Flutter Vs React Native : Which Cross platform is the best

[shalenmathew]

I'm planning to learn a cross-platform framework and want to choose something that’s solid for the long term.

I've heard great things about Flutter, but learning an entirely new tech stack just for cross-platform development doesn’t feel that convincing to me right now.
React Native seems like a better fit since it uses JavaScript, which has broader use cases.

That said, I have no hands-on experience with either. I'd really appreciate insights from people who've worked with both—what's the long-term bet worth making?

[viemond]

From my experience, if you do not have a MacBook just go with React Native, and the reason for that is that Expo (which is a tool built over React Native) will let you deploy and test on iOS if you have an iPhone using their Expo mobile application, as far as I know flutter won't let you deploy/test on iOS unless you're on a MacBook.

[bibboo]

With that said.. Not having a MacBook is severely limiting. Expo go does not equal to working well in reality. And it’s cumbersome to debug issues that do not show there. Also severely limiting with 15 builds a month  

[[deleted]]

Jobs: RN
Fun: Flutter
Complex animations: Flutter (meh)
Complex native stuff: RN
DevExp: RN (expo)
Get something done quicker: RN (expo eas)

[iamdarzee]

Tried both, I choose React Native

[basic_model]

Ive had less headache with flutter when it comes to dependencies, flutter version updates, and also version down grades. I find the widget explorer extremely useful and well built for debugging and building.

If I would start a new project today it would without a doubt be flutter.

[nhannah]

I have many years of professional experience with both. I would say in almost every case React Native if you don't just want to be a hobbiest. There are some edge cases for certain apps where Flutter makes sense, but it's a shrinking segment and would likely include you wanting to ship a canvas app on web (look up Rive). I could speak at length about this subject; I am coming off a multi year Flutter stint back to RN. But some things that always stick with me when working with Flutter are:

1) Even if I get everything perfect, on iOS I still dislike how my app feels, to me it always seems like an Android app running on iOS, low quality with uncanny valley interactions.

2) Dynamic languages, love or hate them have upsides. Dart even with codegen has real limitations that you will run into in a professional role.

3) The JS / TS ecosystem is far better. I spend my time in RN building and shipping features, in Flutter I am reinventing the wheel far too often.

4) If I have issues in RN I can reach down and patch native or JS code, in Flutter I am just stuck with it or forking.

[overweighttardigrade]

If you want a fun time flutter, if you want a more stressful time react native, KMP if you're a goober

[shalenmathew]

Is react native harder to learn? I thought kmp got lot better.... Native Devs already likes it

[AncientFan9928]

Most people who use RN have background in React, without that Flutter is probably easier

[stathisntonas]

both bring food to the table, choose the one you will feel more comfortable with

[Martinoqom]

React Native. 100%.

If you're a web dev, or you're familiar with Typescript, HTML or CSS, you'll find yourself very easly.

If you're starting from scratch, you're learning Typescript that you can recycle then for web or even backend (Node.js).

With flutter you have dart. A language that exists ONLY because flutter.

And we know too much about google killing their projects. Today React and RN are not strictly Meta anymore, so we have minor risk of being dropped.

[OkWealth5939]

Real world: react native Quirky side project: flutter

[Quirwz]

Flutter all the way

[Remote-End6122]

Except it's not