Flutter vs Kotlin 2023 – Which is Better for Android Development

by | 10-07-2023

The last decade has seen a massive increase in the number of mobile phone users. The ever-increasing popularity of smartphones is underlined by the fact that currently, around 86% of the world’s population is in possession of a smartphone. Subsequently, this means that the mobile application development market is wide open, and the demand for skilled app developers is at an all-time high.

Flutter is a framework for hybrid app development, while Kotlin is a programming language used in Android app development. Developers utilize both for building interactive Android applications from scratch. Ever since Flutter was released, the Flutter vs Kotlin debate has been raging on.  Let’s dig into the differences between Flutter and Kotlin to help you make an informed decision.

What is Flutter?

Released and supported by Google, Flutter is a famed framework for building high-performance iOS and Android versions of mobile applications. Since Flutter is a hybrid development framework, apps built using Flutter can run on multiple platforms. Flutter was launched in 2017, and more than half a million mobile applications have been developed using this framework, underscoring its high level of acceptance.

Features of Flutter

Here are some of the amazing features that will make you choose it for your next project:

  • Cross-platform development framework
  • A large number of customizable widgets
  • Fast development speed
  • Hot reload and hot restart
  • Apps developed with native feeling
  • Publicly accessible

Lets have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of Flutter.

Pros of Flutter

Efficient State Management

Flutter provides various state management solutions like Provider, BLoC, and GetX, which help developers handle app state effectively, ensuring efficient data flow and improved performance.

Reusability

Flutter’s widget-based architecture enables developers to build reusable UI components, reducing code duplication and allowing for faster development and easier maintenance.

Consistency

With Flutter and following the right design and development practices, you can achieve consistent UI across different platforms, thanks to its custom rendering engine and extensive set of customizable widgets.

Mild Learning Curve

Flutter’s reactive programming model and straightforward syntax make it relatively easy for developers to learn and get started with building mobile apps.

Useful Documentation

Flutter offers comprehensive documentation, including guides, tutorials, and API references, which greatly assist developers in understanding the framework and its various features.

Open Source

Being an open-source framework, Flutter benefits from a thriving community of developers who contribute to its growth, provide support, and create additional packages and libraries, expanding its functionality and possibilities.

Cons of Flutter

Framework in Early Stages

As Flutter is a relatively newer framework, it may still undergo changes and updates, which can introduce breaking changes and require developers to adapt their codebase accordingly.

Smaller Community Support

Compared to more established frameworks, Flutter’s community support may be relatively smaller, resulting in fewer available resources, tutorials, and community-driven solutions to common issues.

Large-sized Applications

Flutter apps, particularly those with rich UI and graphics, tend to have larger file sizes compared to native applications. This can impact the app’s download and installation time for users.

Lack of Third-Party Libraries

While Flutter offers a wide range of built-in widgets and packages, the ecosystem may have fewer third-party libraries and tools available compared to more mature frameworks, which can limit the options for specific functionality or integration with other services. However, the Flutter community continues to grow, and the availability of third-party libraries is gradually expanding.

Apps Built Using Flutter

  • Google Ads
  • eBay
  • BMW
  • Nubank
  • US Department of Veterans Affairs

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is a free-to-use, open-source programming language that developers primarily use for building native Android apps. Developers also leverage Kotlin to develop server-side applications apart from creating Android apps from scratch. A highly emerging language, Kotlin’s first official release came in 2016.  Alongside Java, Kotlin is one of the most in-demand languages for Android app development.

what is kotlin

Features of Kotlin

  • Null Safety
  • Interoperability
  • Safety
  • Tooling and Support

Pros of Kotlin

Easy to Learn

Kotlin is known for its clean syntax and seamless interoperability with Java, making it relatively easy for developers to learn and transition from Java to Kotlin. Its modern features and concise syntax enable developers to write more expressive and readable code.

Easy Maintenance

Kotlin’s focus on simplicity and readability contributes to easier code maintenance. Its null safety features help prevent null pointer exceptions, and its concise syntax reduces boilerplate code, making it easier to understand and modify existing codebases.

Increased Productivity

This popular language offers various features like extension functions, smart casts, and coroutines, which enhance developer productivity and reduce code verbosity. Its expressive nature and concise syntax allow developers to write code more quickly, resulting in faster development cycles.

Lesser Number of Potential Bugs

Kotlin’s type inference, null safety, and other language features help eliminate common programming errors and reduce the number of potential bugs. The language encourages safer coding practices and provides compile-time checks that catch potential issues before runtime, leading to more robust and reliable code.

Cons of Kotlin

Less Learning Opportunities

While Kotlin has gained popularity, it may still have fewer learning resources compared to more established languages like Java. However, the availability of online tutorials, courses, and documentation is steadily increasing as Kotlin’s adoption grows.

Slower Compilation Speed

Kotlin generally has slightly slower compilation times compared to languages like Java. This can be noticeable in larger codebases or complex projects. However, the impact on development productivity is often minimal, and the benefits of Kotlin’s features and expressiveness outweigh the minor inconvenience of longer compilation times.

Smaller Community Support

While Kotlin has a growing and active community, it may not be as large or as mature as communities for other languages. This can result in relatively fewer community-driven resources, forums, and libraries. However, Kotlin’s community is expanding, and developers can still find support and solutions through official documentation, online forums, and dedicated Kotlin communities.

Apps Built Using Kotlin

  • Coursera
  • Evernote
  • Zomato
  • Netflix
  • Pinterest

You Might Be Interested in Reading: Flutter vs React Native Comparison

 

Flutter vs Kotlin: The Comparison

Here, you will find a thorough comparison between Flutter and Kotlin, helping you make the final decision:

Flutter Kotlin
Developed By Google Developed by JetBrains
Launched in 2017 Launched in 2011
Built on Dart Programming Language Written in JVM
Larger App Size App size smaller than Flutter
Relatively new in the market Mature and Stable language
Supports hot reload Doesn’t support hot reload

1) Language

Flutter uses Dart, a language developed by Google, while Kotlin is a modern programming language developed by JetBrains.

2) Platform

Flutter is a cross-platform framework that allows you to build applications for multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, and web. Kotlin, on the other hand, is primarily used for Android app development.

3) Development Speed

Flutter offers a hot reload feature that enables developers to see changes in real-time, leading to faster development cycles. Kotlin, although it has its own set of productivity features, doesn’t provide the same level of instant code updates.

4) Performance

Flutter’s performance is generally considered to be excellent due to its use of a compiled programming language and its ability to render UI directly on the device. Kotlin, being a programming language, doesn’t have a direct impact on performance.

5) Community and Ecosystem

Flutter has a growing and vibrant community, backed by Google, with a wide range of packages and libraries available. Kotlin, being a language primarily used for Android development, has a strong community and ecosystem specific to Android app development.

6) Learning Curve

Flutter’s learning curve may be steeper for developers who are not familiar with Dart, but it offers extensive documentation and resources to support the learning process. Kotlin, being a language, may have a slightly shorter learning curve for developers already familiar with Java.

7) UI/UX

Flutter has its own UI rendering engine and offers a rich set of customizable widgets, providing more control over the app’s look and feel. Kotlin, being a language, doesn’t have a direct impact on UI/UX development.

8) Code Sharing

Flutter allows for code sharing between different platforms, enabling developers to write once and deploy on multiple platforms. Kotlin, being primarily used for Android development, doesn’t have the same level of code sharing capabilities.

9)Testing

Flutter provides a built-in testing framework called Flutter Test, which allows for easy and efficient testing of UI components. Kotlin, being a language, doesn’t have built-in testing capabilities but can be used with various testing frameworks.

10) Adoption and Industry Support

Flutter has gained significant traction in recent years and is backed by Google, with a growing number of companies adopting it for app development. Kotlin, as a language, has also gained popularity, particularly in the Android development community, with many companies transitioning from Java to Kotlin for Android app development.

Summary

For Android app development, developers leverage both Flutter and Kotlin. Kotlin is a native Android development language, while Flutter is a hybrid app development framework based on Dart. Both have their own respective pros and cons, which you should analyze before starting the development procedure. In short, there is no clear answer to the Flutter vs. Kotlin question, and the selection of a particular language depends on the scope of the project and the client’s requirements.

FAQ’s

Is Flutter the Future?

Since its official release in 2018, Flutter has gained unpredicted popularity, and the demand for skilled Flutter developers is expected to grow.

Which is better, Kotlin or Flutter?

Both have their own sets of advantages and disadvantages, and neither can be termed better than the other.

Should I learn Flutter or Kotlin first?

If you are interested in cross-platform app development, you should learn about Flutter. Choose Kotlin if you want to build native Android applications.

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Haris Burney is a seasoned tech content writer with a Robotics and Control Systems background. He adeptly blends his expertise in various technology stacks with a deep-rooted passion for writing. Besides his literary pursuits, Haris enjoys exploring new destinations and cherishing memorable moments with friends.

Haris Burney

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