Swift vs. Flutter: Which is Best for iOS App Development in 2022?

Summary: People with app development requirements often get confused between Swift and Flutter. Both the programming languages are the topmost choices of developers. However, trouble occurs when you have to choose one of them for your project. If you are confused, this blog is what you should read today. Let’s compare Swift vs. Flutter.

Before diving into the comparison between Flutter and Swift, let’s understand what these programming languages are. Flutter is a cross-platform language that is used to create iOS apps. On the other hand, Swift is the native mobile app development language used to develop iOS apps. There is always a debate going on to prove one of these languages is a standard technology to build iOS apps. Although both of these programming languages have their pros and cons, the decision to choose one of these as best depends totally on the project requirements.

So, let’s explore the essential difference in this blog. Before we swoop into the details, let’s explore the significant advantages of cross-platform and native mobile app development.

Pros of Swift vs. Flutter Mobile App Development

Cross-platform mobile app development technology is gaining popularity since people discovered that it builds a top-notch Android and iOS apps. While if developers want to build native iOS apps, they trust Swift, blindly! Here are the key advantages of both app development technologies.

Pros of Swift Programming Language

1. Provides impeccable user experience
2. Guarantees high performance
3. Secure and reliable
4. Has powerful functionality

Pros of Flutter Programming Language

1. It has a wider reach
2. Quick time to market
3. Has a single code-base
4. Create apps for multiple platforms with minimal efforts

An Introduction to Swift

Swift is a popular name when it comes to native iOS app development. According to the developer, this programming language is modern, safe, and modern. It is a great emerging language that has multiple new features that are making a developer’s life easy day by day.

In addition, the language Swift is an open-source language known for its safe and fast programming. Moreover, it is easy to maintain and read.

An Introduction to Flutter

Flutter is a free and open-source programming language. A developer can write code faster with Flutter. In short, it is a single-base technology used to write code on multiple platforms. It also reduces any testing requirements. Consider Flutter similar to React Native, but it has a native support feature.

Swift vs. Flutter: A Detailed Comparison

Every iOS app is developed differently so that it has exclusive features, technologies, frameworks, and so on. The developers need to build a similar app for both technologies to justify the comparisons. That is where the developers need to choose between Swift vs. Flutter.

For better understanding, here are some of the apps based on:

Flutter

1. Tencent
2. Google Assistant
3. Google Ads
4. The New York Times
5. Alibaba

Swift

1. Facebook
2. Slack
3. LinkedIn
4. Lyft
5. Uber
6. WhatsApp

In the same vein, let’s compare the two programming languages for iOS app development!

Factors	Swift	Flutter	Who is the winner?<
Onboarding Process	macOS + Xcode	macOS + Xcode + Flutter Binary</span	Swift
Accessibility	In-built accessibility support for iOS apps	Supports accessibility for external tools	Swift
Time for Development	Performs efficiently, and consistently throughout the clean and development time	Relatively performs better after the clean and development time	Swift
Learning Curve/td>	Easier learning curve because of comprehensive documentation	Learning curve becomes easy with Dart	Swift
Reloading	It has a Hot Reloading feature that allows developers to make changes in real-time	Real-time changes can be made	Flutter
Testing	Native testing tools like XCTest are available	Has in-built support for testing	Tie
App Size	Flexible	Large	Swift
Integration	Jenkins tool	Nevercode tool

Swift Vs. Flutter: Which is Inexpensive to Develop?

When considering iOS app development, budget is one of the primary concerns of developers. It is crucial to look at the part where the budget has a role to play. Here are some average numbers that show Flutter is a suitable choice for those looking to develop an app on a small budget.

• Flutter: US$2000/ month
• Swift: US$6810/month

These are basically the average monthly salaries of dedicated developers in the U.S. As mentioned on Glassdoor. Now, looking at the figure, one needs to have a bigger budget if one wants to choose Swift for iOS app development.

In simpler terms, Flutter is the winner here. So, if you are working on a strict budget, you should hire Flutter app developers.

What to Use Where?

The question “what to use where,” denotes in what situation you should use Flutter and Swift.

Swift

Use Swift if you want to build a high-functioning iOS app. This open-source programming language is best for situations when you are developing an app with complex architecture and high standards. It gives increased scalability to your apps.

Flutter

The open-source Flutter is certainly the best choice if you want to develop an MVP product or prototype to impress potential investors. Since the programming language is famous for its Hot Reloading feature, the developers can easily see the changes in real-time. In addition, Flutter is also a perfect choice for those who want to explore popular app marketplaces and not just restrict themselves to one native app.

The Final Verdict

In my opinion, the choice of whether to hire Swift developers or Flutter depends on the type of app you want to develop. Base your preference on the kind of comfort level you want during the app development process. Just to recap this comparison, Swift vs. Flutter, this is what we have come to know:

Use Swift if you want a perfect native iOS app with great functionalities. On the other hand, Flutter empowers you to develop both iOS and Android apps with a single codebase.

Well, the choice is totally yours. However, if you need professional assistance, we’ve got your back!