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React vs React Native: How to Pick the Best One for You

02 January 2025

Web Development
Mobile App Development

Table of contents

What is React?

Benefits of React:

  • Component-based architecture has the capability of code reuse, and several times it makes code easier to maintain.
  • Virtual DOM enhances performance by making several direct manipulations to the DOM.
  • The faster rendering times result in interactions that are faster when the view needs to be updated.
  • For search engine optimization or SEO-friendly capabilities through server-side rendering.
  • High community support and an available elaborate toolset.
  • Declarative UI makes both development and debugging more manageable.
  • Suitable for constructing very comprehensive applications based on dynamic parameters.

Drawbacks of React:

  • Steeper learning curves for beginners are due to JSX and advanced concepts.
  • Frequent updates can lead to compatibility issues with libraries.
  • It requires extra libraries for state management and routing, which increases complexity.
  • Not suitable for small projects due to the overhead from its component-based structure.

What is React Native?

Benefits of React Native

  • It allows for cross-platform development, enabling a single codebase for both iOS and Android.
  • It enables developers to see updates immediately without needing to restart the application.
  • With the support of a large, open community, it facilitates access to resources and solutions.
  • It provides near-native performance for most applications.
  • Simplify the development process with reusable resources.

Drawbacks of React:

  • Limited third-party modules can slow down the development cycle for complex products.
  • Insufficient documentation can prevent developers from successfully integrating libraries.
  • Relying on the JavaScript thread results in longer application load times.
  • Without physical presence, custom features can be expensive and time-consuming to implement.
  • Performance issues can arise with complex connections compared to fully native applications.

Differences Between React and React Native

Differences Between React and React Native

1) Installation Process

  • React:

<script src="https://unpkg.com/react@18/umd/react.development.js"crossorigin></script>
<script src="https://unpkg.com/react-dom@18/umd/react-dom.development.js" crossorigin></script>

  • React Native:

2) Technology Base

  • React:

  • React Native:

 3) Syntax

  • React:

  • React Native:

4) Compatibility

  • React:

  • React Native:

5) Components

  • React:

function Welcome(props) {
return <h1>Hello, {props.name}</h1>;
}

class Welcome extends React.Component {
render() {
return <h1>Hello, {this.props.name}</h1>;
}
}

  • React Native:

6) Storage

  • React:

  • React Native:

  • Using Redux with redux-persist for state management.
  • Libraries like Realm or SQLite for local data storage.

7) Search Engine-Friendly

  • React:

  • React Native:

A Quick Comparison: React vs React Native 

React vs React Native Table
Feature React React Native

Release Year

2013

2015

Language

JavaScript

JavaScript (with JSX)

Type

JavaScript Library

Mobile Application Framework

App Performance

JavaScript library for web

Close to native apps

Development Model

Free and Open-source

Free and Open-source

UI Rendering

DOM

Platform-specific APIs

Security

Optimum

Low

Learning Curve

Steep

Easy

Code Reusability

Due to virtual DOM

Cross-platform; maximum reusability by partially sharing code between platforms

React Native vs React : Which is the Best Choice?

WRITTEN BY

Abhishek Vasvelia

Abhishek is a Next.js expert who creates fast, high-performance websites. With a keen eye for detail, he make sures every site loads quickly and runs smoothly.

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