Top Reasons the Industry is Adopting Multi-Stack Mobile App Development

The world of mobile app development is continuously evolving. In 2024, developers are increasingly finding themselves in a position where a multi-stack development approach is not just advantageous but necessary. While cross-platform frameworks like Flutter are an excellent starting point, platform-specific challenges often push developers to integrate additional technologies like Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, and JavaScript for web functionalities. This blog explores why the industry is moving towards multi-stack mobile app development and how this approach can benefit your project in the long run.

Why Start with Flutter for Multi-Platform Development?

For many mobile app developers, Flutter is the go-to framework for multi-platform development. With a single codebase, Flutter allows you to build apps for both iOS and Android, significantly reducing development time and effort. It offers rich UI components and a large library of pre-built widgets that enable developers to create visually appealing and responsive apps.

However, while Flutter handles the basics extremely well, as your project grows and you begin to face platform-specific challenges, limitations arise. For example, some iOS-specific functionalities might require custom native code, and the same goes for Android. This is where a multi-stack approach comes in.

When Flutter Meets Platform-Specific Needs

Flutter is excellent for initial app development, but it’s not a silver bullet for every platform-specific issue. There are times when Flutter’s built-in solutions or third-party plugins might not address certain platform nuances or advanced functionalities. For instance, while Flutter’s camera plugin might work for basic use, it might struggle with handling advanced camera API features on Android or iOS.

This is where multi-stack development comes into play. Instead of relying solely on Flutter, developers are turning to Swift for iOS, Kotlin for Android, and JavaScript for web scraping or specific tasks like DOM manipulation. This approach allows developers to take full advantage of native capabilities without having to abandon Flutter’s cross-platform benefits.

Reason 1: Adding Swift for iOS-Specific Features

Imagine this: You’ve launched your Flutter app, and it’s performing well on both iOS and Android. But then, you encounter an issue where Flutter can’t fully handle Apple Pay integration or complex native UI animations on iOS. In such cases, relying solely on Flutter’s capabilities won’t cut it. To resolve this, developers often integrate Swift into their project.

Swift allows for native-level control over iOS functionalities, enabling you to add custom features that aren’t easily achievable through Flutter plugins. For example, if you want to integrate Face ID for authentication or utilize Core ML for machine learning tasks, Swift is your go-to language for seamless iOS performance.

By combining Swift with Flutter, you get the best of both worlds: Flutter’s cross-platform efficiency and Swift’s native prowess for iOS-specific tasks.

Reason 2: Using Kotlin for Android-Specific Issues

Similarly, you might find yourself needing to add Kotlin code for Android-specific tasks. While Flutter’s default camera plugin might work for basic camera usage, it could falter when handling Android’s camera APIs. For example, if your app requires background image processing or advanced camera control, Flutter might fall short.

By incorporating Kotlin, you can write native Android code that fully leverages Android’s hardware and software capabilities. This hybrid solution allows your app to take advantage of Android-specific features, such as handling background services, optimizing battery consumption, or integrating with Android’s Google Play Services.

Reason 3: Integrating JavaScript for Web View Data Scraping

Now, let’s talk about a common use case—web view integration. Suppose your app requires pulling dynamic data from a website, and Flutter’s web view doesn’t offer the flexibility or control needed for complex data scraping or DOM manipulation. In this case, integrating JavaScript into your app can be a game changer.

JavaScript allows for real-time data scraping from web pages, making it ideal for apps that rely on external web data, such as stock-tracking apps or content aggregators. With JavaScript integrated into your Flutter app, you can fetch, parse, and display live data without the need for a full-blown web app.

By embedding JavaScript directly into the Flutter project, you ensure that your app remains dynamic and responsive, pulling in data from external web sources effortlessly.

Reason 4: Combining Stacks for a Tailored Solution

By combining Flutter with Swift, Kotlin, and JavaScript, you can build a custom solution that meets all your platform-specific needs without sacrificing the efficiency of cross-platform development. This multi-stack approach not only improves app performance but also future-proofs your app by enabling seamless native feature integration across iOS, Android, and even web functionalities.

While relying solely on Flutter can limit your ability to scale and optimize performance, combining it with native stacks allows you to overcome these challenges. With a hybrid approach, you can handle iOS-native gestures, Android background services, and real-time web data fetching in one cohesive app experience.

Benefits of a Multi-Stack Approach in the Long Run

Adopting a multi-stack approach offers several long-term benefits:

1. Enhanced user experience: By tailoring features to specific platforms, you provide a better experience for both iOS and Android users.
2. Improved performance: Native solutions handle platform-specific features more efficiently, leading to faster load times and smoother animations.
3. Future flexibility: As technology evolves, a multi-stack approach allows you to adapt quickly without overhauling the entire app.

For instance, if your app grows to include machine learning, you can easily integrate native Core ML or TensorFlow solutions in Swift or Kotlin while still maintaining the overall structure in Flutter.

Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Of course, managing a multi-stack project comes with its own challenges:

• Maintaining multiple codebases: Keeping track of Flutter, Swift, Kotlin, and JavaScript can be complex, requiring robust version control and clear documentation.
• Skillset diversity: Your development team needs expertise across different technologies to navigate these complexities efficiently.

To overcome these challenges, it’s crucial to invest in a skilled team with experience in multi-stack development, implement strong version control, and regularly test across all platforms to ensure smooth operation.

Final Thoughts 💭

In today’s fast-paced app development landscape, relying solely on one framework isn’t always enough. A multi-stack approach—combining Flutter with Swift, Kotlin, and JavaScript—can significantly improve your app’s performance, adaptability, and user experience. While the integration of different technologies adds complexity, the long-term benefits are undeniable.

If you’re considering launching your next mobile app, take a multi-stack approach to ensure your app is ready to handle platform-specific challenges while maintaining cross-platform efficiency. The future of mobile app development is here—and it’s multi-stack.

By following this multi-stack approach, you can ensure that your app not only meets current demands but is also prepared for future growth and scalability.