Which framework has an edge over the two extremely famous frameworks, Flutter or Kotlin? The topic is frequently spoken and a lot has been written/discussed already over various platforms. However, as the company’s CEO/CTO, you should be doing thorough research to decide between two Flutter and Kotlin for your project. This wholesome blog, we promise will help you make the decision swiftly. We will be discussing their distinctive features, and differences to help you maximize the business advantage.
Cross-platform app development is becoming increasingly popular. The reason is as it allows for the creation of apps that can run on both, iOS and Android operating systems. This is beneficial as 98% of mobile phones globally use these two main OS. The three main players in the cross-platform app development market are Flutter, React Native, and Kotlin. Deciding which one is the best option depends on the specific needs of the project and the skills of the development team. It’s important to consider factors such as performance, scalability, and ease of use when making a decision.
Well, we will start with the basics, move towards comparison and gradually understand the importance of each in various scenarios. Let’s begin
What is Kotlin?
Kotlin is a general-purpose programming language developed by Jetbrains in 2016. It allows developers to share code, data, and business logic across multiple platforms, such as iOS, Android, and the web. This makes it a versatile language that can be used in various environments. It is also known as Kotlin Multiplatform because of its ability to work on different platforms.
Many developers prefer Kotlin over other programming languages because of its simplicity and ease of use. It is designed to reduce the risk of programming errors and crashes, making it a reliable choice for developers. Additionally, it is an SDK(Software Development Kit) rather than a framework, which means that it can be gradually integrated into existing applications.
According to recent statistics, there are around 105,000 apps that have been built using Kotlin. This demonstrates the growing popularity of the language among developers and entrepreneurs. Hence, it is considered the second most popular programming language after Java.
What is Flutter?
Flutter has become increasingly popular among developers because of its ability to create high-performing, visually attractive apps with a native-like feel. Moreover, its use of the Dart programming language and ahead-of-time compilation allows for fast and efficient app development.
One of the major benefits of using Flutter is its ability to share a single codebase across multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux. Therefore, it is a cost-effective solution for developing apps for multiple platforms.
Above all, Flutter’s widget library, which is built on the concept of reactive programming, allows for the creation of highly responsive and customizable UI. It also has an active and supportive community, which contributes to its growing popularity.
The framework has been adopted by many companies and developers for creating apps in various industries, for example, eCommerce, entertainment, social media, and utility. With its continued growth and development, Flutter is poised to become one of the leading frameworks for mobile app development in the future.
Learn more about why should you choose Flutter and how should you hire Flutter developers.
Let us move forward and get into the details of Flutter Vs. Kotlin
| Specification | Flutter | Kotlin | Winner |
| Year of launch | 2017 | 2016 | – |
| Developers | JetBrains | – | |
| Popular apps | Alibaba, Square, The New York Times, eBay, Tencent | Careem, Autodesk, Yandex, VMware, Chalk, Icerock, Quizlet | – |
| Programming language | Dart | Kotlin itself is a programming language. | – |
| Performance | Flutter is much more promising when it comes to performance. The hot-reload features allow developers to instantly address the changes in the code | Kotlin multi-platform compiles the code exactly in the same format as the platform on which you wish to deploy. Also, Kotlin-developed apps are easy to customize and better in performance. | No clear winner here |
| Popularity | Flutter captures 101K Stars on GitHub, while we are writing this. | Kotlin has 33.3K stars on GitHub while we are writing this. | Flutter is the winner here. |
| Learning curve | Flutter offers a comprehensive document for the avid developer to learn and implement Flutter | Kotlin Multiplatform has limited resources for the developer to learn the language. Kotlin as a language no doubt represents interoperability with Java but offers less documentation when it comes Kotlin’s multiplatform | Flutter wins here |
| UI experience | Flutter is a widget-rich cross-platform framework. It offers unmatchable customizing features using which developers can develop a unique, functioning application effortlessly. | Kotlin is also a potential fit for cross-platform language. It assists developers in crafting effective applications without any hassle. | It is a draw here. |
| Third-party libraries and tools integration | Flutter is a cross-platform SDK that provides easy integration of third-party UI development tools. | Kotlin is a programming language proficient for developing native-like cross-platform applications. It makes use of native tools like Jetpack Compose and SwiftUI. | Kotlin holds the upper hand over Flutter. |
| Backend development scope | Google backs Flutter. Hence, Firebase which is a Backend-as-a-Service platform allows developers to write code at the backend | Kotlin multiplatform, allows developers to seamlessly write the backend code | Kotlin is the winner here |
| Job and opportunity scope | Flutter is a powerful framework empowering thousands of applications in the market. Even though it is relatively young, the demand for Flutter developers is rising. | Kotlin is the most preferred language when it comes to building native, cross-platform applications. As shared by StackShare, around 268 companies and 210 developers prefer Kotlin | Kotlin is in high demand over Flutter. But this may change in the future. |
| Documentation and Community | Flutter is a new, yet flourishing platform. So, the extensive documentation assists developers in easily learning the framework implementation. | Kotlin is still strengthening its documentation for the developers | Flutter is the winner here. |
| Testing Support | Flutter offers a bucket full of testing features. Besides, the unique widget testing feature catches the maximum attention. | Kotlin doesn’t offer any ease of assistance for support testing. | Flutter is the winner here. |
| Price of app development | Flutter is an open-source cross-platform framework that is easy to learn and work with. | Kotlin is also an open-source code. Developers can easily download it from GitHub and start using it. |
Now we are discussing the comparisons in detail, let us also look at the development prices per hour for Flutter Vs. Kotlin.
Refer to this blog on the cost to hire Flutter developers for more details.
Flutter Vs Kotlin: Which one is more famous?
Flutter and Kotlin are widely popular among mobile app developers because they are open-source and free to use. Both frameworks have their own features and functionalities that make them suitable for different types of mobile app development projects.
Flutter is known for its ability to build cross-platform solutions, making it a popular choice among developers who want to create apps that can run on multiple platforms with minimal changes. It also has a fast development cycle, customizable widgets, and a reactive programming model, which makes it an excellent choice for building high-performance apps.
On the other hand, Kotlin has its own set of strengths that make it an excellent choice for mobile app development. It is considered to be more expressive and concise than Java, which makes it a more efficient language for developing mobile apps. Additionally, it has a large and growing developer community, which makes it easier to find resources and support.
In summary, both Flutter and Kotlin are powerful frameworks for mobile app development and both have their own set of features and functionalities that make them suitable for different types of projects. However, developers have to decide which framework they want to use based on the specific requirements of their projects.
Here are some comparisons in figures available from different platforms.
Google Trends:
Kotlin surpasses Flutter in popularity
Stack Overflow:
Flutter tops the chart with more than 83K questions, while Kotlin is at 55K. Clearly, Kotlin is the winner.
How should you select between the two, Flutter Vs. Kotlin?
When choosing a framework, one of the most important factors that developers consider is the ease of learning. Both Kotlin and Flutter have relatively simple learning curves, but they differ in how they approach the process.
Kotlin is considered easier to learn for several reasons. Firstly, Google has made many online courses available for helping developers learn the language. Additionally, Kotlin is highly interoperable with Java, which is a widely used programming language. As a result, developers who are already familiar with Java will find it easier to learn Kotlin. However, currently, Kotlin’s focus is more on developing its extension – Kotlin multiplatform, which may make it a bit more complex.
On the other hand, Flutter has comprehensive documentation and resources available. This makes it easier for developers to learn and get started with app development. Additionally, the framework’s architecture and widgets are designed to be intuitive, which also helps to reduce the learning curve.
Overall, both Kotlin and Flutter have relatively simple learning curves. But the approaches to learning and the resources available are different. Developers can choose which framework to use based on their background and the resources available to them.
Coming to the next questions:
First, is When should you prefer Kotlin?
- When you wish to revamp your existing application, go for Kotlin. Because its interoperability with Java simplifies the process of app editing.
- Kotlin is a preferred programming language especially when you want to write heavy yet sophisticated codes.
- Kotlin has a fail-fast compiler that detects bugs automatically and resolves them immediately, making it a reliable choice for app development.
Now, when should you prefer Flutter?
- The hot-reload feature of Flutter is a major advantage since it allows developers to instantly check changes made in the source code.
- Flutter is best suitable for building and releasing an MVP product as well as for building a prototype to present to investors.
- Developing apps with Flutter is relatively easy and you can also access native-like features like Geolocation, camera, etc.
- If you want to build visually appealing and responsive user interfaces, then also you should opt Flutter for it.
Moving ahead, Names of applications built using Flutter and Kotlin.
Let us mention some of the popular apps built using Kotlin:
- Airbnb
- Tinder;
- Trello;
- Pinterest;
- Netflix,
Some popular apps built using Flutter:
- GoogleAds;
- PostMuse;
- SpaceX Go
- Cred;
- Xianyu
Also, we have a list of Top Flutter development Companies for your easy reference.
In the end:
It is difficult to determine a clear winner between Flutter, and Kotlin as each platform has its own strengths and weaknesses. The best option for a project will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the project, as well as the skills and experience of the development team.
Both Flutter and Kotlin have a strong presence in the market and have proven to deliver high performance and scalability. Therefore, it is important to assess the specific needs of your project and consult with a professional development team to make an informed decision.
If you are looking for a flutter app development company, feel free to reach out to us. We are always ready to assist you and provide more information about these platforms. Contact us today and we will be happy to help you with your future projects.
Contact Information