What is the Flutter App and How it Works? (2024 Guide)

What is flutter and how it works? The tech world is ever-evolving and we witness this almost every day with the emergence and fall of new technologies in the market. However, nowadays the sector that’s pulling major attention is the mobile app development whether they are mobile app development companies or businesses that are looking to develop a mobile business app for their own. To serve your mobile app development requisites, fortunately, numerous programming tools are available in the industry. However, the one that’s being adopted more and becoming popular than others is the Flutter. If you want to build a Flutter mobile app, you can hire Flutter app developer from top Flutter app development company available in India and globally. Let us know about Flutter in detail, kindly have a look.

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source UI Software Development Kit used for cross-platform mobile app development. It means the application developed using this tool is compatible to run on multiple operating systems ranging from Android, iOS to Windows, Mac, Linux, and others.

Initially, Flutter was introduced by Google in 2015 as a beta version. However, with time, Google kept on working on the improvements of Flutter by resolving issues encountered during mobile app development. Finally, in December 2018, Google released its first stable Flutter 1.0 version and since then its gaining popularity in the field of mobile app development.

Lately, in December 2019, the Flutter app development team released its latest Flutter 1.12 version, which is the biggest Google release of the year. The development team reached this stage post resolving around 5,303 issues from the last versions and including 5970 Pull Requests of around 484 contributors across the globe.

With Flutter, you can create beautiful apps with native performances for both the Android and iOS platforms just by writing a single codebase. And Flutter code is written in Dart programming language. Haven’t heard of it, let’s put some light on the Dart.

What is Dart?

Google’s creation Dart is a programming language. With Dart, you can develop web, mobile apps server, and utilities for IoT devices as well. In the Flutter’s latest 1.12 version, the Dart programming language has been updated from Dart 2.5 to Dart 2.7. The improved Dart offers extra benefits which help in flourishing the mobile apps and IoT devices.

The codebase written in Dart is compiled using JavaScript. Developers who have hands-on writing code for Java and C# can easily learn Dart and imply it in app development. Because writing code in Dart is quite similar to writing app in Java and C#.

How Flutter Works?

The app development using Flutter revolves around the combination of widgets. Flutter provides different types of widgets for aspects like structure (a menu or button), styling (a font or color scheme), layout (padding) and others. Using these widgets, you can easily craft the entire UI of the mobile app.

These are Flutter developed widgets and due to it being an open-source platform, any Flutter developer across the world can use these widgets. Also, developers avail the freedom of creating their own widgets.

With other frameworks, you may witness performance issues while compiling programming language to other platforms using JavaScript bridge. However, this is not the issue with Flutter because it comes with reactive-style views and employs Dart for writing apps.

In terms of compiling Dart, it automatically compiles ahead of time (AOT) into the native code for different platforms without using JavaScript bridge. Since it gets compiled to native code ahead of time, the app startup time automatically scaled up to the next level.

For your information, Flutter is the only cross-platform app development services framework that comes with a reactive view without any use of JavaScript. This is the reason which pulls a majority of developers towards cross-platform app development using Flutter. You can hire Flutter app developers to create visually amazing, native performance app for both the platforms.

What are Flutter’s Key Features?

• The initially released version of Flutter, entitled SKY, was compatible only with the Android platform. Whereas, its latest release flutter 1.12 supports both the Android and iOS mobile app developers.
• The updated flutter version provides the feature of Hot Reload. Hot Reload enables mobile app developers to use a wide range of widgets and powerful UI.
• The app developers can easily integrate flutter with mobile applications on WebView. This feature enables users with an ease of seeing web content within the app. Along with it, you will be able to navigate and stabilize applications effortlessly.
• With the new edition of Flutter, you can perform tasks like formatting of the images, inline videos and others.
• A newly added feature to Flutter allows app developers to localize their app and use it for international purposes as well.
• The Flutter 1.12 now supports improved versions of the Apple operating system like iPhone X and iOS 11.

How Flutter is Ruling Over Other Cross-Platform Frameworks?

Flutter’s outstanding features make it rule over other cross-platform frameworks like React Native, Ionic, Xamarin and others. The Flutter range of features includes:

Single Codebase

Flutter advocates write once and run everywhere and it’s obvious. Using Flutter you need to write a single code and further can use it for app development on both Android and iOS platforms.

Hot Reload

This feature allows Flutter app developers to see the instant result of the change made to code. Using this feature, you can improve the performance of the application. You do not need to reload the app post making any changes, because it happens in real-time.

Widgets Fabrication

To create any UI/UX view in the application, Flutter uses a wide range of widgets, which are further combined to form a digital experience. Not even this, you can also create widgets as per your need and save it for further use.

Native App Like Performance

As compared to other cross-platform frameworks, flutter is the best to run your application. Flutter uses Dart language, which enables applications to offer native performance with an increased speed of 60FPS.

Why Choose Flutter to Grow Your App Developer Career?

If you want to grow your app developer career then choose flutter and here are the reasons why.

Simple and Easy to Learn

Flutter is the latest technological trend and it can be learned and employed easily to create a mobile application. With the Flutter, you can build a native-like application without writing code in the native language.

Quick Compilation: Maximum Productivity

Flutter offers a Hot-reload feature that enables expert developers with the real-time result of code if any changes made to it. The time will be less than a second after saving changes to update the application.

On the other hand, if you made major changes to the code of the application, you have to reload the app. Whereas, for a design element change the result will be in real-time.

Good Documentation

If you are learning a new technology, good documentation always supports. And Flutter benefits you with the same. You can easily learn from here because its documentation provides a wide range of examples for use cases. Any time, you got stuck somewhere and want help, you can go through Flutter’s documentation and get a viable solution for your problem.

Robust Community and Support

However, the Flutter is still young though it enjoys a robust community of app developers. Who actively supports others by sharing their knowledge and useful content on programming at Flutter Community. Other than this, there are several other places where you can find answers to your queries likewise Awesome Flutter, Flutter Awesome and It’s all Widgets!

Supports Android Studio and VS Code

Flutter is supported by different IDE tools. Android Studio and VS Code are one of the most used tools with this technology.

Android Studio is a complete software package that is ready to use while using Flutter. The only thing you have to do is just download Flutter and Dart Plugins.

On the other hand, VS Code is a lightweight tool and to make use of it with Flutter you have to configure it using plugins from the marketplace.

Benefits of Flutter App Development

Flutter app development is beneficial for business owners and mobile app developers in the following ways.

Consume Less Time and Money

Flutter App Development is the development of cross-platform mobile applications. Means, developers use a single codebase for developing apps for both the Android and iOS platforms. This results in less consumption of time and resources throughout the app development process.

High Performance

Mobile apps developed using flutter remains highly efficient in terms of performance. The reason behind this is the use of Dart programming language and Flutter’s wide range of own widgets which enables fast startup time and fewer performance issues in the application.

Reduced Development Time

The availability of hot reload feature makes mobile developers build an application within a shorter time. And it became possible with the instant view of changes made to the code. Because as compared to other frameworks, Flutter reloaded changes made to code in less than a second. So the developers do not have to waste time in restarting the app.

Due to this, a hot reload feature, if any error occurs. It can be resolved in no time and developers keep on working on the app. This way Flutter app development supports mobile developers by reducing development time.

Compatible With Different OS Versions

The mobile apps developed using Flutter remain compatible with different platforms. Also, it supports a variety of OS versions as well. The reason behind using its own widgets is that it results in fewer compatibility issues. If in case any new version of Android and iOS are released, the vast community of Flutter app developers actively engaged in updating these widgets accordingly.

Open-Source

Flutter is an open-source, free to use platform which allows developers around the world to provide help and support to others. Also, they keep on contributing to tools by developing helpful resources and providing required documentation.

Top Mobile Apps Developed Using Flutter

There are several mobile apps available in the market, which are developed using Flutter and highly popular globally. Let’s have a look at a few of them.

Google Ads

It is a utility app for Android smartphones. With Google Ads, users can easily have an eye over the campaign stats. Also, they get notified with real-time alerts and notifications of campaigns. Moreover, users can call Google expert, add/edit/remove keywords and much more.

Alibaba

Alibaba is an eCommerce app which offers a wholesale marketplace for the global audience. Users can make purchases from suppliers across the world using this app.

Hookle

Hookle is a mobile app that manages all your social media activities. It is a platform that enables you with the management of different social media accounts at one place. In addition to this, you can compose, publish posts on different social media channels, monitor them, customize posts based on social media channels and much more.

SG BusTracker

SG BusTracker is an application that enables users with the estimated arrival time for buses in Singapore. In addition to this, users can find their nearby bus stops and know about the services of SBS, Go Ahead, SMRT and Tower Buses. Also, you can check seat availability interpreted using color codes such as Green for seat available, Yellow for standing available and Red for limited standing.

Hamilton Musical

Hamilton Musical is an entertainment app that provides users with exclusive daily news and videos, daily lotteries for locations like Chicago, London, New York, and others. Besides this, users also find daily trivia games, merchandise stores and more on the application.

The Flutter app development cost depends on several factors. However, we are mentioning here the major factors which affect the cost of Flutter app development.

Designing

Designing is the first thing noticed by any user in an application. So, it should be impressive. The app designing comprises UX (user experience) and UI (user interface) and a perfect amalgamation of both these aspects picture an amazing visual appearance for an application. So UI/UX plays a vital role in the cost estimation of app development using Flutter framework. The complexity of design takes much time to design and increases app development costs simultaneously.

Backend & Server

In a mobile application backend is like a brain that takes care of several aspects such as a server, app data, app security, data backups, and time Chatbots. So the server cost comprises hosting and its availability to perform mentioned tasks for the application. That’s why a server should be strong and powerful so that these operations can be performed effectively.

Functionalities and Integrations

These days businesses demand customer-centric mobile applications. That means it should be feature-rich and capable of performing almost everything virtually. Not even this, there must be a scope of further customization if needed in the near future. Such facilities of add-on functionalities and integrations are provided in the Flutter app development, which further affects the cost of app development.

Maintenance & Support

Well, the maintenance and support cost for any business comes to the picture in the end. However, it should be considered in the early stage of the project. Because of the post the launch of an application, business owners need to update apps at regular intervals based on user feedback. And it’s really important if you want to make use of the application to the fullest.

Also Read: 6 Trends You May Have Missed About Cross-platform Frameworks In 2020

The NineHertz

The NineHertz is a leading mobile app and web development company in India. Established in 2008, the company believes in delivering the best-suited solutions at cost-effective pricing. Hire Flutter app developers in India, USA, from top Flutter app development company if you are wondering for iOS and Android app development using Flutter.

Appinventiv

Located in Manhattan, NY, Appinventiv is a renowned name in the mobile and web development industry. The company has a dedicated team of flutter app developers, trained with the Google Agency Program for Dart, offers Flutter app development for developing cross-platform mobile applications.

Concetto Labs

Concetto Labs, is another popular name among companies that provides mobile and web app development services. The company believes in catering clientele with the best business solutions following the latest technological trends. The Flutter app development is one of the most preferred company’s services. Thanks to a team of innovative and experienced Dart programmers, the company serves a reliable, high-performance app with amazing UI.

Tallium Inc.

Tallium Inc. is a web and mobile app development company that is situated in Vancouver, Canada. The company manages the overall development process with the joint efforts of its IT experts. From concept to design to the launch of finished product and maintenance. If you are willing to construct a custom web and mobile application, you can consider Tallium Inc. the company offers flutter app development as well among other services.

Mindinventory

Mindinventory is a flutter app development company that has its presence in countries like the USA, UK, Australia, China, Chile, and South Africa. Since its inception, the company has delivered numerous projects for 45 different industries. While in the Flutter app development sector, the count of successfully delivered projects has crossed over a hundred projects. And the company is moving further with the latest technological trends thanks to its team of IT experts.

Also Read: Ask Me Anything About React Native, Flutter, Ionic App Development

Also Read: Do Flutter App Development Dominate Android by 2023?

What is the Future of Flutter in Mobile App Development?

In my opinion, Flutter has a bright future and is expected to see great heights in the coming future. Because the Flutter recently witnessed the launch of its latest 1.12 version that comes with several new and improved features.

The new version of Flutter will help the app developers in building a cross-platform application with amazing UI/UX views and high native app performance. Whereas, the time and resources for app development will reduce to a great extent.

In the field of mobile app development, Flutter is quite young and has been admired for its mobile apps across the world. I think the use of flutter will grow over other cross-platform frameworks in the coming years and we will see other updated Flutter releases like Flutter 1.13, 1.14, etc in the coming future.