React Native has been one of the most talked about frameworks for mobile app development in the past 6 or 7 years. But in recent years, is react native dead or not, with the rise of Flutter was the most talked about topic.In this article, we will discuss the relevance of React Native as a cross-platform development technology in 2023 and beyond. Let's get started!
Is React Native Really Dead?
React Native framework was created by Facebook to reduce the rising cost of building native mobile applications for iOS and Android. Back in 2015, there was no technology existed that can build mobile applications for both frameworks with a "native look and feel".Since that, tech companies around the world are using React Native for building apps. And why not? Mobile apps like Airbnb, Bloomberg, Instagram, Discord and many more are successful and built using React Native.
Popular Applications that are Built with React Native
One of the most popular applications built with React Native is Facebook. The social media giant used React Native to create its own Ads Manager app. They were able to do this by taking advantage of the framework's ability to reuse code across multiple platforms.As a benefit of using React Native, Facebook was able to build this platform faster in comparison to launching native applications for iOS and Android.Instagram is another popular application that was built with React Native. The photo-sharing app was able to leverage the same principles as Facebook did when creating its Ads Manager app. By reusing code across platforms, they were able to develop their app much more quickly and deliver an excellent user experience at the same time.Pinterest is yet another mobile app that was developed using React Native. The visual bookmarking tool took advantage of the framework's cross-platform capabilities to create an immersive user experience on both iOS and Android devices.Some other popular applications that are built with React Native include Skype, Tesla, UberEats, and Wix. All of these platforms have been able to take advantage of React Native's ability to build native apps using JavaScript and the React framework. Hence, React Native is not dead after seeing such examples.
Benefits of Using React Native for your Idea
Apart from its popularity, there are several advantages of React Native that confirm it is the future of mobile app development.
- React Native allows you to use the same codebase for both iOS and Android. While other frameworks also allow it, this technology is known for rapid development that saves both time and money.
- React Native is faster than traditional methods of building mobile apps, such as using Java or Objective-C. This is because it uses a “bridge” to communicate between the native code and the JavaScript code, which makes it more efficient.
- React Native is open-source, which means it has a large community of developers who can help with development and support. So, in case your developer gets stuck somewhere, they can seek assistance from the community.
- React Native apps are cross-platform, meaning they can be published on both Apple’s App Store and Google Playstore.
How to Start Building a Mobile App using React Native?
If you're a founder or entrepreneur who's looking to develop a mobile app with React Native, this guide is for you. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know in order to get started with React Native, from initial setup to the whole app development.If you are looking for a flexible framework and great performance from your mobile app, then you should go for react native app development.Getting started with React Native is simple and straightforward. But prior to that, there you'll need a few things.
- A computer running macOS or Windows, ideally with at least 8GB of RAM
- Node.js installed on your computer
- A text editor - we recommend Visual Studio Code
- The React Native CLI tool (installed using Node.js)
Once you have all of the above prerequisites installed, you're ready to get started!If you are a developer yourself, React Native app development will be a cakewalk for you. But as someone without any coding background, you will definitely need a kickstart. So if you’re looking for the best mobile app development agency in Dubai, you have landed in the right spot. Applify has a team of certified developers who can help you strategize, design, and develop your next React Native mobile app in no time.Are you having difficulty finding some of the best app development companies in Dubai? This guide can lead you to some of the top app developers in Dubai.
Advantages and Disadvantages of React Native?
There's no doubt that React Native is not dead and is one of the most popular frameworks for developing mobile apps. However, it also has its advantage and disadvantages. Let’s start by listing the pros.
React Native Pros:
- Developed by Facebook itself.
- Popularity means lots of support and resources available.
- Write once, and run anywhere - the same code can be used for iOS and Android.
- Fast development cycle - hot reloading means you can see changes instantly.
- The declarative programming style makes code easier to read and understand.
- A powerful debugger toolset from React Native tools makes debugging faster and easier.
- Community-developed plugins mean you can reuse code and add features quickly.
- Many big-name companies are using React Native including Facebook, Instagram, Airbnb, Tesla, etc.
- Can create truly native apps - unlike some other frameworks, React Native doesn't use webviews which results in better performance.
- The layout engine uses flexbox which is well-supported on both iOS and Android.
React Native Cons:
As everything comes with a few challenges, so does React Native. It’s crucial to be fully prepared and know the downsides of this framework.
- Not suitable for a complex or high-performance app – if your app needs to be very fast or work offline then React Native may not be the best choice.
- Can be harder to find developers with React Native experience than other established frameworks like Ionic or Cordova.
- Not all native features are available – so if your app absolutely needs to use.
Conclusion
Developing a mobile app with React Native is a great way to create an interactive and user-friendly app. With the right tools and guidance, anyone can develop a high-quality app using React Native. We hope that this guide has been helpful in providing you with the information you need to get started on your own React Native project. Looking for clutch rated cross-platform mobile app development services in Dubai? Get in touch with Applify and get a quote from our app experts.