If you think you are new to Flutter, think again! You have most probably used apps created with Flutter in your daily life. Think about shopping on Alibaba or running ad campaigns on Google Ads. It can even include transferring money through Google Pay or browsing a lovely apartment on Realtor. Flutter has been quietly working behind the scenes of many such popular and successful apps.
Although it’s a relatively new technology, its impact on the app world is quite significant! What is Flutter app development isn’t that hard to understand, let’s see.
So, What is Flutter?
Flutter is an open-source technology designed by Google. You can use it to develop web, mobile, and desktop apps using a single codebase. Think of it as a box of LEGOs! You can use these LEGO blocks to develop apps for mobile devices and computers. You just have to make it once, and it will adapt to various operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Linux.
Why Is Flutter So Popular Today?
Flutter had its official launch in December 2018. Since then, over a million iOS and Android apps have been developed. This number has continued to grow. But what exactly makes Flutter so popular amongst other frameworks?
Firstly, the Flutter framework is popular because it helps you create apps for iOS, Android, the web, and more using a single code. This means that app developers don’t need to make different versions of the same app. They can just use the same code for all other operating systems.
Secondly, in what is Flutter app development, a significant amount of time, cost, and resources are being saved. Last but not least, Flutter has many ready-made design tools that make the apps look great, and people around the globe help each other learn it.
What Is Dart and Why Does Flutter Use It?
Until now, you have probably understood Flutter. It is like an intelligent technology that helps make apps for mobile and computer. To talk to Flutter, you must speak its language. This Flutter programming language is Dart. It translates your instructions to Flutter. Flutter then creates these apps in a jiffy and shows you the updates of these results quickly.
According to SlashData, Dart was the fastest-growing programming language in 2023. The number of users increased by 33% in 2023 to over 3 million active users. Since Flutter and Dart are both Google’s brainchild, they are very compatible. They are like best friends who enjoy creating amazing apps together!
How Does Flutter App Development Work?
React Native, Xamarin, and Ionic also offer cross-platform app development. Meaning, they let app developers use the same code for all the operating systems like iOS, Android, and sometimes, desktop and web too. But Flutter has developers hooked.
It’s quicker, allows you to use ready-to-use parts called widgets, and use one code for all platforms. Let’s explore how Flutter application development really works:
Flutter Framework and Widgets in Flutter Technology
This whole Flutter framework is based on small parts called widgets. Be it the buttons, text, or layout of the screen, it’s all made up of a combination of widgets using Flutter technology. For Android, these widgets are called Material Design.
Whereas, for iOS, these special widgets are known as Cupertino. This helps developers craft stunning and high-quality apps for various platforms.
Not to mention, Flutter’s aesthetic friend Skia, which is a graphics engine. It helps Flutter in drawing every single thing, ranging from buttons, text, and images. This means that Flutter creates beautiful visuals for different apps, and they all look the same!
One Codebase for Multiple Platforms
As mentioned, Flutter technology uses a single code for all platforms. This approach of Flutter App development saves significant time, development, and maintenance costs. According to a source, using Flutter instead of other frameworks helps reduce app development and maintenance costs by a staggering 40%.
Its founder, Google, also pushes the Flutter framework forward. Through their continuous updates and building a community support around the framework, Flutter has seen an exponential rise in the tech business. To such an extent that in 2024, it outperformed React Native, which had been on the market since 2015, in GitHub stars.
Hot Reload in Flutter Application Development
It is easy to change things in real-time with Flutter technology. This can be done by using a feature called hot reload. It displays updates as you are working on the app. A Flutter Developer Survey conducted in 2023 showed that 48% of Flutter developers see hot reload as the most crucial feature of the Flutter technology.
What Are the Benefits of Flutter?
Flutter is clearly an app developer’s favorite. But to fully grasp why so many devs love Flutter, let’s take a look at the benefits it has for its users:
Fast and Smooth Flutter Apps
Flutter keeps improving. In fact, Flutter 1.17 made apps up to 50% faster on newer iOS devices and even reduced the memory usage by up to 70% for certain tasks. Flutter application feels smooth and fast. It uses the Dart programming language, which turns into native code. This results in:
- Apps starting faster
- Animations and scrolling are smoother
- Works well across all platforms; iOS or Android
One Codebase for All Platforms with the Flutter Framework
One code should be enough. Well, it is completely within the Flutter application. You just have to write it once. With the help of its programming language, Dart, and Skia, its aesthetic companion, Flutter creates applications that work and look similar on:
- Android
- Desktop
- iOS
- Web
Create Stunning Flutter Applications
Flutter can develop really smooth animations. For example, it created an award-winning Particle Clock UI made for the Lenovo Smart Clock. This shows how elegant and seamless Flutter is!
Building beautiful custom designs is easy with Flutter. You can use:
- Ready-to-use widgets to make the app screen
- More control over the design elements
- Consistency across all platforms
Taking Flutter to the Web
In addition to mobile apps, Flutter is also perfectly suitable for web apps. This way, once a developer learns how to use Flutter, they can apply it to web development, too. What is Flutter app development benefits for web:
- Builds apps that work like websites
- Use same code as the mobile app
- Reaches more users with less effort
Save Time and Money with Flutter Mobile Development
From a business pov, Flutter helps teams to be more efficient while saving costs. This is because it significantly improves cross-platform app development. What is Flutter app development for saving resources. Here’s how:
- The same team can build for the various platforms
- Develop and update apps faster
- Less spending on keeping the app running
What Are the Limitations of Flutter Technology?
Despite its exponential growth in the tech industry since its launch, there are ways in which it falls short compared to other frameworks in the market:
Relatively New Compared to Others
The Flutter framework is newer than its tried-and-tested frameworks, such as React Native. Meaning, it hasn’t been tested in big applications in the real world. For instance, React Native has already been put to use for successful apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Skype. Flutter has got some catching up to do in terms of proving its long-term credibility.
Incomplete Camera Support
Currently, Flutter’s official camera plug-in doesn’t support certain features, such as zooming and flash control. However, this doesn’t seem like a significant issue, as most developers use third-party plugins that add these functions. This means that this limitation isn’t usually an issue when building apps with video or photo features.
No 3D Support
At the moment, Flutter only works with 2D graphics. So, if you are building an app that requires 3D for games or AR, Flutter might not be the suitable option for you yet. But most apps don’t even need 2D, so this wouldn’t be an issue for most people. What is Flutter app development helps with developing 2D graphics.
What Can You Build with Flutter?
Flutter is quite adaptable so you can build many types of apps with it. It is compatible with:
- Mobile apps, including Android and iOS
- Web apps that run in a browser
- Desktop apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Embedded apps for smart devices, like watches or home screens
All in all, Flutter is your go-to framework for any app development project. Be it a shopping app, news reader, social media platform, or even just a tool for business, Flutter is where it’s at!
Additionally, since it works on various platforms, it’s great for small teams, startups, and anyone who wants to increase their reach using less code.
What are some Real-World Companies Using Flutter Technology?
Many popular companies are currently using Flutter to build their apps. This validates that Flutter technology isn’t just for startups and small teams, as big companies rely on it too.
The following are some well-known examples:
- Google – For internal tools and some official apps
- BMW – Built parts of its mobile app using Flutter
- Alibaba – Created a smooth shopping app for its millions of users
- eBay Motors – Built their app quickly using Flutter’s fast development tools
- Toyota – For in-car systems on new intelligent dashboards
Final Thoughts
The era of app development is ever-changing, and the Flutter framework has been leading this change recently. At Linkitsoft, it has become the go-to platform for most developers. As per Statista, in 2024, over 42% of developers worldwide use Flutter technology for app development.
Using Flutter’s single code ideology, fast hot reload, native-like performance due to Dart and Skia, and beautiful design options, developers can create top-quality apps that work well and look great.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Flutter?
Flutter is an open-source framework made by Google. It allows you to create web, desktop and mobile apps using the same code.
What is Flutter app development?
A Flutter app refers to any application that is created using the Flutter toolkit. It is functional for various operating systems, including Android, iOS, web, Windows, macOS, Linux, and even smart devices using a single code.
What is Flutter app development used for?
It’s especially used for building cross-platform apps for iOS, Android, web, and desktop using a single code. It has great performance, a responsive user interface design, and innovative features like hot reload.
Is Flutter a programming language?
No, Flutter is a framework. Flutter apps are written using Dart programming language which is also made by Google.
What language does Flutter use?
The programming language that Flutter uses is called Dart. It is a modern language that is easy to learn. Especially for people who have prior experience in major programming languages such as JavaScript, Java, or C#.
Is Flutter framework suitable for app development?
Yes, Flutter is a great choice for app development. That’s because:
- Has a fast development cycle with hot reload
- Offers native-like performance
- Google backs it and has a growing community
- Build for both Android and iOS with one code
Is Flutter a framework?
Yes, Flutter is a User Interface framework. It includes everything you need to build apps, ranging from tools and libraries to UI components.
Is Flutter suitable for web development?
Yes, Flutter technology can be used for web development. It is great for building interactive web apps. However, it may not be the first choice for very simple websites or SEO-heavy projects.
