In this current era there are a huge amount of programming language choices available for developers to choose and build mobile apps. Traditionally mobile apps has built in native languages. More recently, hybrid/cross-platform frameworks have gained market share. With the React Native being used by few companies to build mobile apps with like Facebook, Instagram, Uber, Skype, Pinterest, Wix, Bloomberg etc. This raises the question of whether mobile app developers should use React Native for mobile app development instead of using native scripting like Java or Swift.
Before getting into the conclusion, let us understand about React Native & Native scripting pros and cons for mobile app development.
What is React Native?
This is the most popular UI framework for developing cross-platform mobile apps. It is a JavaScript-based library, which makes it easier to work with reusable components that provide native mobile components and real-time updates.
This framework allows you to use the same code for both Android and iOS apps and also enables you to export your app for different platforms like Android or IOS. It is also provides a plugin system that allows developers to easily integrate third-party libraries into their app with minimum effort.
What is Native?
Native apps only work on the operating system they are developed for, so you have to develop the same application twice, each time targeting both iOS users and the Android users.
Native development generally refers to developing separate applications for different platform using native technologies, such as Objective-C and Swift for iOS, or Java and Kotlin for Android
The decision between react native app development and native app development depends on many factors like features, functionality, budget, time frame, business needs, etc.
Pros and Cons of React Native and Native
There are some advantages to choose to build your app with native or React Native but in some cases the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. Let’s look at both.
Pros of React Native
Cross-platform
React Native runs on both iOS and Android. So you can target both platforms with a single development team and single code base. This means the logistics associated with planning, development, testing and deployment are simpler. This typically reduces time and cost to market compared to native solutions. This is one of the main advantages of this technology.
Supports Hot Reloading
It supports both hot reload and live reload. So developers can quickly see and test changes as they are made. Being able to do this without manually reloading the app and losing its current state is a huge productivity boost during development. Implementing hot reload in React has distinct advantages over the development and debugging workflows in native IDEs.
Best Suitability for For Front-end Developers
React native developers should be aware that most of the code is written in JavaScript. It is much easier for front-end developers used to building web applications. After handing off the React Native, each front-end developer only needs to familiarize themselves with the platform API, React.js, some native UI elements, and all platform-specific design concepts.
Development Cost and Time
React Native provides ready-to-use components and hot reloading can easily speed up the development process. This helps in reduced development time and costs.
UI Experience
React Native uses declarative programming rather than implementing the set of actions required for native development, making it easier for users to spot errors in the paths they can take in their app. This means you can troubleshoot faster.
Cons of React Native
Not appropriate for Complex UI elements
Some mobile app components cannot be written in JavaScript, making it more difficult to create complex UI using React Native. In this case, the team also needs someone with native development experience in iOS and Android.
Lack of custom modules
React Native already has a lot of components, and more and more are being released, but you may still not be able to find the right custom module for your need. In these situations, it’s up to you to build a solution from scratch or adapt an existing solution to your specific needs. Both options guarantee a deeper understanding of React native development beyond pure JavaScript knowledge.
Pros of Native
Uses in Offline
Native apps can be used offline with little interruption. You obviously can’t update data while trapped in the tunnel, but you can open the app and access previously loaded data. Any data you create offline will be saved on your device and sent to the server when your internet connection is restored.
Superior performance
Native apps are native to the platform which they designed for, so apps run much faster and more powerful than other apps. Many things are pre-installed and the native app has direct access to the device’s software & hardware.
Native apps have an easy look and experience
All native apps on a given platform integrate the framework of the platform and therefore have a familiar look & experience. This doesn’t mean that all native apps are alike, but they do share a similar natural flow that makes it easier for users to work with them.
Cons of Native
Time
Developing a Native app takes a lot of time. Because many elements have to be coded from scratch. React Native, on the other hand, offers many reusable components to speed up the development process.
Two Platforms, Two Different Codes
When creating Android & iOS Native applications, you have to write and work with two different source codes written in different languages and different frameworks, increasing development time it takes and resource cost.
Two platforms, two development teams
Both code work in different programming languages, so you’ll likely have two separate teams/developers working on the app. Not only is this much more costly, but it requires constant communication between both teams and can be very difficult at times.
Native or React Native: What to choose?
Consider several scenarios when you choose one of the mobile development platforms.
If you are developing demanding mobile applications, games or highly rich UI apps, you may prefer native mobile app development. It requires a lot of complex coding slots like Telegram. It is also used to initiate periodic updates to existing applications.
Developers sometimes use native and focus on providing a unique user experience. It is used to develop applications for utilities, IoT, and mobile for specific platforms.
However, if you aim to create simple, consistent, cross-platform mobile applications, less graphic oriented, you can use React’s native app development. It is also very efficient to use if you have a tight budget and want to get your application to market as soon as possible.
Mobile App Developers preferred React Native Mobile app development.This helps in building social media apps such as Instagram and e-commerce applications. It also allows these applications to use advertising from multiple brands.
Get ready for the future with React Native!
React Native is a great mobile development framework that works across all platforms and operating systems. This is a popular framework for both organizations and developers. Moreover, React Native mobile app development framework not only saves time and cost, also speeds up the development process.
Native iOS and Android solutions are viable options. But cross-platform excels in terms of consistent user interface and high performance. What more do you want? Authorselvi, as a React Native App Development Company, helps you to build your product quickly and market it to a large audience. If you are looking to build a mobile app which has less animations, and doesn’t require rich UI’s then go with React Native Mobile App. You will save time, cost, maintenance will be easy and you will launch the app quickly.
