Flutter Vs Kotlin: Which Programming Language Will Dominate The Cross-Platform Market?

In recent years, mobile application development has become an integral part of all size businesses and even organizations have already realized that well-designed apps can develop a strong connection with new customers.

If you are also planning to invest in mobile app development, then one of the pressing questions here is "for which operating platform do you need to develop an app?

As per Statista, there are approx 2.56 million apps available on Google Play Store and 1.85 Million apps have been developed for iOS devices and Approx. 1 million apps for other platforms.

Image Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/276623/number-of-apps-available-in-leading-app-stores/

Again, these stats will definitely put you in a dilemma of whether you should launch a Native app or a cross-platform application. Of course, with the increasing competition on each platform, targeting any single platform is not enough to survive in this sinking competitive market. Cross-platform apps will not only help you target the wide segment of the market but also increase your brand visibility over various operating platforms.

However, the central question is, which is the best choice of framework to develop a highly-performing application? Now the majority of you will recommend React Native or Flutter for low-cost app development. Till 2019, mobile app development company are hugely dependent upon these two top app development frameworks (React Native and Flutter). However, now a new competitor has entered into the market and boldly taken over the place and that is KOTLIN.

Image Source: https://www.statista.com/statistics/869224/worldwide-software-developer-working-hours/

However, deciding between Flutter and Kotlin can’t be easy for the developers. So let’s dig deep to understand the pros and cons of each framework to make a better decision.

1. Overview of Flutter and Kotlin: The Difference Between Both Frameworks

Conclusion: According to developers, Flutter is described as the second most popular cross-platform mobile framework launched by Google in 2015. Whereas Kotlin can be defined as a detailed statistically typed programming language that is majorly targeting JVM and Javascript.

Flutter: It is an open-source Software development kit for developers that allow them to create native-looking web, mobile, and desktop apps by using a single codebase.

Kotlin: Kotlin is used as one of the highly adopted languages, supported by Google and considered as the most preferred language for Android app development. According to AppBrain, over 86,000 apps are using Kotlin and these numbers are kept growing.

2. Flutter Vs Kotlin: Framework Popularity

Conclusion: Flutter and Kotlin, both are highly demanding and free to use platforms. But, flutter has taken the momentum when you compare its popularity with Kotlin

Since they are open-source platforms, therefore, most app development companies are interested in working with these frameworks, but when we check the survey reports, the real story is a bit different.

If you check the Google trends, then the popularity of the Flutter will show you a steep rise as compared to Kotlin. However, the forecast from Stackshare reveals that Kotlin has 3.1 K stacks whereas Flutter has 1.8 Stacks.

Image Source: https://stackshare.io/stackups/flutter-vs-kotlin

3. Flutter Vs Kotlin: Performance

Conclusion: Flutter offers hot reloading features to the users, but Kotlin also doesn't disappoint users with its performance.

Let's translate the performance of both the frameworks into simple language...

Flutter is backed by high-quality hot reloading features that add great convenience to the developers. With the help of this feature, developers can make real-time changes in the coding in the backend and view modifications in the front-end without even saving the file. Flutter helps developers to make corrections on-the-go to make the elements look perfect on the front-end.

On the other side, Kotlin multi-platform compiles the codes in the same format as you are using it in its form without using any virtual machine. This feature of Kotlin makes it an ideal choice for creating an app where developers required app scalability and flexibility.

4. Flutter Vs Kotlin: UI Expertise and Experience

Conclusion: Developers can customize the look and feel of the app with Flutter by using different widgets available on the platform whereas Kotlin provides you complete freedom to design the interface of the app.

Since Flutter is considered as the tool for cross-platform developments, therefore, developers need to look for a variety of widgets available on the platform to customize an interface of the app. However, with Flutter, developers can get an opportunity to use different widgets for app development which makes the entire app development process far easier, simpler, and quicker. Flutter comes with an advanced SDK, so you can hire mobile app developer to customize the app that suits your business needs.

On the other side, Kotlin multi-platform gives liberty to the UI developers to craft a unique and highly effective mobility solution without following any restrictions or set-in-stone instructions. Developers can create an app that perfectly fits your vision.

5. Flutter Vs Kotlin: Learning Curve

Conclusion: Flutter and Kotlin are simple to understand and easy to learn, but developers should have knowledge of JavaScript and Java to understand Flutter and Kotlin programming language.

Flutter is the popular cross-platform app development framework which is based on Google's in-house language- DART. Many of the developers have rarely heard of this language but it doesn't mean it is not effective in app development.

Dart Syntax is quite easy to learn and understand language especially for those who have working experience with JavaScript.

On the other side, Kotlin itself is a programming language that is similar to Java. And just like Flutter, developers with expertise on Java can easily understand the basics of Kotlin programming language.

6. Flutter Vs Kotlin: App Development Cost and Timeline

Conclusion: Both platforms are open source and free to use, but Flutter has a lower app development timeline and cost as compared to Kotlin as it offers semi-native app functionalities that ultimately increase the development cost and time.

Flutter is one of the leading platforms that offer the complete ability to develop native-like apps by using a single codebase that eventually reduces development time and cost.

Priority 1: Xicom.biz:  Article : Kotlin vs Flutter: Who will rule the cross-platform market?

Coming to Kotlin, the platform itself is free to access by the users, but it delivers semi-native functionalities that ultimately toss the app development cost and make this platform a bit expensive for the developers.

7. Flutter Vs Kotlin: Focus on Multiple Platform

Conclusion: Flutter is an ideal choice while targeting majorly Android and iOS platforms,  but Kotlin can be used to develop apps for multiple platforms including WatchOS, TvOS, CarOS, and more.

There is no denying this fact that Flutter is the baby of Google and offers modern SDK for the app development if you are targeting Android and iOS in mobile and web apps that come under Flutter cases. However, Kotlin multi-platform allows developers to design the applications for devices and platforms that are beyond mobile.

So most app development companies in India prefer Kotlin multi-platform when they need to target multiple devices and platforms through your business app.

In the Nutshell

The primary purpose of this blog is not to declare a winner or loser over one another, in fact, we have gathered information to help you understand the basic difference between both the frameworks.

However, the choice of the best framework for cross-platform application is actually depending upon the needs of the app development project and skill level of the developer. Sometimes the advantages of any framework suit best to your needs but on the other hand, those advantages can be useless for other developers if they lack the skills to use that framework.

Hence, all the major parameters have been compared here to help you understand the strength and limitation of flutter and Kotlin, so that you can make a better decision for your app development project.

Rest, if you find these frameworks a bit complicated to understand and execute, then you can hire an mobile app development company that is backed by highly skilled professionals.