React Native Vs Ionic Vs Flutter – Best Fit for Mobile App Development

It is no big surprise that the App market is growing at a faster rate; in fact its expansion has been quite remarkable. Moreover, It’s very difficult for developers to choose the right technology that can shape innovation in this tech-savvy world. Therefore, Companies need to be aware of the latest industry trends to create a competitive edge in the market and adapt quickly. When developing an application, developers need to make sure they are choosing right technology. But, which framework (React Native Vs Ionic Vs Flutter) they should choose seems intimidating for them.

So, there are various reasons why business owners prefer cross-platform app development over native – 

• Firstly, Cross-platform app development reduces your development time as developers do not need to write different codes to develop an app. So, The same code will work on Android, IOS, and the web.
• The development cost required to build native apps is higher than cross-platform app development. Hence, Developing apps through cross-platform saves your development cost by 30-40%. 
• Finally, The maintainability cost of choosing cross-platform is less costly than native because of the same codebase.   

There are 3 popular languages that developers use to build cross-platform apps quickly-  

1. React Native   

2. Flutter  

3. Ionic   

So, In this blog, we will do a detailed walkthrough of which framework (react native vs Flutter vs Ionic) is best for developing cross-platform applications. 

1. React Native  

React native was introduced in the year 2015. It is an open-source framework that uses JavaScript as its programming language. Moreover, React native enables developers to build cross-platform apps that run on Android, IOS, and Windows.   

Additionally React Native provides native-like app performance. Facebook backs it. Meanwhile, Various apps are built using react native framework, which includes Instagram, Facebook, Walmart, and Airbnb. 

2. Ionic   

Ionic is an open-source SDK framework that was introduced in the year 2013 and it was created by Drift Co. Additionally, This framework is used for developing cross-platform apps using web technologies such as HTML 5 and CSS to run the app on Android and IOS.   

 3. Flutter   

Flutter was introduced in the year 2018 to create high-performing applications. Futter is backed by Google so it is receiving massive support from the Google team. Moreover, Flutter is best at developing native-like applications. Moreover, Flutter is a new player in the market in developing cross-platform apps that run on Android and IOS.   

In addition, many top brands have leveraged the Flutter framework in developing scalable mobile apps including google pay, Alibaba, etc.   

Difference Between React Native vs Ionic vs Flutter 

1. Programming language  

Firstly, React native combines react framework with JavaScript to deliver native-like experiences. React uses JavaScript as its programming language. Moreover, It is mostly preferred by developers as it is widely used in developing hybrid apps.   

Ionic on the other hand , uses HTML 5, CSS, and JavaScript to develop high-quality apps for Android and IOS.  

Lastly, Flutter uses Dart, an object-oriented programming language to create cross-platform apps that work well on Android, IOS, and web.  In fact Google developed Flutter. 

Which framework (react native vs Flutter vs Ionic) does the developers use? 

If someone has expertise in an object-oriented programming language, then Flutter is good to use. So, If an organization has angular developers, they can choose Ionic. However, if someone has skilled React developers, then they can develop apps using react native framework. 

2. Performance  

When it comes to developing mobile apps, the performance aspect can’t be ignored.   

Firstly, React native uses native APIs and components to develop applications that are similar to native apps. Furthermore, The applications developed using react native framework provides high performance.  

Secondly, Ionic delivers better performance. Though Ionic offers a native-like app appearance, it does not develop native-like Apps. Hence, Flutter is the clear winner here.  

While, Flutter offers amazing performance (60 Frames per second) as it does not use JavaScript bridge to interact with native components.   

3. Popularity  

React native is a more popular framework as it has a large community of developers. In addition to this, The number of react developers is increasing as react native framework uses popular JavaScript libraries. Additionally, react native framework is used by tech giants such as Walmart, uber, tesla, etc.  

86% of web developers use ionic, but it has gained huge support from the developers’ community as it is the oldest framework than react native and Flutter. 

On the other hand, Flutter, a new framework that entered the market, has seen increased growth in the number of developers. Though it has a smaller user base, its growth of development is expected to skyrocket than react native and Ionic in the coming few years.   

Additionally, Flutter is backed by Google and Google uses Flutter to develop its applications. Flutter framework is used by many companies such as invoice ninja, eBay, google, etc.   

4. User Interface  

 React native uses React JS library and native UI controllers to provide a native-like experience. Therefore, It uses third-party libraries as it does not have its UI components.   

Secondly, The ionic framework does not make use of any native elements. It uses web technologies such as HTML and CSS to give a native-like appearance to apps.   

While, Flutter has its own UI components, widgets library, and UI rendering engine to create user-friendly apps that work well for multiple platforms.   

5. Pricing  

React native is an open-source framework because it allows engineers to use various libraries for free.  

Though Ionic is a free, open-source framework, it offers a pro version called Ionic Pro. Additionally, Ionic Pro allows developers to expedite their development process.   

Flutter is also an open-source SDK that enables developers to use widgets and libraries for free. Moreover, The cost of flutter developers ranges between $35-$65 per hour. 

6. Execution of code   

React native is based on this principle “Learn code once, Use it everywhere.” Developers need not worry about wasting time and efforts in creating separate codes for multiple platforms.   

Secondly, One advantage that makes react native stand out from other frameworks is that it uses the JavaScript library with react to develop scalable apps.   

Whereas, The ionic framework uses the principle of “one codebase and all platforms,” which means developers can build highly interactive apps quickly.  

Flutter uses Dart programming language, and Dart is an advanced as a result and comprehensive language. Additionally, Flutter has rich features and platform-specific APIs to create interactive mobile applications. 

7. Maintainability  

It becomes challenging to maintain a cross-platform app that is developed through react native framework. However, it has a huge community support from developers. Moreover, Different plugins are used to ensure proper maintenance of an app.  

Ionic has less community support than react native. Hence, It is difficult to do backward compatibility.  

On the other hand, Flutter, being the new framework, has huge support from Google. Also, It is easy to maintain an app using Flutter framework as Google regularly tests the app against new versions.  

8. Availability of developers  

The availability of react native developers is enormous.  React native framework has a community of more than 5000 app developers.  

While, Flutter uses Dart programming language. Dart is a modern and object-oriented language, and there has been a rising trend as most developers wanted to become proficient in this. Furthermore, object-oriented developers can quickly learn Dart to develop cross-platform apps.

Additionally, The demand for angular developers is fading away with the increasing popularity of Flutter. Therefore, it has become a least popular choice for developers to opt-in.  

How Flutter differs from react native and Ionic?

Basis of comparison	React Native	Ionic	Flutter
1. Programming language	React native uses JavaScript as its programming language	Ionic uses HTML 5, CSS and JavaScript as its programming language	Flutter uses Dart as its programming language
2. Performance	Develops native like high performance apps (40-45 frames per second)	Its performance is not as good as react native or Flutter.	Flutter on the hand, develops interactive and high performing applications (60 frames per second)
3. Popularity	React native has strong community support	While, Ionic being the traditional framework enjoys support from good number of developers	Flutter has smaller user base but it is expected that the popularity of Flutter will rise over the period.
4. User interface	React native creates seamless user interface as it uses react libraries	On the other hand, Ionic uses web technologies (HTML & CSS) to give a native like appearance of apps	Flutter has its own UI rendering engine and widgets library to provide best user interface
5. Pricing	React native is a free open-source framework	Ionic is also a free open-source framework. But it also has its pro version called Ionic pro.	Flutter is an open-source framework that is accessible to developers for free
6. Execution of code	It uses single codebase to develop apps that supports multiple platforms	It uses the philosophy of “One code and multiple platforms”	Flutter provides code reusability feature to developers “Write code once and use it on multiple platforms.”
7. Maintainability	It is hard to maintain a cross platform app using this framework. Different plugins are used to ensure proper maintenance of an app	It is difficult to do backward maintainability in ionic framework	This framework is easy for developers to maintain an app as google regularly test the app against new versions
8. Availability of developers	It is relatively easy to find a pool of react native developers	The demand for angular developers is decreasing day by day	Flutter is a modern framework and hence the demand for developers have been increasing day by day

Wrapping up   

But, If you ask us, “What is the best framework for building cross-platform apps.” Obviously, The answer is entirely subjective. So, there is no specific framework that works well for all businesses because each framework (react native vs ionic vs flutter ) has pros and cons.   

So, If you want to build apps quickly, ionic would be the profitable option. It ensures fast development of apps but will compromise an app’s performance and efficiency. However, If you want to develop apps that provide better user interfaces, a developer could either choose Flutter or react native. 

Moreover, If you need help in creating cross-platform development apps then connect with our experts for a free one to one 30 min consultation call.

FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between Flutter and React native?  

1. Programming language– React native uses JavaScript as its programming language. On the contrary, Flutter uses Dart as its programming language 

2. Performance– Develops native like high performance apps ( 40-45 frames per second). Moreover, Flutter develops interactive and high performing applications (60 frames per second).

3. Popularity- React native has strong community support. Additionally, Flutter has smaller user base but it is expected that the popularity of Flutter will rise over the period.

4. User interface- React native creates seamless user interface as it uses react libraries. Moreover, Flutter has its own UI rendering engine and widgets library to provide best user interface.

5. Pricing- React native is a free open-source framework. On the other Flutter is an open-source framework that is accessible to developers for free.

6. Execution of code- React Native uses a single codebase to develop apps that support multiple platforms. On the contrary, Flutter provides a feature of code reusability “Write code once and use it everywhere.

7. Maintainability- React Native is hard to maintain a cross-platform app using this framework. Additionally, Different plugins are used to ensure proper maintenance of an app. On the other hand, Flutter is quite easy to maintain an app as google regularly test the app against new versions.

8. Availability of developers- React Native is relatively easy to find a pool of react native developers.While, Flutter is a modern framework and hence the demand for developers have been increasing day by day.         

Q2. Will Flutter overtake react native?  

We want to refrain from commenting on which framework will dominate others in 2023; however, we can discuss the current trends and popular choices among developers. But according to a Statista survey, Flutter stays ahead of react native in 2021 and is considered the most popular platform for developing cross-platform apps. 

Q3. Whose performance is better: React native or flutter?

Flutter performs faster in developing mobile apps because it does not use any JavaScript library to interact with native components. Additionally, Flutter can provide 60 frames per second (FPS) performance which is much higher than what React native renders (40-45 frames per second). 

Q4. How do I decide which platform is best use for me?

Overall, There is no single answer to this question. On the whole, It depends on various things given below-

Firstly, If the developer has expertise in developing a cross-platform app, then he /she can use that framework be it React Native, Ionic or Flutter  
Secondly, It depends on the intent of an app. Additionally, Moreover, If an app has 3^rd party integrations, then it is better to choose the platform for which you have SDK which is provided by 3^{rd party} integration providers.
– Thirdly, If an app has a lot of data to show on the user interface, then you can choose either react native or Ionic because Ionic has less performance and extensive operations.
– Lastly, If you are doing lot of CPU and native operations then using Flutter is the profitable option in this case