Tech decision
React Native vs Flutter for an MVP
For most startup MVPs, both React Native and Flutter can ship iOS and Android from one codebase. The decision is about hiring, your web stack, and whether you need Expo's release workflow — not about which conference has better talks.
What we actually ship
We ship most mobile MVPs in React Native with Expo. That is a fit with Next.js web apps, TypeScript everywhere, and EAS Build / OTA updates. Flutter is a strong choice when the team is already Dart-native or the UI is highly custom and motion-heavy. We hire Flutter when that is the honest fit — see our Flutter agency page — but we will not pretend both stacks are identical for every product.
Hiring and the rest of your company
If your web app is React/Next.js, React Native keeps one language and one component mental model. You can share types, sometimes validation, and people. Flutter means a second language (Dart). That is fine for a dedicated mobile team. It is expensive for a two-person startup that also needs a marketing site.
Expo vs 'bare' React Native vs Flutter
Expo covers push notifications, builds, and store submission for the majority of MVPs. Ejecting later is possible when you hit a native SDK Expo cannot wrap. Flutter's story is similarly 'great until a specific SDK.' Neither saves you from App Store review.
Performance and UI
For CRUD, marketplaces, fitness tracking, booking, and social MVPs, users will not feel a framework difference if the app is built competently. Games, AR, and heavy custom rendering are different conversations — sometimes native, sometimes Unity, not a tweet-length RN vs Flutter take.
A simple rule
Default React Native + Expo if you also want a Next.js web app or a JS-heavy team. Choose Flutter if you already have Flutter people or a brand-heavy UI system you want to express in Dart. Choose native Swift/Kotlin only when the device capability forces it.
FAQ
Which is cheaper for an MVP?
Same order of magnitude if the team already knows the stack. Training a React shop on Flutter (or the reverse) costs more than the framework difference.
Can I start on React Native and switch to Flutter?
You rewrite the client. Keep the API clean so you are not rewriting the business. We do not recommend switching for taste.
Do you build both?
Yes. React Native is the default. Flutter is available when it is the right call. See /development-agency/react-native-development-agency and /development-agency/flutter-app-development-agency.
Related
Need a mobile MVP and a straight stack recommendation?
Bring the product. We will tell you React Native, Flutter, or web-first — and price it as a fixed scope.
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