The moment Google released the first stable version of the Flutter framework in 2018, it successfully entered the mobile app development market and caused a great buzz around the world. This technology gained such popularity because of its distinctive architecture. A developer doesn't need to use any native components or typical HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Another factor for the great interest in Flutter was Google’s ambitious promise to increase the app rendering performance, which worked out.
This article will help you understand whether it is reasonable for you to invest in Flutter development based on the experience of other companies. We offer you to see our top 10 interesting Flutter app examples to learn how some companies used the framework in their practice.
Contents:
What Is Flutter?
Flutter is an open-source framework created by Google for building user interfaces of web and desktop applications as well as mobile apps that run across iOS and Android platforms. In contrast to most cross-platform development frameworks, Flutter doesn’t use web technologies such as JavaScript or WebView. Programmers write apps with the Dart programming language.
Flutter is a young and fast-growing technology that has recently become the center of attention of various companies. Google presented the first version of Flutter in 2015 with the two main goals:
- to replace the traditional layout model used in cross-platform development on the whole;
- to increase the app rendering speed from 60 to 120 FPS.
Back in 2015, Flutter was named Sky and used to run apps only on the Android OS. By the end of 2018, the company released a stable version of this framework. Now, it allows rendering some apps with the stated 120 FPS speed and running them on both iOS and Android platforms. The Flutter SDK is also the only toolkit for developing apps running on Google Fuchsia OS. In 2019, thousands of people started to use Flutter apps actively. Our list of top 10 apps built with Flutter will help you understand how developers use this technology to create UIs and make them attractive for users.
Top 10 Apps Made with Flutter
Using Flutter, developers can create simplistic applications with interactive multimedia support. These are usually simple mobile apps and 2D apps with high-performance animations. Programmers can also develop full-featured applications able to easily access device capabilities (such as storage, network, camera, geolocation, third-party tools, etc.). The types of applications powered with Flutter mostly include:
- Apps using Business Intelligence tools;
- Banking apps;
- Credit card managers;
- Wallets and money exchange systems;
- 2D games (puzzles, doodles, etc.);
- Social media aggregators;
- Audio, video, and photo editors;
- Tracking applications;
- Marketplaces and online shopping apps;
- News aggregators;
- Task managers;
- Music players, and so forth.
Although it’s been only a year since Google Flutter release, the apps created with this framework are already on top positions in different categories on Google Play and App Store. To understand how companies currently use the framework in their products, let’s make a review of the 10 most interesting apps built with Flutter. The applications for this top were chosen from the official Flutter showcase page and the additional resource provided by the Flutter community – “It’s All Widgets!”.
1. Google Ads
Google Ads helps users set ad campaigns to attract the target audience to their brand and, hence, boost sales. The app creators used Flutter to implement the Material Design elements inside the user interface. Google Ads provides users with various statistical data, and Flutter makes it possible to display it via the comprehensible set of data visualization tools. The framework capabilities make the application look neat and allow users to focus on the app functionalities.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
2. Hamilton
The Hamilton mobile app was created for Hamilton Broadway Musical fans. It includes a variety of multimedia such as shareable stickers, exclusive videos, slideshows about the cast, the karaoke feature, etc. Flutter was used to ensure the smooth work of various multimedia functionalities and UI. Users can record audio and stream videos of them singing the interactive karaoke tracks from the musical. A HamCam functionality enables camera filters that let users turn into any character of the show. Other features enabled with Flutter also include a merch platform, a ticket lottery, and a trivia game.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
3. Realtor.com
Realtor.com Real Estate Search is a popular Flutter-powered app that helps people find houses for sale or rent in the USA. The app uses Flutter geolocation plugins to display available houses and apartments on the US map. If users give permission to access their location, the app displays house options nearby. Realtor.com provides users with housing prices diagrams to make change tracking possible. Flutter provides this app with data visualization tools, mapping functionality, photo support, and graphical components such as price range sliders, blocks, etc.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
4. Insight Timer
Currently, Insight Timer is one of the most popular meditation and sleep Flutter apps. The apps’ UI is designed to store the large library of exercises, guided meditations, music tracks, and ambient sounds for relaxation. It also maintains various video files, supports a meditation timer functionalities, provides users with progress statistics, and allows integration with other health applications on the user’s phone or wearable devices.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
5. Topline
Topline is a Flutter-powered application published by the famous Abbey Road Studios recording hub under the slogan: “Designed by musicians for musicians”. This is a voice memo application for singers and songwriters that’s mainly used for making “raw” audio materials. Flutter makes it possible to integrate third-party cloud storage into the app. To save audio records, a user can connect to Dropbox, Google Cloud or other cloud services. The Topline user interface was made simplistic to let users make a quick recording of their song idea and edit them on the go.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
6. Kalium
Kalium is a BANANO cryptocurrency wallet that lets users make secure, fast, and chargeless transactions. The app developers used Flutter to build a minimalistic design and ensure a convenient user experience. The Kalium’s UI correlates well with the apps’ functionalities, so a user can personalize and handle multiple accounts, receive real-time notifications, view transaction history, work with 30 different currency conversions, and more.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
7. Reflectly
Reflectly is a personal journal app based on the AI system. Flutter ensures smooth page transitions, high-performance animations, and correct interaction between UI and AI technology. The AI bot asks users personalized questions and helps them create stories. With Flutter capabilities, a user can follow their mood charts based on the data gathered with Artificial Intelligence. These charts display the factors causing different emotions in users’ lives to help them analyze their behavior.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
8. Groupon Merchant
This is an all-in-one discount application that helps merchants manage their special offers and shopping deals for clothes, beauty products, food, travel offers, hotel & spa services, special events, and entertainment. The app developers integrated Flutter into the existing Groupon Merchant application in May 2018. They added Flutter submodules into the native platform to create new voucher redemption and detailed payment data visualization functionalities.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
9. PostMuse Editor
PostMuse is an Instagram photo editor that helps users create attractive posts and stories. It’s a constructor-type app that includes story templates, typography features, text editor, frames, shapes, filters, color harmonies, and more. Besides ensuring the no-delay UI, Flutter provides users with a full range of multimedia features, graphical components, quick access to the device features, and integration with Unsplash stock photo service and Instagram.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
10. Hookle
Hookle is a social media aggregator that allows users to manage their accounts on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and other social networks in one app. It was created as an SMM tool for small business needs. Flutter provides easy access to the device functionalities such as a gallery, camera, microphone, etc. to enable easy post creation, file sharing, and feedback tracking. The platform also offers the Social Splash feature for monitoring every social channel, check business performance, and view the competitors’ performance.
App on Google Play Store / the App Store
Conclusion
Flutter has a unique architecture, offers a powerful pixel-perfect rendering, and doesn’t use any traditional web technologies. The Dart language makes it possible to build simplistic 2D applications and games with high-performance animations. Flutter-powered apps stay simple but are able to handle great loads of multimedia and provide easy access to device features.
There are two groups of people that have different attitudes towards Flutter. The first group wants to try this technology because they'd like to try Dart programming. Others mistrust this technology because they think it has yet to mature. What group to select for yourself is up to you. However, if you are in search of a Flutter solution for your product right now, you can contact us to get assistance on mobile development and learn more about our expertise.
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