React Native vs. Native App Development: Which Is Right for Your Project?

Since the necessity of having a presence on both Android and iOS platforms, the debate between React Native and Native app development has escalated. Some users have stuck to the traditional Native app development approach, while others have explored the potential of the cross-platform framework, React Native.

If you find yourself unsure of which approach to take, this article will be informative for you. It will explore which option is the best choice for maximizing the return on investment for your app development efforts.

Contemplating Between React Native and Native: Key Considerations for Choosing the Suitable Mobile App Development Methodology

1. Development Time

One crucial aspect to weigh in the React Native vs Native debate is the need to write separate code for Android and iOS platforms in the latter approach due to their technical differences. This requires the assignment of distinct Android and iOS development teams to make your app available on both platforms, as well as building and running the entire project whenever a code change is made. This can consume extra time and effort during the app development process.

On the other hand, with React Native, a single code can be written by the same developers for both Android and iOS platforms. This means you can build React Native apps for both platforms using the same code. Additionally, the concept of hot reloading enables the deployment of the project without rebuilding it every time, which reduces the time and effort required for React Native app development.

Therefore, if you are seeking a cost-effective and quicker entry into the mobile market while targeting both platforms, React Native might be the right choice for you.

2. Mobile App Cost

The cost of mobile app development can also help you choose the right technology for your needs. According to top mobile app development companies, React Native development can reduce costs by 30% to 35% compared to Native app development for the same project. If cost is the primary consideration, React Native is the best option.

3. UI/UX Experience

UI/UX experience is another factor that can help determine whether React Native or Native is better. While React Native allows developers to reuse functionality code and write platform-specific code separately, creating a complex user interface with custom views, navigation patterns, seamless transitions, and animations is more challenging with React Native app development. It is also difficult to match the UI/UX standards of both Android and iOS platforms with React Native. In Native app development, each screen is designed individually for both Android and iOS devices, resulting in a higher mobile app UI/UX experience. In terms of exceptional mobile app experience, Native is the winner in the React Native vs Native app development comparison.

4. Scalability

Compared to Native technology, React Native offers mobile app developers a wider range of opportunities to process a higher amount of work in an application and launch higher-functionality updates. Therefore, in terms of scalability, React Native is the winner of the Native app vs React Native app development comparison.

5. Performance

App performance is another factor to consider when comparing Native vs React Native app development. React Native uses JavaScript, which only works with a single dedicated device thread and cannot perform multiple asynchronous tasks simultaneously. Additionally, the framework does not support many trending modules and functionalities, making it difficult to embrace native device features, cutting-edge technologies, and perform complex manipulations. On the other hand, Native apps are developed using Swift, Java, or Kotlin, which are far superior to JavaScript in working on advanced features, making heavy calculations, and integrating advanced hardware devices. This makes it easier for mobile app developers to create any type of application using Native technologies. In the battle of React Native vs Native app performance, Native emerges as the winner.

6. Programming Language

The Native programming languages for Android and iOS, such as Kotlin, Java, and Swift, are considered strict-typed and object-oriented languages. They are easy to learn with proper documentation and a set of rules and regulations, even though it takes time to get comfortable with them. On the other hand, JavaScript seems easier to learn but has various flaws, loopholes, and poor documentation, making it troublesome for React Native app developers to learn the language completely. Once again, the winner of the comparison between Native and React Native is the former.

7. Long-Term App Scope

When deciding whether to use Native or React Native for app development, it is essential to consider long-term scope. Native platforms, supported by Google and Apple, quickly receive the tools to implement any functionality, Native platforms can easily resolve errors and release updates without impacting the app's usability, thanks to the support provided by Google and Apple. In contrast, React Native does not prioritize updates and its tools and updates are not always synchronized with those of Apple and Google. This can make it difficult to build and launch future updates, and raises concerns about the long-term viability of React Native for app development.

8. Interactivity with Native Apps

The ability to interact with other native apps is a crucial factor to consider when comparing React Native and native development approaches. Native mobile apps can interact with other native apps and access their data seamlessly, providing a superior user experience. However, React Native apps rely on third-party libraries to communicate with other native apps, resulting in limited data access. This makes React Native a secondary option for mobile app development when continuous interaction with other native mobile apps is necessary.

9. API and Third Party Libraries Support

Support for API and third-party libraries. Native app development frameworks can directly use all types of APIs, while React Native technology cannot. React Native apps can only use a limited number of APIs and require building a connection layer using Native technologies for implementing complex APIs. This makes Native a better choice over React Native when you need to add multiple APIs.

10. Support for Native Modules

React Native can handle many cross-platform use cases, but it lacks the necessary APIs to cover all native mobile features. To access those APIs that are inaccessible, React Native depends on the idea of adding native module support, which requires the React Native app development company you hire to have knowledge of coding in both native languages.
However, this is not a constraint in developing a native mobile app for Android or iOS devices, indicating that native app development is again a better choice in the native apps vs react native comparison.

11. App Security

The React Native framework is based on JavaScript, which is not a strongly typed and Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs) language like the native app development languages, such as Java and Kotlin (for Android) and Objective-C and Swift (for iOS). Additionally, several third-party libraries and APIs are used in React Native, making it difficult to identify errors and vulnerabilities in the development process. As a result, React Native is less secure than native app development technologies.

12. App Maintenance

App maintenance is a tedious and time-consuming task in native app development since you must pay attention to bugs on both the native platform and resolve them individually. In contrast, when it comes to React Native for mobile app development, resolving bugs on one platform is sufficient unless native app support is required.

Although we have covered various deciding factors, let's summarize the entire criteria to make it easier for you to choose the right technology for your next app project:

When to Choose Native Mobile App Development:

• If you are developing a complex app, especially a messenger app.
• If you plan to launch regular updates.
• If you prioritize native user experience.
• If you are building a utility app that relies on native device features, such as a brightness controller or a video player.
• If you are creating an IoT-based app.
• If you are developing for a single platform.
  
  
  

When to Choose React Native for Mobile App Development:

• If you are building a simple and consistent app.
• If you want to launch the app on multiple platforms.
• If you have a limited budget for development.
• If you want to enter the market quickly.
• If you are creating a social media app like Facebook or Instagram.
• If you plan to use Facebook ads in your app.
• If you are developing an e-commerce app.

Why is React Native a Better Option for Startups

Startups face numerous challenges in the mobile app development scenario, and React Native can be a viable solution to address them. Let's explore the problems startups face and how React Native can help them:

1. No Target Audience

As a new entrant in the market, startups often struggle to identify their target audience and which platform to target for better ROI. React Native can solve this problem by enabling startups to target both Android and iOS platforms simultaneously.

2. Higher Efforts

Startups with limited technical expertise may find it challenging to hire two different teams to develop an app for both Android and iOS platforms. React Native eliminates the need for two different teams, making it easier for startups to focus on other critical aspects.

3. Limited Funds

Compared to native app development, React Native app development is cost-effective. Startups can enter the mobile industry without worrying about the budget constraints.

4. Launching Dilemma

With rising competition in the market, startups often face a dilemma about when and how to launch a mobile app on Android and iOS platforms to generate higher ROI. React Native can help startups launch a mobile app on both platforms quickly.

React Native provides startups with solutions to overcome various challenges. However, if you are still unsure about whether to choose React Native, reviewing the following use cases might assist you.

Our Experience With React Native So Far

Thus far, our experience with React Native has been remarkable. It has enabled us to offer a new dimension of services to our clients while keeping resources, cost, and time at a minimum. This technology has also allowed us to expand our services to a wider market, particularly for startups, and establish ourselves as a prominent React Native app development company worldwide.

React Native has simplified the process of converting an idea into an MVP and launching it on both Android and iOS platforms simultaneously without having to assign two separate teams to the project. This has streamlined the communication and availability of resources, resulting in more efficient app delivery. Additionally, we've found it much simpler to push out new app updates without the need for lengthy App Store or Google Play Store submissions, further contributing to our workload.