Flutter vs React Native: Which Framework Should You Choose for Your Mobile App?

We continue our series of articles for business decision-makers exploring the best development solutions. Today, we’re diving into the search for the best cross-platform app framework.

Our top contenders: React Native vs Flutter. Both frameworks aim to solve one key task: building multi-platform apps from a single codebase. Why does that matter?

Cross-platform mobile development helps save time and money (up to 40% of the budget compared to native, separate development for iOS and Android). Cross-platform solutions are also valued for their rapid launch capabilities, unified design and logic, and convenient maintenance.

It’s no surprise that, according to ResearchAndMarkets, the cross-platform development market is expected to reach $364 billion. Only one question remains: “Which framework should you choose to build the perfect mobile app?”

Let’s begin the Flutter vs React Native battle of 2025. 

What Are React Native and Flutter?

So, we’ve already established that both frameworks are used to create single codebase apps. In general, they share quite a bit in common:

• one codebase for both iOS and Android;
• Hot Reload (allows fast updates without full rebuilds);
• community support, meaning many ready-made libraries and solutions;
• high performance, close to that of native apps.

But it’s their differences that ultimately define the choice: Flutter or React Native. Let’s take a closer look. 

React Native Overview

"React Native is like a Swiss army knife — flexible, fast, and native-ready. It’s not perfect, but it gets the job done."

© Wezom technical team member

Back in 2013, Facebook engineer Christopher Chedeau proposed using React (a web framework) for mobile development. During an internal hackathon, the team created a prototype that rendered mobile UI via JavaScript. The official release followed almost two years later.

As you might have guessed, the main feature of React Native (RN) is that it’s a product of Meta (Facebook). But there are other key characteristics:

• Unlike Flutter (which uses Dart), React Native runs on JavaScript is a language familiar to most web developers;
• RN leverages native iOS and Android components, which makes the app look “system-native,” though this can cause variations in UI rendering;
• It integrates easily into existing apps, you can rewrite just one screen or module.

When comparing app performance React vs Flutter, there’s one important nuance. RN uses a JavaScript bridge to communicate with native code, which can slightly reduce performance under heavy load.

React Native is actively used by: Facebook, Instagram (part of the interface), Uber Eats, and Walmart — the latter even fully rewrote their app in React Native, improving performance and simplifying maintenance.

Flutter Overview

"What I love about Flutter? Once it builds into native code, it just rolls without brakes. Animations? 60 FPS? No problem! It draws everything itself, without relying on system components.

Sure, app size can be heavy, and when native features are needed, sometimes you have to switch gears (write plugins)." 

© a member of the Wezom technical team

When Google started looking for a way to simplify and accelerate cross-platform mobile development, Flutter was born. Initially an internal experiment, by 2018 it had evolved into a full-fledged tool now used by millions of developers worldwide.

Unlike React Native, Flutter was designed from the start as a fully independent platform solution. Moreover, Flutter doesn’t try to match system components, it renders the interface itself, fully controlling the look and behavior of UI elements. This provides complete visual control and consistent behavior across Android, iOS, web, and desktop.

Continuing our mobile frameworks comparison, it’s worth noting that Flutter uses the Dart language. While not as well-known as JavaScript, Dart was created specifically for fast, safe UI development. It compiles directly to native code, so apps run smoothly without bridges or extra layers.

Flutter is used by companies like: Google (including Google Ads), Alibaba, eBay Motors, BMW, Toyota, Nubank, and Philips. Many chose it for its Flutter UI speed. 

One standout case is Alibaba, which reduced development time for new features by 50% after migrating parts of their app to Flutter.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Choosing a framework is always a trade-off. Even the most popular tools have hidden quirks that can:

• unexpectedly increase the budget;
• delay the development timeline;
• or limit your app’s capabilities.

In this section, we’ll objectively compare the key features of React Native vs Flutter: from performance and UI capabilities to ecosystem integration. This isn’t just theory, we draw on real-world cases from our practice and across the industry. 

Performance and Speed 

"Run a complex scroll animation — Flutter hits 60 FPS effortlessly. React Native may lag unless carefully optimized."

© Anonymous Wezom developer 

Indeed, Flutter shows excellent performance, especially in apps with heavy animation, complex graphics, or custom UI. This is because it compiles directly into native code without intermediate layers. The UI is rendered by its own engine (Skia), which makes animations smooth across devices.

React Native, meanwhile, uses a JavaScript bridge to interact with native components. This allows for effective use of system UI elements but can introduce slight delays in heavy real-time interfaces.

Is this a deal-breaker? Not really. Flutter and React Native differ significantly in this area, but in most cases, users will hardly notice the performance difference.

UI Capabilities and Customization

At first glance, choosing between Flutter and React Native for UI may seem like a matter of taste. That’s partly true: some prefer a native look, others enjoy creative flexibility. But dig deeper, and you’ll find fundamental differences that can impact your entire project.

Want full design control? Go with Flutter. It lets you craft pixel-perfect designs that look the same across all devices. This is especially important if:

• you have a unique brand style;
• the interface is complex or unconventional;
• you need to avoid “jumping” elements between platforms.

React Native uses native OS components and ensures a native look and feel. That’s great if you want your app to behave like a system-native one: e.g., standard toggles, dropdowns, or modal windows will appear exactly as users expect on iOS or Android. That’s a major win for apps that require a familiar UX (e.g., banking or government services).c

Developer Ecosystem and Community

Comparing the ecosystem and libraries affects how easy it is to find developers and how quickly you can solve tech issues. We’d even say it reflects how actively the technology is evolving.

But this isn’t about “who’s cooler” — it’s about what fits your project best.

Need maximum flexibility, a wealth of ready-made solutions, and an easily scalable team? React Native wins due to the maturity of the JS ecosystem.

Building a new app from scratch with a unique UI and looking for a stable, all-in-one platform? Flutter offers powerful tools and a modern development approach.

Access to Native Device Features

Here’s another important Flutter vs React Native criterion. For most business needs (camera, push notifications, geolocation, etc.), both platforms offer a solid toolkit.

React Native is slightly ahead in third-party integrations, especially if your existing tools are JavaScript-based.

Flutter may require writing custom plugins for some native integrations but provides a consistent, performant experience.

Learning Curve and Language Familiarity 

Why does it matter? Language + learning curve = project launch speed. Additionally, developer availability directly affects how much the implementation of your idea will cost.

React Native uses JavaScript: one of the most popular programming languages in the world. More precisely, it uses the React library, which is well known to web developers. This means that:

• it's easier to find a team, especially if you already have web developers.
• the entry barrier is lower: often 1–2 weeks are enough for a frontend developer to start building basic screens.
• project kickoff time is shorter, especially when you need to quickly validate an idea (for example, when building mobile app MVP frameworks).

At the same time, Google is actively developing Dart, making it concise and easy to understand. It’s not a “hard” language, just less familiar. Additionally, Flutter teams often consist of versatile engineers who build a single codebase for Android, iOS, and even web, which reduces maintenance costs in the long run.

Business Considerations

If you're facing a tough decision, namely, choosing Flutter vs React Native for business, it's important to consider not just current tech trends, but also your project's specific needs. Which framework offers a faster time to market? Where is the long-term support cost lower? How easy is it to find developers for each option? Let’s break it down: 

As we can see, React Native is an excellent choice if you want to validate an idea quickly, reduce initial costs, and assemble a team with minimal effort.

On the other hand, Flutter requires a bit more effort up front, but it’s more stable, scalable, and easier to maintain, especially for growth-oriented projects.

Future Outlook for Both Frameworks in 2025+

So, Flutter vs React Native 2025: who will win this race? In our view, both frameworks are evolving rapidly, but their roadmaps are headed in slightly different directions.

Flutter has announced a global expansion. It already supports iOS, Android, Web, Windows, macOS, and Linux, and now promises a stable version for embedded devices, including smart TVs and automotive systems.

It's clear that Google is heavily promoting the Flutter + Firebase combo. In practice, this means we’ll see more turnkey solutions. That brings clear benefits to businesses: at least 2x faster MVPs (no need to build a backend from scratch) and cheaper support (all services in one place).

Meanwhile, React Native is evolving rather than revolutionizing. The team plans to abandon the “old bridge” in favor of JSI (JavaScript Interface). This promises to cut animation lags by 40–60%, improve support for new Android/iOS APIs without workarounds, and bring ready-made solutions for foldables and AR. 

Conclusion

Flutter vs React Native — these aren’t direct competitors. They’re both strong options, but for different use cases. Both have proven their reliability in thousands of apps. But no one solution fits all. 

When to Choose Flutter? 

• You need flawless design with complex animations
• You want a single codebase not only for iOS/Android, but also for web and desktop
• You’re ready to invest in learning Dart

When to Choose React Native?

• You already have a JavaScript development team
• Native module integration is critical
• You want to launch an MVP quickly

Or… try both! Order a prototype in Flutter and React Native for your scenario (e.g., the most complex screen in the app). 2–3 days of testing could save you months of development.