
Two major players dominate cross-platform mobile development: React Native and Flutter. Both let you ship iOS and Android apps from a single codebase — but their approaches differ at the foundation.
React Native communicates with native components through a JavaScript bridge. The New Architecture (Fabric + TurboModules) has optimized this bridge substantially.
Flutter draws pixel-by-pixel using its own rendering engine (Skia / Impeller). It doesn't depend on native components for UI.
Performance comparisons are always context-dependent. Your app's specific needs (animation density, native API usage, team experience) directly shape the right choice.
Test setup: iPhone 15 Pro, two functionally identical apps.
Pick Flutter if:
Pick React Native if:
Both technologies are production-ready and mature in 2024. The choice depends less on technical requirements and more on your team's existing strengths and your project's specific needs.