Which One is Best – Swift or Flutter?
Congratulations!
You finally decided to build a mobile app for your business, right?
Though you’re a bit late, you are not down yet!Â
Since your competitors are already in the rat race to acquire their customers, now is the right time to start building your app and gain a competitive edge.Â
Why? Let’s face the facts!
The global mobile application market size is expected to go beyond USD 1,383.65 billion by the next 10 years.Â
But wait a minute!
Since the market is flooded with popular mobile app development frameworks like Flutter & Swift, choosing the right one for your app is challenging!
Remember that a slight mistake may cost you a fortune!
In this post, we’ll discuss;
- What is Flutter
- What are the Key Features of Flutter?
- What is Swift?
- Explain the Key Features of Swift.
- Table Comparison Between Flutter & SwiftÂ
- Who is the Winner: Flutter vs Swift?
Let’s dive in!
Understanding Flutter
Developed & launched by Google, Flutter is an open-source UI framework that enables developers to build native applications using a single codebase.Â
With Flutter, you can make apps for different devices like iPhones and Android phones using just one set of code. This means less work for iOS developers because they don’t have to write separate code for each platform. Flutter uses a language called Dart, which is modern and helps make apps run smoothly and look good on all devices.
Flutter also gives developers tools to make apps that work well and look nice. It’s all about making it easier for developers to create great apps quickly, with features that work well and look good on any device.
Features of Flutter App Development that Make it Ideal for Your App Development
Before choosing the winner between Flutter vs. Swift, let’s talk about the features of choosing Flutter for cross-platform app development.
- IDE & Firebase Support
Flutter framework supports various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) like Visual Studio Code, Codemagic, IntelliJ Idea, and Android Studio. You can use different editor plugins to enhance your experience while designing and developing your app.
- Hot Reload Feature
One handy feature of Flutter is hot reload. It allows developers to quickly see the effects of code changes in their app without having to restart it. It speeds up the development process by enabling fast testing and iteration.
- Rich Set of Pre-designed Widgets
In Flutter, there’s a wide range of components called widgets that make up the user interface. These widgets are designed to give your app a natural look and feel on different devices, making it easy to create attractive apps that work well everywhere.
- Internationalization and Accessibility
Flutter also makes it simple to create apps for different languages and regions with built-in support for internationalization and localization. Plus, it includes accessibility features to ensure that everyone, including people with disabilities, can use your apps easily.
- Native-like Performance
Even though Flutter is a cross-platform framework, it provides a native-like look and performance. It achieves this by using platform-specific widgets that give your app the feel of a native application. These widgets can be used to implement features unique to each platform.
Flutter is flexible, allowing developers to use native-specific coding languages through third-party integrations. It enables you to incorporate native features seamlessly into your Flutter app, giving you the best of both worlds – cross-platform compatibility and native-like appeal and performance.
List of Apps Built Using Flutter
Here is the list of the apps built using Flutter.Â
- Google Ads
- eBay Motors
- AlibabaÂ
- Square
- Cryptomaniac Pro
- ReflectlyÂ
- Hookle
- Watermaniac
Swift: What is it?
Developed by Apple, Swift is a modern programming language that is designed to build iOS for Apple devices like iPhones, Macs, Apple Watches, and Apple TVs. This cross-app platform framework is incredibly popular among developers as it is simple, user-friendly, and strong.Â
Swift is equipped with abundant features that anyone could expect from a modern language, like generics, closures, and optional chaining. These features make coding in Swift more flexible and powerful.
What are the Features & Benefits of Swift for Cross-Platform App Development?
In the battle of Swift vs. Flutter, here is a list of the features of the Swift app development platform.Â
- Protocol-Oriented Programming
Backed by Protocol-Oriented Programming, Swift encourages breaking down code into smaller, reusable parts called protocols. These protocols define what behaviors and properties should be included in different parts of the code.
By using protocols, Swift makes it easier to create flexible and strong code that can be used in many different places. This approach helps developers build code that’s easier to understand, modify, and reuse, leading to more flexible and robust code bases overall.
- Easy Syntax
Swift offers developers a simple and intuitive syntax, meeting their expectations effectively. With its expressive features, Swift allows for writing code that is clearer and more understandable. Leveraging features inherited from Objective-C, Swift enhances code safety and cleanliness. This streamlined approach to programming reduces the amount of code required, making development easier and more efficient.Â
- Objective C Compatibility
Swift is completely compatible with Objective-C, allowing developers to write programs in either language. This flexibility enables developers to create apps using a combination of both languages, leveraging the strengths of each.
Additionally, Swift offers a tool that facilitates transitioning from Objective-C to Swift, making it easier for developers to migrate their existing codebases.
- Multiplatform support
Swift boasts multi-platform source compatibility, supporting various operating systems such as iOS, MacOS, tvOS, watchOS, and even Linux. This means you can develop software that works seamlessly across different platforms and devices. With Swift, you can even create your operating system, offering unparalleled flexibility and potential for innovation.
- Improves Code Security
Swift prioritizes safety and security in application development. The language includes built-in mechanisms to check code for potential issues before deployment. Swift automatically identifies and removes unsafe portions of code during runtime, ensuring that only secure components are released. This proactive approach helps to mitigate potential vulnerabilities and enhances the overall safety of applications built with Swift.
List of Apps Built Using SwiftÂ
Here is the list of the popular cross-platform apps built using Swift.Â
- Airbnb
- LyftÂ
- Slack
- LinkedInÂ
- PinterestÂ
- Shazam
Comparison Between Flutter vs. Swift: Know the Key DifferencesÂ
Let’s discuss the comparison between Flutter vs. Swift based on the following parameters.
| Parameters | Flutter | Swift |
| Plugins | Flutter is renowned for its code and plugin reusability, enabling developers to create a single codebase that can be deployed across multiple platforms such as Windows, Android, Linux, and more. | On the other hand, Swift facilitates reusing functions within the same logic for coding purposes. However, Swift does not inherently support the reuse of code or plugins for developing applications on different platforms. |
| Speed | Flutter boasts low build times and fast startup, making it highly competitive in terms of speed when compared to native languages. | One significant factor contributing to the speed of native languages is the clean build process they offer. |
| User Interface | Flutter utilizes a widget system, which means there’s a widget available for every interface and user experience element you might need in your app. | With Swift, you can create an iOS-specific interface, ensuring that the user experience (UX) elements are native to the iOS platform. This means that the interface elements will seamlessly blend with the overall iOS design language and user expectations. |
| GitHub Stars | There are nearly 159k Stars (as of January 2024). | There are more than 63k stars. |
| App Size | In Flutter, the artifact is generated from the build directory, which may result in a slightly heavier file. | On the other hand, native iOS apps are generated from Xcode or Continuous Integration (CI) servers and typically have a .app format. |
| Security | Flutter is indeed maintained by Google and is considered secure. However, being open-source and having fewer strict guidelines, the Flutter community has the freedom to contribute to the source code and influence its development. | Apple, on the other hand, is renowned for its stringent security measures and prioritizes safeguarding user data. |
| Cost | With Flutter, developers can create applications for both Android and iOS simultaneously, thanks to its cross-platform capabilities. It makes it relatively more cost-effective than Swift. | Swift is primarily used for developing applications exclusively for iOS and macOS platforms. If you want to create applications for Android, then it could be a costly affair. |
Which is the Best Cross-Platform App Development Framework: Flutter vs. Swift?
So, that’s a wrap-up to the battle between Swift vs. Flutter! Both are popular choices for mobile app development, each with its own set of advantages.Â
If your primary focus is on delivering a native iOS experience and you already have a team experienced in Swift, then sticking with Swift might be the better choice for your project. However, if you aim to target multiple platforms (such as Android, iOS, and potentially others) and prioritize faster development with a consistent user interface across all platforms, then hiring Flutter developers could be the more advantageous option.
If you are still confused, look no further than EitBiz! We are a leading flutter app development Company in USA that offers high-quality mobile app development services across iOS & Android platforms. Backed by a dedicated team of certified app developers and the latest tech stack, we develop robust mobile apps for your business that attract your target audience, drive conversions, and generate revenue.Â
Ready to build a solid mobile app? If so, contact EitBiz or talk to our experts at +1 (812) 530- 6300 or mail us at info@eitbiz.com today!
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