Building Cross-Platform Apps with Flutter: Pros and Cons

Flutter is one of the most dynamically evolving tools for creating cross-platform Apps. This blog, ‘Building Cross-Platform Apps with Flutter: Pros and Cons will provide you with a practical understanding of Flutter, a tool gaining traction in cross-platform app development. If you’re here seeking information about Flutter’s practicality, you’re in the right place. We’ll also objectively discuss Flutter’s strengths and weaknesses.  So, learn why app developers in UAE often opt for Flutter and the advantages it offers. This article provides a straightforward overview, helping you decide whether Flutter is a suitable choice for your app development needs. But let’s start from the basics.

What is Flutter?

Flutter is a free open-source UI tool made by Google. It helps developers to make apps for mobile, web, and desktop from one codebase.

Key Components of Flutter

SDK – Software Development Kid

• Set of instruments that serve as an aid in the development of applications

• Includes tools for converting code to native machine code

Works on code for iOS and Android

A Framework – UI Library-based Widgets

• Set of reusable user interface components

• They may be customized according to the purposes

• Components include buttons, text inputs, sliders, etc

The Architecture Overview of Flutter

Flutter’s architecture mainly consists of three key layers:

Framework: This layer, built on the Dart programming language, is the prominent face of Flutter, governing the app’s overall structure and functionality.

Engine: Crafted in C/C++, this layer serves as the backbone, supplying crucial APIs for graphics, accessibility support, and text layout, ensuring the core functionality of Flutter apps.

Embedder: To enable Flutter apps to run seamlessly on various operating systems, a platform-specific embedder is employed, bridging the gap between the Flutter framework and the underlying operating system.

How Cross-platform Development Works with Flutter

Flutter is a multiplatform technology that lets developers use the same code for different platforms like iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, MacOS, and the web. Instead of making separate codes for each system, Flutter allows the creation of a single code that works everywhere.

Using Flutter can help companies save money because they don’t need to hire different developers for each platform. Just having a skilled Flutter engineer is enough to create the features, and Flutter takes care of the rest. This shared code approach makes Flutter popular for quickly and affordably developing software, especially for building Minimum Viable Products (MVPs).

The Pros and cons of Using Flutter

After the introduction of Flutter, it has certainly drawn a very huge community of developers. The benefit of flutter is that it’s quite simple. It also means widgets can have changes or it is subjected to customization with ease. Besides, the Dart programming language and Flutter are very easy to learn and start creating with. \ It also means any software engineer can easily switch if needed.

Pros of Flutter 

Cost-Effective Development: With Flutter, businesses can save on development costs as they only need one codebase for multiple platforms, which reduces the need for separate development teams for each operating system.

Cons of Flutter 

Limited Libraries:  Compared to some of the frameworks, Flutter has a smaller ecosystem and therefore there are fewer predesigned libraries and components for certain functions.

Learning Curve: The transition to Dart, the language used by Flutter, and the Flutter framework itself may present a learning curve for developers who are familiar with the native languages.

Large App Size: For Flutter apps, files may have a wider range of sizes than for traditional applications, which could affect download and installation times in particularly for users with poor network connections.

Limited Access to Native Features: Although Flutter is a good tool for cross-platform development, it may be necessary to use other workarounds or plugins in order to access some platform-specific features.

Types of Automated Flutter Tests

The  Automated Flutter tests fall into three major categories: 

• Unit testing 
• Widget testing 
• Integration testing

Established Companies Using Flutter

Some of the popular apps developed by Flutter include : 

• Google Pay
• Alibaba
• Dream11
• Google Ads
• eBay motors

Google Ads – In order to enhance independence and intelligence in the creation of online advertising, the popular app uses Flutter development. The app gives very good insights, ad alerts, etc. It also includes real-time budget monitoring, and keyboard modification as well. greater insights, and faster ad alerts, and includes campaign statistics, real-time budget monitoring, daily notifications, keyword modifications, and direct communication with Google specialists.

Google Pay –  Flutter, which improves functionality in both online and offline transactions for IOS and Android users, is integrated with the Digital wallet and payment app smoothly.

Our Experience With Flutter

The team helped our client Xpress Health with their agency nursing app. Our technical team created Flutter-based Android and iOS apps and web interfaces for three regions including Ireland, Northern Ireland, UK. The application makes it easy to find and book shifts in the area, filter options for hourly rate and location, check the shift details prior to applying, organize by viewing upcoming shifts, accept incoming transfer requests, or submit timesheets with ease.

So Why Try Flutter?

Consider trying it for your business now that you’ve got a bit of information on Flutter app development. Even though Flutter is relatively new, thanks to its accessibility, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendly interface, Flutter quickly won over developers. Many are now choosing that option over other options. Flutter is definitely worth a try, and the flutter specialists at our app development company Dubai are right here to back you.