty, and customizable,
- Thanks to the rich widgets, Flutter apps look and feel great (you can create your own custom app design, but also use readily available UI elements following specific platforms’ guidelines).
- The architecture of Flutter is based on the very popular reactive programming of today (the same that React has been made from)
Why Flutter?
1. Faster code writing
For developers, Flutter means faster & more dynamic mobile app development. We can make changes in the code and see them straight away in the app! This is the so-called Hot reload, which usually only takes (milli)seconds and helps teams add features, fix bugs, and experiment faster. It is one of the things about Flutter loved by every development team.
Most types of code changes can be hot reloaded. But there is a list of changes that require a full restart: Hot reload Limitations.
Whereas, in the case of native app development the project needs to be rebuilt and that takes much more time. You have to wait for every single change — sometimes, even up to several minutes.
2. One code for 2 platforms
Developers write just one codebase for your 2 apps — covering both Android and iOS platforms. Flutter doesn’t depend on the platform, because it has its own widgets and designs. This means that you have the same app on two platforms. Yet what’s important is that if you want to differentiate your apps, it’s possible.
3. Faster apps
Flutter apps work in a smooth and fast way, without hanging and cutting while scrolling. Also, check out this amazing page in the Flutter documentation that talks about best practices for app performance.
4. Less testing
If you have the same app for 2 platforms, it means less testing! The Quality Assurance process can be faster. Because of one codebase, the developers write automatic tests only once. What’s more, Quality Assurance specialists have less work to do, because they have only one app to check. Of course, if your apps have some differences, they need to be tested on both platforms.
5. The same app UI on older devices
Your new app will look the same, even on old versions of Android and iOS systems. There are no additional costs for supporting older devices. Flutter runs on Android Jelly Bean or newer, as well as iOS 8 or newer.
6. Perfect for MVP
Do you need an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) for your app to show it to your investors? Flutter will be perfect, especially if you have little time.
If you want to see some apps built with Flutter, check out the Flutter Gallery app, which is a demo of some of Flutter’s features, widgets, and vignettes.
7. Using Dart as a Programming Language
Dart is an object-oriented programming language which is used for writing mobile application code for Flutter and which contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of app development flow. It is a comfortable language and uses a lot of CSS parts as well. Dart uses for generational garbage collection which helps in creating frames for short-lived objects. It also helps to allocate the objects with a single pointer bump to avoid UI jank and shutter.
8. The flutter API is very consistant
AnimationBuilder, FutureBuilder, StreamBuilder,…Once you understand them you have no limit. Anything is a widget. A button can use as a screen, a full page used as a button with animation and transformation.
9. The customizable kit of widgets
Flutter has built with a rich and customizable set of widgets for Android, IOS and Material Design. The collaboration between Flutter and Google’s material design has rendered and easily create powerful UI experience. This help to create smooth, crisp and refined app experience as are available with a native app.
Here are a few apps made using flutter framework:-
1. Google Ads
With Google Ads, you can view your ad campaign stats like impressions, clicks, conversions, manage your bids on campaigns, get real-time alerts and information and get direct support from Google.
Google Play Link | App Store link
2. Xianyu by Alibaba
Xianyu is being used by more than 50+ million users regularly to buy and sell millions of products from an enormous number of categories of products. It helped connect consumers, making the buying and selling process more natural.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtYk3gWRSw0
3. MedRabbits.
MedRabbits is a Home Healthcare service provider. Which aim to bring fast, convenient and cost effective home healthcare at your doorstep.You can search, sort and book from their curated set of home nurses that specialise in elderly care, maternity care and a lot more.
4. Reflectly
Reflectly is an exciting take on a journal app that helps you store your daily thoughts at one place in an orderly manner. Reflectly tries to give you an overview of your past days and how you’ve improved yourself over time.
Google Play link | App Store Link
5. Watermaniac
Watermaniac is an Android app that helps you keep track of your daily water intake. Using the app, you can set daily goals, know your water intake in the past and be alerted when its time to take the next sip with a notification.
6. Hamilton
Hamilton is the official app for the hit American Broadway musical , showcasing everything related to Hamilton. The app provides all the latest updates about Hamilton, videos, bits of information, daily trivia, fun stickers for chat, access to merchandise and also gives access to its lottery section for its three cities and tour locations.
Google Play link | App Store link
In my opinion, Flutter has many more advantages for business and development teams than risks. It’s a great chance to build beautiful, high-performance and outstanding mobile apps that fit your custom needs and requirements. It’s worth considering Flutter, especially if you want an app both for iOS and Android.
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