iOS App Development: Flutter vs Swift

Considering that we now live in a hyper-digital world, it makes sense that a growing number of companies across the globe want to leverage this change to their benefit. Cross-platform mobile app development tools are gaining popularity because they help create native-like apps using a single codebase for both – Android and iOS platforms. This enables companies to market their app on both mobile app marketplaces quicker. The key means to do that, of course, is via mobile apps, be it Android apps, iOS apps, or those for other platforms.

It is at economical rates to leverage such tools to market them quickly and at cost-effective prices. Swift and Flutter are the two most wanted technologies for companies that consider creating an iOS application. Considering that we now live in a hyper-digital world, it makes sense that a growing number of companies across the globe want to leverage this change to their benefit. All this is great but the problem arises when one must choose a development tool; currently, most companies find themselves struggling to choose between Flutter and Swift, two of the leading app development tools in the world.

If you too have been struggling with this choice, here is a quick guide to help you make an informed decision.

1. Flutter: A UI tool for cross-platform app development, Flutter is a veteran in the development ecosystem, enabling the development of high-quality apps for a variety of OS platforms such as iOS, Android, etc.

   Pros:

   • Free and open-source
   • Hot reload
   • Graphics engine

   Cons:

   • Feeble support for iOS features
   • Missing support for a password manager
2. Swift: The successor to Objective-C, Swift is Apple’s programming language used for the development of native iOS apps. It must be noted that the technology behemoth has now adapted the language to enable cross-platform app development, i.e. it can now also be used for the development of apps for Android and Windows.

   Pros:

   • Free and open-source
   • Top-notch documentation
   • Libraries for quick and easy scalability

   Cons:

   • Limited community of developers
   • Substandard interoperability with third-party IDEs and tools

Now, a quick look at some of the key differentiating factors between Flutter and Swift.

• Time-to-market: One of the most crucial considerations, when one sets out to choose an app development tool, is the time it would take to bring the app to the market. Flutter aces all benchmarks in this department since it enables cross-platform app development, allowing companies to target multiple platforms in one go. This is not the case with Swift, because it is a native tool and allows the development of only iOS apps.
• Code reusability: The ability to reuse a given codebase for building apps for a variety of OS platforms. The solution that this round without a doubt is Flutter which not only offers excellent code reusability but also helps cut down testing times. With Swift, on the other hand, you would need to test the app for every platform.
• Speed: Yet another vital consideration while building apps is the time required to develop such apps. With Flutter, you need a little more time since it uses the Dart programming language. Swift, as compared to Flutter, is significantly faster.

Examples of Flutter apps:

1. Google Ads: A digital platform for ads
2. Philips Hue: A mobile app to manage smart lights
3. Realtor.com: Among the largest real estate websites in the world

Examples of Swift apps:

1. Lyft: A ride-sharing mobile app
2. Firefox for iOS: Mozilla’s web browser for iPhones
3. Asana: It is a SaaS for project management

So, we come back to the question: should you pick Flutter or Swift? Honestly, there is no fixed answer here simply because eventually, the choice depends on the unique requirements of each company that is looking to build the app. Hence, to decide if you need the services of a Flutter application development company or one for Swift, you will have to carefully compare each of these options against your business and customers’ needs.