Chances are you haven’t heard of the term React Native before. This is not surprising, as React Native is a fairly new and modern framework for developing mobile applications. Thanks to the technology behind React Native, developers are able to build cross-platform applications that feel like native. This way, an app can be developed for multiple mobile platforms from one set of source code. Very convenient so!
But, what exactly is React Native and how does it work? And what is the difference between native and React Native? In this blog, we answer these questions and tell you what the benefits of React Native are for you.
What exactly is React Native?
React Native is a modern technique for developing hybrid applications. In fact, React Native is a programming language developed by Facebook in 2015. The underlying goal of React Native development was to make mobile app development faster and more convenient, with a focus on the look and feel of a native application.
In other words, React Native is a framework used to develop a mobile apps that works well and user-friendly on iOS, Android, as well as Windows.
React Native works from a single set of source code (JavaScript), with flexible code that can be easily modified and reused. The use of JavaScript is also what makes React Native so unique. This is because JavaScript is supported on multiple platforms, so only one code needs to be written. In this way, the React Native framework creates a truly native feel for hybrid apps. Moreover, React Native applications make good use of a smartphone’s many useful features. It is not for nothing that React Native is one of the most widely used frameworks!
But, what exactly is the difference between native and React Native?
The difference between native and React Native
The term native also means “innate” or “native,” and that is exactly what a native app is. This is because a native app is developed specifically for one platform, say Android or iOS. This means that you can only use a native app on one platform. Want to run the same app on a different platform anyway? Then you will have to develop a new native app specifically for that platform.
When you develop an app with React Native, however, it can be used on multiple platforms. This can be easily explained by the fact that React is based on JavaScript. In addition, the development of a User Interface (UI) in React Native is broken down into different components, making the app work optimally on multiple platforms. In fact, you can think of this as an automatic translation into the correct native language. As a result, the application works optimally and you won’t experience frustrations with small technical aspects such as typing, scrolling and navigation.
The benefits of React Native
Apart from the optimal user experience of React Native apps on different platforms, there are other benefits of React Native to name.
1. Efficient development
React Native is perceived by developers as a very pleasant framework with which to work easily. This is thanks in part to the powerful developer tools, debugging tools and handy error messages integrated into React Native. For both iOS and Android, React Native provides turnkey solutions. This is possible thanks to the various components, which are translated from React directly into the native code of iOS or Android, for example. In fact, the code written in React Native is translated directly into code for the appropriate platform. Thus, this efficient development method ensures that only one code needs to be written for multiple apps. Very convenient, time-saving and therefore cost-saving!
2. A customized hybrid app
When you want to have a custom Hybrid app developed, React Native is a good choice. Especially because of the native feel you create for different platforms. In addition, React Native works many times faster than traditional methods of creating apps and, thanks to “live reloading,” you see immediate results during development. At the same time, it is also possible to use traditional programming languages within React Native, allowing your application to be fully custom optimized.
3. Easily evolve with additional features
Would you like to add new features to your app? With React Native, you can do that very easily. In addition, React Native is updated daily, so any bugs are found and fixed quickly. There are also many new developments for React Native and a variety of external tools available. In short, anything is possible with React Native!
4. A scalable customized app with excellent performance
Do you expect the number of users of your app to be large or to grow in the future? This is no problem at all thanks to the scalability of a React Native app. Moreover, the app remains fast and performing well thanks to React Native. So you notice this in aspects such as the app’s short loading time and smooth user experience.
5. React Native is supported by Facebook
React Native was developed by Facebook, which has great advantages for the development of the framework. Facebook gives a lot of space and budget to developers to further develop React Native. In addition, React Native is an open source framework, so should Facebook discontinue React Native, this is not a problem for developers and built apps.
One possible drawback of Facebook’s support does mean that the React Native framework is bound by strict licensing regulations.
These well-known apps are also built with React Native
React Native is a very efficient and popular framework. The popularity is therefore confirmed by several large companies and their choice of React Native.
Instagram
Being owned by Facebook, it is not surprising that the wildly popular app Instagram has integrated React Native. The great advantage of using React Native for Instagram is that maintenance and further development of the app can be done at lightning speed for multiple platforms simultaneously.
UberEats
Although the application of the well-known UberEats was not built entirely with React Native, the framework made a big contribution when UberEats wanted to update its restaurants and entrepreneurs. This required the development of a dashboard that included notification functions. Thanks to React Native, this new dashboard could be developed quickly and efficiently for the different platforms.
Walmart
Major U.S. retail company and supermarket chain Walmart has chosen to rewrite its mobile application in React Native. With this deliberate choice, Walmart underscores its big goals for the future, which is to become one of the world’s largest online retailers. Excellent customer service and optimal app usability is a prerequisite for this, and they realize this well at Walmart.
Airbnb
Another popular app built with React Native is Airbnb. The app is used by millions of people worldwide, so smooth and proper operation is crucial. Thanks to React Native, the app can be easily maintained across platforms.
Brthrs develops custom React Native apps for you!
Are you looking for a multi-system mobile app that can be developed quickly and efficiently? Or do you want to extend your existing native app to React Native? We at Brthrs are happy to think with you! Please feel free to contact us to explore the possibilities together.
