Choosing the Better : Native or React Native for Mobile App Development

Before you start looking for an app development company for your brand debut in mobile apps, consider what shall be the suitable tools, platforms, and framework for the app you’re aiming to develop.

The entire mobile app development firms it’s toes on majorly two pillars i.e. either iOS or Android, while some even consider Windows as an option. If you’re a startup, focus on the prior two initially, as the number of OS and iOS users rule the smartphone market.

Coming to the mobile app engineering, there are two basic strategies- either going for separate apps for both platforms which simplify to Native Apps or having a single app supportive in both platforms which are called Reactive Native Apps or Cross-Platform Apps in a layman’s language.

Simplifying Native Applications

Native Apps are platform specific, they require a set of tools. For Android development, the coding is needed to be done in Java using Android Studio as the development environment, while in case of iOS, the apps have Objective-c or Swift as the coding language along with Xcode as the environment.

• Strict Language – The languages used while coding both the platforms are strict, there is a lesser room for development errors.
• Time-Consuming – These applications require separate source codes and thus demand ample of time!
• API Access – In terms of API access, the functionality that the platform offers can be accessed through a native development environment. There isn’t any restrictions and dependencies other than the ones of the native environment.
• Third Party Libraries – Developing an app in the native environment has a benefit of the availability of multiple third-party libraries (reusable software components) to choose from. It has a lot of resources options which can improve development experience and the overall application performance.
• Safer for Long – Checking out the long-term aspects of native apps, having an app in a native environment is a safer option, even if there are updates or changes in their API’s and language, the developer will be provided with a port guide to ease the process.

Why is React Native Dominant?

React Native is a framework initially created by Facebook, “Ads Manager”, which was the first cross-platform app. Decoding the basics, React Native Apps are the ones with a single source code which can be shared amongst both the platforms iOS & OS. These applications are developed in JavaScript. The biggest benefit of developing react to native apps is, even after having a single source code, they do not compromise over the app UI & UX of whichever platform it may concern.

• Time-Saving – React Native Apps are quicker in action as the same code base can be applied to both platforms. You just need a single JavaScript developer, saving your app developer cost per hour.
• Open source – React Native is open source which makes it easy to inspect the code to simplify understanding of the framework, fixing the bugs and adding necessary features.
• Third Party Libraries – React Native apps have a lesser number of third-party libraries easily available. To use them, it should be written in native modules initially.
• Moderately Complex Applications – React Native can be the best choice for moderately complex applications that can provide ready-made functional components.
• Cost Saving – Developing a React Native App is great for cost-cutting as you would be needing JavaScript app developers only! While in the case of Native, specialized developers for each platform can increase your overall development cost.

Conclusion

Concluding the entire debate, both Native and React Native Apps have pros and cons. Both are reliable options, you can opt for any option basis your business’s requirements. If you have access to experienced and certified developers then the Native app can offer better development experience. However, if you have decided to develop on React Native then you must be aware of rapidly changing the React Native environment.

Still confused about choosing the right technology for your business, talk to our experts and get your project started today!

Choose the purposeful!