The importance of selecting the right software development framework for building a successful digital product can hardly be overestimated. A poor choice of framework can lead to longer development times, higher costs, and subpar performance. On the other hand, a smart choice can accelerate time to market, reduce expenses, and deliver a flawless user experience. This is exactly why many businesses and developers today choose Flutter for their cross-platform mobile applications.
According to Statista, Flutter was ranked among the top 10 most used frameworks in 2021. Back in 2019, 30% of developers used Flutter for cross-platform app development, but by 2021, this figure grew to 39%—and it continues to rise.
So what makes this framework incredibly popular, and why are both businesses and developers continuing to choose Flutter? Let’s dive deeper into the framework’s nature, its advantages, and why Flutter is an excellent choice from both the developer’s and business perspective.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is a free, open-source UI software development framework created by Google in 2017. It empowers developers to build multi-platform applications with a single codebase. Whether targeting Android, iOS, desktop, or web platforms, Flutter ensures applications run smoothly while delivering a native-like look and feel.
This consistency is possible thanks to two main components:
Flutter SDK (Software Development Kit): Tools that help developers build apps, including libraries, APIs, and development utilities.
Flutter UI Framework: A collection of reusable UI components (widgets) for building responsive, visually appealing user interfaces.
Unlike many frameworks that rely on JavaScript, Flutter uses Dart, an object-oriented programming language optimized for UI development. Developers familiar with JavaScript or other C-like languages can easily adapt to Dart, making the transition simple.
Flutter integrates seamlessly with popular IDEs such as Android Studio and Visual Studio Code, while also supporting IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and Atom. With the right extensions and plugins, the development process becomes highly productive and even enjoyable.
Flutter Advantages
Flutter stands out because it combines many of the best features of other frameworks into one robust package. Here are the main advantages that make more developers and companies choose Flutter for their projects.
1. Faster Code Development
One of Flutter’s flagship features is Hot Reload. This functionality allows developers to instantly see code changes reflected in the app without restarting the entire application. This rapid feedback loop boosts productivity, enables faster experimentation, and accelerates debugging.
For businesses, this means a shorter time to market since developers can implement and test features more quickly.
2. Custom UI of Any Complexity
Flutter excels at building visually appealing user interfaces. Using a single codebase, developers can create UIs for both Android and iOS devices. The framework provides access to APIs, stateful management, navigation tools, and libraries that simplify complex UI design.
Flutter comes with its own set of customizable widgets that follow Material Design principles for Android and Cupertino styles for iOS. Developers don’t need to rely on native system components. Instead, they can use Flutter’s widgets to create native-like UIs faster and more consistently.
3. Own Rendering Engine
Flutter uses Skia, a high-performance 2D rendering engine written in C/C++. Skia enables Flutter apps to deliver smooth animations and consistent performance across platforms. Most devices achieve 60 frames per second, while newer ones can reach 120 fps.
Because Skia renders everything on a platform-provided canvas, Flutter doesn’t need extra bridges or platform-specific components like React Native. This makes app performance more reliable, UI layouts more consistent, and development simpler.
4. Strong Community Support
Since its release in 2017, Flutter has attracted a large and vibrant community. Developers share code snippets, plugins, tutorials, and troubleshooting tips across forums like Reddit and StackOverflow. On GitHub, Flutter boasts over 144k stars and thousands of forks.
In addition, Google regularly hosts events like Flutter Engage to foster knowledge exchange across countries. This community support makes it easier for newcomers to learn Flutter and find solutions to common problems.
5. Clear Documentation and Great Resources
Flutter provides excellent documentation and learning resources. Developers familiar with JavaScript will find Dart easy to learn. Meanwhile, Flutter’s package manager, pub.dev, offers thousands of ready-to-use packages and plugins to extend app functionality, covering everything from animations to authentication.
Why Businesses Choose Flutter
Beyond technical benefits, Flutter offers compelling business advantages. When companies decide which framework to use for their apps, they evaluate factors like cost, time to market, scalability, and developer availability. Let’s explore why so many businesses are making the decision to choose Flutter.
Fast MVP Development and Quick Time to Market
In today’s competitive landscape, speed matters. Flutter allows businesses to create an MVP (Minimum Viable Product) quickly using a single codebase for multiple platforms. A small team can deliver a prototype in just weeks, test it in the market, and iterate rapidly.
This agility is particularly valuable for startups and businesses that need to validate ideas before investing heavily in full-scale development.
Rich and Attractive UI for User Engagement
Customers expect modern apps to look sleek and work flawlessly. Flutter’s wide range of customizable widgets ensures that applications are not only functional but also visually appealing. High-quality UI design improves user engagement, satisfaction, and retention—key metrics for business success.
Cost-Effectiveness
Because Flutter uses a single codebase, businesses save significant costs compared to developing separate native apps for iOS and Android. Maintenance, updates, and testing are also more affordable and efficient.
Easy Access to Skilled Developers
Flutter’s growing popularity means a steadily increasing pool of skilled developers. Companies can more easily find qualified engineers familiar with the framework, reducing the risks associated with talent shortages.
Use Cases: When to Choose Flutter
Flutter’s flexibility makes it suitable for many industries and app types. Here are some scenarios where businesses frequently choose Flutter:
E-commerce Apps: Flutter supports smooth product catalogs, cart management, and payment integration.
FinTech Solutions: Secure authentication, biometric verification, and real-time analytics are easy to implement.
Healthcare Apps: Cross-platform support ensures patients and providers can use the same app across devices.
Media & Entertainment: High-performance graphics and animations are ideal for streaming and gaming apps.
Startups: Flutter’s cost-effectiveness and speed help startups launch MVPs quickly and validate ideas.
Real-World Examples of Flutter Success
Many well-known companies already choose Flutter for their projects:
Google Ads: The Google Ads app is built with Flutter, showcasing its ability to handle large-scale enterprise solutions.
Alibaba Group: Flutter powers parts of Alibaba’s Xianyu app, which serves millions of users.
BMW: The automotive giant uses Flutter to build their My BMW app, providing connected car services.
Reflectly: A popular journaling app built with Flutter, known for its beautiful design and smooth animations.
These examples highlight Flutter’s scalability and flexibility across industries.
Progressive Robot and Flutter Development
At Progressive Robot, we’ve seen firsthand how Flutter transforms the development process. By leveraging its powerful features, our teams help businesses create cross-platform applications that are cost-effective, scalable, and visually stunning.
Whether you’re a startup testing an MVP or an enterprise rolling out a large-scale solution, choosing Flutter ensures faster delivery, lower costs, and long-term maintainability.
Bottom Line
Although Flutter is relatively new compared to frameworks like React Native or Xamarin, it has quickly established itself as a leading solution for cross-platform development. Its strong technical foundation, thriving community, and growing popularity among businesses make it a smart choice for modern app development.
In short, if you’re evaluating frameworks for your next project, the reasons to choose Flutter are clear: fast development, cost savings, consistent performance, beautiful UI, and strong community backing.
Progressive Robot offers expert Flutter development services, helping businesses harness the framework’s full potential. From MVPs to enterprise solutions, we ensure your digital product stands out in today’s competitive market.