Flutter is a modern open-source framework created by Google that allows you to create high-performance, natively compiled applications for various platforms such as Android, iOS, web and desktop using a single set of code.

Since its debut, Flutter has gained enormous popularity among developers around the world thanks to its versatility, speed and wide possibilities of creating attractive user interfaces.

Migration options to Flutter

Migrating an existing application to Flutter can take various forms, depending on the goals, resources and specifics of the application itself. There are two main strategies: rewriting the application to Flutter and adding Flutter functionality to an existing native application.

Rewriting your application to Flutter offers a number of benefits:

• allows you to maintain one, consistent code base for all platforms,
• simplifies application management and reduces maintenance costs and the risk of errors,
• offers high performance and modern UI components,
• speeds up the process of creating and testing applications.

However, rewriting the entire application can be time-consuming and expensive, especially for large and complex projects, and carries the risk of compatibility issues. An alternative is to add Flutter functionality to an existing native application, which allows you to gradually introduce Flutter and minimize the risks and costs associated with a full migration.

This allows you to integrate modern features and modernize the user interface, while maintaining existing code and compatibility with the technologies you already use. The choice of one of these strategies depends on the specific needs and goals of the project.

Rewriting the application to Flutter is recommended when planning a thorough modernization of the application, or when the current application is difficult to maintain. What solution will work for you?

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Rewriting an existing application to Flutter

Rewriting existing applications is an approach that can bring many benefits, but it also comes with some challenges. The main advantage of this solution is the ability to maintain code consistency, which is especially important in the case of applications that need to run on different platforms.

With one set of code, developers can more easily manage the project, which leads to reduced maintenance costs and fewer potential bugs. Rewriting the application to Flutter also allows you to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by this framework.

Flutter is known for its high performance, modern UI components and the "hot reload" function, which significantly speeds up the application development and testing process. Rewriting the application from scratch gives you the opportunity to create a modern, efficient product that will work smoothly and effectively on all target platforms. However, rewriting an application from scratch is not an easy or quick task.

This process can be time-consuming, especially if the application is large and complex. The entire migration must be carefully planned and carried out, which involves both financial and human resources costs. Additionally, migrating large amounts of code always carries the risk of introducing new bugs and compatibility issues, which may require additional time for testing and fixes.

When is it worth deciding to rewrite the application?

It is worth rewriting the application to Flutter when the current application is outdated, difficult to maintain or when we are planning a thorough expansion.

Old applications often use technologies that are now less efficient or more difficult to develop and maintain. Migrating to Flutter may be an opportunity to modernize the application, improve its performance and attractiveness for users, as well as simplify the process of its further development.

Adding Flutter functionality to an existing application

An add-to-app strategy involves gradually introducing Flutter into an existing application, rather than rewriting it from scratch. This approach allows for controlled and safe implementation of new functions and modernization of the user interface, while minimizing the risks and costs associated with migration.

Adding Flutter functionality to an existing application allows developers to take advantage of Flutter's advantages, such as modern UI components and high performance, without having to abandon existing, proven code.

When is it worth it?

Adding Flutter to an existing application through an add-to-app approach can be most valuable when you want to gradually introduce new modules and functionality, rather than completely changing the user interface.

For example, rewriting individual modules, such as a shopping cart in an e-commerce application, allows the integration of modern Flutter tools and components, minimizing the risks and costs associated with a full migration.

This approach is particularly beneficial for companies that want to introduce innovations gradually while maintaining the stability of their existing application. Thanks to this, they can focus on rewriting only selected fragments, such as new modules, without having to interfere with the entire application logic.

Flutter offers advanced UI widgets and high performance that can significantly improve the quality of new features, and hot reload speeds up the development and testing process.

This strategy is worth considering, especially in situations where the application is already well established in the market and users expect regular improvements and updates. Adding Flutter to individual application modules can also be cost-effective in projects with limited resources and budget, where a full migration would be too costly and time-consuming.

Thanks to this approach, it is possible to introduce modern technological solutions in a more flexible and controlled way.

Summary

The decision between rewriting an existing application to Flutter or adding Flutter functionality to an existing native application requires careful consideration of various factors.

Rewriting the application ensures code consistency across platforms and the ability to take full advantage of the framework's advanced features, such as high performance and modern user interfaces.

This is particularly attractive for applications that are bloated or difficult to maintain, offering the opportunity to significantly improve product quality and efficiency. On the other hand, adding Flutter functionality to a native application using an add-to-app strategy enables the gradual implementation of new technologies and components, minimizing the risks and costs associated with a full migration.

This is a beneficial solution for companies that want to quickly innovate or modernize the user interface without abandoning existing solutions.

The final choice should be dictated by the specific needs of the project, resources and business goals. It is also crucial to take into account the technological maturity of the team and user expectations in order to maximize the effectiveness of the application development process and achieve satisfaction with the final product.