Flutter app development for iOS and Android from one codebase

Flutter is an open-source UI toolkit from Google for building apps for iOS, Android, the web and desktop from a single codebase written in the Dart language. Instead of wrapping each platform's built-in buttons and lists, Flutter draws every pixel itself, so an app looks and behaves the same on an iPhone and a budget Android phone. Meritbyte Technologies, a Nepal-based app and software development company, builds Flutter apps for businesses in Nepal and, remotely, in the USA, Australia, Canada and the UK.

When is Flutter the right choice?

Flutter is a strong fit when:

• You need iOS and Android at the same time and do not want to pay for two separate codebases and two teams.
• The design is custom and brand-heavy. Because Flutter draws its own widgets, a bespoke interface looks identical on both platforms.
• Your users are on mid-range Android phones. Flutter compiles to native machine code and performs well on modest hardware, which matters in markets like Nepal.
• The app must work offline, for field staff, inspections or deliveries, and sync when a connection returns.

Consider React Native instead if you already have a React web team who will maintain the app. Consider fully native Swift and Kotlin if the app is built around platform-specific hardware features from day one. And ask whether you need an app at all: our comparison of PWA vs native app explains when a progressive web app is enough.

What a Flutter project includes

An app is rarely just the app. A typical Flutter project with us covers:

• UX and interface design in Figma, tested with real users before build. See our UI/UX design service.
• The Flutter app, with state management in Riverpod or Bloc, local storage for offline use, and automated widget and integration tests.
• The back end: an API in Node.js or Python, or Firebase when a managed back end fits.
• An admin panel for staff to manage content, users, orders or bookings.
• Push notifications, analytics and crash reporting set up and tested on real devices.
• Store release: App Store and Google Play listings, screenshots, privacy declarations and review submission.

Payments in Flutter apps

Payment rules depend on what you sell. Digital goods and subscriptions used inside the app generally must go through Apple's and Google's in-app purchase systems. Physical goods and services, such as food orders, bookings and deliveries, can use a regular payment gateway: Stripe and similar abroad, and eSewa, Khalti or Fonepay for customers in Nepal. Our guide to eSewa, Khalti and Fonepay integration covers the Nepali options.

Store accounts, costs and ownership

Apps are published under developer accounts, and those should be yours. Apple's Developer Program has an annual fee; Google Play charges a one-time registration fee. We set the accounts up in your organisation's name, add our team as members, and remove our access at handover if you ask.

What drives the cost of a Flutter app is the number of screens, the back end, integrations and the design work, not the toolkit. Our guide to mobile app development cost breaks this down, and our MVP development guide explains how to launch with less.

How a Flutter project runs with us

1. Free scoping call; you get a written scope, a timeline and a number.
2. Fixed-price first milestone, usually clickable designs for the core flows and a working build of one flow on real phones.
3. Two-week build blocks. Each ends with a test build on your own phone through TestFlight and Google Play internal testing. You can stop after any block.
4. Store release and a closely watched first two weeks of crash reports and reviews.
5. Maintenance: operating system updates, store policy changes and new features, on a retainer or handed to your team.

Frequently asked questions

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source toolkit from Google for building apps for iOS, Android, the web and desktop from one codebase written in Dart. It draws its own interface rather than using each platform's built-in components, so apps look and behave the same everywhere, and it compiles to native code for good performance.

Is Flutter better than React Native?

Neither is better overall. Flutter suits custom, brand-heavy designs and teams starting fresh, because it draws every pixel itself. React Native suits companies with existing React web developers, since they can share skills and some code. Both produce real iOS and Android apps that pass store review.

Can one Flutter app run on both iOS and Android?

Yes. That is the main reason to choose Flutter. Most of the code is shared, with small platform-specific pieces for things like permissions, payments and notifications. You still need separate store listings, and the app is tested on real iPhones and Android phones before every release.

How long does it take to build a Flutter app?

A focused first version with a handful of core screens and a simple back end often takes two to four months, depending on design, integrations and how quickly decisions are made. Larger apps take longer. After a free call, Meritbyte gives a written timeline and a fixed price for the first milestone.

Will the app and store accounts be in our name?

Yes. The Apple and Google developer accounts, the code repository, the back end hosting and the analytics are all set up in your organisation's name. Our team is added as members while we work, and you can remove our access at any time.