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Shariq Ahmed
Shariq Ahmed

Posted on • Updated on

Flutter vs. React Native: Which You Should Choose in 2024?

Flutter vs. React Native

If you are a developer, chances are you already know this. But if you don't, no issue. Make sure to give this a read before reading this article. Okay, so the first difference between Flutter and React Native is the use of different programming languages.

Flutter uses Dart, whereas React Native uses JavaScript and JSX. Flutter is a UI toolkit. But React Native is one of the JavaScript libraries. Flutter was created by Google in 2018. React Native was made by Facebook in 2015.

Moreover, when it comes to animation, Flutter has 60fps - this is considered a good framerate for animation. On the other hand, React Native relies on bridging that is also JavaScript-based.

Further, Flutter uses a 2D rendering library called Skia. It also uses widget-based architecture. But React Native employs component-based architecture.

The navigation system is also built-in in Flutter. But in React Native, there is no navigation system but a navigation library present for your ease. Flutter is fast, thanks to its in-built UI components.

But React Native speeds pale in comparison to Flutter, because of changes in different Operating systems. Maybe that's the reason popular companies prefer Flutter over React Native. Apps of eBay, BMW, Google Pay, and PUBG mobile are created using Flutter. Facebook, Instagram, Wix, and Airbnb have used React Native to develop their mobile apps. Further, Flutter has more than 102,000 stars on GitHub. React Native has more than 92,00 stars on GitHub.

Moreover, you don't need to explicitly update tools in Flutter. It happens automatically. But unfortunately, this doesn't happen in React Native. Additional resources are needed for updates.

Further, if one has to create or add 3D elements, one should use React Native - it supports 3D. The same isn't true for Flutter. Flutter supports both iOS and Android. On the other hand, React Native supports web apps, iOS and Android.

And even though both Flutter and React Native documentation are comprehensive, Flutter leads the race. Its guides are comprehensive and structured. React native documentation is just readable. Unfortunately, it is not structured. Further, in Flutter, testing can be done without any third-party testing framework. Whereas in React Native developers have to use a third-party testing framework.

Moreover, although Flutter is becoming popular nowadays, its user base is still smaller than React Native. Its community can be found on Slack, Reddit, Discord, and X. But if one is slightly new to web development, it's better to learn React Native as it is JavaScript-based. Flutter is comparatively difficult to master since it uses the Dart programming language.

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