Creating applications that work smoothly on various platforms has been a significant goal in software development. And, this isn’t a matter of recent times but for a long time.
But then comes Flutter, Google’s open-source UI SDK (Software Development Kit), which brings a more streamlined and efficient cross-platform development experience. While widely recognized for mobile app development services, what many don’t realize is that Flutter is equally capable of crafting desktop applications.
This blog post aims to provide thorough details of utilizing Flutter for developing desktop apps, showcasing its versatility beyond mobile apps. Let’s explore the details and possibilities of leveraging Flutter for cross-platform app development.
The Rise of Flutter Desktop Apps
Introduced by Google in 2017, Flutter has swiftly become a top choice for developers and businesses alike. Its standout feature is the ability to craft natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop using a single codebase, revolutionizing development practices. The reasons behind its popularity include:
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Expressive UI design
- Rapid development
- High performance
- Vast Ecosystem
Notably, Flutter allows mobile app developers to create applications independent of the operating system and screen size. Positioned as a “mobile application framework,” Flutter enables sharing the same source code for diverse operating systems like Android and iOS simultaneously, with minor differences due to plugins and hardware variances. Recognized as the ideal programming language for desktop applications, Flutter facilitates swift application development through features like “hot reloads” and “hot restarts,” allowing code changes without a complete rebuild. With a flexible and customizable user interface (UI), Flutter meets the diverse needs of companies, making it a standout choice for Flutter desktop app development.
Let’s look at the reasons why Flutter is suitable for Desktop apps!
Why choose Flutter for your desktop app?
Let’s explore the major factors that make Flutter such a great option among other platforms for mobile and desktop app development.
1. High performance
Frames per second (FPS) is a crucial performance metric for apps, with a level below 30 often perceived by users as stuttering or freezing. Cross-platform apps commonly face the challenge of low FPS due to differences between the app’s technology and the device’s hardware. However, Flutter’s architecture, which doesn’t rely on a ‘Java bridge’ but translates Dart code directly into native code, addresses this issue. This approach enables Flutter apps to deliver performance close to native solutions.
Surf extensively tested the performance of the Flutter development framework by building a video streaming app. Focused on achieving a YouTube-like experience, the client prioritized responsive playback controls. Flutter, coupled with dynamic video resolution based on connection speed and pre-caching, proved instrumental in achieving outstanding playback performance.
2. Native look and feel
Flutter operates on a foundation of widgets, serving as its core architectural components. In Flutter, everything, from a block of text to a button, is treated as a widget, and each widget is customizable.
Notably, the Flutter app development framework offers full support for native visual styles. It automatically updates the appearance of an app’s elements to align with the visual style of the platform it’s running on. This provides developers with significant flexibility and control over the app’s aesthetics. They can choose to maintain a consistent design across multiple platforms or adapt it for a native appearance on each platform. Flutter’s widget-based architecture empowers developers to craft visually appealing and platform-responsive applications.
3. Cost saving
Typically, cross-platform developers charge slightly higher rates compared to native developers, with differences ranging from 5% to 15%. However, this cost aspect is counterbalanced by the efficiency gained through Flutter’s ability to create both desktop and mobile apps using a single codebase and development team. This streamlined approach results in reduced expenses for hiring and management, ultimately lowering the overall cost of mobile app development.
For instance, in a project involving mobile apps for an online pharmacy at Surf, opting for Flutter allowed us to efficiently build six apps (iOS and Android for each of the client’s three brands) using just one codebase. This decision led to nearly 40% savings compared to the initial budget allocated for React Native app development.
4. Fast time to market
Flutter provides mobile app development partners with efficient tools, such as Hot Reload, allowing real-time code changes without the need to reload the entire app. This accelerates bug fixing and facilitates experimentation with different approaches, saving valuable mobile app development time.
Additionally, Flutter’s code is highly readable and demands less maintenance effort compared to other technologies. The app development team of Google Pay experienced a significant 60–70% reduction in code management time when transitioning to the cross-platform app development framework. These features collectively contribute to a short time to market for apps making it a significant factor.
5. Community Support
Flutter has rapidly gained widespread popularity within the developer community since its inception. Its thriving and expanding community actively contributes to its enhancement, creating and sharing a plethora of third-party packages. These packages significantly augment Flutter’s capabilities and expedite the development workflow.
There’s a vast pool of education material including tutorials, courses, and comprehensive official documentation, celebrated for its clarity. The community’s vitality is further showcased through regular framework updates and the hosting of active Flutter events worldwide, affirming its continual growth and engagement
6. Cross-platform support
Traditionally, building website development services required languages like Python, Java, Ruby, or C#. Flutter, however, breaks this norm by not only serving mobile app development but also supporting web services. This means that after creating an app with Flutter, you can extend its usage to iOS, Android, and web platforms, broadening your user reach.
It’s essential to note that depending on the nature of the application, using the same source code for the web service may not always be feasible. Nonetheless, Flutter’s versatility allows developers to leverage a single codebase for multiple platforms, simplifying the process of reaching a diverse audience across mobile and web environments.
Possible Challenges while developing Desktop apps with Flutter
1. Ensuring API Stability
There are various plugins and libraries available for Flutter desktop and the number is still growing but it’s less than those for mobile app development platforms.
2. Addressing Limited Libraries and Plugins
The APIs could change due to the reason that desktop support for Flutter is still experimental but that might call for modifications in your code.
3. Enhancing Detailed Documentation
From the vast pool of resources available for Flutter mobile app development, the all-inclusive documentation for desktop in the Flutter app development framework is still underway.
Real-life examples of Desktop apps built with Flutter
1. Google Assistant
Google Assistant’s desktop app, crafted with Flutter’s cross-platform toolkit, boasts a unified codebase for seamless operation across various platforms. Whether through voice or text, users enjoy personalized assistance. Flutter’s adaptable widgets ensure a user-friendly interface, aligning smoothly with different operating systems. With features like Hot Reload, Flutter accelerates the development process, emphasizing its expertise in crafting high-performance, platform-agnostic applications.
2. Rive
Rive, an open-source platform for interactive animations, underwent a transition from JavaScript to React before finding its optimal match in Flutter. Flutter’s capability to seamlessly render intricate graphics across various platforms in real-time proved transformative. The switch resulted in improved onboarding, enhanced linting, and a smoother editing experience. The entire Rive editor is now built on Flutter, benefiting from its robust testing tools and support for custom features.
3. Invoice Ninja
Invoice Ninja, a cloud-based application streamlining payment and invoice management, underwent an enhancement by transitioning to a single codebase using Flutter’s Redux Starter package. This move significantly improved productivity and quality, reducing errors and elevating app ratings. The platform’s unified user experience and accessibility across major platforms contribute to efficient invoicing for businesses.
Conclusion
Selecting the right technology and development partner is crucial for your app’s success. Flutter, renowned for its cross-platform capabilities and exceptional performance, stands out as a potent choice for app development.
However, the true potential of Flutter can be fully beneficial when you hire a Flutter app development company. These firms bring tailored expertise, efficiency, quality assurance, and ongoing support to the table, saving you time and costs while ensuring a top-notch product.
For those seeking mobile, web, or desktop app development, remember that success often thrives on collaboration. Hiring Flutter app developers isn’t just securing a vendor; it’s gaining a committed partner invested in your project’s success.