Flutter as JavaScript Alternative for your Startup's Technology Stack
Opting for a Flutter Tech Stack can pose challenges: it's excellent at mobile-first approach development, but some CTOs agreed that its backend capabilities and comprehensive frontend are limited. Find out why!
Flutter vs React Native: Which is Better for your Startup?
​Flutter is an open-source UI software development kit created by Google. It's based on Dart (A programming language influenced by Java, C#, and Swift) and designed natively to compile mobile, web, and desktop apps while doing mobile-first projects.
React and React Native provide a broader ecosystem. JavaScript is ubiquitous in web dev allowing the integration of frontend, backend, and mobile services in a compatible way thanks to easier integration with existing JavaScript libraries. Developers can also use the same code base for web/mobile platforms.
Feature | React + React Native | Flutter |
---|---|---|
Development Language | JavaScript | Dart |
Learning Curve | Moderate (widely used JavaScript) | Steeper for those unfamiliar with Dart |
Community Support | Vast community | Growing community |
Development Speed | Fast due to widespread JS knowledge. | Fast due to hot reload feature. |
Compilation | Bundling JS assets and dependencies for web and native code for mobile | (AOT) Native binary for mobile and compiles to JavaScript for web |
Performance | High for Web and Native in Mobile due to direct access to device features. | Can vary in Web and Excels in Mobile (ARM code: fast rendering). |
Platforms | Support iOS, Android, and all web browsers. | Also supports all platforms along with desktop & embedded devices. |
Compatibility | Excellent for web, good for mobile with React Native | Excellent for mobile, improving for web. |
Tooling and Libraries | Extensive and Mature ecosystem with numerous libraries, pre-built & plugins. | Extensive, but less mature than JS + active contributors to update libs & plugins. |
Choose Flutter as part of your Tech Stack if:
-
You want to build native-looking apps for multiple platforms with a single codebase.
-
You prioritize rapid prototyping and iterative development.
-
You value smooth performance and visually stunning UIs.
​​
On the other hand, choose JS if you need a large talent pool and a flexible ecosystem, or if your focus is primarily on web applications and if you have expertise and the rest of your development is based on JavaScript libs or frameworks.