Flutter vs Swift: iOS App Dev with Low Code

21 SEP 2021

Swift vs Flutter are both low code development platforms(LCDP)s for mobile application development. Swift is a language created by Apple Inc. and is used to develop applications for Apple products, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Flutter is a cross-platform language created by Google that can be used to develop applications for Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, and the web.

In this post, we shall compare Swift vs Flutter two solution providers for iOS applications, to determine which platform will help you get better apps for your business.

Swift:

Swift is a programming language developed by Apple in 2014 that is aimed at defining and building modern software systems. Swift is compiled and runs on Linux, macOS, and iOS. It has some features similar to other languages, but it also offers some novelties that set it apart.

Flutter: 

Flutter is a popular cross-platform framework introduced by Google in 2015 for developing high-quality mobile apps for both Android and iOS from a single code base.

Flutter vs Swift: Comparison

When it comes to app development, the comparison of Flutter vs. Swift reveals their distinct features, pros, and cons, catering to diverse use cases. This analysis will assist you in choosing the ideal framework for your development needs.

Onboarding Process:

The onboarding process means hiring mobile app developers who have expertise with the new interface and understand its familiarity. In this process, with the help of mobile app consultants, you can compare flutter and swift to choose which platform suits your requirement.

Developing the flutter application for iOS requires XCode, an android studio, or an IDE like IntelliJ IDEA or any other text editor. But for onboarding swift, you need a macOS machine with XCode installed in it.

When comparing Flutter vs Swift, the onboarding process for native app development is less complex and requires less configuration.

App Profiling:

App profiling is a method used by developers to comprehend how well their apps work in the context of the user’s experience. It assists them in making their app as efficient as possible across a variety of devices, including ones with older or lower-specced hardware.

Flutter allows app developers to profile iOS apps using the IDE or the command line. Dynamic analysis can be performed from the command line for Flutter app development, and it takes approximately 149 seconds.

Swift developers can profile the app in XCode by using instruments, where they can choose any template and the time profiler to analyze the CPU threads. The developers can select the buttons multiple times in this section.

Time to develop:

The process of developing a mobile app is always time-consuming, but with the arrival of Swift and Flutter two low code platforms, app development time is reduced. When comparing Flutter vs Swift platforms, Flutter is slower than Swift, but Flutter becomes quicker when you go past initial clean builds.

Reloading features:

The method of reloading is the alteration of the code and testing in the simulator. Reload is often required during mobile app development that represents the real-time changes made in the code that allows for quick and accurate coding assessment.

You can quickly make important changes thanks to Flutter’s hot-reload feature. As a result, there is less waiting time; nevertheless, Swift-based improvements require more time because they take longer to create and reflect.

Here Flutter has the upper hand when it comes to code modification when compared with the swift.

Performance:

When it comes down to the flutter vs swift performance factor, if you want several mobile apps for Android and iOS and have a flexible budget, Swift is the best choice. You may create stable, speedy, and smooth apps by using the native framework.

However, if you are having less budget and do not want to compromise with the performance of the app, you can opt for a Flutter application development that provides native-level performance across all platforms, and you can get a customized app using a single code base that supports both android and iOS.

Integration and Development

Flutter is a UI toolkit for building natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. It uses the Dart programming language and has its own widgets.

Swift is a powerful and intuitive programming language for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS. It provides a seamless integration with Xcode and other Apple development tools.

Accessibility

Flutter has a large and growing community, and it is an open-source framework, making it accessible to developers worldwide. It has good documentation and a wide range of available packages and plugins.

Swift is owned and maintained by Apple Inc., which makes it exclusive to the Apple ecosystem. However, this also means that it has good support and has a strong developer community.

Development Cost

Flutter is open-source, so there is no cost associated with using the framework. However, developers may need to pay for certain packages or plugins.

Swift development requires a Mac and the Xcode Integrated Development Environment (IDE), which is only available on the Mac App Store. This may increase the overall cost of development, as developers may need to purchase a Mac.

Development Time

Flutter’s hot reload feature makes it possible to see code changes in real-time, which can save time during the development process. Additionally, its single codebase approach also saves time in the long run, as developers don’t need to write separate code for different platforms.

Swift has a fast compilation time and is known for its efficient performance, which can speed up the development process. However, writing separate code for different platforms may take longer compared to Flutter.

Learning Curve

The “learning curve” pertains to the ease or difficulty of acquiring knowledge about a new technology for app development. This factor plays a crucial role in selecting the ideal iOS app development tool. Compared to other popular mobile app frameworks, Flutter generally surpasses them in terms of learning curve. It offers a vast collection of tutorials and well-structured documentation that are highly accessible to app developers. However, when it comes iOS app development, Swift has been around since 2014 and provides an extensive guide for building native iOS apps.

Examples of apps using Flutter and Swift

Applications that use Flutter:

Google Ads: is a mobile app used by advertisers to manage their ad campaigns on Google. The app is built using Flutter and provides a smooth and responsive user interface.

Reflectly: is a journaling app that uses Flutter to provide an engaging user interface and personalized user experience.

Alibaba: the largest e-commerce platform in China, has built its Xianyu app using Flutter. The app allows users to buy and sell second-hand goods.

Grab: a ride-hailing and food delivery service provider in Southeast Asia, uses Flutter to develop its mobile app. The app provides a seamless user experience and real-time tracking of rides and food delivery.

Applications that use Swift:

Airbnb: the online marketplace for lodging and experiences, uses Swift to build its iOS app. The app provides a personalized user experience and easy navigation.

LinkedIn: the professional social networking platform, uses Swift to develop its iOS app. The app allows users to connect with professionals, apply for jobs, and access personalized news and insights.

Slack: the team communication and collaboration platform, uses Swift to build its iOS app. The app provides a seamless and responsive user interface, allowing users to communicate and collaborate efficiently.

Trello: the project management and productivity tool, uses Swift to develop its iOS app. The app provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface, allowing users to organize and manage their tasks and projects easily.

Flutter vs Swift: Which is Better?

Both Flutter and Swift have their fair share of disadvantages and advantages. Swift is one of the most common and viable options for iOS app development when compared to Flutter. However, Flutter, on the other hand, delivers good features comparable to Swift on a limited budget and supports several platforms using the same source code.

Confused about whether to choose flutter or swift for your mobile apps? Feel free to contact us, we will guide you through and help you get the customized mobile applications.