The decision of whether to develop a Flutter app for web, mobile, or desktop depends on your specific project requirements, target audience, and goals. Each platform has its own advantages and considerations, so let’s explore the pros and cons of developing Flutter apps for these different platforms:
Flutter Web
Pros:
- Reach: Web apps can be accessed from almost devices with a web browser, including desktops, tablets, smartphones, even some smart accessories.
- Cross-platform: A Flutter web app can potentially work across different operating systems without requiring users to install anything.
- Shared codebase: If you’re already developing a Flutter app for mobile, you can reuse a significant portion of your code to build a web version.
- Fast iterations: Web development often allows for quicker deployment of updates and changes compared to app store submissions.
Cons:
- Limited native capabilities: Web apps may not have access to all the native device capabilities and APIs that mobile and desktop apps do.
- User experience: Web apps might not provide the same level of user experience and performance as native apps, especially for complex interactions or animations.
- Browser compatibility: Ensuring compatibility across different web browsers can be challenging.
2. Mobile:
Pros:
- Native capabilities: Mobile apps can leverage device-specific features like sensors, camera, GPS, push notifications, and more. Such APIs exist on the Web (and JavaScript), but they are not as optimal as in Native Apps.
- Performance: Native apps can often provide better performance and smoother user experiences compared to web apps, especially for graphics-intensive applications. That is again somehow not entirely true. The Flutter team introduced the Impeller Engine. You will recieve this improvement with simple Flutter SDK Upgrade.
- Distribution platforms: Users are used to app stores. They provide a centralized distribution channel, making it easier for users to discover and install your app. This contributes to your Search Engine Score.
- Monetization: If you plan to monetize your app through app stores, mobile platforms offer more established payment systems.
Cons:
- Platform-specific development: You might need to write platform-specific code for iOS and Android versions of your app, increasing development time and complexity. And For Android – there are features that depend on Google Play APIs – that are not available on Huawei, Amazon and other Manufacturers.
- Updates: App store review processes can delay updates and bug fixes.
3. Desktop
Pros:
- Rich UI and interactions: Desktop apps can provide more advanced UI elements, interactions, and layouts compared to mobile or web.
- Performance: Desktop apps generally have more resources available, leading to potentially better performance for resource-intensive tasks.
- Targeting a specific audience: If your app is tailored for a desktop environment (e.g., productivity tools), a desktop app might be the most suitable choice.
Cons:
- Platform diversity: Developing for desktop might require dealing with different operating systems (Windows, macOS, Linux), each with its own nuances.
- Deployment: Distributing and updating desktop apps can be more challenging compared to mobile apps through app stores, algouth – there are stores for all platforms.
- Learning curve: Developing for desktop might involve a steeper learning curve due to the additional complexities of desktop environments.
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. But, for Start-Ups – it is pruty good option . Key advantage is – the same code may be adapted for the Mobile Platforms.