Comparison Between Ionic vs Flutter vs React Native vs PWA

    May 8, 202015 min read14093 viewsUpdated:Nov 27, 2024
    Comparison Between Ionic vs Flutter vs React Native vs PWA

    In this competing world, we see exponential growth in mobile app development. To stay abreast of the growing requirements of the market, it becomes highly crucial to optimally utilize the frameworks and platforms. Where the internet has taken overthe market, it has become highly impossible to detach ourselves from the delight of using mobile applications. Even businesses have taken over delivering their services online.

    Comparison Between Ionic vs Flutter vs React Native vs PWA

    Mobile applications are developed keeping in mind the audience. While Every Mobile application framework has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, it becomes highly crucial for any Mobile App Development Company to assess before putting it to use for developing an app. It is the ultimate goal for developers across the globe to study the market and assess the consumer needs which helps them to choose a platform for any app development. There are many frameworks for developers to get their jobs done. However, in this article, we are going to compare Flutter vs React Native vs PWA.

    Introduction

    Ionic

    Ionic Framework is an open-source mobile UI toolkit used for building high-quality, cross-platform native experiences and web applications. It's free and open-source and also offers a library of mobile-optimized UI components. It consists of gestures, tools for building fast and highly interactive apps. One of the major highlights of ionic is that it moves faster with a single codebase that runs everywhere.

    The major function of ionic is that it provides user interface components that don't exist in the ecosystem of web application development. The CLI tool of the ionic framework helps to create, building, and deploying Ionic applications much easier.

    Flutter

    Flutter is an open-source, mobile development framework introduced by Google in May 2017. The architecture of Flutterallows high-performance and reactive programming which enables the Flutter app development companies to create beautiful and functionally-rich apps from a single code base. Due to Flutter's responsive nature, changes can be updated automatically, if it's coded appropriately.

    Flutter uses Dart programming language which can run on any platform. It doesn't use any bridge to connect any underlying platform with any code, instead, it gets compiled Unlike other cross-platform solutions, which use a bridge to connect your code with the underlying platform. In addition to this, Flutter also serves as a development platform for Google’s upcomingFuchsia operating system.


    React Native

    React Native is an open-source hybrid apps development framework created by Facebook in March 2015 for various mobile applications. React Native is a programming language that has been exclusively acknowledged as the most preferred solution for building multi-platform applications. Any iOS or Android application is built using JavaScript, Java, Objective-C++, Python, and Objective-C programming languages. With the help of native components and resources, the codings are generated easily which initiates better performance.


    PWA

    Progressive Web Apps is an open-source framework that develops applications in the same way as native apps. progressive web App was created in 2015 by Google that supported both Android and iOS app development. PWA includes web stacks in the form of HTML, JS, and CSS which consists of rich attributes and a unified user experience. Whenever someone is looking for an alternative application development platform, PWA perfectly fits for consideration.

    PWA is an amazing data-saving app as one can work offline without an internet connection after having installed it on your system.PWA is an effortless web application as it offers W3C Specification using JSON-based manifest. The applications developed in this framework are budget-friendly and can be updated automatically.

    Performance

    Ionic

    Ionic uses the web platform in a way that it embraces open standards wherever possible. With Ionic app development, one can learn a lot about applying the tools and languages of the web with the help of a framework designed to deliver great performance on mobile, desktop, and the web. Unlike other frameworks that rely on a dynamic runtime approach, IOnicworks on Cordova relies on a Webview component that uses the HTML layout engine for rendering the HTML user interface.

    Using Cordova enables the communication between the Javascript-native bridge and the WebView application and Native platform. This helps to allow the framework to access Native APIs and the device features such as the camera that uses the WebView.


    Flutter

    Flutter’s hot reload feature results in dynamic and faster app development. It is this feature that enables developers to easily experiment with a new interface or experience of the app. Developers can change any part of the code in real-time without having to actually restart the mobile app again.

    This particular feature has made life easier for developers by In addition to this Flutter provides 60 frames per second performance on devices of 120Hz updates, thereby boosting the performance of the application. The Dart programming language that it uses improves performance as a part of the elimination of the need for JavaScript. Flutter utilizes rendering engines just like react native which helps it to perform efficiently.


    React Native

    React Native also provides the hot reload feature, boosting the development speed by reloading the application when the code changes. With the help of native components and resources, this framework is the perfect option to push for better performance. React Native also offers rich graphics and apps for mobile games. React native reduces the development cost big time by reusing the codes.

    React Native’s building blocks compile directly to the native components. Which gives a consistent look and feel of a native app. The codes generated by React native to the native APIs are connected with the components of both the operating systems. Modules are interchangeable blocks that help to isolate the functions into several interchangeable blocks that upgrade the apps easily and allows the use of the same code for web APIs.


    PWA

    Progressive web Apps combines all the newest options to implement and deliver expertise that competes for native applications on mobile. Developing cross-platform and native mobile applications is easier in this framework, considering its hardware exhaustive and also budget-friendly. One of the major benefits of developing applications through PWA is that any applications developed through this framework comply with any devices and browsers.

    The best benefit derived from Progressive Web Apps is that the users can get advantages of a website through an app. The applications developed has URLs that are indexed in Google which helps in Search Engine Optimization. Progressive web apps enable offline mode to applications in such a way that the applications are not dependent on the internet to work. PWAs use the container technology, once it is fully supported. These can produce containers with high performance and loads of benefits.
    Also Read: Developing a Progressive Web App (PWA) with Angular

    Installation

    Ionic

    The ionic framework requires a Node and an npm environment to get started with. However, a code editor is equally required. It's an added advantage of Visual Studio Code, a text editor made by Microsoft. is in place.


    Flutter

    To download Flutter it becomes mandatory to download the binary for a specific platform from Github. One might have to download the flutter.zip file and add it as a PATH variable, in order to install the same for macOS. In general, any flutter app is only capable to work on smartphones. It does not support web browsers. Hence it can be a lag when launching an app for big business.


    React Native

    Node Package Manager is usually required to install React native. It is a Javascript programming language and a default package manager for Node.js. For someone who has knowledge of Javascript, it should be easier for them to install React Native, else one will have to learn the node package manager in order to install it.
    The NPM also connects the packages globally or locally. However, since it is made of Javascript it leaves a security gap and takes a lot of time to initialize even when the rendering is on hi-tech gadgets.


    PWA

    Unlike regular mobile applications, PWAs do not follow lengthy procedures. One can simply download an app that can be directly accessed without visiting the App Store or Google Play. Once it's done, it can be directly used via a desktop icon. This advantage of PWAs permits you to boost reliability and quality on devices that contribute high shareability.

    Also Check out our article : Why To Choose Progressive Web App For Your Next Development 

    Ecosystem

    Ionic

    The UI components that are seen in all ionic apps use the Web Components standard, hence they run in any web browser and are also compatible with Javascript frameworks, like React, Vue, and angular. While working with Ionic one can customize to fit brand guidelines, this is possible as Ionic Ionic provides a library of over 100 UI components to work with.

    One can also use Stencil which is a web component, in order to create your own library of custom web components, which runs in any ionic app, giving the user freedom to leverage the project. With the number of core packages that Flutter has to offer it becomes easy to catch up with the competition. Flutter offers various core packages that are available for you and is catching up to its competition. Flutter’s community support helps it to drive at breakneck speed to improve its performance. Using Flutter for developing any application is easier as one does not have to iOS and Android developers separately. It also facilitates resolving issues related to bugs efficiently.


    Flutter

    With the number of core packages that Flutter has to offer it becomes easy to catch up with the competition. Flutter offers various core packages that are available for you and is catching up to its competition.

    Flutter’s community support helps it to drive at breakneck speed to improve its performance. Using Flutter for developing any application is easier as one does not have to iOS and Android developers separately. It also facilitates resolving issues related to bugs efficiently.


    React Native

    As mentioned earlier React Native supports hot reload features and provides varied packages for the native expertise. The React Native App Development uses third-party libraries as it does not any UI components of its own. To build an app with a responsive UI design, with a responsive UI style, it's essential to induce the right sequence and React Native is the sole choice for obtaining it. However, the recurring updates, it leaves the developers confused.


    PWA

    Progressive Web Apps have a comparatively larger community as far as the web ecosystem is concerned. This helps in easily deploying and maintaining any native application for the respective app stores. It is less time-consuming and requires fewer efforts while developing mobile and web-based applications.
    The implementation to deploy and maintain the app thus becomes easier. PWA comprises several web stacks in the form of HTML, JS, and CSS which hereafter offers rich attributes and exceptional user experience using native platforms.

    Development


    Ionic

    With Ionic one can ship apps to app stores with a single shared codebase. Ionics adaptive styling enables the application to look better on every platform and device which overall makes the apps built to perform faster on the latest devices. Some of the best built-in practices are like accelerated transitions, touch-optimized gestures, pre-rendering, and AOT compiling.


    Flutter

    Flutter includes a hot reload feature that features default widgets to create the complete application efficiently and smoothly. When there are any changes in the code, flutter developers will preview the code in machine or hardware for iOS and Android without having the need to compile the app again.

    Keeping a single codebase for both ios and android. Flutter provides simple adjustments to various platforms in order to make your UI look customizable.One of the most benefits of Flutter is, it offers ready-made custom widgets from the initial block to rock bottom level. It creates a wonderful program by utilizing the customized building blocks.


    React Native

    React Native creates a hierarchy of UI elements to create code for JavaScript to set elements for iOS and Android in order to create an in-depth native mobile application.


    PWA

    PWA is here to fulfill all of your needs that it operates. It, however, doesn't need separate versions for varied devices, however, solely one progressive app is capable of achieving all of your goals with a significantly lower cost than a native web application.

    #Top Companies Using these frameworks


    Popular Apps Built Using Ionic

    Sworkit

    It is a cross-platform fitness app that is developed using the Ionic framework. Since it's developed with a single codebase, it works great on both Android and iOS platforms.

    Diesel

    The Diesel merchandising application is a cross-platform app that functions well on both Android and iOS platforms and offers the same level of UI experience and speed.

    Marketwatch

    This app breaks financial, stock market and business news to the customers. Marketwatch is one of the most complex applications developed on Ionic and it is free of charge application and also available both for Android and iOS platforms.


    Popular Apps Built Using Flutter

    Google Ads

    It is an internet advertising platform that displays product listings, video content, temporary advertisements, and develops mobile applications using Flutter.

    Alibaba

    This international company. has achieved specialization in e-commerce using Flutter to develop glorious applications for android and ios.

    Hookle

    Hookle application uses Flutter to manage posts and more on social media accounts to expand across all the channels.


    Popular Apps Built Using React Native

    Instagram

    This popular networking service owned by Facebook uses product infrastructure for navigation, translations, and core components that are ported to React native.

    Bloomberg

    This application revolves around news-related business and market analysis. It uses React Native that has extremely customized content for the users in a very efficient manner.

    Wix

    The crash program at this Israeli software company is a self-learning course that helps you to style and learn something before writing product code to React Native.

    Walmart

    Walmart is an international retail company headquartered in Bentonville, Arkansas. The corporation operates a series of pision stores, hypermarkets, and grocery stores where React Native is a third-party library in native apps.


    Popular Apps Built Using PWA

    Uber

    American multinational ride-hailing corporation, Uber uses progressive net applications to create the most effective desktop experiences and improve app performance.

    Spotify

    Spotify offers a comprehensive platform for audio streaming services. With PWA it enables you to play audio offline through the usage of service employees.

    Flipboard

    Flipboard is the best platform of social network aggregation. Like Spotify, Flipboard additionally uses service employees to cache their stories from external sources by using PWA.

    Conclusion:

    Amongst the mobile app development frameworks, there can't be one winner as all of them provide robust features with native experiences that have successfully supported huge industry giants. It solely depends on users based ontheir requirements on what they want from a particular framework keeping in mind all the factors.

    Features

    Flutter

    React Native

    PWA

    Device Access

    Yes

    Yes

    Partially

    Language Stack

    Dart

    Typescript

    Javascript

    Performance

    High/Fast

    High/Medium

    Moderate/Good

    Offline Mode

    Not Supported

    No

    Yes

    Speed

    Very Fast

    Fast

    Moderate

    UI/UX

    Excellent

    Good

    Good

    Advanced Graphics

    Supported

    Supported

    Not Supported

    Code Complexity

    High

    Medium

    Low

    Cross-Platform Support

    Yes

    Yes

    No

    Security

    Medium

    Medium

    Low

    Code Portability

    Good

    Excellent

    Good

    User Experience

    Excellent

    Good

    Good

    Graphics

    High

    High

    Low

    Development Cost

    Expensive

    Moderate

    Moderate

    Rating

    4.7

    4.3

    3.8


    Check out our article : 12 Best Mobile App Development Frameworks In 2020

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