Flutter is a framework from Google for building applications that run on mobile, web, and desktop from a single set of code. Instead of building separate apps for iOS and Android, your team can build one app that works on both. This approach can help you reach your users faster and more consistently across different devices. The Flutter documentation states that thousands of organizations use it for production apps.
Is Flutter used for app development?
Flutter is an open-source framework, managed by Google, for building natively compiled applications from a single codebase. The Flutter documentation describes it as a way to build apps for mobile, web, desktop, and embedded devices. This means you can write your application once and deploy it to your users on iOS and Android devices, and even their web browsers.
The main reason businesses choose Flutter is efficiency. Building one application instead of two separate ones for iOS and Android saves time and reduces development costs. It also means your features and updates reach all your users at the same time. This single codebase helps create a consistent user experience and brand identity, no matter what device a person is using.
Flutter is not just for small projects. Its own documentation states that thousands of organizations, from new startups to large enterprises, use Flutter to build apps for hundreds of millions of users. This wide adoption shows that the framework is a reliable choice for serious business applications.
9.4% According to the Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 9.4 percent of professional developers reported extensive development work in Flutter.
How does a single codebase work for different platforms?
Flutter works by giving developers a complete toolkit to build user interfaces. Flutter's architectural overview describes it as a cross-platform UI toolkit that allows code reuse across operating systems like iOS and Android. This single-codebase approach is what helps ensure your app's design and user experience are consistent on every device.
For release, Flutter applications are compiled directly to machine code, or to JavaScript when targeting the web. The compilation to machine code gives them excellent performance, similar to an app built using the device's native language. This is a different approach from standard web application development, but it allows a single team to support both mobile and web users.
During development, Flutter offers a feature called stateful hot reload. This allows developers to make changes to the code and see the results on a test device almost instantly, without losing their place in the app. This speeds up the process of fixing bugs and adding new features.
When should you choose Flutter over separate native apps?
The decision between Flutter and building separate native apps depends on your specific goals. We help you make this choice during discovery, based on your performance needs, budget, and timeline. Flutter is often the best choice when you want to launch on both iOS and Android quickly, or when maintaining a consistent brand and user experience across platforms is a high priority.
Building two separate native apps gives you the absolute closest integration with each platform's unique features and design conventions. However, this requires two separate development teams, or one team with two different skill sets, which can increase time and cost. Flutter provides a way to get very close to native performance and feel, but with the efficiency of one team and one codebase.
We can build native Android apps, native iOS apps, or a shared cross-platform build. We do not default to one technology. Instead, we recommend the approach that best fits your business goals. For many businesses, Flutter offers the right balance of performance, consistency, and development speed. You can read more in our guides on mobile app development.
How long does it take to build a Flutter app?
For a typical custom build, we usually plan for 6 to 12 weeks from the project kickoff to having the application live. The exact timeline for your project will depend on its complexity, such as how many other systems it needs to connect with, how much data needs to be moved from older systems, and whether it needs to work offline for teams in the field.
You will not have to wait until the end to see progress. On a custom build, you see a demo of the running software every 2 to 3 weeks. These regular check-ins allow you to give feedback and ensure the project is heading in the right direction, making it easy to adjust course while changes are still simple to make.
Once we agree on the project plan, the dates we set become the milestones for payment. You will have a clear schedule of what to expect and when.
What is the process for building an app properly?
A successful app is built on a clear and disciplined process. Every project we run includes discovery and scoping, regular demos, user acceptance testing, security testing, full documentation, and support after launch. This structure applies whether the project is large or small.
We start by producing a written scope that details what the system needs to do, who will use it, and what it connects to. You approve this document before any building begins, ensuring we are all aligned on the goals. From there, we demo running software every 2 to 3 weeks, so you can see the progress for yourself.
Before launch, the people who will use the app every day run user acceptance testing against the scope they approved. This confirms the app works as expected in the real world. We also conduct security testing to protect your data and your users. After launch, we stay on the system in hypercare for two months to handle anything that comes up during the first weeks of real use.
How do you handle security and data protection?
Security is built into our process from the very beginning, not added as an afterthought. We build to the OWASP Top Ten as a baseline for all our projects. Your application's specific security requirements are written into the specification before we start building.
To protect your information, data is encrypted at rest and in transit. Access to the system is role-based, which means each person can only see the information and perform the actions necessary for their job. The systems we build also keep a full audit log, so you have a record of who did what and when.
We handle personal data in line with the UAE Personal Data Protection Law from the architecture stage. If your data has to stay within the UAE, we can host the system locally. Before going live, we test a full restore from backups that are kept in a separate location.
What happens after the app is launched?
Getting your app into the hands of users involves more than just finishing the code. We handle the complete submission process for both the App Store and the Google Play Store, including managing the store accounts and navigating the review process.
After your app goes live, we provide support through a two-month hypercare period. During this time, we quickly address any issues that arise from real-world use. For long-term peace of mind, we can support your app under a service level agreement, which includes monitoring and updates to ensure it continues to work as devices and operating systems change.
You always own what we build for you. At handover, you receive the source code, the documentation, the tests, and all credentials. There is no lock-in, so you have everything you need to bring in another team in the future.
Our team is based locally in Dubai and we work in both English and Arabic.
Frequently asked questions
Is Flutter used for app development?
Yes, Flutter is a popular choice for app development. The Flutter documentation describes it as a framework for building apps for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. It also states that thousands of organizations, including large enterprises and startups, use it for production applications.
Is Flutter hard to learn?
For developers with a background in programming, Flutter is considered approachable. The official documentation says that programmers who are familiar with object-oriented concepts can pick it up effectively. The framework is written in a language called Dart.
How do you decide on the final price?
We provide a fixed figure for the project once the scope is fully defined and you have approved it. We do not charge a separate fee for the initial discovery and scoping phase. Your payments are then staged against project milestones that we agree on together.
Key takeaways
- Flutter is a Google framework for building apps for iOS, Android, web, and desktop from one codebase.
- Using a single codebase can save time and money while creating a consistent user experience.
- A proper development process includes a written scope, regular demos, and testing by actual users.
- Security should be a priority, with measures like encryption, access controls, and recovery plans.
- After launch, you should own the source code and have a plan for ongoing support.
- The choice between Flutter and native apps depends on your specific business goals, budget, and timeline.
Sources
- What Flutter is, what it builds and who it is for (Flutter documentation FAQ)
- Flutter as a cross-platform UI toolkit (Flutter architectural overview)
- Flutter and React Native usage among developers, 2024 Developer Survey (Stack Overflow)
Originally published at innopalm.com. Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the innopalm team.
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