Flutter Counterparts

1. React Native (by Facebook)

  • Overview: React Native is a popular framework for building cross-platform mobile apps using JavaScript and React.

  • Key Features:

    • Hot Reload for quick development.

    • Supports native components for better performance.

    • Large community and library ecosystem.

  • Use Cases: Instagram, Facebook, Skype.

2. Xamarin (by Microsoft)

  • Overview: Xamarin allows developers to create mobile apps using C# and .NET, sharing up to 90% of the codebase across platforms.

  • Key Features:

    • Native-like performance.

    • Strong integration with Microsoft tools.

    • Supports Android, iOS, and Windows.

  • Use Cases: Alaska Airlines, BBC Good Food.

3. Kotlin Multiplatform (by JetBrains)

  • Overview: Kotlin Multiplatform enables code sharing across Android, iOS, and other platforms, using Kotlin.

  • Key Features:

    • Full interoperability with native code.

    • Reuse business logic while creating platform-specific UIs.

  • Use Cases: Targeted at apps where business logic sharing is the main focus.

4. Ionic (by Ionic Framework)

  • Overview: Ionic is a framework for building mobile, web, and desktop apps using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

  • Key Features:

    • WebView-based apps.

    • Extensive library of UI components.

    • Works with Angular, React, or Vue.

  • Use Cases: MarketWatch, Sworkit.

5. NativeScript

  • Overview: NativeScript is a framework for building native apps using JavaScript, TypeScript, or Angular.

  • Key Features:

    • Direct access to native APIs.

    • No WebView – fully native user experience.

    • Supports Android and iOS.

  • Use Cases: SAP, Puma.

6. SwiftUI and Jetpack Compose

  • SwiftUI: Apple's framework for creating UIs across iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS using Swift.

  • Jetpack Compose: Google's toolkit for building native Android UIs with Kotlin.

  • Key Difference from Flutter: These are platform-specific frameworks focused on native development rather than cross-platform.

7. Unity (for Game Development)

  • Overview: Unity is primarily for 2D/3D game development but also supports app development for multiple platforms.

  • Key Features:

    • Focus on real-time rendering and graphics.

    • Multi-platform deployment.

  • Use Cases: Game apps, AR/VR apps.

Framework

Languages Used

Platforms Supported

Features

Popular Apps

Reference

React Native

JavaScript

Android, iOS

Hot Reload, native components, large community.

Instagram, Facebook

React Native

Xamarin

C#, .NET

Android, iOS, Windows

Code sharing, native-like performance, integrates with Microsoft tools.

Alaska Airlines, BBC

Xamarin

Kotlin Multiplatform

Kotlin

Android, iOS, others

Reuses business logic, native interoperability.

Notable for business apps

Kotlin Multiplatform

Ionic

HTML, CSS, JavaScript

Android, iOS, Web

WebView apps, rich UI components, supports Angular, React, Vue.

MarketWatch, Sworkit

Ionic Framework

NativeScript

JavaScript, TypeScript

Android, iOS

Native APIs access, no WebView, full native experience.

SAP, Puma

NativeScript

SwiftUI

Swift

iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS

Platform-specific, modern UI creation for Apple devices.

Apple’s own apps

SwiftUI

Jetpack Compose

Kotlin

Android

Simplifies UI development for Android.

Google apps

Jetpack Compose

Unity

C#, JavaScript

Multi-platform (games)

Best for games, supports AR/VR, real-time rendering.

Angry Birds, Pokemon Go

Unity

Why Flutter Stands Out:

  • Single Codebase for Multi-platform (including web and desktop).

  • Rich and customizable UI with widgets.

  • Hot Reload for faster development.

  • High performance due to direct compilation to native code.

Updated on
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Prerequisites: Skills to Learn Before Flutter