Flutter or React Native? How we choose

Clients often ask which is better, Flutter or React Native. The honest answer is that both are excellent. Both let one team build an app for iOS and Android from a single codebase, and both run in large production apps. The right choice depends on your project.

A quick comparison

• Language: Flutter uses Dart. React Native uses JavaScript or TypeScript.
• Interface: Flutter draws its own widgets, so the app looks the same on every device. React Native uses each platform's native components.
• Sharing with the web: React Native shares skills, and often code, with React and Next.js websites.
• Tooling: Flutter comes as a complete toolkit in one package. React Native works best with Expo, which handles builds and updates.

When we pick Flutter

• The design is highly custom, with lots of animation and branded components.
• Pixel-perfect consistency across iOS and Android matters most.
• The app does not need to share code with a website.

When we pick React Native

• You already have a React or Next.js website, and we can share logic and skills.
• You want to ship small fixes quickly. Expo supports over-the-air updates for JavaScript changes.
• The app should feel fully native on each platform.

When we go fully native

Sometimes neither is the right fit. If an app depends heavily on device features like advanced camera processing, Bluetooth hardware, or deep integration with Apple Watch or Android widgets, we build natively with Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android.

Tip

Most business apps, like booking, ordering, loyalty and dashboards, work well in either Flutter or React Native. Don't let the framework decision delay your launch.

The questions we ask

1. Do you already have a web app, and in which technology?
2. How custom is the design?
3. Which device features does the app need?
4. Who will maintain the app after launch?
5. How often will you release updates?

Planning an app? Send us an inquiry with your idea and we'll recommend the best approach, with a clear custom quote.