React Native vs Flutter: Which One is Better for Your App in 2025?

Android and iOS are two of the most popular operating systems in the world of smartphones. Both systems demanded different codes to function apps. However, the attempt to build one app for both Android and iOS was not new. In the early 2000s, there were attempts to build apps that could run on multiple platforms. But with the dominance of these two OS, the path of cross-platform app development became all the more clear, and the advancements were Irrefutable.

The reason why I am telling you this is that today, we are going to discuss two frameworks that were built for cross-platform development: Flutter vs React Native. Both frameworks have made a name for themselves as the head of cross-platform development. But which one is better? Both? Let’s break down the performances, pros, and cons of both frameworks.

Usage Statistics: Flutter vs React Native

Statista conducted a survey asking software developers worldwide about which framework they use. The results are surprising. After 2019, the popularity of flutter just went up and up compared to react native. In 2023, 46% of software developers used Flutter, while react native had 35% of the usage.

Introducing Flutter

Flutter is a UI framework created by Google. It was initially released in May 2017. Although react native had already been released, the flutter did not quiver. Developers around the world abundantly started to show interest in this new open source UI framework. And why wouldn’t they? Flutter app development provided one single codebase for multiple devices. Android, iOS, web, and even desktop all from a single codebase.

Now, here’s where Flutter gets interesting. Other frameworks rely on native UI components, meanwhile, Flutter does its own thing. It has its own rendering engine called Skia, which means it draws everything from scratch instead of depending on platform-specific elements. This results in a smoother and more consistent UI across devices.

And what about the language? Flutter runs on Dart. Dart is Google’s programming language that’s designed for speed and efficiency. Dart is pretty easy to pick up if you have experience with JavaScript or Java.

Why Do Developers Love Flutter?

• One Codebase, Multiple Platforms – No more writing separate apps for Android and iOS. One codebase covers it all.
• Blazing-Fast Performance – Since Flutter compiles directly into native ARM code, there’s no JavaScript bridge slowing things down.
• Aesthetic Freedom – With Flutter’s widget-based system, developers can design highly customized and visually rich UIs without platform restrictions.
• Hot Reload – Make a change in your code, and boom—see the results instantly without restarting the app.
• Backed by Google – Regular updates, strong community support, and integration with Google services.

Apps You Might Know That Use Flutter:

• Google Ads
• Alibaba
• BMW
• eBay Motors

Introduction to React Native

Now, let’s shift gears to react native. React Native is another major player in the cross-platform development world.

React Native was introduced by Facebook (now Meta) in 2015, two years before releasing of Flutter. In no time, it became a favorite among developers. The reason behind this is that it allows you to build mobile apps using JavaScript and React, two of the most widely used technologies in web development. Do not get confused between React and React Native both are different. ReactJS is a library for app development, and React Native is a JavaScript Framework. React Native also lets you write one codebase for both iOS and Android.

However, here’s the catch. Flutter renders everything on its own, and React Native relies on native components. That means it bridges your JavaScript code with native platform elements. The trend of making the app feel like a native app never stopped. While creating an app for multiple platforms and systems, one thing that was lost was the feeling that the app was specifically built for each system. As a result, it no longer runs as smoothly as it would if it were designed exclusively for that platform. However, with react native this became possible, creating a cross-platform app while keeping its native feel. All the more reason why some might say react native is the perfect choice for cross platform development.

Why Do Developers Choose React Native?

• JavaScript + React – If you know JavaScript, you’re already halfway there. No need to learn a whole new language like Dart.
• One Codebase for Two Platforms – Just like Flutter, you can write once and run on both Android and iOS.
• Large Community & Ecosystem – React Native has been around longer, meaning tons of libraries, tools, and community support.
• Hot Reload – Make changes in your code and see them reflect in real-time without restarting the app.
• Backed by Meta (Facebook) – Used in popular apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Shopify.

Here are some of the popular apps that are built with react native:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• Tesla
• Shopify

Similarities Between React Native and Flutter

Before jumping into which framework is better, let’s take a moment to appreciate what React Native and Flutter have in common. Both have become top choices for cross-platform development, and for good reason. Let’s break down their similarities.

1. Cross-Platform Development: One Code, Multiple Platforms

In a recent blog similarly, we compared two cross-platform frameworks, React Native and Ionic. Google “top cross-platform frameworks,” and the first three answers will consist of Flutter, React Native, and Ionic. Putting aside Ionic for now, both Flutter and React Native allow developers to write one codebase and run it on multiple platforms, primarily iOS and Android. This saves developers from writing separate native apps, which means less time spent coding and lower development costs. In some cases, these frameworks can even extend support to web and desktop applications, making them even more versatile.

2. Open-Source and Free to Use

Flutter and React Native are both completely free and open source, meaning anyone can use, modify, and contribute to their development. This also means a wealth of community resources, tutorials, and third-party libraries are available, making it easier for developers to find solutions and speed up their work.

3. Hot Reload: Instant Feedback for Faster Development

Every developer knows the agitation of restarting the whole app just to see if the feature they added works properly or not. Cross-platform & hot reload might be the two reasons that make these two frameworks this widely known. Hot reloading means instead of restarting the app every time you make a small change, you can see the updates instantly. This perk is highly appreciated when debugging any app.

4. Near-Native Performance

Performance is always a concern with cross-platform frameworks, but both Flutter and React Native have optimized ways to deliver close-to-native speed and responsiveness. Thanks to direct interactions with the device’s native components, they handle animations, UI rendering, and user interactions efficiently. While they may not be as fast as fully native apps, they are good enough for most use cases.

5. Strong Community Support and Ecosystem

A big advantage of using either Flutter or React Native is the active and ever-growing developer community behind them. Since both frameworks are widely used, developers have access to a large collection of libraries, plugins, and tools that make development easier. If you ever run into an issue, chances are someone has already solved it, and you can find an answer on platforms like Stack Overflow or GitHub.

6. Backed by Tech Giants: Google vs Meta

Another reason these frameworks continue to evolve is the support from major tech companies. Flutter is developed and maintained by Google, while React Native is backed by Meta (formerly Facebook). This means frequent updates, long-term support, and continuous improvements. Since these companies rely on these frameworks for their own apps (like Google Ads for Flutter and Facebook for React Native), they have a vested interest in keeping them up to date.

React Native vs Flutter: Which One is Better?

Now that you understand each framework and how they work, let’s address the big question: Flutter or React Native, which one should you choose?

The answer depends on your project, your team’s expertise, and what you want to achieve. Let’s break it down:

Choose Flutter if:

• You want high-performance apps with smooth animations and a custom UI.
• You don’t mind learning Dart, which is fast but not as widely used as JavaScript.
• You’re okay with a smaller, but rapidly growing ecosystem.
• You want a consistent UI across platforms, since Flutter doesn’t rely on native components.

Choose React Native if:

• You already work with JavaScript and React, so the learning curve is minimal.
• You prefer a more mature ecosystem with tons of third-party libraries.
• You need an app that feels more native, since React Native uses actual platform components.
• You’re building an app with a lot of pre-built libraries and integrations.
• Let’s break down both frameworks into different factors and then you decide which is the best fit for you: flutter or react native.

1. Performance Comparison

Performance is one of the biggest concerns when building a mobile app. A laggy, unresponsive app can frustrate users and lead to high uninstall rates. So, which framework performs better?

Flutter:

Flutter is known for its high performance, thanks to its direct compilation into native machine code. Since it uses Dart, which doesn’t rely on a JavaScript bridge, apps run smoothly with minimal delays. Flutter’s Skia rendering engine ensures that UI elements are redrawn at 60–120 FPS, creating fluid animations and transitions. This makes it an excellent choice for high-performance applications, such as gaming or apps that require rich graphics. However, one downside is that Flutter apps tend to be larger in file size, which might be a concern for lightweight applications.

React Native:

React Native’s performance depends on its JavaScript bridge, which translates JavaScript code into native components. This additional layer can introduce performance overhead, especially in apps that require heavy animations or frequent interactions with native APIs. However, Meta (formerly Facebook) has introduced Hermes, a lightweight JavaScript engine that significantly improves startup time and overall performance. React Native is particularly strong when integrating native device features like GPS, camera, or Bluetooth, making it ideal for apps requiring deep native interactions.

In short, Flutter generally has the edge in raw performance, but React Native can still be highly efficient with the right tweaks.

Read the full article here.