Rubix StudiosRubix Studios
Vincent is the founder and director of Rubix Studios, with over 20 years of experience in branding, marketing, film, photography, and web development. He is a certified partner with industry leaders including Google, Microsoft, AWS, and HubSpot. Vincent also serves as a member of the Maribyrnong City Council Business and Innovation Board and is undertaking an Executive MBA at RMIT University.
Selecting the optimal cross-platform mobile framework is a key decision for technology and product leaders in 2025. Flutter and Expo represent two dominant approaches:
This article presents a structured evaluation of Flutter and Expo across architecture, workflow, technical benchmarks, and enterprise adoption to support strategic technology selection.
Flutter employs Dart and compiles directly to native machine code, utilising its proprietary rendering engine (Skia/Impeller) to deliver consistent UI and advanced animation support. Expo operates as a managed layer over React Native, using JavaScript or TypeScript and a bridge to native components. Flutter offers comprehensive control over rendering and behaviour, while Expo streamlines development through prebuilt SDKs and a simplified workflow.
Getting started
Both Flutter and Expo are designed for rapid project initiation with minimal configuration. Developers can start new projects using a single command in the terminal:
Flutter:
shell
Expo (React Native):
shell
These commands scaffold a new application, allowing teams to begin development immediately using their respective toolchains.
Flutter provides an integrated SDK, fast hot reload, and robust debugging capabilities. While initial onboarding may require Dart proficiency, development teams benefit from cohesive tooling and strong documentation. Expo offers instant device preview, cloud-based builds, and over-the-air updates, minimising configuration and accelerating prototyping for teams familiar with JavaScript and React.
Flutter delivers near-native performance, with benchmarked startup times of 350–450 ms and reliable 60 fps rendering, even under demanding UI conditions. Memory consumption averages around 190 MB. Expo maintains strong performance for business and consumer applications, though startup is typically slower (700–900 ms), and resource consumption is higher. Performance gaps are most apparent in animation-intensive scenarios, where Flutter’s architecture provides a clear advantage.
Flutter’s package ecosystem has grown substantially, with over 40,000 packages and expanding enterprise support. The community continues to invest in documentation, plugin development, and security. Expo’s ecosystem leverages the broader React Native landscape, supporting over 2,200 published applications and integration with widely used web technologies. Both frameworks benefit from active communities and frequent core updates.
Flutter is adopted by global organisations that require high brand consistency and native-like user experience, including Amazon, BMW, Google Ads, Alibaba, Tencent, Nubank, and Credit Agricole.
Expo is utilised by companies prioritising rapid iteration, JavaScript alignment, and ease of integration, such as Coinbase, Chime, Varo, Discord, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Olive Garden, FanDuel, and NFL Network.
| Requirement | Flutter | Expo |
|---|---|---|
| UI fidelity & animations | ✔ | |
| Native-level performance | ✔ | |
| JavaScript/React alignment | ✔ | |
| Rapid prototyping & OTA | ✔ | |
| Enterprise stability | ✔ | ✔ |
| Low learning curve | ✔ |
As of July 2025, both Flutter and Expo present mature solutions for cross-platform mobile development. Flutter remains the preferred choice for organisations demanding performance, advanced UI, and extensive branding. Expo is well-suited for business applications where rapid delivery, React compatibility, and over-the-air updates are primary concerns. Framework selection should be based on project scope, performance requirements, and the existing skillset of the development team.
Vincent is the founder and director of Rubix Studios, with over 20 years of experience in branding, marketing, film, photography, and web development. He is a certified partner with industry leaders including Google, Microsoft, AWS, and HubSpot. Vincent also serves as a member of the Maribyrnong City Council Business and Innovation Board and is undertaking an Executive MBA at RMIT University.