The debate of Native vs React Native mobile app development is on since the day online presence on iOS and Android platforms had become a necessity for businesses. While some businesses are opting for a Native app development approach, others are switching to cross-platform app development frameworks like React Native to thrive on multiple platforms. If you’re not able to decide whether to go with the Native or React Native app development approach, this article is going to be helpful for you.
In this article, we will discuss which one is the best choice for earning a higher return on investments from your application.
Comparing Native Vs React Native Mobile App Development
Key Factors to Consider for Native & React Native App Development
Here are the key factors to consider when choosing between Native vs React Native mobile app development approach.
1. App Development Time
The first thing to consider when comparing Native vs React Native mobile app development is the time taken to build an app. In Native application development, the code is written separately for iOS and Android due to their technical variations. So, you need to hire Android developers as well as iOS app developers to build your app for both platforms.
Moreover, you need to create and run the entire project every time a change is made in the code. This takes additional effort and time for mobile app development.
In React Native mobile app development approach, a single code is written and used for both Android and iOS platforms. Besides, the hot reloading feature of React makes it easier to deploy the project without rebuilding it whenever a change is made. This reduces the development time and effort required for React Native app development.
So, if you’re looking to build a cross-platform application within the shortest timeframe, it is wise to hire React Native developers for your project.
2. App Development Cost
Knowing the overall mobile application development cost also helps you to pick the right framework for your project needs. Leading mobile app development companies have reported that React Native can lower the development cost by 30%-35% compared to Native application development for the same project.
So, if the cost of app development is your reason for selection, then it’s best to hire React Native developers.
3. UI/UX Experience
Another factor that can help you decide between Native vs React Native mobile app development is UI/UX experience.
Even though React Native helps developers to reuse the functionality code and write platform-specific code, creating an advanced and complex user interface such as navigation patterns, custom views, seamless transitions and animations, and so on is a challenging task with React Native
Also, with React Native app development, it becomes difficult to meet the UI/UX standards of both iOS and Android platforms.
On the other hand, in Native app development, every app screen is designed specifically for both iOS and Android devices, which ensures a higher mobile app UI/UX experience.
So, when comparing Native vs React Native mobile app development in terms of the mobile app experience, the former wins the battle.
4. Scalability
Unlike Native technology, React Native offers app developers numerous opportunities for processing plenty of work in a mobile app and launching higher-functionality updates. So, in the Native vs React Native app development battle, React Native is the clear winner when it comes to scalability.
5. Performance
React Native technology works with JavaScript which functions with a single dedicated device thread. Thus, it is unable to perform multiple asynchronous activities at a given time. Also, the framework does not support numerous trending functionalities and modules. Hence, it is incompatible to embrace native device features, advanced technologies, and perform complicated manipulations.
Native mobile apps are built using Java, Kotlin, or Swift which is comparatively better than JavaScript to work on complex features, perform heavy calculations, and integrate advanced devices. This helps app developers to craft any type of mobile app easily using Native app development technologies.
So, in this case, Native is the winner of the Native vs React Native mobile app development debate.
6. Programming Language
Java, Kotlin, and Swift are the Native programming language for Android and iOS platforms. These are considered as strict-types and OOPs-focused languages. They come with proper documentation and a set of rules and regulations which makes them easier to learn, even though it takes time to become comfortable with them.
JavaScript, on the other hand, has an easy learning curve. However, it comes with various loopholes and flaws along with poor documentation. As a result, React Native app developers find it difficult to learn the language full-fledged.
So, our winner of this battle is Native app development.
7. Long-Term App Scope
Another factor to consider before you hire React Native developers or Native app developers is long-term app scope.
Since Native technologies receive support from Google and Apple, they easily get the required tools to implement any functionality, fix errors, and release updates without harming app usability.
On the contrary, React Native does not give priority to updates. The tools and updates are not released in sync with that of Google and Apple, making it important to create and launch future updates.
Moreover, the surety of how long the support continues is undefined, which keeps developers in doubt whether they should choose React Native for a long-term app process or not.
8. Interaction with Native Apps
This is another factor to consider when deciding between Native vs React Native mobile app development approach.
A Native app can easily communicate with other native apps and gain access to their data for delivering a seamless experience.
React Native apps, on the other side; depend on third-party libraries to interact with other native apps, which reduces the possibility of data access. So, if your app needs continuous interaction with other native apps, then it is wise to go with the Native app development approach.
9. Support for APIs and Third-party Libraries
While Native technologies can use all types of APIs directly, React Native cannot.
React Native applications can make use of just a few APIs in their development processes. To implement complex APIs, you need to establish a connection layer with the help of Native app development technologies.
Hence, Native app development will be your best decision if you need to add numerous APIs.
10. Support for Native Modules
React Native is capable of handling ample cross-platform use cases, however, it lacks the essential APIs to encompass all the native mobile features. To use those inaccessible APIs, React Native depends on the idea of adding native module support. Therefore, a React Native app development company must know how to code in both native languages.
However, there is no limitation in the case of the Native app development approach. Thus, Native application development is a better choice than React Native app development.
11. App Security
React Native is based on JavaScript which is not a strictly-typed and OOPs-based language like Native app development languages like Java, Kotlin, Swift, and Objective-C. As React Native
uses several third-party libraries and APIs, it becomes difficult to identify errors and loopholes in the app development process. This makes React Native less secure than Native technologies.
12. App Maintenance
Maintaining a native mobile app is a tedious and time-consuming process. Developers need to pay attention to bugs on both Native platforms and fix them separately. However, with React Native app development, the bug can be resolved at one platform, unless native app support is concerned.
So, here are the major factors you need to consider when picking the right technology for your dream project. Now, let’s understand when you should opt for Native app development and when should you go with React Native app development.
When Should You Choose Native App Development?
It’s wise to go with Native app development if:
Why Should You Choose React Native Mobile App Development?
It is best to hire React Native developers if:
Final Thought
As a well-established ReactJS development company, we have used React Native to build robust native-like applications for our global clients. It is easier for us to turn a business idea into a fully-functional MVP and launch it on both the Android and iOS markets simultaneously. React Native app development helps us save a lot of time, effort, and resources.
If you’re looking to launch your business app within a shorter time duration, then it is good to hire React Native developers. However, if you’re seeking high performance, better security, and enhanced UI/UX for your mobile app, then you should go with Native application development.
Get in touch with us today to discuss your requirements if you want to target both platforms with a React Native application.
FAQs
Q.1. Is a React Native app slower than a Native app?
Ans. No, React Native apps are not slower than Native applications.
Q.2. Is React Native hybrid or native?
Ans. React Native technology is neither hybrid nor native. It is a cross-platform app development framework that helps in developing apps that run on both iOS and Android mobile platforms.
Have More Questions? Please Feel Free to Ask Our ReactJS Experts.