If you want one app on both iOS and Android without building it twice, the two leading choices are React Native and Flutter. Both are mature and used by large companies. Here is how to choose.
The quick answer
- Choose React Native if your team or product already uses React and JavaScript/TypeScript, you want to share code or developers with a React or Next.js website, or you want access to the huge JavaScript ecosystem.
- Choose Flutter if you want pixel-identical custom UI on every platform and your team is comfortable learning Dart.
We build mobile apps with React Native, so we will be clear about why, and also fair about where Flutter shines.
How they work
React Native (by Meta) lets you write your app in JavaScript or TypeScript using React. Your components render as real native platform views, so apps look and feel at home on iOS and Android.
Flutter (by Google) uses the Dart language and draws every pixel itself with its own rendering engine. That gives it very consistent visuals across platforms.
Side-by-side
| React Native | Flutter | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | JavaScript / TypeScript | Dart |
| UI | Native platform components | Custom-drawn widgets |
| Share code with web | Easy with React and Next.js | Possible, less common |
| Developer pool | Very large (JavaScript) | Growing |
| Ecosystem | npm, the largest package registry | pub.dev, smaller but solid |
| Look and feel | Native per platform | Identical everywhere |
Performance
For the vast majority of business apps (forms, lists, feeds, maps, payments, chat), both perform well. React Native's modern architecture has removed many past bottlenecks. Flutter has an edge for very animation-heavy custom interfaces. Most real performance problems come from network calls, images and data handling, not the framework.
Development speed and hiring
Because React Native uses JavaScript and React, web developers can contribute quickly, and the same team can build your website, admin panel and app. That is a big advantage for startups with small teams and products that span web and mobile. Flutter teams are productive too, but Dart is a separate skill to hire for.
Sharing code with your website
If you also have a web app built with React or Next.js, React Native lets you share business logic, validation, API clients and sometimes UI patterns. For many SaaS products, this is the deciding factor.
When Flutter is the better choice
- You want a highly branded, custom UI that looks identical on every device.
- Your team already knows Dart.
- You have no web product to share code with.
Our recommendation
For most businesses building an app alongside a web product, React Native gives the best mix of speed, hiring flexibility and code sharing. That is why it is our default for cross-platform apps, used in products like iReport.
Not sure which fits your project? Book a free consultation, read about our app development services, or see how much it costs to build a mobile app.