Last update May 7, 2025 by Marvin
Flutter vs React Native in 2025: Which framework is better for app development?
There are several options to choose when it comes to app development frameworks. Among the many options available, two cross platform app development frameworks gained more and more popularity over the years worldwide: Flutter and React Native. Therefore, we provide a comprehensive comparison in the “flutter vs react native” debate, and focus on highlighting their differences, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision for your next app development project.
Image Source: Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/869224/worldwide-software-developer-working-hours/
Overview of Flutter and React Native
Before comparing both mobile app development frameworks, let's briefly introduce Flutter and React Native to lay the groundwork.
React Native, released by Facebook in 2015, is an open-source framework that enables developers to build mobile applications using JavaScript and React. React Native bridges the gap between web and mobile app development, allowing for the reuse of code across different platforms.
Flutter, released by Google in 2018, is an open-source UI software development kit (SDK), which allows developers to create natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Flutter uses the Dart programming language and emphasizes a highly customizable and performant UI experience.
How is Flutter Different from React Native?
Understanding how Flutter and React Native differ is crucial for making the right choice. Here are the main differences between React Native and Flutter:
Programming Language: Dart vs JavaScript
Flutter uses Dart, a language designed for fast development by Google in 2011. While Dart is less known than JavaScript, it has been gaining traction due to its robust performance and growing community. This is also visible in the screenshot below taken out of Stack Overflow Survey 2024, where the Flutter framework is still voted slightly more popular than React Native.
React Native relies on JavaScript using React. JavaScript is the most popular programming languages as of the Stack Overflow Survey from 2024.
From 45.841 respondents worldwide, 62,3% voted JavaScript as programming language they have done extensive work with.
Source: Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024: Popular frameworks developers have done extensive work with, category "other frameworks and libraries"
Performance
Flutter excels in performance because it compiles to native ARM code. This allows for smooth animations and transitions, offering a high-performance experience comparable to native apps.
React Native uses a bridge between JavaScript and native code, which can sometimes result in performance bottlenecks, especially in complex applications.
Development Experience
Flutter offers a “hot reload” feature that allows developers to see changes in real-time without restarting the app. Its comprehensive documentation and strong community support make it developer friendly.
React Native also provides "hot reload", but its reliance on third-party libraries can sometimes lead to fragmentation and inconsistencies. However, its large ecosystem and active community are significant advantages.
User Interface (UI)
Flutter boasts a rich set of pre-designed widgets that adhere to Material Design and Cupertino standards. This makes it easier to create visually appealing and consistent UIs across platforms.
React Native leverages native components, which can lead to a more native look and feel. However, achieving a consistent UI across platforms can require more effort and customization.
Check out our Docutain SDK
Learn more about the Docutain SDK, providing document scanning, data capturing, OCR, data extraction and barcode scanning functionalities. It is available for Flutter and React Native.
If you want to test the Document Scanner SDK without writing any lines of code, check out our Showcase Apps for Android & iOS or have a look at our Flutter examples and React Native examples in GitHub.
Strengths and Weaknesses of both cross platform frameworks
To provide a good overview of their suitability for different types of app development projects, we break down the strengths and weaknesses of Flutter and React Native in the following:
Flutter Strengths
- High Performance: Thanks to its direct compilation to native code (Flutter is built using C/C++ and Dart).
- Rich UI Components: Extensive set of widgets for creating visually appealing interfaces.
- Consistent UI: Uniform appearance across different platforms.
- Strong Community Support: Growing community with comprehensive documentation.
Flutter Weaknesses
- Limited Language Familiarity: Dart is not as widely known as JavaScript.
- Larger App Size: Flutter apps can be larger compared to React Native apps due to Flutter’s own rendering engine and a comprehensive set of widgets.
React Native Strengths
- JavaScript Ecosystem: Leverages the vast JavaScript ecosystem.
- Code Reusability: High potential for code reuse between web and mobile platforms.
- Native Look and Feel: Utilizes native components for a more authentic user experience.
- Strong Community & Ecosystem: Extensive third-party libraries and tools.
React Native Weaknesses
- Performance Bottlenecks: Potential for slower performance due to the JavaScript bridge.
- UI Inconsistencies: May require extra effort to achieve a consistent UI across platforms.
- Dependency Management: Reliance on third-party libraries can lead to compatibility issues.
When to choose React Native and when to choose Flutter?
In the ongoing "flutter vs react native" debate of 2025, the best choice depends on your specific project requirements and the expertise of the development team. The decision for a development platform always depends on the use case should therefore be discussed with an experienced developer team to consider all aspects moving the project forward.
A general recommendation on which framework to choose can be as follows:
Choose Flutter over React Native if you prioritize high performance, a rich set of customizable UI components, and if you are comfortable with Dart as primary programming language. Flutter is particularly suitable for projects that require a highly consistent and visually appealing user interface with unique designs across all platforms.
Choose React Native over Flutter if you prefer leveraging the familiarity and vast ecosystem of JavaScript, need to maximize code reuse between web and mobile platforms, and seek a more native look and feel for your app. React Native is ideal for projects where development speed and leveraging existing web development skills are crucial.
Ultimately, React Native and Flutter both have their merits in delivering a close-to-native performance and can help build high-quality applications.
Check out our Docutain SDK
Learn more about the Docutain SDK, providing document scanning, data capturing, OCR, data extraction and barcode scanning functionalities. It is available for Flutter and React Native.
If you want to test the Document Scanner SDK without writing any lines of code, check out our Showcase Apps for Android & iOS or have a look at our Flutter examples and React Native examples in GitHub.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flutter hybrid or native?
Flutter is a hybrid framework. It allows developers to build cross-platform applications with a single codebase while providing a native-like performance and experience.
Is Flutter better than React Native?
Whether Flutter is better than React Native depends on the individual project requirements, budget and developer expertise.
How is Flutter different from React Native?
Flutter is different from React Native by using Dart programming language and its own rendering engine to create consistent, high-performance UIs, while React Native uses JavaScript and bridges to native components.
Is Flutter still relevant?
Yes, Flutter is still very relevant in 2025, especially for building beautiful, high-performance apps from a single codebase. It's backed by Google and used by companies like BMW, Alibaba, and Google itself for production apps.
Is React Native still relevant?
Yes, React Native is still relevant in 2025, with strong community support and regular updates from Meta. It's widely used for building cross-platform mobile apps quickly and efficiently. Respectable companies such as Microsoft or Shopify use React Native in their apps.
Should I learn Flutter or React Native in 2025?
In 2025, Flutter is great if you want a consistent UI across platforms and enjoy using Dart. React Native is better if you're familiar with JavaScript and want access to a larger ecosystem and community.