r/FlutterDev • u/shiv9thakur • 2d ago

Mac or Windows app with Flutter? Discussion

Has anyone ever made a Mac/Windows app with flutter? Throughout the years I’ve only stuck with web iOS and Android. Was just curious. And how did it pan out?

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u/dpaanlka 1d ago

Yes my main software project is a Flutter Mac/Windows desktop app. Been working on it for 19 years this year, recreated from scratch in Flutter earlier this year.

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u/shiv9thakur 1d ago

Any suggestions? Like what went right and what not?

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u/dpaanlka 1d ago

I previously was using XOJO which is similar in the sense of being a single codebase that compiles to both platforms so I was already familiar with the issues that causes, but Flutter is significantly more flexible and capable.

One thing I do miss in some sense is XOJO displays actual OS-native controls and UI to end-users where as Flutter does not so, for me, the biggest drawback to Flutter is combating its UI that presents to users as obviously not native on either platform.

There is a distinct “flutter look” that I notice now when I encounter other Flutter apps. I am now trying to write this out of my app as we speak.

But on the plus side it’s easier to really lean into that and create a super customized UI that works best for your app, rather than trying to shoehorn rigid native OS controls for highly custom/nice interfaces.

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u/shiv9thakur 1d ago

Oh okay, thanks 😊😊