Top Cross-Platform Development Frameworks React Native vs. Flutter in 2025

 

The last few years have witnessed a rising demand for mobile app development companies. All businesses want a development solution that is efficient as well as cost-effective and that caters to different platforms like iOS and Android without duplicating the efforts.

To combat this, cross-platform development allows developers to create apps that can run flawlessly in both iOS and Android with a single code, saving resources and time while solving problems. React Native and Flutter are the leading players in the app development race. For businesses looking for building robust mobile applications, hiring a mobile app development company can anticipate expertise for curating a high performing app.

Whether react native or flutter, depends on the project’s needs and performance requirements. React native uses JavaScript to build cross-platform apps while Flutter uses Dart programming language which is optimized for building UIs.

Later in this blog, we will discuss in-depth react native and Flutter app development.

What Is Cross-Platform Development?

Over time, programming languages have evolved allowing developers to create apps in a short period of time which is incorporated by a source code that can be shared easily which implies that developers can create and install mobile assets that can function in both iOS and Android without having to recode them separately.

With Android and iOS being the two different operating systems, developers are often required to create different apps catering to different platforms. However, Cross-platform app development, which has been around for twenty years now, allows curating apps that can run on multiple operating systems using a single code.

Is cross-platform development the future of mobile app development?

Given its popularity and evolving frameworks, it is likely to play a significant role in the future of mobile app development. The future seems to lean towards cross-platform due to its specialty to cater to different operating systems at a time, saving resources and time.

Additionally, with the advancement in the frameworks, it offers enhanced features that were once exclusive to native app development, converging the gap between native and cross-platform app development, and making cross-platform a pertinent choice.

In recent years, cross-platform app development has been booming at lightning speed. It is reported that the global market size will reach $546.7 billion by 2033. The growth is anticipated to remain high at a staggering CAGR of 16.8% (2025–2033).

Understanding Flutter: An Essential Overview For Modern App Development

Flutter, created by Google, is an open-source software development kit, for curating apps that are native and multi-platform applicable using a single database code. It operates on Dart programming language. By collaborating with a Flutter app development company, businesses can create visually appealing apps that are highly responsive.

Features of Flutter-

• It allows developers to control pixels to create customized and versatile designs that feel great on screens
• It comes along with a broad range of pre-built widgets that can steadily construct user interfaces without going back to square one.
• Developers can also curate customized widgets which can be incorporated across multiple platforms.
• It provides hardware accelerated graphics, enabling apps to perform better.

Limitations of flutter-

• Flutter apps are comparatively larger than native apps which is problematic for users with limited storage.
• It has a limited scope of third party libraries and technology it can deploy.
• Its web app doesn’t support SEO and easy discoverability.
• It has a high learning curve for people who are unfamiliar with Javascript.

Companies that built Smarter Apps with Flutter

Ever wondered if the app you are using is built on which software?

Flutter has become a popular app development software tool due to its versatility, fast development pace, and capability to build native apps for the web and mobile.

Let’s take a look at apps powered by Flutter-

• Whirlpool
• Google pay
• eBay
• Alibaba Group

Unlocking The Power Of React Native App Development

React native is an open-source software toolkit developed by Meta. It allows developers to curate apps that are high-performing for both iOS and Android on a single code. It blends with the best native app development, offering stunning and responsive apps.

Features Of React Native-

• It is based on declarative syntax which means that developers describe what the UI should look like based on the app’s state.
• It relies on native code instead of hybrid codes to meet user experience and provide a native-like feel.
• It has a large community support of developers who provide libraries and resources.
• A broad range of plugins are available to improve app functionality.

Limitations of React Native-

• It possesses challenges in debugging plugins which makes it a less potential contender in the fully native apps race.
• It excessively relies on third-party libraries for specific native features.
• Requires extra testing and adjustments as it may create slight UI differences between iOS and Android.
• The abstraction layer sometimes creates performance bottlenecks or unanticipated behavior.

Companies That Built Smarter Apps With React Native

React Native is revolutionizing mobile and web experiences across different Meta ecosystems, ensuring smooth integration and consistency, all catering to the needs of tech-savvy Genz.

Let’s see which brands are curated by React native toolkit -

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Skype
• Amazon

React Native V/S Flutter — Performance Comparison

When deciding between react native and Flutter app development, it is crucial to apprehend key differences between them.

The below points highlight the performance comparison between both —

Programming language

• React Native — uses Javascript, making it a compelling choice for developers familiar with it,
• Flutter — uses Dart, a less commonly known language, making the learning curve high for amateurs.

Performance

• React native — leans on the bridge between native code and javascript, which affects performance.
• Flutter — directly incorporates native code which offers better performance

UI components

• React Native — UI elements are based on platform-specific design patterns.
• Flutter — it has its own unique set of pre-built and customizable widgets that gives the same feel across different platforms.

Community support

• React Native — it has rich community support of developers which provide comprehensive third party libraries.
• Flutter — constantly improving and growing but has a comparatively small community.

That’s a wrap

In 2025, flutter and react native will continue to remain top choices for businesses for cross-platform app development. React native is the longest surviving framework in the app development race, making it a go-to-choice for any React Native app development company, looking to deliver scalable solutions.

While flutter continues to shine due to its customizable UI making it an ideal choice for apps that demand rich UI. As both have advanced robust frameworks, the considerable gap between them has narrowed.

However, it all depends on project needs, resources, development expertise, and powerful tools each framework offers. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the needs of your project and the potential of every choice for long term benefits.