In recent years, the landscape of cross-platform mobile app development has been dominated by frameworks like Flutter. However, as we venture into 2025, a shift is emerging with technologies such as Compose Multiplatform (CMM) and Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) gaining traction, partly due to Google’s growing support. This evolution prompts a discussion on the potential decline of Flutter and the rise of these newer frameworks.
Flutter’s Current Standing
Flutter, developed by Google, has been celebrated for enabling developers to craft natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single codebase. Its use of the Dart programming language and a rich set of pre-designed widgets has facilitated rapid development and a seamless user experience. As of 2025, Flutter continues to be a popular choice for many developers, offering features like enhanced performance and integration with advanced technologies such as AI and AR.
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The Emergence of Compose Multiplatform and KMM
Compose Multiplatform and Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile, both spearheaded by JetBrains, represent a modern approach to cross-platform development:
- Compose Multiplatform (CMM): Extending Google’s Jetpack Compose, CMM allows developers to build user interfaces across Android, iOS, desktop, and web using a shared Kotlin codebase. This framework emphasizes a declarative UI paradigm, streamlining the development process and ensuring consistency across platforms. Refer to jetbrains.com
- Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM): KMM enables the sharing of business logic across multiple platforms, including Android and iOS, while allowing the development of platform-specific code when necessary. This approach provides flexibility and code reuse, enhancing development efficiency. Refer to jetbrains.com
Google’s Support and Its Implications
Google’s endorsement of these technologies has been a significant factor in their rising prominence:
- Integration with Android Development: Google has integrated Kotlin Multiplatform into its development ecosystem, allowing developers to share business logic across mobile, web, server, and desktop platforms. This integration simplifies the development process and reduces redundancy. Refer to developer.android.com
- Jetpack Libraries Compatibility: Many of Google’s Jetpack libraries have been adapted to support Kotlin Multiplatform, providing developers with familiar tools and reducing the learning curve associated with adopting new frameworks. Refer to developer.android.com
Potential Decline of Flutter
Several factors contribute to the speculation about Flutter’s potential decline:
- Language Preference: Kotlin’s interoperability with Java and its concise syntax have made it a preferred choice for many developers. As KMM leverages Kotlin, developers may gravitate towards it, especially those already familiar with the language.
- Unified Development Experience: With Google’s backing, the integration of KMM and CMM into the existing Android development workflow offers a more unified experience. This cohesion can lead to increased productivity and a more seamless development process.
- Performance Considerations: Native performance is a critical factor in mobile app development. KMM allows for sharing business logic while writing platform-specific UI code, potentially leading to better performance compared to Flutter’s approach of rendering UI using its own engine.
Conclusion
While Flutter remains a robust and widely-used framework in 2025, the rise of Compose Multiplatform and Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile, bolstered by Google’s support, indicates a shift in the cross-platform development landscape. Developers may increasingly opt for these newer technologies due to their seamless integration with existing tools, language advantages, and potential performance benefits. However, the choice of framework ultimately depends on specific project requirements, team expertise, and long-term maintenance considerations.