What is Flutter and how is it different from other app development platforms?
Flutter is an open-source UI toolkit (developed by Google) to create applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Unlike other app development platforms (that require different codes for Android, iOS, & web), Flutter uses Dart programming language to build cross-platform mobile apps.
Flutter has become the favorite coding platform for both app developers and app owners because its performance is close to native apps. One of the major benefits for the app developers to use Flutter is its “hot reload” feature that enables developers to see real-time changes without restarting or refreshing the app.
What are the benefits of using Flutter for mobile app development?
Below are some of the major benefits of using Flutter for mobile apps in Singapore”
- Flutter can create mobile apps for both iOS & Android using a single codebase that reduces development time and costs.
- Flutter has a “Hot Reload” feature that allows developers to see the results of their changes instantly without refreshing it.
- The quality of Flutter apps can be compared to the native apps. It offers smooth animations and a responsive user experience.
- Flutter is an open-source framework, which means it’s free to use and has a constantly evolving ecosystem.
Flutter’s layered architecture allows great flexibility in designing custom user interfaces.
Is Flutter suitable for making both iOS & Android apps?
Yes, as mentioned above already, Flutter can build both iOS & Android apps using a single codebase. It reduces the time and cost required to build mobile apps.
What is the average development time for a Flutter app?
A simple eCommerce mobile app can take as long as 2 months to finish. However, mobile applications with advanced features such as marketplace or custom requirements may take 2-4 months or more.
How does Flutter handle different screen sizes and resolutions?
By using a responsive layout system and adaptable widgets, Flutter ensures that your app looks good on various devices. Below are some of how Flutter ensures the responsiveness of mobile apps:
- Device-Independent Pixels (DIP)
- Flexible Widgets
- Layout Builder
- AspectRatio and FittedBox
- Custom Responsive Widgets
- Adaptive Widgets
- Breakpoints
- Scaling and Resizing
- Orientation Handling
Is Flutter app development cost-effective?
Yes, if compared with the development of mobile apps using native technologies (Java, SWIFT, etc.) and React Native, Flutter app development is an affordable approach to creating mobile apps.
Is it easy to maintain & scale up a Flutter mobile app?
If your mobile app developer has followed good & standard development practices, it will be easier for them to maintain & scale up the app when required.
Additionally, below are some of the features of Flutter that make it easier for app developers to maintain and scale up the apps:
- Single Codebase
- Modular Architecture
- Hot Reload and Hot Restart
- Widget Library
- Community and Documentation
- Cross-Platform Capabilities
Are there any drawbacks/risks of choosing Flutter?
So far, there are only a few challenges that most app developers face with Flutter.
- Since Flutter is a relatively young platform and is evolving rapidly, new features and improvements can break the changes for which the app developers need to stay updated.
- You may not find a lot of options to hire app developers who work on the Flutter platform. In other words, there is a lack of reliable Flutter app developers because most of the app developers work on either Native or React Native technologies.
Can I migrate my existing app to Flutter?
Yes, you can migrate your existing app to Flutter but it can be a lot of work. The effort of migration will depend on the technology of the current app (Native, Web, or React Native). Also, the effort will depend on the complexity of the features. Lastly, the UI designs of the app may be required to be redesigned to make them compatible with all the device sizes.
What are the deployment options for a Flutter app?
Flutter apps can be deployed on various platforms: mobile (Android via Google Play, iOS via Apple App Store), web (static hosting, custom servers), and desktop (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Can I develop a multi-language app with Flutter?
Yes, the app developers can use the “flutter_localizations” package to build a multilingual mobile application. This package supports internationalization (i18n) and localization. This enables your mobile app to fetch different languages, formats, and layouts. You can easily switch between languages within the app.
Can Flutter handle offline functionality?
Yes, with the built-in local storage support such as SQLite and shared preferences, app developers can store data locally and sync it with a server when online. This helps app users experience seamless data viewing/storage facilities even when their internet connection goes off.
How’s the performance of Flutter apps as compared to React Native apps?
The scripting language of Flutter, Dart, compiles to native codes that offers better performance and smooth animation on mobile apps. React Native, on the other hand, uses Javascript, a bridge to communicate with native modules, which can sometimes lead to performance bottlenecks.
Additionally, Flutter’s widget-based architecture ensures a uniform look and feel across all platforms.
These are among the major reasons for app developers to prefer Flutter over React native for building mobile applications.
Can I easily find & hire flutter app developers in Singapore?
Finding skilled Flutter developers in Singapore is relatively easy. Most app development companies and Singapore app developers are using Flutter because of its ability to build cross-platform mobile apps.
So, if you are running a business in Singapore or intend to set up one, outsource your mobile application to experienced Flutter developers in Singapore who can provide you with high-quality and scalable apps.
What kind of post-launch services do Flutter app developers in Singapore offer?
Below are some of the common post-launch services that most Flutter developers in Singapore offer to their clients:
- Bug Fixes and Updates
- Performance Monitoring
- Compatibility Updates
- Security Patches
- Analytics and Reporting
- User Support and Feedback Handling
- Server and Backend Maintenance
- App Store Management
- Scaling and Optimization