Flutter vs Xamarin – Which is better for Mobile App Development?

Cross-platform development is one of the most popular topics in technology. Hybrid frameworks are becoming increasingly popular compared to native frameworks. Due to growing demand, the number of cross-platform frameworks available on the market has increased dramatically. As more options become accessible, choosing the best solution for a particular cross-platform development project becomes more difficult.

For developers working for an app development company, selecting the best framework for mobile app development can be difficult. Flutter vs Xamarin are two powerful competitors in the Flutter app development company. In app development, the Flutter vs Xamarin controversy is not new. So, how do you make decisions for your mobile application? To assist you in making the best decision, this thorough guide compares Flutter with Xamarin in great detail.

What is Xamarin?

A startup called Xamarin offers software development tools that let customers create apps for Windows, iOS, and Android using C# and the .NET foundation. Because Xamarin is based on the .NET Framework, users may run it efficiently on various platforms.

Users must wait to use the enhanced functionality of the impending update for the iOS and Android app development services right away since Microsoft owns the tech giant Xamarin. Although Xamarin apps have a similar appearance to native ones, the user interface cannot resemble native forms; nevertheless, native UI may be achieved by adding platform-specific code.

There are two options for creating a user interface: integrating Xamarin and using the original native methods.Forms. If these forms are selected over native UI technology, they may simultaneously generate user interfaces for several platforms and share nearly all of \ their code.

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source framework and UI (User Interface) toolkit for creating mobile and cross-platform apps. Google created Flutter to provide Windows, Linux, and Mac operating systems, as well as developers of Android and custom iOS app development services, with great performance and quality.

Flutter was released in May 2017 and offers a robust, user-friendly, effective, and straightforward SDK for creating mobile applications in Google’s Dart programming language. Its extra benefit is its built-in widgets, which come with its UI toolkits and don’t need third-party ones.

Additionally, Flutter has hot reload functionality, which allows developers to see the changes without restarting the apps. Flutter quickly rebuilds the whole framework after every modification, including engine rendering.

Flutter vs Xamarin: Key Differences

Programming Language

The learning curve is increased if you have to pick up a new development language to begin using a new framework. Consider spending time on a framework if it forces you to learn an entirely new language that isn’t useful outside of it.

Xamarin

C# and F# are among the new languages used by Xamarin. These are well-known languages with a variety of applications outside of Xamarin. This makes the time and money you invest in learning these languages worthwhile. As a developer, upskilling in C# will lead to many opportunities.

Flutter

Conversely, Dart is a relatively recent language. It was first released in Chrome to work with JavaScript. Later, it focused on compiling JavaScript for client apps, where Flutter and Dart meet. Since then, Dart has gained popularity as the programming language used by Flutter. These days, it is hardly ever employed as a stand-alone device.

The difference in learning curves between the Dart and .NET languages is insignificant if you are new to both. However, .NET languages are used more widely than Dart, and in addition to lock-in concerns, Dart also adds a learning curve for developers. Gaining knowledge of Dart will only help you when working on Flutter projects. In the dynamic industrial industry, thinking about what you desire is essential.

Flutter vs Xamarin: Performance

A crucial component of developing mobile applications is performance, directly impacting the app’s user experience and perception. This is a performance comparison between Xamarin and Flutter:

Flutter

Flutter offers nearly native performance. Flutter’s Dart code is turned straight into native machine code, removing the requirement for a JavaScript bridge, which may create performance issues in other frameworks. Flutter’s exceptional speed is partly a result of its rendering engine, which can swiftly and effectively design user interfaces.

Xamarin

Because Xamarin compiles native code for iOS and Android, it also provides near-native performance. However, because of the overheads of the.NET runtime and trash collector, it could perform worse than Flutter and native apps in situations involving intricate operations or significant calculations.

Although Flutter and Xamarin offer close-to-native performance, one may be a better fit depending on the use case and app complexity. Flutter’s method may offer a higher frame rate and more fluid graphics for apps with many graphics. Xamarin may perform better for apps that need a closer connection with the native platform.

Flutter vs Xamarin: Testing and Development Speed of Flutter and Xamarin

Flutter’s rapid reload and widget architecture may enable speedier UI creation, even if Xamarin and Flutter offer options to expedite development and provide rigorous testing capabilities. However, Xamarin benefits from a wider variety of testing tools and a direct connection with the Visual Studio environment. The particular requirements of the project, as well as the preferences and experience of the development team, determine which option is best.

Flutter

• The hot reload capability accelerates development. A rich range of customizable widgets allows for rapid Ul development.
• It offers a comprehensive suite of testing tools for integration, widget, and unit testing.

Xamarin

• Xamarin.Forms speeds up development by enabling standard Ul code across iOS and Android.
• Xamarin’s hot reload functionality makes faster updates and feedback possible.
• testing
• Xamarin.UI The Visual Studio IDE incorporates Test for Ul tests. Use Xamarin Test Cloud for cloud-based testing across several devices. Unit testing is done with NUnit.

UI/UX design in Flutter vs Xamarin

An app’s UI and design significantly impact user happiness and engagement. Let’s see how Xamarin and Flutter differ in these areas:

Flutter

Flutter is highly praised for its elegant and adaptable user interface features. Its extensive collection of widgets allows developers to construct dynamic and highly adjustable interfaces. Hot Reload is another unique feature that Flutter provides, helping with UI development by enabling developers to monitor UI changes in real time. Because Flutter draws widgets using its rendering engine, developers have complete control over each pixel on the screen and may produce incredibly customized designs.

Xamarin

Using native UI controls, Xamarin can produce interfaces that closely resemble native apps in terms of appearance and feel. However, Flutter may provide more UI design freedom than Xamarin.Forms, which is utilized for cross-platform user interfaces. While Xamarin may be used to develop visually appealing user interfaces, it usually takes more work and complexity than Flutter.

Both Flutter and Xamarin allow you to create excellent user interfaces. However, Flutter is distinguished by its more configurable widgets and better UI rendering. Xamarin offers a more native appearance and feel but may require more effort for intricate interfaces. Your particular demands, including the intricacy of the user interface, the significance of a native look and feel, and the resources available, will determine which option is best for you.

Flutter vs Xamarin: Ecosystem Comparison

Community

A development framework’s community support is essential to its expansion and resolving issues that may arise for developers when utilizing it. The community comparison between Xamarin and Flutter is as follows:

Flutter

The Flutter community has grown significantly since Google launched it in 2017. As of 2024, the number of Flutter-related queries on sites like Stack Overflow and the vast number of projects on GitHub demonstrate how quickly the community is expanding. The Flutter community continually develops and maintains various plugins and packages. Google frequently organizes and participates in Flutter-related events, such as Flutter Engage, which helps the community flourish.

Xamarin

Because Xamarin has existed since 2011 and was acquired by Microsoft in 2016, it has a solid and mature community, especially among .NET developers. Although Xamarin’s community isn’t growing as quickly as Flutter’s, it is still active and strong. The Xamarin developer community contributes to Numerous NuGet packages and repositories on GitHub. In addition to frequent events and educational materials, Microsoft’s support for Xamarin strengthens the Xamarin community. There are robust communities for Xamarin and Flutter, each with unique advantages. The Xamarin community is established, stable, and closely connected to .NET developers, while the Flutter community is active and expanding quickly.

App Testing in Flutter vs Xamarin

Which mobile applications Flutter power?

• Google Pay
• Xianyu by Alibaba
• eBay Motors
• ByteDance
• Mazibook
• Nubank
• PUBG Mobile
• Toyota
• Kijiji

Which mobile apps are driven by Xamarin?

• The World Bank
• Seeing AI by Microsoft
• Alaska Airlines
• Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• UPS
• Azure App by Microsoft
• The Postage
• Storyo
• Insightly CRM American Cancer Society

What distinctions exist between Xamarin and Flutter in mobile app development?

Flutter and Xamarin app development

• Whereas Xamarin exclusively supports Visual Studio as an IDE, Flutter may be used with any IDE.
• Flutter uses the Dart language for development, while Xamarin uses the C# language for programming.
• Flutter could need third-party services, but Xamarin doesn’t.
• Installing Xamarin and Flutter is simple and hassle-free.
• The documentation for Xamarin and Flutter is well-written and easy to comprehend, so developers are in for a treat.
• For more code reuse, both the Flutter and Xamarin frameworks receive votes.
• Regarding project complexity, testing, and development, Flutter delivers more capacity and margin for developed apps than Xamarin.

Flutter vs Xamarin: Development Cost Comparison

Development time, necessary resources, and possible license fees are some variables to consider when comparing Flutter vs Xamarin’s expenses. Let’s examine both:

Flutter

Flutter is open-source and free, and there are no licensing fees. Its comprehensive collection of pre-designed widgets and features like hot reload allow for faster development, which may result in reduced expenses. However, employing additional engineers or providing training might increase your expenses if your staff needs to learn Dart, the programming language used by Flutter.

Xamarin

Additionally, Xamarin is free for open-source projects and small teams. However, larger businesses might need to pay for a Visual Studio membership. Compared to separate native development, Xamarin allows you to leverage a single tech stack (C# and.NET) across numerous platforms, potentially saving money. Because C# and.NET are so prominent in the business, it may be simpler to locate Xamarin developers than Flutter developers. On the other hand, more experienced Xamarin developers could earn more money.

It’s crucial to remember that some variables, such as the project’s complexity and the location of the app development company, affect the development cost. As a result, it is essential to account for them when calculating development expenses.

Integration Capabilities of Flutter and Xamarin

App examples

You probably use these frameworks every day without even realizing it, and many well-known firms have used them to develop their apps. Here are a few examples of popular apps created with these frameworks.

Flutter

• Flutter was used to develop the Google Ads mobile platform, which lets marketers control and improve their ad campaigns from their mobile devices.
• Alibaba, the global trading division of Alibaba Group, employed Flutter to provide a stunning user experience with fluid animations for its Xianyu app.
• Reflectly is an AI-driven diary app that takes advantage of Flutter’s robust user interface development capabilities.
• Flutter was used to develop the official app for the Broadway musical Hamilton. The app provides a goods store, show-related information, daily lotteries, and more.

Xamarin

• Xamarin is used by the Microsoft Azure management console’s Azure Mobile App, enabling customers to manage their Azure resources while on the road.
• The UPS mobile app, which offers consumers a smooth delivery tracking experience, is built utilizing Xamarin.
• Alaska Airlines, Xamarin developed the award-winning mobile app for Alaska Airlines, which includes functions like flight booking and status checking.
• Xamarin was used to create the BBC Good Food recipe app, which offers a wide selection of recipes from the BBC Good Food team.

So, Flutter vs Xamarin? Which Framework Is Ideal for New Businesses?

Given that these two frameworks have been used for some time, many developers are asking themselves this issue. It’s easy to understand why each framework has unique advantages that make it appealing depending on the kind of software you’re developing.

The kind of app you wish to make will determine the answer to this question. Using a single codebase, developers may create native apps in C#, Swift, or Objective-C with the help of cross-platform mobile app development tools like Xamarin and Flutter. The primary distinction between the two is how they put together their apps. IL2CPP, which Xamarin uses to compile its apps, performs better in Android Studio and iOS Simulator than the default JIT compiler. Because of this, it’s an excellent tool for creating games and other high-performance apps where user happiness depends on quickness.

Compared to Flutter, Xamarin offers a few benefits. Among these is that Xamarin performs better than Flutter on low-end devices, including smartphones with 1GB of RAM or less. Using Visual Studio Code (VS Code) rather than Android Studio (AS) has additional benefits. Compared to AS for Java or Kotlin, Visual Studio Code offers far superior help debugging C# code. Since Xamarin has access to native APIs (application programming interfaces) and can fully utilize them, it is, without a doubt, the best when it comes to performance.

One of Xamarin’s drawbacks is that it offers fewer customization options than Flutter. What you want to achieve with your app will determine whether you should utilize Flutter or Xamarin. For instance, since Flutter was created especially for this use case, it could be preferable to utilize it if you want an application with many custom views and animations.

Concluding remarks on Flutter vs Xamarin

You should ask yourself which framework you feel most at ease with. Xamarin is the best option if you are a C# developer. However, Flutter would be the ideal option for your next project if you have prior expertise with Java or Kotlin. Whether or not you want an open-source project is another thing to think about. Currently, Flutter has more community-driven features than Xamarin.

Frequently Asked Questions