In the digital era, the demand for mobile apps keeps growing over the years. The market size of mobile app development was USD 197.2 billion in 2021. However, it is likely to reach USD 583.03 billion by the year 2030.
When it comes to mobile app development, there is always a dilemma among developers about whether to choose React Native or Native apps. While React Native is popular for its faster development time and cross-platform abilities, Native app development guarantees optimal performance.
So, it becomes quite tough to choose between the two. Still, thinking which one to go with? Read on to explore everything about React Native and Native apps and make the right selection for mobile app development. Let’s dive in!
What is React Native?
React Native is a popular framework built by Facebook. It makes use of React, the top-rated web library, and makes mobile app development simple and easy.
The framework enables developers to conveniently write codes in JavaScript and leverage native OS views. As a result, you can expect a seamless user experience.
Moreover, React Native leverages native components for the generation of user interfaces. It offers the mobile apps the look and feel of a regular native app. Moreover, it can provide developers with greater flexibility.
Benefits of React Native App Development
React Native has gained a lot of popularity in recent times. Delve into the prominent benefits of using React Native for mobile app development.
- Cross-Platform Compatibility
Imagine a situation in which you have to write the codes just once and use them across different platforms. Isn’t it amazing? Indeed, it is!
It will not only simplify the tasks of the developers but also enable them to save a great deal of time. That is where React Native development comes into the picture.
The cross-platform compatibility of the framework helps bring down the development time and overall costs. It ensures uniformity of the application across multiple platforms and devices. Moreover, it enhances the overall experience of the users.
- Quicker Time-to-Market
In this competitive era, you need to launch your apps faster to stay ahead of the curve and boost your revenues. Using React Native for mobile app development can make it possible.
Wondering how? It allows the reusing and sharing of most of the codes between Android and iOS.
As developers are able to reuse the same code, it speeds up the development process and enables you to launch apps in the market before your rivals. Moreover, maintaining the codes and apps also becomes easier.
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- Live Reloading and Hot Reloading
Live reloading and hot reloading features are available in React Native. It simplifies the coding process and enables the developers to view the changes in real-time. So, there isn’t any need to reload the entire app.
Moreover, it also allows the developers to selectively reload specific parts of the codebase. As a result, it helps save a lot of time spent on compilations. Eventually, it can boost productivity significantly.
- Growing Community
React is one of the most in-demand programming tools. Therefore, the community of React Native keeps expanding. So, when you come across any issues while developing mobile apps, the developers in the community can offer the necessary solutions and fix your problems faster.
Cons of React Native
No doubt, there are plenty of benefits of leveraging React Native. However, there are certain cons too. Take a look at the common drawbacks of React Native for app development.
- Troubleshooting and Debugging
React Native is still in a young stage. So, there is a chance of coming across issues that you haven’t seen before. Resolving such problems can be a little challenging and time-consuming.
- Platform-wise User Interface Adjustments
In terms of design guidelines, React Native depends on operating systems. However, a point to note here is that Android and iOS do not behave in the same manner. So, in case the design is too complex, it may be counterproductive to deploy the app in React Native.
What is Native App Development?
Now that you have a basic idea about React Native, it is time to explore Native app development. Native app development consists of a platform-specific framework. It allows developers to code apps in a specific programming language used for either Android or iOS.
These apps make use of device-specific software and hardware. As a result, it increases the time of developing apps that can run on different platforms.
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Benefits of Native App
Wondering why you should use a Native app for mobile app development? Read on to explore the benefits!
- Better User Experience
If delivering exceptional user experience is your top priority, it is best to opt for Native app development. Natively developed apps adhere to the unique UI standards of individual platforms, be it iOS or Android.
As a result, you can be rest assured of unmatched user experience. Moreover, it makes the apps easy to use and intuitive for users.
- Superior Performance
Native apps leverage native APIs and programming languages. They can easily outperform the React Native counterparts in terms of performance and speed.
They can directly gain access to the device hardware without the need for any additional bridges or layers. As a result, you can expect faster response time.
- Access to New Features
Developers can gain access to the latest features of iOS or Android, even before it is made available to the public. The addition of new features can increase the attractiveness of mobile apps. Moreover, it can provide you with a competitive edge in the market.
- Better Control Over Codes
Native app development enables you to write lower-level codes. It offers developers better control over the environment. Moreover, it makes code easier to analyze, debug, and troubleshoot.
The software version may differ. However, the core rules will remain the same. So, developers do not have to think about compatibility beyond their operating system.
Cons of Native App Development
Native app development provides several benefits. However, there are certain cons you must know about.
- Time-Consuming
In Native app development, you need to write codes for iOS and Android individually. That means you are developing two products simultaneously. As a result, developing mobile apps can be quite time-consuming.
Moreover, the problems are likely to be different for each platform. So, fixing the issues might require even more time.
- High Cost of Development
Developing two native apps for separate operating systems requires a higher budget. When you want to build two apps, you will have two separate teams of developers. It can ultimately increase your overall development costs.
Factors to Consider When Selecting Between React Native and Native App
Choosing between React Native and a Native app can be confusing. To make the right choice, you need to factor in a few aspects listed below.
- UX/ UI Experience
React Native enables developers to write platform-specific codes separately and reuse codes. However, developing a complex user interface can be a little challenging. Also, matching the UI/ UX standards of iOS and Android platforms can be difficult.
But that is not the case in the case of Native app development. Each and every screen is designed for iOS and Android devices. So, you can expect a better user experience of the mobile apps.
- Performance
Performance is indeed one of the top deciding factors between Native apps and React Native. React Native relies on JavaScript that works using only one dedicated device thread. However, it is not capable of performing several asynchronous tasks at once.
Also, the framework is not supportive of various trending functionalities and modules. Therefore, React Native is unable to embrace cutting-edge technologies and features and perform different complex manipulations.
On the other hand, Native apps make use of Kotlin, Java, or Swift. All of these are considered to be better than JavaScript. So, making heavy calculations, working on advanced features, and integrating modern hardware devices becomes simple with Native apps.
- Development Time
The next factor you need to consider is the time of developing the mobile apps. In the case of Native apps, individual codes need to be written for iOS and Android platforms. It can significantly increase the development time. Moreover, if you want to make any changes to the codes, you will have to develop and run the entire project.
On the other hand, developers need to write a single code for both the platforms in case of React Native. That means you can reuse the same codes for developing mobile for different platforms. As a result, it lowers the development time significantly and allows you to launch the app faster in the market. Also, the hot reloading feature makes deployment of the project easier.
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- Scalability
React Native offers developers more opportunities to process a higher amount of work than Native apps. Moreover, launching high-functionality updates is simple and easy. So, if scalability is your top priority, it is always best to opt for React Native app development.
- Programming Language
The programming languages of Native app for Android and iOS are Java, Swift, and Kotlin. All these are known to be OOPs-oriented and strict-typed languages. These programming languages come with proper documentation and are easy to learn.
On the other hand, the programming language of React Native is JavaScript. Even though it may appear easy to learn, there are certain loopholes and flaws in the language. Moreover, poor documentation is an issue. So, it becomes a little challenging for the developers to learn and use the programming language.
- Third-Party Libraries and API Support
In terms of API accessibility, Native apps allow you to access all types of APIs in a hassle-free manner. However, that is not possible in the case of React Native app development.
React Native allows the developers to integrate only a few APIs in the development process. If you want to implement complex APIs, you will have to develop a connection layer with the help of Native technologies. Therefore, for third-party libraries and API support, Native apps prove to be a better choice.
- Development Cost
Mobile app development cost is another crucial factor that you cannot overlook. Developing mobile apps with React Native can lower your overall costs by nearly 30 to 35 percent compared to Native apps. Therefore, in terms of cost, React Native is an ideal choice.
Top Situations to Select React Native
React Native proves to be the apt choice for mobile app development when:
- You want to develop a uniform and simple app.
- Your budget for mobile app development is low.
- You want to quickly launch your mobile app and enter the market faster.
- You wish to launch the mobile apps on cross-platforms.
- Your mobile app will not require a large number of integrations.
- You have plans to build an eCommerce app.
- You want to develop a social media app like Instagram or Facebook.
- You want to add Facebook ads to your mobile app.
Prominent Situations to Select Native App Development
Wondering when to choose Native app development? It is an ideal choice when:
- You want to build a complex mobile app.
- The user experience of the app is your main focus.
- You plan to launch a regular update.
- You want to build a mobile app for an individual platform.
- You wish to develop an IoT-based mobile app.
- You do not have any plans of relying on Facebook.
- You want to develop a mobile app that heavily relies on native device features.
- You plan to build a utility app.
Conclusion
By now, you must have a comprehensive idea about the pros and cons of using React Native and Native app technology for mobile app development. No doubt, both frameworks can offer plenty of benefits. However, the right choice will depend on your unique app development needs. The future of react native is bright and promising for app developers and set to be influenced by new technologies. After taking everything into consideration, you can hire a react native app developer to help your next software project succeed!
Using React Native can offer several benefits like cross-platform compatibility, broad community support, faster development time, and a hot reloading feature. On the other hand, the pros of leveraging Native app development are superior performance, better user experience, and access to new features. Make sure to evaluate and compare the pros and cons of both frameworks and select the right option.