React Native is one of the most popular mobile app development solutions. The secret is that you use one code, which you then use for iOS, Android, and web solutions. As you might guess, the base is React (also known as ReactJS), but with a greater focus on mobile apps.
React Native uses JavaScript, just like React. In this case, React is a JS library, while React Native is a framework.
Both are products of Meta, that is, Facebook at that time. React initially improved business scalability, while React Native improved performance and user experience.
It’s used to create almost-native solutions to save time and money. So, first, we will explain what is a native app and then move to the use of React Native.
What is a Native Application?
A native app is a software solution for specific platforms or devices. That means it’s limited to one operating system, one device, a corporate network, or only for desktops. Usually, one developer or one team can’t cover it all. That’s why native app development is more costly and time-consuming than React Native coding.
React Native is used to creating native-like hybrid apps that work across platforms and operating systems. It takes less time from the moment the project starts until the app is available on PlayStore and AppStore.
What Should We Know About React Native?
Many successful companies and businesses use React Native as a core technology in their industry. Unsurprisingly, Facebook is among the most used to offer practical and optimized solutions for different operating systems.
Before implementing any React Native solution, you must understand the basics and applicability. As we have already said, it is a framework where mobile applications are created with one code that will work on both iOS and Android.
Although React and React Native focused mainly on Facebook initially, they became leaders in mobile application development in a short time. The most significant benefit of using React Native is saving a lot of effort and time and opening new jobs. Nowadays, many companies need to hire react native developer or even a team to achieve all projects on time.
Why use React Native?
You must offer optimal solutions if you want to be competitive in the market and cooperate with large companies. Also, it shouldn’t take too much time from the order until the app is ready. If your clients want a functional mobile app, then you need to focus on React Native.
Of course, there are also several mitigating factors. If someone knows RN, they know Java, JavaScript, and even other frameworks or environments.
This means that React Native developers already know the basics they need. They can easily adapt to the tasks without exploring all the react native elements one by one. That way, you already get a team ready to work on huge projects.
React Native has Grown Over the Years
What’s good about React Native is that it’s constantly being upgraded, introducing new functionality and removing certain bugs. Meta is continually working to improve React Native, and the massive community of developers and enthusiasts contributes to this.
This also means that you can always find a react native tutorial if you get stuck with some functionality or you need a more optimal solution.
So, over time, this framework has become a symbol of rapid application development, code reuse, and high functionality of all operating systems. All this makes it a revolutionary solution, which at the same time saves time and money, as well as effort. Imagine that if you don’t use React Native, you might have to hire more developers, which means higher salary and benefits costs.
Are There any Downsides to React Native?
It is expected that there will be glitches, issues, limitations, and other obstacles that prevent React Native from being a perfect framework. We must be aware that this is a very new technology that is being developed in real-time. So, we have to constantly learn new things so that we can stay good as developers.
As we have emphasized several times in this article, many parts of the code are already ready, but still, some modules cannot be implemented. This means that you will still have to write something yourself from scratch and then build the application the way you need it.
The biggest disadvantage is that you will have to find another solution for complex applications. React Native is great but sometimes quite limited in functionality. The framework is dependent on Facebook and, at the same time, cannot support complex animations, navigations, and interactions. So at some point, you might need a completely different solution that doesn’t involve React Native in any way.
Famous Companies Using React Native
Depending on the complexity of the product, companies decide whether to use native apps or focus on the benefits of React Native. This approach is great but limited, especially if more advanced solutions are needed for businesses.
Unsurprisingly, among the companies using React Native are Meta, along with Facebook and Instagram products. But did you know Discord, Skype, Bloomberg, and Uber Eats are all based on the same framework?
If you dig deeper, you’ll also come across Pinterest, Walmart, Wix, Vogue, the Words with Friends game, as well as eCommerce platforms Wix and Shopify.
All these users know they are getting cost-efficient solutions and functional applications. Of course, there are also applications with different specifications which only use the basics of React Native.
In general, we can say that the most common users are those companies and services that offer an application for both Android and iOS. They often need simple functionalities, direct navigation, and easy implementation of the commands.
Final Thoughts
React Native can be limited for specific cases, but it’s a primary choice for those who need to build highly functional yet simple mobile apps. The best thing is all of them will work great on iOS and Android without any lags and bugs.
Anyway, we must be aware of the limits. React Native is great but can’t wholly replace native app development.