To compare these 3 popular mobile development frameworks, we need to compare them in several parameters, such as Language Stack, Performance, User Interface and Supported Platforms. Also, we will compare the main advantages and disadvantages of each of the frameworks.
What Language Stack do these frameworks use?
React Native: сombines the benefits of JavaScript and React JS
The best part of working with React Native is that among all the three frameworks, it allows the developer to write the pieces of code in Swift, Obj-C or Java whenever required. If you want to handle heavy operations in your app, you get access to native modules and libraries in apps based on React Native.
Flutter: Dart based on C/C++ and Java
Ionic: HTML5, CSS and JS, TypeScript, React.JS, Vue.JS and Angular.JS
Performance
React Native: It provides the apps with the performance similar to native apps. This is because it takes up elements of the code which are specific to React Native APIs. When the developer wants to script code for very heavy and complex operations, React Native lets the developer use native modules.
Flutter: It offers amazing speed since it gets advantages from Dart. Also, JavaScript is not used to bridge the interaction with device native components.
Ionic: It provides the apps with the performance similar to native apps. This is because it takes up elements of the code which are specific to React Native APIs. When the developer wants to script code for very heavy and complex operations, React Native lets the developer use native modules.
User Interface
React Native: The modules of React Native work in tandem with native UI controllers which offers better user experience that is similar to native apps. It also makes use of ReactJS libraries and UI elements which consolidates the UI development.
Flutter: When it comes to user interface, Flutter is known to provide the best. When it comes to Flutter vs. React Native, the efficiency and performance offered by the two, are amazing. But, Ionic and Flutter work in tandem to provide cross platform apps.
Ionic: Ionic does not apply native elements and renders the UI using HTML and CSS. Above that, it applies Cordova to offer native look and feel. This is also applicable when Angular components work with the framework.
Supported Platforms
What are the main advantages and disadvantages of these frameworks?
React Native:
Advantages
Platform-specific native components |
| Web and ReactXP libraries |
| Popularity |
On-par performance with natively-built apps |
| Hot/Live reload |
| CodePush |
Disadvantages
| Poor Documentation |
| Lots of connectible native libraries |
Only partial independence from a native platform |
Flutter:
Advantages
| Faster development and deployment |
| Quality documentation, |
| Feature-rich user interfaces |
| Compatibility with older devices |
Flutter UI is separated from native UI |
Disadvantages
| Framework age |
| Dynamic evolution |
| Project size |
Ionic:
Advantages
| Developer-friendly |
| Equipped with an entire suite of tools, with native compatibility |
| Front-end agnostic |
Disadvantages
| Performance: Native vs. Hybrid |
| Security precautions |
