Using a Strategic Mindset to Hire Flutter Developers

These days, with the heavy prevalence of smartphone and IoT users worldwide, the app development market is red hot and showing no signs of ever declining. Because of the demand for new applications that work on desktop, all mobile devices, and wearable devices, it’s natural that software app developers will want to use the simplest, fastest, and cheapest development methods. 

Enter Flutter, an open-source software development kit (SDK) created by Google to simplify cross-platform app development. Using a single code, Flutter developers can create cross-platform apps that function identically on Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and Google Fuchsia. Being a relatively new app development tool, first released in 2017, and an incredibly in-demand skillset for app developers, competition for top Flutter developer talent is fierce. 

In this article, we’ll go over what Flutter developer skills you should look for when seeking to hire Flutter developers to join your development team and the qualifications that should be present at a Junior, Mid-Level, and Senior developer level. We’ll also cover how much you can expect to pay for their services in different world regions and alternative options for sourcing talented Flutter developers, such as dedicated team models offered by development partners like Beetroot. 

What is Flutter?

Flutter is an open-source user-interface software development kit (SDK) that developers use to create cross-platform applications. When Flutter developers are constructing software applications, they don’t need to code separately for different operating systems. 

Flutter allows app developers to create highly accessible mobile apps with a single codebase for all platforms, saving huge amounts of financial resources, minimizing the number of developers required on a project, and drastically reducing cross-platform development time. 

Flutter developers can build, test, and deploy robust, visually striking, highly responsive mobile, web, desktop, and embedded apps using a single codebase. To further enhance the app development process, Flutter features layered architecture, speeding up rendering and development. 

Top Advantages of Flutter

A Single Codebase to Maintain

The most significant advantage of using Flutter is that it’s easier to develop apps in Flutter than it is to use native languages for each operating system. Typically, app development requires knowledge and coding aptitude in multiple languages, including Swift, Java, and JavaScript. Flutter developers only need to know one programming language: Dart.  

Flutter uses the Dart programming language, developed by Google as an alternative for problems that arose when using JavaScript. Dart began gaining momentum in 2017 when Google announced Flutter as a cross-platform mobile app development solution. 

Two of Google’s projects, Adwords and Google Fiber, were created using Flutter. 

Flutter is Compatible with All Screen Sizes

Another advantage of using Flutter that drastically reduces development cost and time to completion is Flutter developers don’t have to worry about adapting their software application to different screen sizes. Flutter works with every type of device from a single codebase, whether the application is used on desktop, tablet, smartphone, or wearable, such as a smartwatch. 

Flutter is an Open Source Framework

Flutter’s open-source framework allows your Flutter development team to create heavily customized applications with a simple way to view the original source code. To access the source code, developers simply click on the code. This is also valuable for learning how widgets function within Flutter code. 

For example, Flutter developers can customize the user interface by editing the code to change buttons’ shapes, colors, and dimensions. 

The “Hot Reload” Feature

One of the most frustratingly tedious processes when developing applications is running them. With iOS, for example, it takes 10 to 30 seconds to save code, compile the code, then view the output on your screen. With Flutter, the UI changes instantly when code is updated and saved, similar to a website refresh button. 

Flutter developers can alter the app’s color, design, and buttons, or debug, update, and maintain code that is instantly “reloaded,” streamlining the development process. 

Flutter’s High-Performance Rendering Engine

Flutter includes a dynamic development framework allowing developers to manipulate widgets to customize user interfaces. The cross-platform rendering engine, Skia, allows the User Interface created in Flutter to be launched on any platform without making adjustments to the code. 

The Growing Demand for Flutter Developers 

Flutter developers are a rare yet growing breed amongst mobile software programmers. In 2021, Flutter was the most popular cross-platform mobile app development framework globally, though only 42% of app developers used it. In 2020, Flutter-built apps increased from 50,000 to 90,000 in just the month of April.

Flutter developers are in high demand because it’s an ideal solution for cross-platform app development projects. It takes less time, effort, and money than building native apps while reducing the risks of errors and inconsistencies in the User Interface and security protocols. 

It’s Difficult for Small to Midsize Companies to Compete with Big Tech

It’s especially challenging for small and midsize companies to source tech talent proficient in Flutter, as larger, tech-first companies hunt them down and offer salary and benefits packages that smaller companies simply can’t compete with. 

In-house recruitment for Flutter developers is expensive and time-consuming. Because of this and the challenge of competing with larger companies for top talent, working with a development partner like Beetroot is often the best option available to smaller companies. 

A Partner Approach to Sourcing Talented Flutter Developers 

A partnered approach makes a big difference for small to mid-size companies trying to hire Flutter mobile app developers to add to their mobile development team. By sourcing Flutter developers and other specialist tech professionals with a development partner like Beetroot, you’ll achieve sustainable teams composed of talented outstaffed mobile developers that fit with your existing in-house team and quickly become integral contributors and part of your company culture. 

We maintain open communication with all outstaffed team members to ensure ongoing success and integration with your in-house team for the full extent of the time they assist your application development process. 

Criteria for Shortlisting Flutter Developers 

Location

Depending on where you look to find Flutter developers, you’ll have differences in the quantity and quality of available talent and the cost to hire them. Generally, when you hire offshore Flutter app developers, you’ll be able to hire Flutter development teams at a lower rate and with less competition from other companies than if you were to look to hire talent in global tech hubs like the USA and Western and Northern Europe. 

Junior Flutter Developer Qualifications

Junior dedicated Flutter app developers typically have up to two years of experience using the Flutter SDK. Flutter is an emerging technology that takes time for app developers to experiment with and understand the SDK. If you’re hiring a junior Flutter developer, you’ll want to either have personal experience with Flutter or have a well-experienced developer on your Flutter development team to guide your new recruits as they develop their Flutter developer skills. 

Mid-Level Flutter Developer Qualifications

With 2-4 years of experience using Flutter technology, mid-level Flutter developers don’t need as much oversight and guidance from senior Flutter developers and can work independently on your app development project. This makes them more efficient developers as well as more expensive.

Senior Flutter Developer Qualifications

Senior-level dedicated Flutter app developers have at least four years of experience working directly with Flutter technology. If you require highly-skilled Flutter developers for your project that won’t make careless mistakes that need to be fixed later, you’ll need senior-level developers. A bonus of springing for the more expensive senior Flutter developers is they’ll be able to help train junior and mid-level Flutter Developers, guiding your app development project to a successful conclusion. 

When Hiring Dedicated Flutter Developers Through a Partner Company, Ensure These 3 Components Are Present

Healthy Work Environment 

Workers of every caliber and skillset need a healthy work environment. When employees feel their employer genuinely cares about their happiness, job satisfaction, and overall well-being, they’re more likely to stick with the company. A healthy work environment not only reduces the expenses of frequent turnover and recruitment processes but also helps to foster a sense of ownership in employees, making them more likely to give a project their all. A happy worker does better work; faster and more efficiently. 

Communication 

Open, clear communication channels are integral for any business, be it in-office workers, remote Flutter developers and other tech professionals, or employees working within a hybrid work model. Without adequate communication, projects and companies fail. 

Partner Attitude

It’s important to choose people to work with that will be conducive, natural fits to your existing team. Before beginning a new Flutter development project, ensure everyone on your team sees eye-to-eye, agrees on project goals and scheduling, and is ready to help the project grow.  

Cost to Hire Flutter Developers

The Benefits of the Dedicated Team Model

Beetroot offers companies looking to scale development teams and add Flutter developers and other in-demand tech professionals a curated approach to sourcing top tech talent. Known as the Dedicated Development Team Model, Beetroot gives businesses an easy, accessible option to hire Flutter mobile app developers. 

Our tech consultancy and solutions portfolio forms the backbone of the Dedicated Team Model. We handle the hiring, training, and administrative processes related to outstaffed team members, helping your business get your Flutter development team in place in weeks, not months.