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With the rising use of smartphones, life cannot be imagined without mobile apps. So, mobile app development has now become the life and blood of many businesses.
When it comes to mobile app development, cross-platform app development plays a great role. Initially, cross-platform app development relied upon using Flutter and Kotlin.
Most of the Cross-platform app development companies trusted these frameworks to create their online presence both on iOS and Android devices. However, Kotlin soon entered the market and became popular.
Now businesses are shifting to Flutter or Kotlin from React Native. If you are also thinking to do the same but are confused about which one to go for, then let’s help you discover the best option for cross-platform application development.
An Introduction To Kotlin Vs Flutter:
Before finding out which platform is better for you, let’s find out what both these platforms offer.
What is Kotlin?
Second-best to the Java language, Kotlin has quickly emerged as a highly adopted language. This statistically-typed, open-source programing language has become a preferred language for the Android app development.
Kotlin supports both functional and object-oriented programming. Thanks to acknowledgment from Google, Kotlin has risen in its popularity since its launch.
Being a general-purpose programming language, Kotlin can be used in a range of spheres. However, it is mainly used for the development of cross-platform mobile, JavaScript, Android, and server-side.
Designed by JetBrains, Kotlin can work with Java easily. It can also use an aggressive interface to determine the kind of values and expressions if they are not defined. This makes Kotlin more distinctive as compared to Java.
PROS OF KOTLIN
Kotlin is loved by Kotlin app development services India providers. So, let’s find out what makes it the best option for Android app development.
Easy Maintenance:
Most IDEs that are in the market at present offer support for Kotlin. This helps to maximize productivity by eliminating the need for learning a new IDE.
Reliability:
Kotlin is a mature programming language. Since its inception, it has undergone many tests before its final release, making it highly reliable.
Increased Team Efficiency:
Kotlin is a clean and compact programming language that can help increase team efficiency with its succinct and intuitive syntax.
Developers can work more using Kotlin as it uses a lesser coding line to create and deploy any kind of Android apps, as per Kotlin app development services.
It is A SDK:
Since Kotlin is an SDK, not a framework, you don’t need to move your whole app to this platform. You can start working on it with just one feature.
Native UI Experience:
Developers don’t have to follow instructions for the creation of UI. Kotlin lets the UI developers to directly work on behavior, performance, and appearance of the applications.
Flexibility and Scalability:
Kotlin app developers India can now scale up the apps without using virtual machines, making Kotlin a perfect option for building apps where flexibility and scalability are needed.
CONS OF KOTLIN
– Fewer Resources For Learning:
Although lots of developers are making a shift to Kotlin, the resources available for learning Kotlin are quite limited. So, it takes more time to build apps using this language.
Higher Cost of Development:
Though the platform is completely free to use, the final costs of creating apps using Kotlin is high because it offers various semi-native functionalities.
In Experimental State still:
This SDK does not have a stable version still. Kotlin is in its experimental state till now and this makes developers quite hesitant to choose this language for their projects.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is an open-source, free framework to build native-looking applications on android and iOS using the same code.
Flutter assists to create cross-platform mobile apps that are well-designed, compatible, and fast. Due to its capabilities and nature, Flutter isn’t a framework but an SDK for apps made for touch-screens.
Its main purpose is working with Android and iOS but it can also work on other platforms.
Flutter, a mobile app SDK by Google, is complete with widgets, frameworks, and tools offering Flutter app development experts a simple way to create and deploy fast and visually attractive mobile apps on iOS and Android platforms.
Flutter is known to offer simple and smooth cross-platform app development. So, you just need a single codebase for these platforms instead of creating an Android and iOS app separately.
PROS OF FLUTTER
Quick Writing of Code:
According to a Flutter app development company, Flutter offers more dynamic and faster mobile application development for developers. Changes can be easily made in the codes and seen in the app immediately.
Single Code For Two Platforms:
Flutter lets you build both Android and iOS apps using the same code. Apps made using Flutter work flawlessly on both Google and Apple platforms.
Excellent Performance:
As Flutter doesn’t use any OEM widget and no JavaScript bridge is there for the reactive view, the performance of your mobile app can be faster than the non-flutter apps.
Less Testing:
The same app for two different platforms means lesser testing. Less testing means a faster quality assurance process.
Open-source:
As an open-source platform, Flutter offers numerous possibilities of tailoring nearly everything in this framework.
Designs users will love:
With Flutter, you can create your widgets and customize the current widgets. It helps to make your app look attractive.
Low Cost, Fast Development:
This platform is not just free to use. It can provide native-like applications suing only one codebase which results in reduced cost and time of app development.
CONS OF FLUTTER
New Language:
Since it is a new language, not many developers know it already. Hence a learning curve is involved. You will not find much online support and help with learning Flutter.
Limited Library:
Though the Flutter’s library is quite rich, it’s still limited and a lot more should be added to it. Every functionality that you need is not available in its library. So, the developers will have to create them making it a bit time-consuming for them.
Flutter Vs Kotlin: Which One is The Best?
Popularity:
Both Flutter and Kotlin are free to use, open-source tools. Due to this, more and more developers are now showing their interest in them.
However, trends show that there is a great rise in the popularity of Flutter as compared to Kotlin. Flutter is witnessing a great momentum as compared to Kotlin.
Performance:
Flutter allows developers to use a single language both for backend and layout needs along with enjoying a higher speed of the animation.
However, when compared to Kotlin, it still lags because the Kotlin code compiles in the format just like that of the targeted platform. This enables customized and better performance.
Programming Language:
Flutter has become one of the best cross-platform mobile app development frameworks. It uses the Dart programming language.
Though rare and lesser-known, this language is simple to learn and understand. However, Kotlin is an excellent programming language similar to Java. It is also simple to learn for those who know Java.
Focus on Various Platforms:
Presently, apps intended for targeting web and mobile comes under the use case of Flutter. You can use it easily for creating your presence on Android Auto, WatchOS, and tvOS.
But there are no such constraints with Kotlin. It’s intended to create app projects for platforms and devices beyond mobile too.
So, if you are a mobile app development company thinking to launch your app on all kinds of devices and platforms, then Kotlin is the best option.
Integration:
Flutter is known to offer the functionalities of making an app and it’s compatible both with Android and iOS platforms using lesser codes.
It makes Flutter the best option for all types of MVP development while making a prototype. However, Kotlin is in the native ecosystem only.
The developers can work the same libraries and tools that they use in native development. So, you need third-party tools and libraries with Kotlin.
Backend Development Scope:
Kotlin certainly wins over Flutter when Backend development services are considered.
While Flutter works well with Firebase to make sure efficient backend opportunities, Kotlin lets developers write the backend codes.
So, Who Is the Ultimate Winner?
Both Flutter and Kotlin are quite reliable, are fully supported by Google, and take lesser time to make their presence both on iOS and Android platforms. Both platforms have managed to deliver outstanding features and be dependable.
The ultimate winner is the one that meets your specific cross-platform app development needs. And your needs can differ from developer to developer.
So, it is recommended that you consult an expert first and find out what exactly does your app requires. This will then decide which is the perfect platform for you based on your needs.
