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

Confused?

It’s common to get confused when you encounter similar terms, especially in the tech world. This confusion is often seen in discussions about React vs. React Native.

Many newbies mistakenly think that React Native is an extension of React. Even developers with some experience may find it challenging to understand the differences between these two technologies.

React.js and React Native have similarities, but they are different from each other. According to Statista, more than 41% of developers worldwide prefer React, and 32% prefer React Native. This shows the popularity of both technologies but for different purposes.

In this article, we will explain the ins and outs of React and React Native. Also, explore their functionalities, applications, and unique features. Each technology targets different platforms, so let’s determine the superior option in this comparison.

What is React?

React, also called ReactJS, is an open-source JavaScript library. It is widely used for developing single-page applications (SPAs). It’s a go-to tool for building user interfaces (UI) for both web and mobile applications. Originally designed and maintained by Facebook in 2011, React has grown in popularity.

React enables developers to create fast, adaptive, and user-friendly web and mobile apps. When you Hire React developer, you gain someone who can streamline the layout process by automating many tasks. It has the flexibility to build what it envisions without being confined by rigid rules.

ReactJS easily integrates plugins or libraries into existing code. This flexibility permits the introduction of fast, scalable, simple web programs. Its popularity in front-end development has revived server-side logic, improving the development process.

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?

React Native is another popular open-source framework developed by Facebook. It is specifically designed for building cross-platform frameworks, allowing developers to create apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase. This saves time and effort while delivering a seamless experience across platforms. 

React Native brings the power of React to mobile app development, making it easier to create high-performance mobile apps. This makes it a fantastic choice for web developers familiar with this technology.

So, can we use a framework to build apps for iOS and Android? 

The answer is YES!

React Native allows developers to create applications that work natively on both platforms. While it shares basic principles with ReactJS, the implementations are very different. Let’s explore those differences in more detail in this article.

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

The differences between React and React Native can be highlighted across several aspects. Let’s explore react and react native differences each of them individually!

1) Installation Process

• React:

React is a JavaScript library. To start using it, you need to integrate the React library into your HTML page. This is done using the <script> tag. Here’s how to do it:

<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>

Once you have done this, you're ready to create your first React component. Additionally, using ReactJS Carousel Component Libraries can help you easily add carousel features to your application. 

If you are working on a larger project, using a bundler is a good idea. Tools like Next.js, Create React App, or the Gatsby framework often have Webpack configured automatically. If not, you will need to set up Webpack manually.

Bundlers are essential because they combine all your code files into one large file. There are other bundlers too, like Rollup or Browserify.

• React Native:

In contrast, developing an app with React Native requires a specific development environment. For Android, you'll need Android Studio, and for iOS, Xcode is necessary. Besides these, you also need to install tools like Node, React Native CLI, and JSDK Watchman.

After setting up these tools, you can create a new project using the React Native Command Line Interface. This project can then be executed on a mobile emulator or your physical device.

Transitioning from React to React Native is straightforward. If you already understand React and JavaScript, you can grasp React Native in a couple of months. This knowledge will enable you to develop your first native application smoothly.

2) Technology Base

• React:

React is a pure JavaScript library. To master it, a solid understanding of JavaScript is crucial. If you dive into the technical documentation, you can quickly become proficient in React.

The library focuses on building intuitive user interfaces for the web using JavaScript.

• React Native:

React Native is a framework built on top of React. It is designed specifically for creating mobile user interfaces. While it inherits React’s functionalities, it also uses multiple programming languages.

React Native is not just a JavaScript framework. It integrates Java, Objective-C, Objective-C++, and C++. Thus, knowing these languages is essential for building React Native applications.

 3) Syntax

• React:

In React, you write code in JavaScript. The library enables you to come up with HTML tags such as <p>, <div>, and <h1>. You may also use JSX, which is a special syntax added to JavaScript.

JSX looks like a template language. It combines markup and logic here, which at first glance appears rather counterintuitive. However, it enables writing markup within JavaScript. That is, after compilation, JSX code is not present and standard JavaScript functions and objects are present.

• React Native:

As it was mentioned before, React Native has its syntax that must be followed when using this framework. Unlike other frameworks that use HTML-like components, React Native uses native components. Standard HTML tags are replaced with tags like <View>, <Text>, and <Image>.

React Native does not support HTML in the way that other frameworks and libraries do. Therefore, it is not practical for use in web development solutions. However, you can write apps for Android, iOS, smartwatches, and TVs using native tags that are translated into the necessary language.

4) Compatibility

• React:

When it comes to comparing React Native vs React JS is designed with SEO in mind. It can render on the server using Node.js, which helps improve search engine visibility.

• React Native:

React Native, however, focuses exclusively on mobile UI development. It functions more like a JavaScript library than a framework. This characteristic allows for a responsive UI, resulting in smoother interactions and faster loading times.

5) Components

• React:

React is a component-based library. A component can be a JavaScript class or method that produces a React element. React provides two primary types of components: function components and class components.

Here is an example of a function component:

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

Similarly, you can define the same component using ES6 classes:

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

Both component types can deliver similar functionalities. Class components offer more features, but function components enhance code readability. They require less code, which can lead to better application performance.

• React Native:

React Native consists of native components and modules. These components allow developers to build mobile applications.

Native UI components are ready-to-use widgets that come from the platform or third-party libraries. If you need a specific component, you can find it in the UI Explorer. This tool also allows for the creation of customized components that can be reused throughout your app.

A Native Module consists of a set of JavaScript functions that provide access to platform APIs. When React Native lacks a specific feature or module, you can create your own using tools from GitHub.

6) Storage

• React:

React uses local storage to manage data. The data stored in local storage does not expire and persists even after closing the browser window.

• React Native:

In React Native, AsyncStorage is the default option for data storage. It has various libraries for local data storage as well.

On the iOS platform, AsyncStorage uses native code to store small values in a specific format. Larger values are stored in individual files. For Android, AsyncStorage utilizes either RocksDB or SQLite, depending on availability.

For most React Native apps, AsyncStorage is sufficient. However, you may need additional options, such as:

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

7) Search Engine-Friendly

• React:

When developing a React JS application, it is crucial to consider SEO. The primary aim of React JS is to provide an intuitive user interface that adapts based on user interaction.

However, it's essential to index your web pages correctly for visibility in search engines like Google. React JS provides various tools and libraries to help optimize your application for SEO.

• React Native:

Conversely, React Native has little to do with SEO. The responsibility lies with developers to construct native UIs effectively.

A Quick Comparison: React vs React Native 

React Native vs React : Which is the Best Choice?

When comparing React Native vs React, the choice depends on your specific needs. React is best for creating powerful and feature-rich web applications. In contrast, React Native is designed for cross-platform app development.

React vs React Native – both technologies power many well-known applications and help build modern, scalable web and mobile solutions.

Every technology has its limitations, and React or React Native is no exception. It's essential to weigh the pros and cons of both technologies. This will help you make an informed decision based on your priorities and expected outcomes. Therefore, it’s essential to evaluate the project’s requirements and goals before making a decision.