Comparing User Interface Design Implementation between Cross-Platform and Native Mobile Applications : FlutterFlow versus Jetpack Compose

Abstract: Smartphones have become indispensable in modern life, largely due to the vast array of apps that aim to simplify and enrich our daily experiences. Given the vast number of apps available, it's crucial to have a unique and user-friendly UI to stand out from the crowd. This thesis explores the processes of mobile application UI development, contrasting the traditional declarative programming approach with the Android toolkit Jetpack Compose and the use of a web based low-code tool, FlutterFlow, for cross-platform applications. The goal is to provide valuable insights for those seeking to develop competitive, modern UI. This is achieved by examining the advantages and disadvantages of each approach, focusing on their ability to create non-standard custom components, the scalability of the apps developed, and potential differences in UI responsiveness, animation smoothness, and overall fluidity. To address these questions, a case study was conducted where an application was developed using both approaches. In addition, a qualitative user survey was conducted to assess whether users could discern any difference between the two applications. The findings suggest that while users did not perceive a significant difference, Jetpack Compose outperformed in terms of app scalability and the creation of non-standard custom components. On the other hand, FlutterFlow proved advantageous in implementing standard functionalities and animations, as well as offering a considerably faster development time when only standard components were required.