Flutter Vs Ionic: Step-by-Step Detailed Comparison As of 2023

Regarding hybrid app development, developers widely prefer two technologies namely Flutter and Ionic. Both technologies are used to develop engaging, high-performance apps with one shared code base that works all around; however, the resemblances between the two are limited here only. As a leading company providing cutting-edge services for mobile app development here are some aspects that will help you make a decision. With a detailed comparison of flutter vs Ionic let’s see how both the technologies fare against each other.

Both technologies Ionic and Flutter work on entirely opposing philosophies to create a hybrid app for mobile, desktop, and the web. So, we will examine the distinction in the approaches, features, advantages and disadvantages of the Flutter vs Ionic comparison.

• Ionic adheres to the principle of utilizing the web platform and adopting open standards as much as feasible. By using the Ionic framework, you will gain knowledge and utilize the tools and languages of the web, to provide excellent performance across mobile devices, desktops, and most notably, the web.
• Flutter stands out from other hybrid app development frameworks by employing a self-contained ecosystem instead of conventional languages, toolsets, and standards. Despite its exceptional mobile performance, the limitations of its architecture make it unsuitable for deploying web-based applications.

Let’s know the detailed analysis of Ionic vs Flutter frameworks in terms of definition, UI, performance, features, pros and cons, code maintainability, and architecture.

Overview on Flutter

What is Flutter?

Flutter is a mobile app software development kit or SDK launched by Google in 2018. This is used to create high-fidelity and top-performance Android and iOS apps. Flutter is built on a reactive programming language called Dart, which provides a faster and more convenient development process than any conventional technology.

The Flutter framework has powerful graphics and animation libraries; hence, enterprises and businesses to hire Flutter developers to create UI that responds seamlessly to touch inputs and gives their end-users the best possible seamless experience. Flutter relies on its own set of standards and does not leverage modern browser capabilities, web languages, and JavaScript libraries.

Recent research indicates that 42% or one-third of cross-platform app developers utilize Flutter to build applications that can be accessed on various devices. This trend suggests that the future of Flutter app development will expand significantly soon.

Features of Flutter

There are many reasons why Flutter might be the best choice for your next project. To provide better clarity, we will discuss a few features of Flutter app development.

Facilitates cross-platform app development

Developers can leverage Flutter to create code that functions seamlessly across multiple platforms. Two distinct applications can employ the same code by utilizing a common codebase. Moreover, not only can the UI code be shared, but the UI design itself can also be shared. This simplifies the process of maintaining a single codebase, as opposed to creating disparate codes for each platform.

Hot-reloading feature

With Hot Reload, changes made to the code are immediately reflected on the UI, facilitating a rapid iteration process for refining the application’s appearance. Additionally, it allows developers to swiftly rectify any errors, thus saving valuable time and resources.

Open-source framework

Flutter was introduced by Google as an open-source platform that empowers developers to explore numerous design options for creating Flutter applications. By leveraging Material Design and Cupertino widgets, developers can craft user-friendly applications. Additionally, the Flutter Form is a community of enthusiasts who collaborate to address questions and engage in discussions pertaining to Flutter. With detailed documentation and online communities readily accessible, Flutter app development costs shall be more affordable than native ones.

Rich widget library

In Flutter, everything is represented as a widget, whether it be a color, padding, or menu. Flutter facilitates the creation of intricate, customizable widgets tailored to meet the specific requirements of the application. Additionally, there are several built-in widgets available for use, including the Cupertino pack and Material Design, which offer collections of widgets that ensure a seamless user experience.

Native Performance

Flutter offers platform-specific widgets for Google Fuchsia, Android, and iOS, enabling integration of platform-dependent functionalities into Flutter applications. Java, Swift, and Objective-C codes can be leveraged to access native features like the camera and geolocation. This makes it effortless for Flutter to incorporate third-party integrations and APIs. Additionally, it is worth mentioning that mobile app developers also favor Flutter application security despite it being a cross-platform app development.

Flutter pros and cons

Let’s delve into the pros and cons of Flutter:

Pros of using Flutter

• The hot-reloading feature in Flutter allows you to update the application’s state without losing it by reflecting any changes made.
• Flutter has made integrating Java for Android and Objective-C for iOS convenient and hassle-free.
• Flutter provides seamless accessibility to share code across diverse platforms, which is well-suited for MVP (Minimum Viable Product) development.
• The use of short iteration cycles in Flutter can expedite testing within a singular codebase.
• Flutter provide access to enticing widgets and interactive design, conforming to the Material Design guidelines for Android and the Cupertino guidelines for iOS.

Cons of using Flutter

The operating system in Flutter is not compatible with Android Auto, CarPlay, tvOS, or watchOS.

• To deploy updates to applications, it is necessary to adhere to the standard launch processes.
• The selection of tools and plugins is limited, resulting in sluggish rendering of animations and graphics from vendors.

Overview on Ionic

What is Ionic?

Ben Sperry and Max Lynch created Ionic, a hybrid framework and UI toolkit that utilizes popular web language and is open-source. Originally designed for use with Apache Cordova, it now relies on Capacitor.js as its underlying layer.

Ionic app development can create fully functional web applications using web component-based UI elements that are displayed through a webview container. It is compatible with several front-end libraries, including React, Angular, Vue.js, and Stencil, and can be used to develop for iOS, Android, and web platforms.

Features of Ionic

Here are some fascinating features of Ionic:

• App builder: Ionic Studio offers a user-friendly interface for developing fully functional applications within minutes.
• Platform-independent framework: Ionic offers a free, open-source mobile UI toolkit that allows developers to create cross-platform applications (compatible with iOS, Android, and the web) using a single codebase.
• Integrations: With Ionic, it’s possible to incorporate both community plugins and premium-supported integrations.
• Compilers: For native mobile app development using CSS, HTML, and JavaScript, it makes use of Cordova, PhoneGap, and Capacitor compilers.
• Frontend development: Ionic comes with AngularJS pre-installed component which assists app developers in creating scalable applications.

Ionic pros and cons

Have a look at a couple of pros and cons of Ionic app development:

Pros of using Ionic

• Ionic is the most effective platform-agnostic framework with exceptional scalability.
• Ionic uses a capacitor to simplify access to native APIs and SDKs on every platform.
• Reduces the need for code rewriting by employing a familiar JavaScript framework for coding.

Cons of using Ionic

• Developers are required to develop particular features to accommodate plugin dependencies.
• The complete program is refreshed without a hot reload if the state changes.
• The rendering of web views adversely affects resource-intensive application performance.
• Higher rate of security hazards.

Flutter vs Ionic: the comparison

It isn’t simple to make a choice between Flutter and Ionic. Before making a decision, it’s essential to understand their technical similarities and distinctions. Deciding between Ionic and Flutter is a tough battle and taking a firm stance is crucial. Let’s examine how they measure up based on the following factors:

Flutter vs Ionic for performance

The level of efficiency offered by both is an essential aspect in determining which one is apt for your business.

• Flutter offers a smooth frame rate of 60 FPS making it suitable to create unique animations.
• But if your motto is to develop a consumer-oriented application, then Ionic delivers equivalent performance.

The performance comparison between Flutter and Ionic is primarily determined by the quality of the code written for both platforms. In essence, the code’s quality has a vital impact on the performance of any framework.

In terms of bundle size, the performance of Flutter and Ionic differs. Ionic employs the standard browser runtime and primitives (basic processing units), resulting in a bundle size of 2,991 bytes. Conversely, Flutter necessitates a substantial amount of code even for creating a simple app.

Code Maintenance with Flutter or Ionic, which is better?

Flutter application can be conveniently maintained due to its straightforward code structure, which allows for easy identification of issues and integration of external tools and third-party libraries. In addition, the stateful Hot Reloading feature enables quick resolution of any problems encountered. This efficient development process also facilitates the faster release of quality updates and implementation of immediate changes in the application.

The use of Ionic frequently presents developers with the challenge of having to rewrite their code to ensure stability in their applications, leading to significant difficulties in code maintenance. Adding to the frustration is the fact that backward compatibility often fails, exacerbating the problem.

Application architecture of Ionic or Flutter, which is better?

Flutter’s architecture is structured in layers. A simple application created on this framework begins with the top-level root function or platform-specific widgets. This is followed by virtual devices interacting with the platform and rendering layers. Beyond the rendering layer, there are animation gestures that transmit API calls to the application’s foundation, known as Scaffold. The Scaffold is executed by a C/C++ engine and a platform-specific embedder.

Ionic employs the AngularJS MVC architecture, which is a software design pattern consisting of MVC, to construct advanced single-page applications that are optimized for mobile devices across various platforms. This architecture enables numerous developers to work together, resulting in lessened development turnaround time and augmented productivity.

Tables of features for comparing Ionic vs Flutter

Here’s a comparison chart that outlines the crucial differences between Flutter and Ionic along significant parameters you should take into account to facilitate a better understanding of these two alternatives.

Flutter vs Ionic – which is better for your business?

The ultimate question for consideration is determining which framework is superior for your business. Ideally, the choice of the framework should be based on the project’s needs and requirements though you don’t have to have any technical knowledge.

Flutter is well-suited for elaborate projects that have a limited budget. Developers proficient in Dart can swiftly launch products with personalized UI widgets and automated testing. Flutter is an excellent choice for developing a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), which is the best way to control your overall project budget.

Ionic is a cost-effective solution for creating uncomplicated and efficient applications. It delivers the finest native-like experience by employing web-based technologies.

Final words

The aforementioned detailed comparison and all other crucial details regarding the SDK platform will help you make an informed decision. You may discuss the platforms’ pros and cons in layman’s language with your mobile app developers you hire. The discussion could be about matching your business objectives and ideas with Ionic or Flutter’s features by keeping budget and timeframe in mind. Your tech experts may also take your company’s goal into account while suggesting you the platform and technology for your project. So, hire developers to build an efficient and quality application for your business needs.

Hardik Shah

As the tech-savvy Project Manager at Prismetric, his admiration for app technology is boundless though!He writes widely researched articles about the app development methodologies, codes, technical project management skills, app trends, and technical events. Inventive mobile applications and Android app trends that inspire the maximum app users magnetize him deeply to offer his readers some remarkable articles.