Flutter App Development For The Startups: Worth The Hype Or Not?

Flutter App For Startups
Krishna Unagar
21-Jan-2019
Reading Time: 8 minutes

You are reading this flutter app development for startups blog because of two major reasons:

  1. First, you have a startup idea and you are looking for a cost-effective and reliable app development solution.
  2. Secondly; you are a tech-enthusiast and you are looking for an informative article to learn more about flutter.

In any case, this blog is going to be beneficial for you.

At the end of this blog you will learn:

  • The advantages and benefits of Flutter
  • Why cross-platform apps are beneficial for startups and enterprises?
  • How Flutter is able to overcome the drawbacks of cross-platform apps?
  • Why Flutter app development is the right choice for startups?
  • Which are the top apps build on Flutter SDK?

Let us begin our journey to dive deep into Flutter and Cross-platform mobile app development for startups as well as for enterprises.

Today; mobile apps have been germinated from a tool for the simplification of our life to a major business utility aspect. There is no doubt that the world is revolving around digital experiences and on-demand services. Daily new startups are launched in the virtual world with new services for the world out there.

But a common problem with every startup is; they lack budget and funding to build native Android and iOS app. While cross-platform apps lack the features and functionalities of native apps. well; cross platforms have evolved to a new extent. And flutter is a major example of the evolution of cross platforms app.

In this article, we are going to discuss everything about Flutter and Cross-platform mobile apps.

Let’s begin with a quick introduction of Flutter.

What Exactly Is Flutter?

Flutter is a Software development kit for mobile apps which helps in the development of high-performing Android and iOS apps using a single codebase. It’s widgets allow the developers to deliver high-fidelity apps with best typography, icons and scrolling behaviors.

Flutter delivers flexible and expressive app designs because of its layered architecture. The Hot reload feature of Flutter provides a rich set of fully customizable widgets which results in faster development.

Which Are The Top Benefits Of Flutter?

Let’s have a look at the advantages of using Flutter for mobile app development.

  1. Open Source
    The open source nature of flutter make it available for better research- and- development for any purpose. It is easily accessible and user-friendly only because of its open-collaboration. Along with countless design options flutter provides a diverse scope for the design.
  2. Amazing Widgets
    The wide range of widgets cataloged by flutter results in hassle-free development of an amazing mobile application. Also, the IntelliJ Plugin results in better integration and Dart language compiles to native code.
  3. Single Codebase 
Flutter's Single Codebase
Flutter’s Single Codebase ( Source: flutter.io )

Flutter is not dependent on JavaScript for the codebase setup it operates on both iOS & Android smoothly. As a result; It develops cross-platform apps which are competitive enough with native apps in terms of functionality, features and UI/UX.

After understanding the Flutter SDK, its time to have a look at how Cross-platform mobile apps can help startups.

Why Cross-Platform Apps Are Efficient For Startups?

  • Less Development Cost:
    You don’t have to invest separately for each platform. A cross-platform app will run on Android as well as iOS. As a result, you just have to spend once for both the platforms which will be a lot less compared to the individual development cost of native Android and iOS apps.
  • Reusable Codes:
    The app code can be used again by the developers. As a result; programmers don’t have to write new code for each platform they can reuse one code and translate it into different programming languages. This results in time and money saving.
  • Plugins Are Easily Accessible:
    A wide range of plugins is available which makes the development process much easier and smoother. With cross-platform app development; accessing these plugins is effortless hence the development process is way much better.
  • Faster Development:
    As a result of all the above advantages, cross-platform apps are developed faster. The code is developed only once and developers will reuse it with different plugins hence the apps will be developed faster.
  • Quick Testing:
    You don’t need to hire separate Quality analysts for each platform code also; you don’t need multiple devices to check the app. One QA can test the features, functions, and program of the cross-platform mobile app effortlessly.

In spite of all these benefits of cross-platform app development, startups and enterprises are still afraid of adopting it.

So In next section, we would like to cover a few myths about cross-platform apps which are resolved by Flutter.

Why Businesses Prefer Native Apps Over Cross-Platform Apps?

People are around the world are neglecting cross-platform apps even with the lack of budget for app development. They prefer to build an iOS app first and after earning enough ROI they invest in an Android app. Although; they are aware that a cross-platform mobile app can deliver presence on both the platform within their budget.

Businesses and startups are inclined more towards native app development because of two major myths:

  • First; cross-platform apps are slow because they are dependent on the code interpreter instead of compiling directly the Native ARM code.
  • Second; cross-platform apps have completely different widgets and buttons, as a result, they can’t compete with the UI/UX of native apps.

What If I Say Flutter Has Resolved These Two Issues?

YES, with Dart language and best-in-class design widgets Flutter SDK is all set to assist the startups in cross-platform mobile app development.

Number of StackOverflow question views Related to UI Frameworks
Number of StackOverflow question views Related to UI Frameworks ( Image Source: Google Developer Blog)

Now that it is clear that Flutter has the ability to overtakes the disadvantages of cross-platform apps.

Let us have a look at few reasons why flutter is the best option for cross-platform app development.

Few Reasons To Choose Flutter For Startup Mobile App

Compelling Design Experience

  • The reason behind the powerful UI/UX of Flutter apps is the balance and combination of Material design and Flutter. The power-packed widgets provide a customized experience for both iOS and Android apps hence it gives the Native Feel to the app.
  • Flutter has the widest widget catalog among all the cross-platform tools out there and hence it creates an intuitive design experience which was earlier possible in native apps only.

Firebase As A Backend

  • We all know that Firebase makes the infrastructure redundant, serverless and scalable. Google support Firebase and it provides off limit support for cloud functions, real-time databases, authentication, hosting and many other benefits.
  • Hence, startups don’t have to invest time and resources on backend development and management separately.

Better Developer Productivity

  • Flutter has some out-of-the-box features which lead to better time management and efficient resource utility by developers.
  • With features like Hot Reload developers can check the changes in the code in real time.
hot-reload-functionality of Flutter
Flutter’s Hot Reload Feature (Source: flutter.io )
  • As a result; it eliminates the need to compile the code again and again. This all results in better productivity of developers.

Even after so many reasons to choose flutter mobile application; brands and enterprises are having second thoughts about investing in the cross-platform app. Another major reason behind this was the limited portfolio of Flutter.

But today; Big brands and corporate are relying on Flutter for their mobile apps. To prove our point we have mentioned the list of well-reputed companies around the world which are using Flutter for their apps.

Which Are The Top Apps Built With Flutter?

Do you know which is the best way to understand the advantages of Flutter?

It is by checking out the real-life examples; here are the top mobile apps developed by Flutter to inspire you. We have mentioned the best features and functions of each app to help you understand the flutter SDK better.

Alibaba’s Xianyu App

  • The biggest eCommerce company which manages wholesale marketplace for global trade relies on flutter to empower its mobile app.
  • The convenient UI/UX of the app allows the users to buy products from the suppliers directly.
  • The Xianyu app delivers best in class experience for iOS as well as Android and the credit goes to Flutter.

Google Ads

  • The app allows the users to keep an eye on the paid promotions on Google and check the campaign statistics on Android phone.
  • The Google ads app delivers details about the campaign like real-time alerts, update bids, call Google experts and many more. The users can handle their entire campaign from the app smoothly.

Platypus Crypto

  • This is a cross-platform mobile app for tracking of cryptocurrency assets. The app provides 7-day real-time data of current prices and market caps, graphs and percentage change with the time.
  • The best part of the app is it allows the users to refresh, search and sort the results instantly. With over 32 fiat currencies and customization options, users can connect with the app efficiently.

Reflectly

Flutter Developed Reflectly App Interface Image
Flutter Developed Reflectly App Interface (Image Source: medium.com/reflectly-engineering )
  • The app is the perfect example of how flutter works with different technologies. Reflectly is a lifestyle app which drives mindfulness and daily journal by using Artificial Intelligence.
  • The app helps the users to deal with stress and develop gratitude with audio-reflections by leading self-care and self-help experts, and also to overcome negative thoughts and adds cognitive behavioral therapy and positive psychology in the user’s life.

Birch Finance

  • Birch Finance is a finance app which allows the users to manage and optimize their credit cards and reward points earned on the credit card.
  • The users can also tack the expenses across different accounts and cards also several ways to redeem the points and earn new reward points from the credit cards.

Hamilton Musical

  • The Broadway musical Hamilton has its official app and Flutter is proud to be the supporting platform.
  • The app provides daily lotteries, news, and videos of Chicago, London, and New York. Along with daily trivia game, tour locations and merchandise store around the city.

The Best Part About Flutter?

The Google Fuchsia OS apps will be written using Flutter SDK. So; if you were excited about the release of Google’s new OS then you should be double thrilled now. With this; cross-platform mobile apps are going to be the next big thing.

Also Read:  What Is Google Fuchsia? Everything You Need To Know Hybrid Mobile OS

There is no doubt that Flutter and Fuchsia are going to transform the mobile app world. So; if you are thinking about building a mobile app for your idea or business then Flutter will be the right option to be prepared for the next technology wave.

What makes Flutter Best Option for Cross-Platform App Development

  1. To connect with OEM widgets Flutter doesn’t require JavaScript Bridge.
  2. Google XD is supporting and promoting Flutter extensively.

Read more: React Native Vs Flutter Vs PWA: The Right Choice for Hybrid App Development

Now that you are aware of all the aspects of Flutter app development its time to make a decision.

Over To You!

Flutter is not here to disappear with time; it is here to stay and build a dedicated space for cross-platform mobile apps. The best proof of the success of flutter is; right now the SDK is in the preview phase and still, top brands have adopted it for their mobile app.

  • If you are also looking for mobile app development for your business then Flutter is the right option for you.
  • But make sure to hire skilled flutter app developers; as the technology is still new few freelance developers are fooling people which are not that much tech-savvy.
  • Make sure not to fall into the trap of such amateur developers and waste your time and money.

Get In Touch with a reliable and proficient mobile app development company to discuss the scope of your project. Samarpan Infotech is glad to be one of the leading flutter app development company with a team of expert mobile app developers, business analysts, quality analysts, and marketers.

You don’t have to worry about the development of your cross-platform mobile app, we will be your technical partner throughout the development phase. Hire Flutter app developers for your start-up idea and transform your idea into reality effortlessly.