Capacitor vs Flutter
Capacitor lets you use web technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript) to build mobile apps, while Flutter uses Dart and its own rendering engine. Capacitor favors web developers; Flutter offers custom-built performance.
🎯 Quick Answer
Choose Capacitor if you have web developers, want to share code with a website, or need rapid development with familiar tools. Choose Flutter if you're building mobile-only apps, need pixel-perfect custom UIs, or want Google's backing.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Capacitor | Flutter |
|---|---|---|
| Programming Language | JavaScript/TypeScript | Dart |
| Code Sharing (Web) | 100% shared | Limited (Flutter Web) |
| Developer Availability | Abundant (web devs) | Scarce (specialized) |
| Performance | Near-native | Native-like |
| UI Customization | Full CSS flexibility | Widget-based (powerful) |
| Learning Curve | Low (web skills) | High (new language) |
| Development Speed | Very fast | Fast |
| Hot Reload | Instant (web) | Very fast |
| App Size | Smaller | Larger (engine included) |
| Framework Maturity | Very mature (web) | Mature (mobile) |
| Ecosystem | Massive (web + npm) | Growing (pub.dev) |
| Debugging Tools | Browser DevTools | Flutter DevTools |
Pros & Cons
Capacitor
✓ Pros
- Use existing web development skills
- Share code 100% with web version
- Abundant developer talent pool
- Faster development with familiar tools
- Smaller app bundles
- Use any web framework or library
- Instant debugging with browser tools
- Lower development costs
- No need to learn a new language
- Massive npm ecosystem available
✗ Cons
- Slightly lower performance than Flutter
- Dependent on WebView technology
- Not ideal for complex animations
- Some native features need plugins
- Not optimized for mobile-only apps
Flutter
✓ Pros
- Excellent performance
- Beautiful, customizable UIs
- Great for animations
- Single codebase for iOS and Android
- Google's backing and support
- Hot reload development
- Growing ecosystem
- Good for complex mobile apps
✗ Cons
- Must learn Dart (new language)
- Cannot easily share with web apps
- Fewer developers available
- Larger app sizes
- Steeper learning curve
- Flutter Web is not production-ready
- Smaller package ecosystem than npm
- Requires specialized developers
When to Use Each
Choose Capacitor
- You have web developers on your team
- You need both web and mobile apps
- You want the fastest time-to-market
- Your budget is limited
- You're building content or SaaS apps
- You want to use React, Vue, or Angular
- You need strong SEO for the web version
- You're a solo developer or small team
Choose Flutter
- You're building mobile-only apps
- You need custom, pixel-perfect UIs
- You're creating graphics-heavy apps
- You have time to learn Dart
- You need complex animations
- Performance is critical
- You want Google's ecosystem
- You're building a design-focused app
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Flutter faster than Capacitor?
Flutter has better raw performance because it compiles to native code and uses its own rendering engine. However, for most business apps, Capacitor's performance is excellent and the difference won't be noticeable to users.
Should I learn Dart for Flutter or stick with JavaScript?
If you're already a web developer, sticking with JavaScript and using Capacitor will get you to market much faster. Learning Dart is worthwhile if you're committed to mobile-only development and have time to invest.
Can Capacitor handle complex UIs like Flutter?
Yes, with modern CSS, Tailwind, and frameworks like React, you can build beautiful, complex UIs. Flutter might have an edge for highly custom animations, but Capacitor handles most UI needs excellently.
Which has better hiring options?
Capacitor wins easily. There are millions of JavaScript/React developers vs. thousands of Flutter developers. Web developers are more available and often cost less than specialized mobile developers.
Can I build a web app with Flutter?
Flutter Web exists but it's not production-ready for most use cases. The apps don't feel like web apps and SEO is poor. Capacitor apps are real web apps that also work on mobile.
Which framework has a better future?
Both have strong futures. Web technologies (Capacitor's foundation) have been around for decades and aren't going anywhere. Flutter has Google's backing. Your choice should be based on your team's skills, not trend-chasing.
Conclusion
Capacitor is the pragmatic choice for web developers and teams who need both web and mobile apps quickly. Flutter is better if you're mobile-first, willing to learn Dart, and need maximum performance. Most startups and businesses benefit more from Capacitor's rapid development and code reuse.
Build with Capacitor in minutes
NextNative provides everything you need to turn your Next.js app into iOS and Android apps with Capacitor.
🎁50% off for the first 40 customers, 5 left
Ready to Get Started?
Follow these step-by-step tutorials to build your mobile app
How to Convert Your Next.js App to iOS & Android
30 minutes • beginner
Learn how to transform your Next.js web application into fully functional iOS and Android mobile apps using Capacitor. This guide covers installation, configuration, and deployment to app stores.
How to Add Push Notifications to Your Next.js Mobile App
45 minutes • intermediate
Implement push notifications in your Next.js mobile app using Capacitor's Push Notifications plugin and Firebase Cloud Messaging. Send notifications to iOS and Android users.
How to Add In-App Purchases to Your Next.js App
60 minutes • intermediate
Monetize your Next.js mobile app with in-app purchases and subscriptions using RevenueCat. This guide covers setup, implementation, and testing for both iOS and Android.