Mobile apps are everywhere in 2025, and developers have two popular options for building them without creating separate apps for iPhone and Android: React Native and Flutter. But which one should you choose? Let's break it down in simple terms.

What is React Native?

React Native was created by Facebook (Meta) and lets you build mobile apps using JavaScript - the same language used for many websites. If you already know JavaScript or React for web development, you'll feel right at home.

Key points about React Native:

• Uses JavaScript - a language many developers already know

• Lets you reuse code across iPhone and Android

• Has been around longer, with many libraries and resources

• Works well when adding mobile features to existing apps

• Used by companies like Instagram, Walmart, and Discord

What is Flutter?

Flutter was created by Google and uses a language called Dart. It comes with many pre-built design components that make creating beautiful apps easier.

Key points about Flutter:

• Uses Dart - a language you might need to learn

• Creates extremely smooth animations and interfaces

• Works not just on phones but also on web and desktop

• Excellent performance for graphics-heavy apps

• Used by companies like Google Ads, eBay, and BMW

How They Compare: The Simple Version

Easy to Learn

• React Native: Easier if you already know JavaScript

• Flutter: Requires learning Dart, but has excellent documentation

App Performance

• React Native: Good performance for most apps

• Flutter: Often faster, especially for complex animations

User Interface

• React Native: Uses the phone's built-in components

• Flutter: Creates its own components that look consistent everywhere

Development Speed

• React Native: Fast development with hot reloading

• Flutter: Also fast with hot reload and many ready-to-use widgets

The Downsides

React Native Drawbacks

• Can slow down with complex animations

• Sometimes requires platform-specific code

• Updates to iOS or Android can break things

• Larger app size compared to native apps

Flutter Drawbacks

• Learning Dart takes time if you're new to it

• Newer ecosystem with fewer third-party packages

• Apps can be larger in size

• Some native features require extra work to implement

Real-World Examples

Built with React Native:

• Instagram

• Facebook Ads Manager

• Walmart

• Discord

Built with Flutter:

• Google Ads

• eBay Motors

• BMW app

• Alibaba's Xianyu app

Conclusion

Both React Native and Flutter are excellent choices for mobile app development in 2025. If you already know JavaScript and want seamless integration with existing projects, React Native is the way to go. On the other hand, if you’re looking for high-performance, visually stunning apps that work across multiple platforms, Flutter is a great option. Your choice depends on your team's skills, project needs, and long-term goals.