Flutter
Flutter is an open-source framework from Google for building apps for iOS, Android, web and desktop from a single codebase in the Dart programming language.
Instead of developing two separate apps for iPhone and Android, Flutter produces one app that runs on all platforms. That saves development and maintenance effort and ensures a consistent experience.
Flutter renders the interface itself, achieving smooth performance and full design control; device features such as camera or location are available via plugins.
Circle uses Flutter for trafe, among others — an app for iOS, Android and browser — and for the inventory app built for artenativ.
What to look out for
- Check whether the app mainly needs forms, lists, camera and data — Flutter is particularly well suited for that.
- Clarify required device features early: camera, location, push notifications, offline mode.
- Create a dedicated design in your corporate identity instead of adopting standard looks.
- Plan test devices for iOS and Android from the start.
- Treat updates for new operating system versions as an ongoing task.
Common mistakes
- The app is tested on one platform only and runs poorly on the other.
- Store publishing and updates are forgotten in the budget.
- Platform-typical interaction patterns are ignored, the app feels foreign.
Frequently asked questions
Flutter apps compile to native machine code and render their own interface; for typical business apps the difference from native apps is barely noticeable in practice.
Yes, besides iOS and Android, Flutter also supports the web — trafe, for example, runs as an app and in the browser.