Software Development

Dart and Kotlin are two of the most widely used programming languages for app development. Each language comes with its own set of benefits, drawbacks, and distinctive features.

Choosing between Dart and Kotlin can be challenging for app developers. This blog post will compare and contrast the two programming languages to help you make an informed decision.

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is a programming language designed for Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Android, and JavaScript. Developed by JetBrains, the creators of the IntelliJ IDEA integrated development environment, Kotlin is a statically typed language that boasts more concise syntax, improved type inference, and better null safety features compared to Java.

Kotlin is intended to be a more streamlined and user-friendly alternative to Java, making it a popular choice for developers looking to improve their productivity. One of the major benefits of Kotlin is its full interoperability with Java. This means that developers can use Kotlin and Java code interchangeably within the same project, allowing for greater flexibility and convenience.

Popular apps built using Kotlin:

• Google
• Trello
• Evernote
• Netflix
• Airbnb
• Tinder
• Basecamp

What is Dart?

Initially developed by Google as an open-source programming language, Dart was intended to be used as a client-side language for web development. However, over time it has gained traction in app development circles as well.

Dart is a modern language that prioritizes performance, scalability, and simplicity. This makes it an appealing option for developers looking to build high-quality applications quickly and efficiently. One of the key advantages of Dart is its ability to be used for developing a wide range of applications across different platforms, including web, desktop, and mobile.

Notably, Dart is the foundation of Flutter, a UI toolkit developed by Google for building web, mobile, and desktop applications that can be natively compiled from a single codebase. This integration makes it even easier for developers to build cross-platform applications using the Dart language, further demonstrating the flexibility and adaptability of this powerful programming language.

Popular apps built using Dart with the Flutter framework:

• Google Ads
• eBay Motors
• Tencent
• Dream11
• Reflactly
• Nu Bank

Pros & cons of Kotlin

Kotlin advantages

Kotlin is a relatively new language that has quickly gained popularity among developers. There are several benefits to using Kotlin. Here’s a quick highlight:

Interoperability: Kotlin is fully interoperable with Java, allowing developers to easily use it alongside Java code. This enables developers to leverage Kotlin’s advanced features while continuing to use their existing Java codebase.

Conciseness: Kotlin is a concise language that enables developers to write code more efficiently. Kotlin code is typically 20-30% shorter than Java code, allowing developers to complete projects faster and with fewer lines of code.

Null safety: Kotlin incorporates a built-in null safety mechanism, which serves to prevent null pointer exceptions. This feature promotes the development of safer and more reliable code.

Functional programming: Kotlin supports functional programming, making it possible to write code that is more concise, modular, and reusable.

Android development: Kotlin has excellent support for Android development, and many developers have found it to be a superior choice over Java for building Android apps.

Kotlin disadvantages

Although Kotlin has many advantages, there are some potential drawbacks to using it:

Learning curve: Kotlin is a new language, and some developers may find it challenging to learn. However, because it is interoperable with Java, developers can gradually introduce Kotlin into their existing Java projects.

Lackoftooling: Because Kotlin is a newer language, it may not have as many development tools and libraries as Java. However, this is rapidly changing as Kotlin gains popularity.

Pros & cons of Dart

Dart Advantages

Dart is a programming language developed by Google that is designed for building web, server, and mobile applications. Some of the key advantages of using Dart include:

Productivity: Dart is a productive language that allows developers to write code more efficiently. It has a simple syntax, supports optional typing, and includes garbage collection to simplify memory management.

Cross-platform: With Dart, it is possible to create applications for diverse platforms, such as the web, servers, and mobile devices. This ability makes it a versatile language that can cater to a wide variety of project needs.

Performance: Dart has been optimized for performance, and it is typically faster than other languages such as JavaScript.

Flutter: Dart is the primary language used by Flutter, a popular mobile app development framework. Flutter makes it easy for developers to build high-quality, cross-platform mobile apps quickly and efficiently. The combination of Dart and Flutter provides an excellent development experience for building beautiful, responsive apps for both iOS and Android.

Learn How to Create a Note-Taking App in Flutter/Dart

Dart Disadvantages

Although Dart has many advantages, there are some potential drawbacks to using it:

Limited library support: Because Dart is a newer language, it may not have as many development tools and libraries as more established languages like Java and JavaScript. However, this is rapidly changing as Dart gains popularity.

Learning curve: Like Kotlin, Dart is a newer language, and some developers may find it challenging to learn. However, because it is similar to other languages such as Java and JavaScript, the learning curve may not be as steep as with other new languages.

Kotlin vs Dart: Syntax & learning curve

Dart and Kotlin are both modern programming languages used for developing various types of applications for web, mobile, and desktop platforms. 

Although these languages are similar in many ways, they have some significant differences in terms of their syntax and learning curves.

Syntax:

Dart	Kotlin
// Implicit variable declaration var i = 1; var name = 'John'; // Explicit variable declaration int i = 1; String name = 'John'; // Constant declaration const delay = 100; // dynamic type dynamic name = 'John'; // nullable variable String? name = 'John'; // Functions void main() { getName('John'); } String getName(String name) { return 'Name $name'; }	// Implicit variable declaration var i = 1 var name = "John" // Explicit variable declaration var i: Int = 1; var name: String = 'John'; // Constant declaration val DELAY = 100; // dynamic type val name: dynamic = 'John'; // nullable variable var name: String? = "John" // Functions fun main() { getName("John") } fun getName(name: String): String { return "Name $name" }

Kotlin and Dart both have concise syntax that makes them easy to read and write. Kotlin’s syntax is designed to be similar to Java, which means that Java developers can easily switch to Kotlin without having to learn a significant amount of new syntax. This makes Kotlin an excellent choice for developers who are familiar with Java and want to start using a more modern language.

On the other hand, Dart has a unique syntax that may take some time to learn for developers who are used to other programming languages. 

Dart’s syntax is designed to be intuitive and easy to understand, but it does have some differences from other programming languages, such as its use of semicolons and the way it handles null values.

Learning curve

When it comes to the learning curve, Kotlin has a clear advantage over Dart. 

Since Kotlin’s syntax is similar to Java, developers who are familiar with Java can easily switch to Kotlin without needing to learn a lot of new syntaxes. Kotlin also has excellent documentation and a strong community, which makes it easier for developers to find resources and get help when they need it.

Learn how to use the extension function to log messages in Kotlin

Dart, on the other hand, may be more challenging for developers who are used to other programming languages. Although Dart’s syntax is designed to be easy to learn, it does have some unique features that can take some time to get used to. Dart also has a smaller community than Kotlin, which means that it may be more difficult for developers to find help and resources.

Final verdict:

In conclusion, Kotlin and Dart are both excellent programming languages that have their strengths and weaknesses. Kotlin’s syntax is more similar to Java, making it an excellent choice for developers who are familiar with Java and want to start using a more modern language. On the other hand, Dart has a unique syntax that may take some time to learn, but it is intuitive and easy to understand. 

Ultimately, the decision of whether to use Kotlin or Dart will hinge on the requirements of the developer and the particulars of the project they are undertaking.

Dart vs Kotlin: Performance

Choosing a programming language for app development can be a daunting task, with performance being one of the most important factors to consider. Both Kotlin and Dart are performant languages, and it’s difficult to definitively say which one is faster as they have different strengths and weaknesses.

Let’s delve deeper into the performance differences between Kotlin and Dart. 

In terms of raw performance, Dart is optimized for fast execution on both mobile and desktop platforms, with its just-in-time (JIT) and ahead-of-time (AOT) compilers providing fast execution speeds. It also has features like native extensions that can further improve performance. Dart’s garbage collector efficiently manages memory allocation and deallocation, leading to lower memory usage, which is essential for memory-limited devices.

Kotlin, on the other hand, focuses on interoperability with Java and provides a more concise and expressive syntax. While Kotlin is not optimized specifically for performance, it can still provide good performance when used in the right contexts. Additionally, Kotlin compiles to bytecode, which is faster to execute than Dart’s JavaScript compilation. Bytecode is an intermediate representation of code that can be executed directly by the CPU. 

Ultimately, the performance of Kotlin and Dart depends on the specific use case and the way in which the code is written and optimized. Both languages can provide good performance, and the choice between them will depend on factors like the developer’s familiarity with the language, the specific requirements of the project, and the available development tools and libraries.

Performance Benchmarks and Runtime Efficiency

One of the most critical factors when making the choice of programming language is performance, especially when it comes to mobile app development. Dart and Kotlin offer two distinctive approaches to runtime efficiency and performance milestones.

• Dart: Dart’s Ahead-of-Time (AOT) compilation in Flutter leads to a seamless and high-performance execution on mobile platforms. The language’s architecture has perfect optimization for UI rendering, thus making Dart’s utilization quite diverse. It is particularly suitable for applications that require smooth, seamless animations and responsive interfaces. Dart’s features like garbage collection mechanism and sound null safety further add positively to the optimization of runtime efficiency by causing a reduction in memory leaks, thereby enhancing code stability.
• Kotlin: Kotlin is particularly designed for Android and JVM environments. It takes advantage of Just-in-Time (JIT) compilation to optimize execution at runtime, thereby taking complete benefit of JVM’s already established performance management. Kotlin code can be shared across Android and iOS in certain cases like for cross-platform projects using KMM. However, in such situations, it is necessary to implement UI natively for each platform. Kotlin has powerful language features, like coroutines and inline functions, which further enhance runtime efficiency, particularly in scenarios that involve complex business logic or elaborate background tasks.

As a comparative synopsis, the major difference that lies in the performance capability of Dart and Kotlin is that Flutter’s Dart typically offers more predictable UI performance across platforms, and on the other hand, Kotlin excels in CPU-intensive tasks where native access and JVM optimizations are beneficial.

Asynchronous Programming Models

Asynchronous programming is a fundamental requirement in modern applications. This is majorly because of the fact that it leads to effective task management without blocking the main thread. Dart and Kotlin both offer sturdy and reliable asynchronous programming models that cater to different development requirements.

• Dart: Dart utilizes the Future class, along with async and await keywords to manage asynchronous tasks. The language has an event-driven model which is suitable for UI-centric applications like Flutter, where tasks like fetching data, file I/O, and animations are common. Dart also includes a feature called the Stream API, which enables continuous data handling. This feature makes it perfect for handling real-time events and user interactions smoothly in a reliable manner.
• Kotlin: Kotlin has a coroutine model which was introduced as part of its standard library. It offers a more flexible and resilient approach to concurrency. Coroutines in Kotlin are lightweight threads that stop, pause, or suspend and resume effectively, thereby avoiding any extra resource cost that is usually associated with traditional threads. Coroutines also lead to the simplification of asynchronous programming by making code appear sequential. This enhances readability and also causes a reduction in callback complexity. Kotlin’s Flow API takes it all a step further with asynchronous handling by managing data streams, facilitating real-time updates, and reactive programming.

Developers can choose either based on the usage; Dart’s model provides simplicity that is suitable for mobile UI development, while Kotlin’s coroutines provide granular control and efficiency for complex concurrent operations.

Framework Compatibility (Flutter vs KMM)

Dart and Kotlin each have flagship frameworks that are customized for their strengths in cross-platform development: Flutter for Dart and Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) for Kotlin.

• Flutter (Dart): Flutter allows developers to create applications with a single codebase across various devices like mobile, web, and desktop. Its widget-based architecture and “write once, run anywhere” approach make it a lucrative option for teams looking for a unified design and logic across platforms. Flutter also has a hot-reload feature that amplifies development, thus providing immediate feedback on code changes. Also, its flexibility is an added benefit as it supports various UI designs that achieve near-native performance.
• Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM): KMM’s primary focus is on code sharing primarily between Android and iOS. Unlike Flutter, KMM does not provide a unified UI layer; instead, it allows code sharing for business logic. Thus, the code is written once and reused on both platforms. This methodology enables developers to make use of native UI frameworks, providing a fully native experience customized for platform conventions. KMM’s flexible approach also facilitates gradual migration to cross-platform code, thus making it more convenient for existing Android and iOS teams to integrate Kotlin into their projects without causing any disruption in native development.

Flutter gives priority to a coherent UI experience across platforms. On the other hand, KMM gives emphasis to native integration and performance, thus enabling developers to adopt cross-platform code wherever it deems fit. 

Testing and CI/CD Integrations

Testing and continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) processes are pre-requisite for proper maintenance of application quality and to ensure smooth deployment cycles. Both Dart and Kotlin provide tools and frameworks to support these processes.

• Dart: Dart offers strong testing tools, including support for unit, widget, and integration testing. Flutter’s enhanced testing capacity allows developers to create widget tests, which are particularly beneficial for UI testing in cross-platform apps. Furthermore, Flutter integrates well with CI/CD platforms like GitHub Actions, Bitrise, and Codemagic, enabling automated testing and deployment pipelines for swift replication and deployment.
• Kotlin: Kotlin’s robust connection with the Android ecosystem means that it benefits from mature testing tools that are readily available in the Android framework. Unit testing, UI testing (with Espresso), and integration testing can all be performed using Android’s tools. For projects using KMM, since shared tools would be used; they can also be tested independently, while platform-specific code can utilize native test frameworks. Kotlin’s compatibility with popular CI/CD services, including Jenkins, CircleCI, and GitLab CI, ensures that automated builds and testing workflows are effective, reliable, and offer seamless functionality.

Both languages provide extensive testing frameworks. To summarize; Flutter’s widget tests offer add-on value for cross-platform UI testing, while Kotlin’s CI/CD compatibility supports more complex workflows, particularly in environments that are specifically Android-centric.

Kotlin vs Dart: Usage

When it comes to the usage of Kotlin and Dart, both languages are versatile and can be used for various app development projects. 

Kotlin is primarily used for Android app development, and it has been adopted by Google as a preferred language for Android app development since 2017. 

Since Kotlin is compatible with Java, it can also be used for server-side development and web development. Kotlin’s interoperability with Java makes it easy for developers to use existing Java libraries and frameworks in their Kotlin projects, which further enhances its usage in server-side development. Kotlin is also compatible with JavaScript, which allows developers to use it for front-end web development.

On the other hand, Dart was initially designed for web development, but it has also gained popularity for app development, especially with the advent of Flutter. Flutter is a UI toolkit developed by Google, which is built on top of Dart. Flutter allows developers to build high-performance, natively compiled mobile apps for iOS, Android, and the web using a single codebase.

Since Dart is the primary language used for Flutter, it has gained popularity among mobile app developers who want to build cross-platform apps. In addition to Flutter, Dart can also be used for web development with the help of the Dart SDK and frameworks such as AngularDart and Aqueduct.

Also, read – Unleash the power of Dart’s extension methods in Flutter to boost productivity

In summary, while Kotlin is primarily used for Android app development, it can also be used for server-side and web development. On the other hand, Dart is primarily used for web development and app development with the help of Flutter. 

The usage of these languages depends on the specific needs and requirements of the project, and both languages offer excellent options for developers.

Dart vs Kotlin: Popularity & future

Dart and Kotlin are both popular programming languages, but Kotlin is more popular than Dart. This is evident in the annual GitHub Octoverse report, where Kotlin is ranked as the 9th fastest-growing language. Kotlin has been growing in popularity since its release in 2011, and it is expected to continue growing in the future. 

Dart’s popularity, on the other hand, has been growing steadily thanks to the success of Flutter. Flutter’s popularity has been rapidly growing due to its ease of use, fast development cycle, and its ability to create beautiful and responsive user interfaces. It is expected that this growth of Flutter will continue to drive the growth of Dart in the future.

It has also gained popularity for its hot reload feature, which allows developers to make changes to their code and see the results instantly, making the development process faster and more efficient.

The future of both Kotlin and Dart looks bright. Kotlin is expected to continue growing in popularity, especially with the rise of Android app development. 

As more developers switch to Kotlin, it is expected to become even more popular in the coming years. Dart’s future looks promising, thanks to the growing popularity of Flutter. 

As more developers adopt Flutter, Dart is expected to gain even more traction in the coming years. With the rise of cross-platform app development, both Kotlin and Dart are expected to become even more important in the future. They both offer a modern, efficient, and easy-to-use platform for developers to build high-quality apps.

Also, read – Flutter Vs. React Native: Which One to Consider

Dart vs Kotlin: Which one is better? The final verdict

In conclusion, Kotlin and Dart are both excellent programming languages that have their unique advantages and disadvantages. These modern languages assist developers in creating high-quality applications quickly and efficiently. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each language and assess the project’s requirements to make an informed decision basis the specific requirements of the project and select the language that best fits those needs.

If you’re looking to hire developers for your next project involving cross-platform apps, our expert Flutter development services can help bring your project to life. Contact us today to learn more.