In 2022, the global cross-platform app development framework market was worth $101.7 billion. From 2023 to 2033, the global cross-platform app development framework market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.8%. Flutter and React Native are the two most preferred cross-platform frameworks among businesses and developers alike.
With the cross-platform mobile app development space rapidly evolving and intensifying, which framework is set to rule the mobile app development landscape in 2025: Flutter or React Native?
If you are planning to design a cross-platform app for your brand, then choosing the best mobile app framework 2025 might seem like a tough call. In this blog, our experts have laid down a thorough Flutter vs React Native guide to help you make an informed decision.
But before that, let’s look at the glaring similarities and differences between them.
Flutter vs React Native: How Similar Are They?
Flutter, developed by Google, and React Native, developed by Facebook, are both open-source frameworks. They allow developers to develop mobile apps for different operating systems, such as Android and iOS, with one codebase. This reduces coding time, eliminates the testing phase, and helps deliver high-performing apps across all platforms.
Moreover, both Flutter and React Native come with a hot reload option. Hot reload allows developers to make changes that are reflected instantly without the need to renew the application, allowing faster development and time to market.
Flutter and React Native are easy to learn and easy to install and the development time is also significantly lower. Interestingly, given their features, Flutter and React Native have been the chosen frameworks for some of the most well-known and most downloaded mobile apps globally.
Flutter vs React Native: Core Comparison
To get into the core of the Flutter vs React Native comparison, let’s analyse each framework on the basis of the following major factors:
- Performance
Performance is the most significant factor to consider when choosing a mobile app development framework. React Native employs JavaScript layers to run hybrid apps across multiple platforms. Flutter eliminates the need for these layers and allows developers to reuse the codes without the need for bridges or layers. This makes Flutter capable of delivering superior performance.
- Third-party libraries
Flutter has access to multiple world-class widgets and libraries that enable developers to create identical user interfaces for different OS. Comparatively, React Native requires the developers to refer to third-party libraries. This makes development with Flutter much faster.
- Community support
When choosing cross-platform development services, it’s crucial to choose a framework technology that comes with significant global community support. As of 2025, Flutter, being based on Dart, has a limited global community and IDE support. While React Native, which uses JavaScript, boasts a vast community.
- Learning curve
React Native is based on JavaScript, which many in the global developer community are familiar with. Flutter uses Dart, a comparatively new language with an extended learning curve. Despite the fact that Dart has a steep learning curve, Flutter is not difficult to master.
- CI/CD support
Flutter comes with a CLI (command-in-line) that helps to set up CI (continuous integration) and CD (Continuous Delivery) smoothly. React Native, on the other hand, doesnt include any guidance on setting up CI/CD, making it less useful and effective in terms of employing the DevOps approach.
- Cost-effectiveness
The cost of developing a cross-platform mobile application will not be much different for either. However, the actual cost will depend on multiple factors, such as the experience of the developers, the number of developers engaged, the features included, the complexities associated with the app, and more.
- Time-to-market
When it comes to the time needed to develop and launch a product, experts suggest that Flutter would be a better pick if you want to launch within a shorter time frame. Flutter comes with the shortest development period compared to React Native.
When Should You Choose Flutter?
The cross-platform app market has become increasingly competitive, with users focusing on design, experience, and quality of the app.
Go for Flutter if:
- The budget is tight and the product needs to be rolled out within a shorter time frame
- The app does not require native functionality
- You need a single codebase that would support multiple platforms
- The UI of the app has to be user-friendly and customized, supporting various widgets
When Should You Choose React Native?
Your brand can consider React Native for cross-platform development if:
- You have a significant budget with no constraints and a longer time frame
- You need to develop a simple and lightweight native application
- There is a requirement to scale up existing projects with cross-platform modules
- You need to develop an application that has a unique design and an asynchronous build
What’s in the Future: Top Trends in 2025
In 2025, the key trends that will dominate the Flutter and React Native mobile app development landscape will include:
- AI integration: Integration of AI-powered features in apps and tools will further boost the development capabilities of Flutter and React Native. Experts predict that AI will play a bigger role in cross-platform development in the near future.
- AR and VR integration: The integration of AR/VR technologies will reshape how mobile apps are developed and 2025 will witness a gain in momentum for the inclusion of AR/VR tech in Flutter and React Native development.
- IoT integration: The development of smart and interactive applications will see significant usage of Flutter and React Native as these frameworks will be ideal for developing IoT-enabled apps that work on wearables, connected devices, smart TVs, etc.
Developer Experience: Challenges and Solutions
Developer’s experience is a major factor for the success of any software development project. When it comes to the Flutter vs React Native debate, the challenges faced with each framework should be considered before making a decision:
React Native
- Debugging
Debugging can be a significant issue in React Native, particularly if the error originates somewhere in the native part. However, with the right debugger for React Native, debugging can be an easy task.
- Dependency management
Dependency management for JavaScript can be a complicated process and can break due to updates.
- Native Module Integration
Integrating native modules can be complex and platform-specific, requiring developers to write native code.
Flutter
- Dart language
Dart is a powerful language, but it is not as widely adopted as JavaScript. This makes Dart a language with a steep learning curve since many are still unfamiliar with.
- Widget-Based UI
The widget-based UI is no doubt useful and powerful but can be initially challenging to get familiar with the conventional web development approaches.
- Packages and Libraries
Flutter has a limited dev repository, which is, of course, growing but still isn’t as vast as React Native. It is comparatively young, with many ready-made solutions still missing.
iOS and Android Performance: Flutter vs React Native
When comparing Flutter and React Native, it’s crucial to consider how well they perform on iOS and Android. Here’s a closer look at how these two frameworks typically stack up against each other:
iOS
- Flutter typically runs very smoothly on iOS, nearly matching the performance of apps built specifically for iOS.
- However, React Native’s performance on iOS can be less consistent, particularly on older devices.
Android
- When it comes to Android, Flutter also offers strong and reliable performance.
- In contrast, React Native’s performance on Android may vary due to the wide range of Android devices and their different capabilities.
How can DAPL Help With Flutter or React Native Development?
In a nutshell, the Flutter vs React Native debate can seem intimidating for businesses that are planning to develop cross-platform mobile apps. While both frameworks have their positive sides, each has their own shortcomings that should be considered. So, the ultimate option that you pick will be based on your unique requirements, budget, target audience preferences, and other similar crucial factors.
Digital Aptech is a top mobile app development company that can help you choose the right development framework. Our team of experts will carefully evaluate your specific brand requirements and provide you with genuine, effective and useful guidance for optimal business outcomes.
That’s not all! We can also provide you with external support to assist you in boosting the development of Flutter or React Native projects. We will help create mobile apps that perform smoothly across multiple operating systems using the best practices and latest tools.
Connect with our experts to speed up the development process, slash additional expenses and develop high-quality mobile apps that successfully meet your user needs.
