Flutter vs React Native 2025: Definitive Benchmarks and Which to Choose
Flutter is 2x faster in startup and uses 58% less memory, but React Native has 6x more job offers. Complete analysis with August 2025 data.
The Flutter vs React Native debate has been going on for years, but in 2025 we finally have definitive data. A SynergyBoat study with iPhone 16 Plus and Galaxy Z Fold 6 gives us the clearest picture yet.
The Numbers That Matter
Startup Time
| Platform | Flutter | React Native | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS | 16.67ms | 32.96ms | 2x faster |
| Android (120Hz) | 10.33ms | 15.31ms | 1.5x faster |
Flutter literally starts twice as fast on iOS.
Memory Usage
Flutter consumes between 20% and 58% less memory than React Native in comparable tests. On mid-range devices, this can be the difference between a smooth app and one that closes due to lack of resources.
Animations
With the new Impeller engine as default since Flutter 3.24:
- Consistent 120fps on compatible devices
- Zero frame drops on iOS
- Optimized GPU utilization
React Native responded by adopting Skia for its rendering, but still doesn’t match Flutter’s numbers.
Market Share
| Metric | Flutter | React Native |
|---|---|---|
| GitHub Stars | 170k | 121k |
| Job offers | 1x | 6x |
| % cross-platform development | ~30% | ~30% |
Flutter leads in popularity among developers, but React Native absolutely dominates in job demand.
New Architecture Mandatory in React Native
React Native 0.82 (October 2025) requires migration to the New Architecture. Projects that don’t migrate will be frozen on legacy versions.
What Changes?
- JSI replaces the traditional bridge
- Fabric is the new rendering system
- TurboModules for more efficient native modules
Migration isn’t trivial. Large projects report 2-4 weeks of migration work.
Flutter 2025 News
Impeller as Default
The Impeller rendering engine is now the default, eliminating the old Skia:
- Pre-compiles shaders, eliminating “shader jank”
- Better utilization of Metal (iOS) and Vulkan (Android)
- More predictable on diverse devices
Cupertino Squircles
Flutter now supports Apple’s rounded superellipses natively. It may seem trivial, but visual fidelity on iOS matters for enterprise apps.
DevTools with AI
Development tools now include:
- Widget tree analysis with AI
- Inefficient rebuild detection
- Automatic optimization suggestions
Which to Choose in 2025?
Choose Flutter if:
- Performance is critical: Trading apps, games, real-time
- Pixel-perfect UI control: You need exact cross-platform consistency
- New team: Dart is easier to learn than the React ecosystem
- Internal app: You don’t need to hire externally
Choose React Native if:
- You already have React devs: The learning curve is minimal
- You need to hire: 6x more candidates available
- JavaScript ecosystem: You want to leverage npm packages
- Existing React apps: Share code with web
Our Recommendation for Enterprises
At Nextsoft we use Flutter for enterprise mobile development for these reasons:
- Performance on field devices: Our clients have sales teams with mid-range phones
- A real single codebase: Flutter shares more code between platforms than React Native
- Robust offline mode: Critical for field apps without coverage
- Less technical debt: Fewer native “hacks” needed
However, if your team already masters React and you need to hire quickly, React Native remains an excellent option.
The Future: Will the Choice Matter?
Both frameworks are converging in capabilities. The real difference is in:
- The talent available in your market
- Your current team’s experience
- Your app’s specific requirements
In 2-3 years, the choice will be even less important than today.
Need to develop an enterprise mobile app? Let’s talk about which framework is best for your specific case.
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