Knowledge Base

What are React Native and Flutter?

React Native and Flutter are popular frameworks developed to accelerate mobile application development processes and ensure cross-platform compatibility. Both allow you to create applications for both iOS and Android platforms using a single code base. However, their approaches, technologies, and strengths differ.

React Native: Developed by Facebook, React Native uses JavaScript and React principles to create native mobile components. This provides an advantage in terms of application performance because the interface interacts directly with the device's native components.

Flutter: Developed by Google, Flutter uses the Dart programming language and has its own rendering engine (Skia). This gives developers more control over the interface and provides a platform-independent, consistent look.

What are the Main Differences Between React Native and Flutter?

The main differences between React Native and Flutter emerge in various areas such as the language used, architecture, performance, UI rendering, and ecosystem.

• Programming Language: React Native uses JavaScript, while Flutter uses Dart. Dart is an object-oriented language specifically optimized for Flutter.
• Architecture: React Native connects to native components via a JavaScript bridge, while Flutter draws everything from scratch using its own rendering engine. This gives Flutter more control and customization options.
• Performance: Both frameworks offer good performance, but Flutter generally has more consistent and predictable performance thanks to its own rendering engine. In React Native, the JavaScript bridge can sometimes cause performance bottlenecks.
• UI Rendering: React Native uses native UI components, while Flutter uses its own custom widgets. This ensures that Flutter's UI is platform-independent and looks the same on every platform.
• Ecosystem and Community: React Native is an older framework, so it has a larger community and a wider range of third-party libraries. However, Flutter's community is growing rapidly, and its ecosystem is developing with Google's support.

The following table summarizes these differences:

Which Framework Will Be More Popular in 2025?

It is difficult to predict with certainty which framework will be more popular in 2025, but some predictions can be made in light of current trends and developments.

React Native: React Native has advantages such as an established community, broad library support, and integration with the JavaScript ecosystem. This will continue to make it an attractive option, especially for teams with a web development background. In addition, Facebook's continued support and updates will ensure that React Native remains competitive in the long run.

Flutter: Flutter has gained great momentum in recent years thanks to Google's strong support, excellent performance, cross-platform UI consistency, and fast development processes. It is highly likely to be preferred, especially in new projects and applications that require complex UI designs. Although learning the Dart language may seem like an obstacle at first, the simplicity of the language and its specific optimization for Flutter make it easier to overcome this obstacle.

Prediction: Both frameworks will continue to play an important role in the mobile application development market. However, the performance and UI consistency advantages offered by Flutter may make it the preferred choice, especially in large-scale and complex projects. React Native, on the other hand, will still be an attractive option for teams familiar with the JavaScript ecosystem and looking to do rapid prototyping. As a result, the market share of both frameworks may remain close to each other, but Flutter's growth potential may be higher.

The table below summarizes possible scenarios for 2025:

In Which Cases Should React Native Be Preferred?

React Native may be a better option in the following cases:

• JavaScript Knowledge: If your team already has developers with JavaScript and React experience, the React Native learning curve will be shorter.
• Rapid Prototyping: React Native is ideal for rapid prototyping and MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development. Changes can be seen instantly thanks to the hot reloading feature.
• Existing Application Integration: React Native can be easily integrated into existing native applications. This provides an advantage for those who want to develop certain parts of the application with React Native and gradually migrate.
• Wide Library Support: React Native offers a large number of third-party libraries and components. This speeds up the development process and makes it easier to find solutions suitable for specific needs.
• Web Development Experience: React Native offers a more familiar environment for those familiar with web development principles.

Sample Code (React Native):

import React from 'react';
import { View, Text, StyleSheet } from 'react-native';

const App = () => {
  return (
    
      Hello React Native!
    
  );
};

const styles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: {
    flex: 1,
    justifyContent: 'center',
    alignItems: 'center',
  },
  text: {
    fontSize: 20,
    fontWeight: 'bold',
  },
});

export default App;

This code is an example of a React Native application that displays a simple "Hello React Native!" text on the screen.

In Which Cases Should Flutter Be Preferred?

Flutter may be a better option in the following cases:

• Performance Requirements: If your application requires high performance (e.g., games, animations, complex graphics), you can achieve more consistent and predictable performance with Flutter's own rendering engine.
• UI Consistency: If you want your application to look the same on every platform (especially if brand consistency is important), you can create a platform-independent UI with Flutter's custom widgets.
• Complex UI Designs: Flutter offers powerful tools for creating complex and customized UI designs. Widgets can be easily combined and customized.
• Advanced Animations: Flutter is quite capable when it comes to animations. It is possible to create smooth and performant animations thanks to its own rendering engine.
• Firebase Integration: If your application uses Firebase, Flutter's integration with Firebase is quite easy and supported by Google.

Sample Code (Flutter):

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(MyApp());
}

class MyApp extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        appBar: AppBar(
          title: Text('Hello Flutter!'),
        ),
        body: Center(
          child: Text(
            'Hello Flutter!',
            style: TextStyle(fontSize: 20, fontWeight: FontWeight.bold),
          ),
        ),
      ),
    );
  }
}

This code is an example of a Flutter application that prints a simple "Hello Flutter!" message to the screen.

Which is Easier in Terms of Learning Curve?

The learning curve varies depending on the developer's existing knowledge and experience.

• React Native: The React Native learning curve is shorter for developers who know JavaScript and React. React Native applies React principles to mobile application development, and therefore offers a more familiar environment for those with a web development background. However, it may be necessary to be familiar with native mobile development concepts and platform-specific APIs.
• Flutter: Although learning the Dart programming language may seem like an obstacle at first, Dart's simplicity and Flutter's specific optimization make it easier to overcome this obstacle. Flutter's widget-based structure and documentation make it easy to create and customize UI. In addition, Flutter's "everything is a widget" philosophy offers a consistent learning experience.

Summary: React Native may be easier to start with for those who know JavaScript, but Flutter's powerful tools and documentation make learning Dart easier and can offer a more efficient development experience in the long run.

Successful Application Examples Made with React Native and Flutter

Both frameworks have been used in the development of many successful applications. Here are some examples:

Applications Developed with React Native:

• Facebook: React Native has been used in some parts of Facebook and in the Facebook Ads Manager application.
• Instagram: Some parts of Instagram have been developed with React Native.
• Skype: Skype's mobile application has been developed with React Native.
• Pinterest: Pinterest's mobile application has been developed with React Native.
• Bloomberg: Bloomberg's mobile application has been developed with React Native.

Applications Developed with Flutter:

• Google Ads: Google Ads' mobile application has been developed with Flutter.
• Alibaba (Xianyu): Alibaba's second-hand goods platform Xianyu has been developed with Flutter.
• eBay Motors: eBay Motors' mobile application has been developed with Flutter.
• BMW: Some of BMW's applications have been developed with Flutter.
• Nubank: Nubank's mobile application has been developed with Flutter.

These examples demonstrate that both frameworks can be successfully used in projects of different scales and in different sectors.