A React Native Developer's Comparative Look at Mobile Development Frameworks

React Native merges the unparalleled capabilities of native development with the flexibility and efficiency of the React library for creating UIs. When you are choosing React Native over others, you indeed give a thought to building high-performing apps with native user experience.

However, you may be thinking about how it is better than other frameworks. Let’s have a major discussion of it.

Tale Behind the Origin of React Native

So, you are here to get a clear validation of whether to choose React Native over other mobile development frameworks. In a multiple-choice scenario, where every option (here, it’s the choice of mobile development framework) seems the same, a React native developer seeks the best, particularly the one that fits project needs. After its release in 2015, the community of React Native has been growing strong. The reason for building such a dynamic mobile development framework is the poor user experience and low-graded performance of the HTML5-based Facebook website. Later, in 2012, the Facebook team considered building a native Facebook app.

In 2013, the team took the planning to action when Jordan Walke, an expert from the Facebook development team, brainstormed to create UI elements for iOS using Javascript. Considering the thought, the entire team made an exploration in the form of a hackathon, facilitating an investigation into the capabilities of JS. This collaborative effort brought React Native to existence. The framework was initially meant for iOS that allowed professional React Native developer to craft mobile apps. Later on, the team at Facebook realized its transformative potential and provided support for Android, leading to its open sourcing in 2015.

By 2019, they had solidified the framework’s reputation, ranking sixth with a base of over 9,100 active contributors.

Given the backing from both the developer community and major technology companies, it's no wonder that React Native has become a preferred framework in the industry. Over the last four years, according to Google Trends, search interest for React Native has exceeded that of both iOS and Android development.

However, you may be thinking about how it is better than other frameworks. Let’s have a major discussion of it.

Source: Google Trends

The trend indicates that the global search is inclined more toward cross-platform development than native development for Android and iOS platforms.

Now, as we are done with the narrative section on React Native, let's discuss the parameters to compare React Native with other frameworks.

Whether React Native Shines Based on Performance

Yes, it does.

Selecting React Native over WebView-based frameworks is its capacity to deliver a 60 frames-per-second performance, ensuring that your build looks and feels native. React Native strives to simplify development by managing performance optimization under the hood. Hence, the developer of React Native can concentrate on the build process.

Moreover, a React Native developer, unlike a traditional developer of native apps, quickly pushes updates to users' phones. They don’t have to focus much on the app store update cycle. This is facilitated by services like Microsoft's CodePush, which can be a game-changer in fixing bugs.

So, if you want to be smart in your development journey, React Native is the choice.

While React Native is designed to be efficient, there are areas where it's evolving and may not fully automate performance tuning. This is where an expert React Native developer needs to step in for manual adjustments.

Code Reusability, Seems a Time-Saving Parameter?

As far as cross-platform development is concerned, you would want to reduce your effort. Isn’t it? But how's it possible? Rely on React Native, create a codebase once, and use it for a different platform. The choice of React Native developer has made it possible to develop native apps for Facebook, Microsoft, Tesla, and others.

You may find other frameworks like Flutter that support cross-platform app development and code reusability. However, finding a professional to develop a React Native app is relatively easier than finding one for Flutter.

Although maximizing code reuse is an essential feature of cross-platform app development, you need platform-divergent code when implementing distinct UI elements for native platforms. On this front, React Native can be your ally.

For platform differentiation, consider the following code organization methods.

‘Platform’ Module

React Native's Platform module is adept at identifying the OS of a device. This feature ensures that the app feels right on Android and iOS.

Here’s a simplified example of how it works:

import { Platform, StyleSheet } from 'react-native';

const customStyles = StyleSheet.create({
  size: Platform.OS === 'ios' ? 300 : 200,
});

Here, customStyles.size will be 300 on an iOS device and 200 on other platforms (web, Android, or other). However, if you write the snippet in the following format.

import { Platform, StyleSheet } from 'react-native';

const customStyles = StyleSheet.create({
  size: Platform.OS === 'android' ? 300 : 200,
});

It will be 300 on an Android device and 200 on other platforms.

Moreover, with React Native, seamlessly select ‘style’ properties for different platforms. Consider a method called Platform.select.

import { Platform, StyleSheet } from 'react-native';

const uniqueStyles = StyleSheet.create({
  container: {
    ...Platform.select({
      ios: { backgroundColor: 'yellow' },
      android: { backgroundColor: 'red' },
      default: { backgroundColor: 'green' },
    }),
  },
});

Here, uniqueStyles.container will have a yellow background on iOS devices, red on Android, and green on other platforms (can be web).

Platform-specific File Extensions

For more complex platform-based code, separate the codebase into individual files. The framework identifies whether a file is meant for Android or iOS by its extension (.android.js or .ios.js). Accordingly, it uses the relevant file when other parts of apps need it.

Let’s say you have two sets of instructions for a 'MagicButton':

→ MagicButton.ios.js for iPhones

→ MagicButton.android.js for Android phones

When you want to use the 'MagicButton' in your app, you would write:

import MagicButton from './MagicButton';

New To App Development? Confused What to Choose?

React Native is undoubtedly the choice you will want to look for.

To validate this answer, let me ask you a question. Don’t you think learning Javascript is much more feasible than learning Dart or different languages for separate platforms? It is. Most budding developers have some or other way of working on JavaSript projects, establishing a smooth learning curve for React Native. This is the only reason that the community of React Native developer is stronger than other frameworks.

Let’s see a simple code instance from three frameworks (React Native, Flutter, and Swift) for a ‘Hello To World’ project.

React Native

import React from 'react';
import { Text, View } from 'react-native';

const HelloWorldApp = () => {
  return (
    <View
      style={{
        flex: 1,
        justifyContent: 'center',
       }}>
      <Text>Hello To World.</Text>
    </View>
  );
}

export default HelloWorldApp;

Flutter

import 'package:flutter/material.dart';

void main() {
  runApp(GreetingsApp());
}

class GreetingsApp extends StatelessWidget {
  @override
  Widget build(BuildContext context) {
    return MaterialApp(
      home: Scaffold(
        appBar: AppBar(title: Text('Hello To World.')),
        body: Center(child: Text('Hello To World.')),
      ),
    );
  }
}

Swift (for iOS)

import UIKit

class ViewController: UIViewController {
  override func viewDidLoad() {
    super.viewDidLoad()
    
    let label = UILabel()
    label.frame = CGRect(x: 150, y: 300, width: 200, height: 20)
    label.text = "Hello To World."
    self.view.addSubview(label)
  }
}

@UIApplicationMain
class AppDelegate: UIResponder, UIApplicationDelegate {
  var window: UIWindow?
  func application(_ application: UIApplication, didFinishLaunchingWithOptions launchOptions: [UIApplication.LaunchOptionsKey: Any]?) -> Bool {
    window = UIWindow(frame: UIScreen.main.bounds)
    window?.rootViewController = ViewController()
    window?.makeKeyAndVisible()
    return true
  }
}

It is quite evident that a developer of React Native puts comparatively less effort into starting with a ‘Hello World’ app.

However, based on client needs, you may see a considerable growth of developers from other platform communities like Flutter and iOS.

Final Notes: What to Choose For Your Next Mobile App Development?

Based on the parameter discussed, React Native wins the game.

However, the final decision hinges on your specific project needs. For smaller teams or independent developers working under strict deadlines and tight budgets, cross-platform frameworks like Flutter or React Native can be ideal. These frameworks balance between development pace and affordability. On the contrary, native development and React Native extensively support enterprise-based applications than other approaches.

So, to get success, select app development frameworks wisely.

Tanushree Pal

A science graduate who has a keen interest to lean about new technologies and research area. With an experience in the field of data analytics and content writing, she aims to share her knowledge among passionate tech readers.

A React Native Developer's Comparative Look at Mobile Development Frameworks

Tale Behind the Origin of React Native

Whether React Native Shines Based on Performance

Code Reusability, Seems a Time-Saving Parameter?

New To App Development? Confused What to Choose?

React Native

Flutter

Swift (for iOS)

Final Notes: What to Choose For Your Next Mobile App Development?

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