From this we got to know that there are several other non-tech-savvy individuals who wants to build an app but are confused. They are unaware of these technical terms, platforms or languages.
Hence; we decided to write a blog explaining why understanding React Native vs Native is more important when you are searching for Hybrid vs Native development.
Let’s Begin Our Journey of Understanding React Native vs Native App Development
When it comes to developing a mobile app, there are only two ways that businesses can go for.
Either they can go for native app development? Or they can select to build their app in cross-platform development.
You might ask what is the difference between cross-platform and Native app development?
Well, the former allows developers to write the code once but let run the code on all the platform. But the latter requires to code separately (i.e iOS- Swift or Objective-C, Android- JAVA or Kotlin).
Hence, Native app development needs more time, money, & resources to build an app.
But that doesn’t mean its a green signal to go for a cross-platform for your app development. Both have their benefit and loss.
In this article, we are going to find out which is better between React native vs native.
So What Is Native Mobile App Exactly?
Let’s start with the textbook definition of Native apps.
The native apps are built for a specific platform which works on a particular set of devices and operating system.
As I have explained earlier, these specific platforms could be Android or iOS.
These apps are capable to leverage all the hardware and software features available for that particular device and its OS.
For example, if we take Apple’s iOS apps, they are written using Objective C or Swift.
So these iOS apps would not work for the Android or Windows platform and vice versa.
Native apps have the advantage of the features catered by the operating system along with the software installed on that particular platform.
Let’s discuss the Pros & Cons of developing an app in native platforms.
Pros of Native App Development
Built-in components like camera, microphone, compass, accelerometer, etc. work seamlessly. This is because the Native app is built in regulation with these components of the device.
Documentation is easy for Native apps as iOS and Android alone have at least 2500 books written on them. In addition; there are hundreds of articles and blogs on the internet.
Fast And Responsive experience exists in Native apps as their features are built-in accordance to a particular platform.
Safety is maintained as the guidelines of the respective app store have to be followed while building the app.
UI/UX is unique for every platform. Hence; building your app in accordance with the particular UI/UX of your platform will give the users a more personalized experience.
App store supports native app development as this encourages their market. As a result; you will get more support from your respective App store in terms of making your app more easily accessible to users.
API access is utilized at full capacity in Native app development without looking for any additional mapping over the functionality. This reduces the level of app dependency on updates.
A Third Party library from other development communities is an additional benefit that you receive if you go with Native app development.
Stricter Language – All of the native languages for Android and iOS are considered strict languages. it is quite easy to learn one of the other languages.
Keep in mind; it might take some time to become entirely comfortable with your choice of Native language.
Cons of Native App Development
Different codebases have to be used to build apps on different platforms. The app built for Android will not work on the iOS platform and vice versa. So, you have to work with a different codebase and a different team of that particular platform.
More time-consuming than hybrid app development as any work done once will serve for that individual platform only. Hence; you need to work from scratch with a whole new team and different approaches for another platform.
Cost increases as basically you are making two different apps for two different platforms (Android and iOS). So to get to both platforms you need to pay almost double if not more on development cost. Cost factor plays an important role in Native app vs Hybrid app Development.
What is React Native?
React Native was developed by Jordan Walke in a hackathon project held by Facebook.
It has its roots from React.JS which was initially built to solve Facebook’s specific problems relating to their cross-platform application.
So, the app is not like the other “mobile web apps”, it is a real mobile app made using JavaScript without compromising any quality. Another thing which makes the working of mobile apps smoother and efficient is React Native Database.
Open Source gives more understanding towards the code and improves the framework with additional features.
Write once, run anywhere type of code which works on several platforms. So, you have to build your multi-platform app just once.
Hot reloading helps in running the app continuously and simultaneously keep deploying the latest code into the app to update.
Shorter time to market is possible with React Native in comparison to Native app development as only one app is to be built instead of at least two.
Scaling comes naturally to React Native. It is more than capable to process a growing amount of works of an app and can easily handle updating to higher-functionality.
Lower time consumption in the app development. Because the same code can be used to make different platform oriented apps.
Cost saving is ensured. As the same code is used for iOS as well as Android making the app development cost almost half of the Native approach.
High-quality mobile apps are a guarantee as React Native focuses on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), unlike Native apps that focus on.
Central Processing Unit (CPU). GPU helps React Native to deliver better performance in the memory category.
Obtaining the license to different App Stores in more difficult. As compared to Native apps which have more support from these app stores.
An absence of some custom modules is prevailing in React Native at this point in time. Most of the common libraries exist in React Native but still, there could be exceptions according to your respective project. In such cases, you need to find or build your own solution for such modules.
Native developers are needed for modules which are more specified to Native building like accessing a camera, push notifications and other device sensors.
There are less community support in comparison to native app; moreover, resources needed are less than native development.
When to Choose Native App Development?
You should go for this kind of app development when you;
Don’t want to worry about changing APIs and languages.
Want native User experience
Need to create IoT based application
Want to build an app in either platform (Android or iOS)
Are looking for Frequent updates
When You Should Go for React Native App Development?
You want to build an e-commerce app
Social media apps like Instagram & Facebook
You need to enter the market quickly
A budget of your project is less
You want to include Facebook ads into your app
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Concluding React Native vs Native
All in all, it depends on your scale and the urgency of your project. If you want to enter as early as possible with the mobile app, hiring React Native developers is the best choice for you.
Whereas, if you have a good budget and you don’t want to compromise on the UI and features of the app then Native should be your choice.
