The concept from which an app is born is always important, but a perhaps less immediate phase to consider is the choice between a native app, a web app, and a hybrid app. But even if you have already chosen the indisputable advantages of the hybrid app, the second question arrives: Which development framework to use?

In this article we will talk about hybrid apps, with a focus on the features of Flutter;, Google framework, convenient and functional for developing smoothly and with excellent results.

What is a hybrid app?

The hybrid app combines the features of thenative app and of the web app: in fact, it can be written in a single language independent of the operating system for which it is intended, usually JavaScript, CSS and HTML5, like the web app, and this makes the app hybrid as well cross-platform. Another feature that the hybrid has in common with the web app is direct communication with the web.

But the hybrid app comes with a “wrapper” (shell) native app that allows it to communicate effectively with any platform or device.

The hybrid app is almost indistinguishable from the web app in terms of interface and installation times. In fact, while the web app actually uses the browser, the hybrid app uses a WebView, which is very similar to a browser but easier to navigate and without elements like the address bar.

Benefits of Hybrid App

The hybrid app is a great compromise between the reduced development costs and versatility of a web app and the perfect compatibility of the native app. In addition, the hybrid app is more manageable in terms of maintenance, partly due to its nature, partly because there is no need to have two different developers working on two different codes (assuming that we are talking about the two operating systems IOS and Android), or a single developer who still has to dedicate time to both separately.

For the hybrid app there is only one language, and therefore one development is enough, and consequently one intervention at each periodic maintenance.

disadvantages

The native app is not the perfect solution for performance, we know that.

But you know, sometimes perfection is the enemy of productivity. So it's better to have a job that's well done, but that works quickly and costs less in maintenance in the long term, rather than the perfect machine at unsustainable costs.

In addition, the hybrid app unfortunately has a high dependency on libraries. A medium-complex project, therefore, will depend on numerous third-party libraries, i.e. "pieces" of code, developed by independent developers, (third-party libraries can be used for example to read QR codes, to enable some functions on maps, to process images, to communicate with external servers, etc.)

How to choose the best cross-platform development framework

The right framework for developing a hybrid app is one that meets some basic requirements: first of all, the platform you choose must allow the hybrid app to be as similar as possible to native apps in terms of performance and functionality.

Additionally, it must allow the app to be easily scalable and that it can be done modify even just a small part or function of it.

It must also allow the use of the app on the as many platforms as possible, otherwise we would give up one of the main advantages of hybrid apps.

Then, a good framework must allow development timelines and budgets reasonable, which depend primarily on the resources that can be allocated to them.

Among the most popular frameworks for cross-platform apps we have Ionic, Xamarin of Microsoft and React native of Facebook, although according to the Pizero Design team the most functional, efficient and quickest choice is certainly Flutter;.

Why choose Flutter 

This product from Google has some very positive features all together. First of all, the fact that it is from Google makes the issue of support easier. 

If we take Ionic instead, we must consider that some of its features are based on Cordova and consequently not all plugins are supported.

More, Apps built with Flutter have excellent performance, mostly almost indistinguishable from a native app, while being very easy to develop. 

However, in React Native even the smallest mistake can make the project unstable, so you need an experienced development team, not a junior one. 

Then, in Flutter we talk about a growing group of developers, who share ideas, solutions to problems, pieces of code to share to make things easier.

For developers, this is a significant feature, because there is less risk of finding yourself "alone" in solving a problem that perhaps others have had before us. Xamarin, which is an excellent framework, for example, has a much smaller community, and this disadvantage - together with the expensive license and the not always optimal performance on large apps - is felt in the long term.

Last but not least, with Flutter Your app can also become a website.

How Flutter Works

Flutter is a cross-platform application development toolkit that lets you code once and reuse code across operating systems like iOS and Android. Flutter's goal is to build high-performance apps that run seamlessly across different systems, while sharing as much code as possible.

During development, Flutter apps run in a virtual machine, allowing changes to be instantly uploaded without requiring a complete recompilation of the code.

When ready and release time comes, Flutter apps are compiled directly to machine code, whether using Intel x64 or ARM instructions, or to JavaScript if intended for the web.

The framework is open source, licensed under a permissive BSD license, and has a thriving ecosystem of third-party packages that integrate the core library's functionality.

But now let's talk about the Flutter framework, which is what really matters to those who want to develop their own hybrid app. 

Graphics

To help you navigate the themes, remember that Cupertino is for iOS and Material is for Android, while if you prefer to do it yourself you will still have a good level of customization. 

Skia Canvas

Widgets are the building blocks of the application, through which the graphical interface of your App is designed. The UI output is entirely drawn by Flutter on Skia Canvas, and that's what makes it so easy and smart to use. Once the UI is complete and rendered, its management will pass to the engine.

Engine

The core of Flutter is the Flutter Engine , which is primarily written in C++ and supports the primitives needed to power all Flutter applications. It provides the low-level implementation of the core Flutter API, including graphics (via Skia ), text layout, file and network I/O, accessibility support, plugin architecture, and a Dart runtime and compilation toolchain.

Benefits of Flutter in a nutshell

• Widely supported and documented
• Easy customization of widgets and interfaces 
• Google Material Design Integration
• Easy and fast development
• Allows you to create apps for Android, iOS and the web
• Best test cycle

In conclusion

Flutter is probably the best choice for developing a hybrid app. 

But be careful, because There is no universally valid solution. If we are talking about a complex project, by spending a little more you can create a truly native app, with several benefits. 

What's the best choice for you? Tell us about your project and we'll guide you toward the best solution, whether it's Flutter, native, or something else.