Flutter – an all-in-one toolkit from Google

Flutter is a framework developed by both Google and independent developers. What should you know before deciding to build an app using it?

What is Flutter?

In a nutshell, it is a set of tools for developers. It enables them to create applications using a single codebase, designed for both Android and iOS. This not only saves money – from an investor’s perspective – but also time. Flutter is therefore used to create cross-platform projects.

We’ve mentioned tools, but in fact there are two elements at play here. One is used to build applications. The other element is the framework. This, in turn, ensures that the mobile application works.

It is worth noting here that building a product using Flutter is similar to the process of native programming. It makes full use of its advantages.

How does Flutter work?

Let’s start with the programming language it uses. Its biggest rival, React Active, is based on JavaScript. Flutter uses the Dart language, which is far less popular. Here, the developer writes code for all the platforms on which the mobile app is to run. As we mentioned, this reduces the development time.

Flutter is all about widgets. You use them to build the user interface. Widgets can be customised to suit your app’s design. You can also see the effects of these changes immediately. This is thanks to the Hot Reload feature. It’s also worth noting that this feature helps with testing the app.

A cross-platform app is not a native app. But it can look like one. This is thanks to the components available in Flutter. This includes those characteristic of the Android and iOS interfaces. The framework described here allows you to create an app with an identical look and feel on both systems, without the need to adapt it to any one in particular. One codebase – two systems. This saves time and, of course, money.

Why should you choose Flutter for your app?

The advantages of this solution have been touched upon in earlier paragraphs of this text. Let’s summarise them here. One of the most frequently cited advantages is the aforementioned single codebase that works across multiple platforms, both in terms of design and functionality.

Flutter is the ideal choice for businesses that need a mobile app quickly, but don’t have the budget for native apps. On the other hand, if you’re planning a web version of your product as well as a mobile version, then Flutter is the right solution.

Admittedly, it is a relatively new technology and has not yet fully matured. There are certainly some drawbacks. Take, for example, the size of the apps built using it. However, when compared with the competition, these differences are usually imperceptible. And mobile apps built using Flutter run quickly. And that’s why users value them.

So, is it worth choosing this particular option? It depends on your needs. The simplest way is as follows: get in touch with us. Tell us about your idea and the requirements for your product. We’ll then help you choose the best option and put it into practice.