GanttSync vs. TeamGantt: Why Flutter Developers shouldn't use Web-Based SaaS
When choosing a Gantt chart solution for your Flutter application, the architectural difference is critical. You are typically choosing between a Native Widget (GanttSync) and a Web-View Wrapper (TeamGantt/SaaS tools).
This distinction isn't just academic—it affects performance, user experience, and your ability to ship a premium product.
1. The "Native" Performance Gap
The "Web Port" Penalty
TeamGantt and similar SaaS tools are designed for the desktop browser. When "embedded" into a mobile app or a Flutter view, they rely on WebViews (Mini-Browsers). This introduces significant overhead:
- Heavy DOM manipulation: Browser layouts are slow compared to Flutter's Skia rendering engine.
- Input Lag: Touch events have to pass through the bridge to the WebView, causing noticeable delay.
- INP Penalty: Google’s Interaction to Next Paint (INP) metric penalizes sluggish interfaces.
The GanttSync Advantage
GanttSync is 100% Native Dart.
- 120 FPS Rendering: Utilizing Flutter's Impeller/Skia engine for buttery smooth scrolling.
- Instant Touch Response: No bridges, no lag.
- Zero Browser Bloat: Your app size stays small.
2. The "Sovereign" vs. "SaaS" Advantage
Data Sovereignty
TeamGantt requires you to store your project data on their servers. This is a dealbreaker for many enterprise applications with strict data privacy requirements.
GanttSync offers true Data Sovereignty:
- Self-Hosted: Run the synchronization engine in your own cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) or on-premise.
- Air-Gapped Ready: Our single-binary architecture works perfectly in environments with no external internet access.
- Enterprise Security: You own the keys, the database, and the network.
Offline-First Architecture
SaaS tools generally rely on a "stable internet connection" to function reliably. They might offer basic "sync on reconnect," but often fail with massive conflicts if multiple users edit offline.
GanttSync uses a CRDT (Conflict-free Replicated Data Type) Engine:
- Hybrid Logical Clocks (HLCs): We track causality, not just wall-clock time, ensuring perfect merging of offline edits.
- Mathematically Proven Convergence: Your data will always sync correctly, no matter how long a user has been offline.
3. Disruping the "Pro" Paywall
The SaaS Model
Competitors like TeamGantt monetize by feature-gating. You pay extra for:
- Dependencies
- Timelines
- Resource Views
- Critical Path Analysis
The FOSS Application Model
We believe the UI should be free.
- Open Source Widget: The UI components (
legacy_gantt_chart&legacy_pert_chart) are MIT licensed. - Free Features: Dependencies, filtering, sorting, and critical path math are all included in the free client libraries.
- Monetize the Engine: We only charge for the Enterprise Synchronization Engine that powers real-time collaboration.
Technical Comparison
| Feature | GanttSync Ecosystem | TeamGantt / SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Rendering Engine | ⚡ Native Flutter (Skia/Impeller) | 🐢 HTML/DOM (WebView) |
| Frame Rate | ✅ 120 FPS | ❌ ~30-60 FPS (varies) |
| Offline Sync | ✅ Native CRDT Engine | ⚠️ Limited / "Sync on reconnect" |
| Deployment | ✅ Self-Hosted / Air-Gapped | ❌ SaaS Cloud Only |
| Cost Model | ✅ Free UI, Pay for Sync | ❌ Pay per user / "Pro" features |
| PERT/Network | ✅ Included (FOSS) | ❌ High-Tier Enterprise Only |
Ready to build Native?
Don't compromise your user experience with a web wrapper. Build with the engine designed for Flutter.