# Flutter vs React Native

> Both Flutter and React Native build iOS and Android apps from one codebase and both are production-ready. Choose React Native, usually with Expo, when your team knows React and TypeScript, you want to share code and people with a web app, or you want native platform UI components. Choose Flutter when you want a pixel-identical custom design on every device, heavy animation, or one codebase reaching mobile, web and desktop with consistent rendering.

|  | Flutter | React Native |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Language | Dart | JavaScript or TypeScript with React |
| How UI is drawn | Flutter renders its own widgets with the Impeller engine, so the UI looks the same on every device | Renders real native platform components through React |
| Look and feel | Consistent custom design everywhere; platform styling is emulated | Feels native by default; heavy custom design takes more work |
| Performance | Smooth animation and graphics; Impeller is the only renderer on iOS and the default on modern Android | Strong on the New Architecture with the Hermes engine; most business apps see no practical difference |
| Team and hiring | Dart is easy to learn but fewer developers know it already | Draws on the very large React and TypeScript talent pool |
| Code sharing with web | Flutter web can reuse the app, though it suits app-like experiences more than content sites | Shares logic, types and developer skills with React web apps |
| Tooling | Hot reload, a stable Widget Previewer and an integrated SDK | Expo framework for builds, routing and over-the-air updates; npm ecosystem |
| Over-the-air updates | Requires third-party services | Expo's update service ships JavaScript changes without a store release, within store rules |
| Platform reach | iOS, Android, web, Windows, macOS and Linux from one project | iOS and Android first; web through React Native Web and desktop through community and Microsoft projects |

## Choose Flutter if

- Your design is highly branded and must look identical on iOS and Android
- The app relies on rich animation, custom charts or canvas-style drawing
- You want mobile plus desktop or kiosk targets from one codebase
- Your team is new to both and starting fresh

## Choose React Native if

- Your team or partner already works in React and TypeScript
- You have, or plan, a React web app that should share logic and types
- You want native platform components and behaviors by default
- Shipping fixes quickly through over-the-air updates matters
- You want the widest hiring pool for future maintenance

## The short version

Flutter and React Native are both mature, both ship apps used by very large audiences, and both build iOS and Android from one codebase. The choice is mostly about your team and your design.

React Native uses React and TypeScript and renders native platform components, so it suits teams that already build for the web with React. Flutter uses Dart and draws its own UI, so it suits apps that need a custom, consistent look and lots of motion.

## Where Flutter wins

**Pixel-consistent design.** Because Flutter renders every pixel itself, a branded design looks the same on an older Android phone and the newest iPhone. Designers get what they drew.

**Animation and custom graphics.** The Impeller rendering engine, now the only renderer on iOS and the default on modern Android, handles complex animation and custom drawing smoothly.

**Reach beyond phones.** One Flutter project can target iOS, Android, web, Windows, macOS and Linux. For an app that also runs on a tablet kiosk or a desktop, that is useful.

**Cohesive tooling.** The SDK, widget library, hot reload and Widget Previewer come from one place, which makes setup predictable.

## Where React Native wins

**Team skills.** If your developers know React, they are productive in React Native quickly. TypeScript types, validation and API clients can be shared with a React web app.

**Native components.** Lists, inputs and navigation use the platform's own controls, so the app behaves the way users expect on each OS without extra work.

**Expo.** The React Native team recommends starting with a framework, and Expo is the common choice. It handles builds, file-based routing and over-the-air updates for JavaScript changes, which shortens the fix cycle.

**Hiring and longevity.** The React ecosystem is very large, so finding developers to maintain the app later is easier.

**Modern core.** The New Architecture is now the only architecture, and Hermes V1 is the default engine, which closed most of the old performance gaps for business apps.

## What we recommend

If your company already has a React web app or React developers, use React Native with Expo. The shared skills and code save more than any framework difference costs.

If you are starting fresh and the app's value depends on a distinctive, animated interface, or you need desktop targets too, Flutter is a strong choice.

Either way, most of the real cost and risk sits in the backend: APIs, integrations, authentication and any AI features. Keep model calls on your server, as described in [connecting an LLM to internal data safely](/guides/connect-llm-to-internal-data/). Our [tire warehouse ordering case study](/case-studies/tire-warehouse-ordering) is an example where modernizing a legacy API was as important as the app itself. For budgets, see the [mobile app cost page](/cost/cost-of-mobile-app/), or [start here](/start/) to talk through your project.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Flutter faster than React Native?

Flutter has an edge in animation-heavy and graphics-heavy screens because it draws everything itself. Since React Native moved to its New Architecture and the Hermes engine, typical business apps such as forms, lists, ordering and dashboards perform well on both. Choose on team and design needs, not benchmarks.

### Which is better for adding AI features?

Neither has a real advantage, because AI features should call models through your own backend. Never ship OpenAI or Anthropic API keys inside a mobile app. The app sends requests to your server, which holds the keys, applies limits and logs usage.

### Should I use Expo with React Native?

For most new apps, yes. The React Native team recommends starting with a framework and names Expo. It handles builds, routing, native modules and over-the-air updates, and you can still add custom native code when needed.

### Is Flutter or React Native cheaper to build with?

Build cost is similar for comparable apps. The bigger cost drivers are the number of screens, backend and integration work, and design polish. At Lumeor, an iOS and Android app typically costs $35,000–$120,000 regardless of framework.

### Can we switch frameworks later?

Only by rewriting the app's interface code. Backend APIs, data models and business logic held on the server carry over, which is another reason to keep important logic out of the mobile client.

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Source: https://www.lumeor.studio/compare/flutter-vs-react-native/
Published by Lumeor Studio, Newtown, PA. hello@lumeor.studio. Get a written scope: https://www.lumeor.studio/start/