Flutter for Desktop: Get Started with Cross-Platform Development

Flutter is a software development kit (SDK) released by Google in 2018. Today, it is gaining lots of traction. Why? Its major selling points are:

• Simple coding language in Dart
• Simple design of widgets on widgets
• Cross-platform development abilities

In fact, Flutter just improved on that last one—it’s now available for desktop applications as an Alpha release. Let’s look at why Flutter went this route. Then, I’ll share tips on getting started on desktop.

Why desktop?

“At the core of Flutter is the engine…” – Chris Sells, Flutter Product Manager

Desktops still allow users to interact with their applications in good ways that mobile just can’t. With the desktop, users spend more quality time at the computer, not just mindless scrolling or basic information retrieval. Here, on the desktop, users can:

• See more information
• Process more information (i.e., switching between screens or browser tabs).
• Sit and spent time with the application

As we know, desktop computers have larger screens that allow for more information to be displayed. Hard drives are generally open and easy for the user to read and write from (though iOS has always metered this).

The desktop has an experience already different from mobile. Flutter’s expansion to it opens the door for Flutter developers to also create new experiences.

Rise in cross-platform development

Overall interest in native app development is declining, mostly for its drawbacks. People want to be able to write one body of code and use it on multiple platforms—something that is complex in native development.

Felgo was the original cross-platform development software, then React Native. Compared to React Native, Flutter is bundled with UI rendering components, navigation, testing, and a huge number of libraries. Its Flutter engine is unique and provides everything a developer needs to start building their app.

In fact, because of these changes, many developers think Flutter is on its way to replacing Electron, a leading option, as the SDK for Desktop Development.