When starting mobile development, it’s common to feel confused about which tool to use. You may have come across many options, including React Native, a popular framework. Now, you might be wondering whether it is the right choice for you or not.
Let me make that decision easier by answering one simple question: Is React Native a good fit for you?
React Native is a popular tool made by Facebook (was released as an open-source project in 2015) that helps developers build mobile apps for both iOS and Android using one single codebase. This means that you do not need to write separate code for each platform as you can reuse most of it. This is perhaps the best feature of React Native.
Big companies such as Uber, Microsoft, and Facebook use React Native, which shows that it is highly trusted and widely adopted. It’s especially helpful for businesses that want to launch their app on both iOS and Android quickly and cost-effectively.
Some of the biggest advantages of React Native include:
- Cross-platform development (build for iOS and Android with one codebase)
- Flexibility and modular architecture
- Strong support from third-party libraries
However, it is important to understand how React Native actually works before deciding to use it. It’s important to note that it is not a blanket solution that applies to all cases. React Native is awesome when your app has similar features and design across platforms and does not rely heavily on platform-specific (native) functions.
Again, if your app needs advanced features that depend a lot on the specific platform (such as custom hardware integrations or complex animations), it might be better to build the app using native development for iOS and Android separately.
In the end, React Native is a tool and like any tool, its success depends on how well it’s used. Having skilled developers who can match the technology to your app’s needs is what really makes a difference.
Two Ways to Build React Native Apps
When you want to build a mobile app using React Native, there are basically two main ways to do it:
- Using React Native directly (with React Native CLI)
- Using a toolset called Expo
1. Using React Native Directly (React Native CLI)
This way gives developers full control. You not only write your app using JavaScript and React, but you also set up all the native tools (like Android Studio or Xcode) needed to run it on a real device.
It’s great if your app needs to use advanced features of the phone, like camera, GPS, or anything else that’s specific to iOS or Android. Since you are working closer to the native side, it gives you more flexibility and allows you to meet more complex business needs.
2. Using Expo
Expo is like a toolkit that makes working with React Native easier, especially for beginners or teams with web development experience. It comes with a bunch of built-in tools and libraries that speed things up. You don’t have to install or set up native tools right away, which is super helpful if you’re just starting out.
That said, Expo has some limitations — especially when you need native custom code or advanced plugins. So, while it’s perfect for simple apps, prototypes (MVPs), or testing an idea, it might not be the best choice for more complex apps. Also, the app size also increases using expo than using react native.
So Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on your app’s needs. If you are building something simple or just want to test an idea, Expo is a great starting point. But if your app is more complex or requires deep access to phone features, it’s better to go with React Native CLI.
Choosing the right approach from the start is important, so your app is built on the right foundation. If you’re unsure, it’s a good idea to talk to someone experienced who can guide you based on what your app needs.
When to use React Native for Cross-Platform App Development?
Now that you have already decided to build a cross-platform app (an app that works on both iOS and Android using the same code), React Native can be a great choice. But like with any tech, it depends on your specific needs. Let’s look at some common situations where React Native works well:
1. If You’re Building an MVP or PoC
An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) or PoC (Proof of Concept) is a test version of your app — something simple and quick to see if your idea works.
React Native is great for this because:
- It helps you build fast and on a tight budget.
- It has hot reloading (which shows code changes instantly when we save).
- It offers lots of ready-to-use components to save time.
- You can use CodePush, a tool that lets you update the app instantly for users, without going through the app store — useful when you’re updating frequently.
Best practices when using React Native for MVP/PoC
- Reuse code where you can (especially logic, not so much the UI).
- Use TypeScript to catch errors early.
- Make sure the app looks good on all screen sizes with a responsive design.
- Optimize performance, especially for big lists or data-heavy parts (using tools like FlatList and Hermes).
But there are some challenges too
- Customizing the UI might take extra time or skill.
- If the app needs native components (specific features of iOS or Android), you might need help from someone who knows native code.
- You have to test carefully on both iOS and Android, because small differences can cause bugs.
2. If You Have (or Plan to Have) a Team of JavaScript Developers
React Native is built with JavaScript and React — two popular technologies. That means:
- There’s a huge community of developers and support.
- It’s easy to find people who can work on your app or help maintain it.
- If your team already uses JavaScript for web apps, they can quickly pick React Native and work on mobile apps too.
For example, companies often choose React Native because it fits well with their existing tools and team skills. That way, they don’t need to hire a completely separate team for mobile phones.
But Remember: React Native Has Its Limits
React Native is powerful, but it’s not perfect. Before jumping in, ask:
- Can React Native handle everything your app needs?
- Do you have the right developers who can deal with possible challenges, like integrating native code?
Choosing the right tool is about matching your app’s goals with the technology’s strengths and having the right people on board to make it work.
When React Native Might Not Be the Best Fit?
Even though React Native is great for many apps, there are situations where it can become challenging or less efficient compared to other options like native development or Flutter.
Let’s go over a few of those cases:
1. Apps That Rely Heavily on Native Code
Some apps need features that React Native doesn’t support well, like:
- Bluetooth integrations
- Augmented Reality (AR) features
- Other low-level system functions
In these cases, you would need to write a lot of native code (in Swift for iOS or Kotlin/Java for Android), which defeats the purpose of using React Native. Instead, you might be better off building separate native apps for iOS and Android.
2. Apps with Complex, Unusual UI Designs
If your app needs a very custom look and feels — not just standard buttons and screens — it might be easier with Flutter than with React Native.
- Flutter gives you more control and flexibility for designing custom UIs.
- React Native can-do custom UIs too, but it may take more work and effort.
If your app is mainly about visuals and animations, Flutter could be the better choice.
3. Apps That Need High-Performance Graphics or Computation
If your app does a lot of heavy lifting, like:
- Real-time image/video processing
- Intense animations or 3D graphics
- Complex data calculations
React Native might not keep up in terms of performance. Native apps usually run faster and smoother for these kinds of tasks.
4. Apps That Must Use New Platform Features Right Away
React Native is maintained separately from iOS and Android. So, if Apple or Google launches a new feature, React Native might take time to support it.
If your app must use the latest native features as soon as they come out, going with native development might be safer.
Challenges and Best Practices in React Native Development
Some people talk about React Native as either good or bad, but that’s too simple. Whether it works well depends on:
- Your app’s requirements
- Your team’s skill level
With a skilled team, many of React Native’s downsides can be worked around. Problems like performance bottlenecks or UI issues don’t always happen, and they can often be avoided entirely with smart development strategies.
So, it’s not about React Native being “bad” or “good” it’s about knowing when to use it and having the right team to build with it.