If you’re having an app developed, one of the first decisions you’ll face is whether to go with cross-platform development using a toolkit like Flutter, or build your app natively for iOS and Android.
At Big Fish, we’ve been building cross-platform apps with Flutter since 2021. Whether to use Flutter for app development depends on what your app needs to do today, and what you envision for it in the future.
When you hire us, we’ll help you make that call with real-world advice, not hype.
Let’s dive in.
What is Flutter?
Flutter is a software development kit (SDK) created by Google. It launched publicly in 2017, and exited beta in late 2018.
It allows developers to build cross-platform apps using a single codebase, written in the Dart programming language (which is also developed by Google).
Today, Flutter supports not just iOS and Android, but also web, macOS, Linux and Windows.
That said, in this post I’m focusing on Flutter’s use for building mobile apps.
Why We Recommend Flutter (Since 2021)
As an app development company, we’re not early adopters for the sake of it. When we recommend something, it’s because it meets our high bar: it’s stable, well-supported and proven at scale.
We’ve also worked with React Native, Xamarin and Cordova/PhoneGap for cross-platform app development, and Flutter checks our boxes best.
- Google uses it across many of their own enterprise apps.
- Flutter is regularly updated, well-documented and actively maintained.
- There’s a deep bench of developers familiar with Flutter and Dart.
Is Flutter popular among developers?
Yes, and that matters.
According to a 2023 Developer Survey by Statista, Flutter was the most-used cross-platform mobile framework.
That kind of growth builds confidence. Not just in the technology itself, but in the availability of developer talent, tools and community support.
When Flutter Makes Sense, and When it May Not
Cross-platform development isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Here are some scenarios where it works really well, and some where you may want to reconsider.
Flutter is a great fit if:
- You want one app for iOS and Android, and don’t need platform-specific designs.
- Your app needs to be launched quickly, or with a more limited budget.
- You want to reduce the cost and complexity of long-term maintenance.
- You’re building a business app (think: field service, customer portal).
Flutter might not be a good fit if:
- You want your iOS and Android apps to look and behave very differently from each other. That’s possible with Flutter, but defeats the purpose of a shared codebase.
- You need access to cutting-edge platform features not yet supported in Flutter. That said, if your Flutter developer knows how to write native code, they can create something that Flutter doesn’t provide yet.
- You’re developing a game or graphics-intensive app. (Unity is better suited for games.)
- You’re pushing platform boundaries – such as background tracking, unusual sensor use or real-time audio/video processing.
That said, Flutter has matured quickly. Most “Flutter can’t do X” conversations from 2019 or 2020 are outdated in 2025.
What if Flutter isn’t a good fit?
In cases where Flutter isn’t ideal, such as if your app needs deep platform integration, advanced hardware access, or is doing something Flutter doesn’t yet support, we recommend native app development.
With native apps, you’ll get full access to the latest platform-specific features, and more control when pushing the limits of what mobile can do.
The tradeoff is that you’ll be building and maintaining separate codebases for iOS and Android.
For many business apps, though? Flutter gets you everything you need, without that added complexity.
Real World Examples of Apps Built with Flutter
It’s always reassuring to see what other companies are using. Below are some widely used apps built with Flutter, current as of 2025:
- Google Ads: Google’s own app to manage ad campaigns
- Headspace: Bringing mental health support to millions
- MGM Resorts: Revolutionizing the digital experience for guests
- Whirlpool: Whirlpool cuts development costs by 50% with Flutter
- US Department of Veteran Affairs: App helps veterans struggling with PTSD
- BMW: Controls vehicle features, trip planning, service alerts
- eBay Motors: Buy and sell vehicles, with image scanning and chat
- Scandinavian Airlines: Award-winning airline company app
- Xianyu by Alibaba: Secondhand marketplace with 200+ million users
- Hamilton: Official app of the broadway musical Hamilton
These are not hobby apps. They’re complex, highly polished apps built with Flutter.
Final Thoughts on Flutter for Cross-Platform App Development
Flutter is a solid, modern toolkit with a strong future, and one we’re proud to support.
Just like you, we don’t make decisions based on what’s trendy. We’ve seen Flutter mature and gain serious adoption over the past few years.
That said, it’s not always the best fit. And that’s where we come in, to help you figure out what is.
If you’re wondering whether Flutter is right for your business app, let’s talk. We are a team of Flutter app developers, located 100% in the USA.
