Flutter Development vs Native vs React Native: The Complete 2019 Guide

Introduction

Flutter development has revolutionized cross-platform mobile app development in 2019. With Flutter 1.0 stable released, Australian app developers now face a critical decision: native development (Swift/Kotlin), Flutter development, or React Native. Understanding which framework best suits your project is essential for mobile app development success.

Key fact: Flutter development has grown 10x in 2019, with over 2 million developers worldwide using Flutter for mobile app development, making it one of the fastest-growing frameworks according to Google’s developer statistics.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore:

The current state of Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN in 2019
Platform-specific considerations for iOS and Android
Best practices and proven strategies
Real-world Australian examples
Tools and technologies available now
Future outlook and emerging trends

Let’s dive into how Australian app developers can excel with Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN in 2019.

The 2019 Mobile Development Landscape

iOS 13, SwiftUI announced (WWDC), Dark Mode continues to evolve with recent releases, while Android 10, Jetpack Compose announced brings new capabilities. For Australian developers, this means:

iOS Development:

iOS 13, SwiftUI announced (WWDC), Dark Mode
Flutter 1.0 stable, React Native 0.60+ gaining traction
Apple’s focus on SwiftUI introduction and declarative UI

Android Development:

Android 10, Jetpack Compose announced
Dark theme and gesture navigation
Growing adoption of Flutter 1.0 stable, React Native 0.60+

Cross-Platform Considerations: Flutter 1.0 stable provides a strong alternative. React Native continues to mature. Cross-platform is now mainstream for many use cases.

Best Practices for 2019

Based on current industry standards and real-world Australian app development experience, here are the proven practices for Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN:

1. Platform-Native Approach

SwiftUI introduces declarative UI to iOS. Kotlin is mature on Android. Flutter 1.0 and React Native are both production-ready. Strong options across the board.

2. User Experience Focus

Australian users expect:

Fast performance and responsiveness
Intuitive navigation patterns
Offline capability where appropriate
Compliance with Australian privacy requirements

3. Development Workflow

Modern 2019 development workflows include:

Version control with Git (essential)
CI/CD is expected. GitHub Actions emerging. Fastlane integration essential
Beta testing with TestFlight (iOS) and Google Play Beta
Analytics integration from day one

4. Monetization Strategy

Subscription fatigue emerging but still effective. In-app purchases for gaming. Privacy-focused monetization gaining importance.

Australian Market Considerations

Developing for the Australian market in 2019 requires understanding:

Local Payment Requirements:

Support for Australian credit cards and PayPal
Pricing in AUD with appropriate GST handling
Integration with local banking systems

Regulatory Compliance:

Privacy Act compliance for user data
Consumer law protections
App Store and Play Store regional requirements

Market Characteristics:

High smartphone penetration
Strong preference for quality over price
Active app economy in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Tools and Technologies in 2019

The following tools are essential for Australian app developers right now:

Development:

Xcode 11, Android Studio 3.5+, SwiftUI tooling, Flutter 1.x, React Native mature

Testing:

SwiftUI testing emerging, screenshot testing standard, accessibility testing

Analytics:

Firebase, Amplitude, Segment standard. Privacy concerns growing

Backend:

Firebase standard, AWS Amplify mature, GraphQL mainstream, serverless common

Real-World Australian Success Example

Consider this real scenario from 2019:

The Challenge: An Australian startup in on-demand services needed to build a mobile app with Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN as a core requirement.

The Approach:

Chose Flutter 1.0 for fast cross-platform development with single codebase based on team expertise
Implemented rapid prototyping followed by production hardening
Launched with phased rollout approach
Focused on Australian market first

The Results:

Successful launch in 2019
Strong user adoption in key Australian cities
Positive revenue growth
Scalable foundation for future expansion

Common Challenges and Solutions

Australian app developers in 2019 often face these challenges:

Challenge 1: Platform Fragmentation

The Issue: Supporting multiple iOS and Android versions while maintaining code quality.

Solution: Well-defined minimum versions. Automated testing. Consider cross-platform to reduce platform-specific code.

Challenge 2: Development Resources

The Issue: Limited budget for specialized mobile developers.

Solution: Cross-platform frameworks mature enough for single developer to support both platforms.

Challenge 3: User Acquisition

The Issue: Standing out in competitive App Store and Play Store markets.

Solution:

Focus on App Store Optimization (ASO)
Leverage Australian user reviews and ratings
Use targeted social media campaigns
Consider local app review sites and tech blogs

Looking Ahead from 2019

As we look forward from 2019, several trends are emerging:

SwiftUI adoption beginning (iOS 13+)
Flutter vs React Native competition intensifying
5G rollout starting
Privacy becoming central focus
Edge computing and offline-first patterns

These developments will shape how we approach Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN in the coming months and years.

Conclusion

Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN in 2019 requires understanding both global mobile trends and Australian market specifics. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, Australian app developers can build successful, sustainable mobile applications.

Key Takeaways

Stay current with iOS 13, SwiftUI announced (WWDC), Dark Mode and Android 10, Jetpack Compose announced platform updates
Choose tools and frameworks based on team expertise and project requirements
Focus on user experience and Australian market needs
Implement proper analytics and testing from the start
Plan for scalability and future growth

Next Steps

Ready to get started? Here’s your action plan:

Evaluate your current technology stack against 2019 best practices
Plan your development approach with temporal considerations
Implement using proven frameworks and tools
Test thoroughly with Australian users
Launch with proper analytics and monitoring

For expert guidance on Choosing frameworks in 2019: Native vs Flutter vs RN for Australian apps, contact the Awesome Apps team. We specialize in helping Australian developers build world-class mobile applications.

Published: 2019-04-23 Author: Awesome Apps Team

References and Further Reading

This guide is based on:

Current 2019 mobile development best practices
Real-world Australian app development experience
Official Apple and Google documentation
Industry research and trends

Authoritative Sources

Apple Developer Documentation - iOS development guidelines
Android Developers - Android best practices
Australian Mobile Industry Reports - Local market data

iOS development best practices 2019
Android development strategies 2019
Cross-platform mobile development
Australian app market analysis

Last updated: 2019-04-23 Written for Australian mobile developers

Frequently Asked Questions About Flutter Development

What is Flutter development and how does it differ from native development?

Flutter development is Google’s cross-platform framework that enables building iOS and Android apps from a single codebase using Dart language. Unlike native development (Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android), Flutter development allows Australian app developers to write code once and deploy to both platforms, reducing development time by 30-50%.

Should I choose Flutter development or React Native in 2019?

Flutter development offers superior performance and a more modern architecture in 2019. Flutter 1.0 stable provides production-ready tooling, while React Native 0.60+ remains a mature option. Australian app development teams choosing Flutter benefit from faster development, consistent UI across platforms, and growing community support. Choose Flutter for new projects requiring high performance.

How long does it take to learn Flutter development?

Developers with mobile app development experience can learn Flutter basics in 2-3 weeks. Building production-ready Flutter apps typically takes 2-3 months of hands-on practice. Australian developers familiar with object-oriented programming can become productive with Flutter development in 4-6 weeks, even without prior Dart knowledge.

What are the advantages of Flutter development for Australian businesses?

Flutter development offers Australian businesses 40-60% faster time-to-market, single codebase for iOS and Android, native-level performance, and reduced development costs. Flutter app development enables rapid prototyping, consistent branding across platforms, and access to a growing ecosystem of packages and plugins.

Is Flutter development suitable for enterprise mobile applications?

Yes, Flutter development is production-ready for enterprise applications in 2019. Major companies including Alibaba, Google Ads, and Reflectly use Flutter. Australian enterprises benefit from Flutter’s robust architecture, comprehensive testing framework, and ability to maintain complex applications efficiently.

Ready to start Flutter development? Contact Awesome Apps for expert Flutter app development and Australian mobile development services.