React Native integrates the functionality of native and hybrid applications with native applications. In contrast, iOS as well as Android app versions of the application make use of more than half the codebase. In turn, it speeds up the process of web development. In addition, it provides an experience that is native to the user.
In simple terms, React Native combines the advantages of hybrid and native applications. On average, iOS and Android versions of this application share 60% to 70% of the codebase, accelerating the web development process considerably. Additionally, it provides a similar native user experience.
Everyone is aware that building with React Native saves you money. However, it can also make it easier to locate developers and scale up as your business expands. It also feels like an Android or iOS native. Many companies use React Native, from multinational businesses to innovative startups.
The biggest names in the technology field, such as Walmart and Discord, leverage React Native in their mobile apps. Let's look at some of these companies that use React Native technology.
What is React Native?
React Native allows developers to use React to create mobile apps that run in native mode on Android and iOS platforms.
Facebook began work to develop React Native during the internal hackathon in 2013.
The application quickly became a sought-after option for mobile development for numerous global companies. The truth is that regardless of size, business isn't a factor. The reason for this was that React Native allows developers the capability to create stunning user interfaces as well as native apps quickly.
Skilled React Native developers are best for software development.
React Native is also responsible for promoting hybrid app development.
Why React Native Gained Popularity in the App Development Industry?
Cross-platform apps are growing in popularity since the competition is higher in the hierarchy.
It is without a doubt that React Native is recognized as the top cross platform app development option for the creation of Android and iOS applications, respectively. By using React Native development, you can operate on two Operating Systems with a single platform.
So, we will be discussing the significant advantages and cons of React Native so that you will know when to use it and how to avoid it.
Optimal Performance
It is undisputed that React Native is incredibly beneficial in improving performance by using native controls and modules.
Native Component: React Native is connected to the native components of both operating systems and generates code that connects to native APIs in the beginning and then freely.
Tried and Trusted
Facebook developed React Native first and foremost to make a stunning mobile application for their social media platform. Most likely, you've tried it on your smartphone via the Facebook application. Does it appear like a native application? Yes, it does.
However, now that React Native has gone open-source and gained more attention, more companies are opting to take a bet on it and develop mobile applications this way. Here are some examples.
Code Reusability
One of the most significant benefits of React Native is that developers don't have to develop separate code for two operating systems (Android and iOS). In actuality, 90 percent of the source code could be reused across both platforms, increasing productivity and speed of development. In the end, you can speed up time-to-market and reduce maintenance effort.
Community- Driven
The creation of React Native framework started as a hackathon initiative in 2013 in response to the demands of the developer's community: it was seeking an alternative to mobile development that would bring the benefits of mobile app development and the speed and flexibility inherent in React's Native React environment. This led to React Native, a framework developed by Facebook and constantly driven forward by the developer community.
Great Performance
The developers believe that any other programming language cannot match the performance of native applications. However, it's surprising to learn that react-native works as native apps and uses graphics processing units that accelerate the performance of applications.
Compared to PhoneGap or Ionic, the react-native applications have native UI elements that boost the user experience and performance. Apps look and function as native apps because your user's experience gets preserved and improved.
Comprehensive Libraries
The pre-designed UI components are made available using react native. This means that the codes have already been written and all you need to do is integrate the components. In addition, it provides numerous libraries to facilitate the entire development process.
Hot and Live Reloading - Quick Changes
React Native app development services include live and hot reloading features. This allows developers to deal with changes to their code in real time and make adjustments while the app runs. The live feature automatically reloads the whole app when changes are made. Hot reloading will reload a particular area of the change, thus simplifying the development and testing process.
This makes the first part more logical and makes the web development of applications faster and more efficient. It also makes the process more user-friendly.
React Native is Open Source
React Native is open-source and lets developers use its frameworks and libraries for no cost. It also operates within the MIT license, which is a software license that imposes some limitations on how the software can be reused and gives developers legal security.
Excellent Performance for Mobile Devices
React Native is a React Native architecture adaptable to mobile devices. It uses the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and native platforms are more CPU (Central Processing Unit) intense'. As opposed to hybrid technologies, which were the only choice for cross-platforms in the past, the new React Native is swift.
From a Business Perspective
Pros
- Speed and Cost of Development: Native app developers love that React allows them to recycle and reuse previously created components. React Native is a great ecosystem that react native app developers can use to share their codebases and make them run faster.
- Turn Web Projects into Mobile Apps: This platform makes it easy for anyone to use, even if they've never done it before. This allows for greater flexibility and ensures consistent web updates.
- User Experience: You can still create high-performance apps that deliver an excellent user experience.
- Quicker time to Market: Get feedback and adapt your MVP much quicker than with traditional investments.
- Get on-Demand Assistance: There is a huge React Native community for mobile app developers. Many issues you might encounter while developing an app have already been solved elsewhere. This reduces costs.
- There is No Maintenance Cost: There is only one codebase. It's also simple to host apps on AppStore or Google Play. The PWA protocol is not supported.
- A Smoother, Faster Interface than the Classic Hybrids: The interface of React Native is responsive and adaptable.
- You can send users instant fixes over the air (OTA) without waiting for Google Play or the app store to accept them.
From a Development Perspective:
Pros
- It is Easy to Use: Experienced app developers will love it. It is a preferred platform because of its ability to provide meaningful error messages, save time, and use robust tools.
- Preview of your Changes: Your app does not need to be rebuilt repeatedly to see your changes. This makes it simple to save time and work more quickly and efficiently. Press Command + R to refresh the app. Iteration loops with fast iteration that adds more value.
- Smart debugging tools, intelligent debugging tools, and error reporting mechanisms: Let developers focus on the productive parts.
- Easy to debug: Flipper defaults.
- Could you keep it simple and professional?: You don't have to use Android Studio for iOS, Xcode, or Android Studio for Android apps.
- The large community of developers who contribute every day.
- Code reuse: Developers of native apps can easily integrate 90% of the native framework and reuse any code for any platform. This feature saves time and money by eliminating the need to create two apps. For mobile apps, you can also use React web app code.
- Pre-designed parts: There are numerous open-source libraries available to help you speed up your work.
- Live Reload feature: Allows you to compile and open the file directly from where the developer made the changes. The simulator is presented with a new file, which begins reading automatically.
- Compatible with third-party plugins and doesn't require a lot of memory for processing: Native modules can be linked to the plugin through the framework. This device is faster to load and runs smoother.
- Expo: allows you to quickly develop multiple platforms' applications using many pre-made SDK libraries.
- One codebase, for all: A codebase that can be used to manage projects in iOS, Android, and a web browser.
- Demo Mode: Expo allows you to create client demos without submitting your app to Testflight or the Google Play Store. On a mobile device, only the Expo app must be installed.
Top 12 Successful Companies Using React Native in 2023
It's now time to go to this year's React Native showcase. You've heard about the capabilities that React Native can accomplish. Still, you need a more detailed illustration. In that case, you may be interested in examining the following companies using React Native. They are more successful because of it.
Some businesses have been successful and are employing React Native in 2023. Make notes, and perhaps you'll be able to determine whether React Native is worth all the hype.
Read More:- Go Flutter and experience the benefits of cross-platform native-like mobile apps for your business.
Walmart
With its eCommerce goals, Walmart was looking for an appropriate technology stack to help achieve its goal of becoming an Amazon rival. The technology has the flexibility to match business needs and offer users an exceptional customer experience. Walmart chose to redesign its native mobile application using React Native to decrease the resources needed to take on the mobile app market.
Thanks to React Native, the iOS code could be reused by 90% of Android. Furthermore, React Native-based applications offered performance similar to native apps, even though they contained animations.
Discord
Discord is a text and voice chat application that runs on your smartphone and desktop as a mobile application. It is very popular with gamers, but many millennials also use Discord for non-gaming reasons as a social networking platform.
Discord was among the first apps on the market developed using React Native. The company chose to employ React Native for its iOS app before the official release of the framework in 2016.
React Native has proven to be highly successful on Discord. It has allowed developers to write reusable code and to iterate swiftly and efficiently using two people.
Discovery VR
Discovery Another brand doesn't require any further introduction. Their goal is to connect the world to its people and reveal things out of their capabilities. Original programs, high budgets, and fantastic scripts are Discovery in the simplest terms.
The app is also valuable. With their basic VR setup, users can travel to the farthest and most beautiful regions of the world. The app gives you access to various environments and activities, including skiing, hiking, and base jumping.
Instagram also approached React Native, searching for ways to improve the speed of features that could be delivered using code shared across platforms. In the end, 85% and 90% of the codes were shared among Android or iOS applications (depending on the app). The team also achieved a faster iteration speed by using tools such as LiveReload and Hot Reloading to eliminate the cycle of compile-install.
Airbnb
Airbnb is an online marketplace that is well-known that offers accommodation vacation cottages, travel services, and accommodation. While Airbnb's team has decided to use an alternative system, React Native assisted the business in improving its mobile application a few years ago. It's a good illustration of what React Native is for, and its purpose is to make the development process for an app not a long and tedious process; however, it is productive and rewarding.
Another well-known example of an application built using React Native is Pinterest, - A place to find inspiration and ideas to improve your life. From decorating your home to health and fitness tips and business concepts, Pinterest can give you incredible ideas for a broad spectrum of topics.
Pinterest has decided to use React Native to share code between iOS and Android apps.
Thanks to React Native, the implementation for iOS took approximately ten days. This company accomplished the same on Android in two days, using 100% shared UI code across the platforms. Ultimately, it allowed the company to cut down on more than an entire week of average development time.
Skype
Skype is a VoIP software in which video chat is the primary mode of communication. You can also make and receive voice messages and instant messages using Skype. It's a product of Microsoft.
Microsoft recently switched to Electron after using React Native for many years to create the Skype mobile application, but not due to the lack of performance. Although React Native is practical for mobile applications, Microsoft wanted the Skype app to look exactly like you'd find on desktops.
Many people are disappointed with the changes as they took away many options, like responding to messages via the notification bar or synchronizing with Outlook.
Wix
It is an online program that allows you to create websites for free without any programming knowledge. It also offers an online hosting service that comes with web analytics functions.
Wix bet on React Native for their eight million clients as a mobile application framework. This kind of production was not without its difficulties. With the help of React Native, Wix's dev team could go from nothing to storefronts in just six months, while the development process took three times shorter than usual.
Tableau
Tableau, an expert tool for data visualization, has decided to revamp its mobile apps altogether. The project was not limited to code overhauling; the core code base was meant to be completely new. This ambitious goal opened up the possibility of altering the technology stack to replace it with an enduring and flexible framework. React Native proved to be the best choice. It offered the capability to provide the best customer experience in fewer iterations.
Facebook has earned an image that is difficult to find for anyone who isn't aware of its existence. The hackathon that Facebook hosted created a React Native mobile app .Facebook was looking to take advantage of all the benefits of web-based development, including rapid iteration and working with one team who develops the application for mobile devices. They chose React Native due to its durability and its universality.
Microsoft
Microsoft is a multinational company in the field of computer technology and is the world's biggest software company. It currently has over 181,000 workers across more than 102 countries. The company employs React Native in its 38 Android and iOS applications, like Word, Excel, Outlook, OneDrive, and Edge.
Shopify
Shopify is a Canadian multinational e-commerce firm. However, you might be more aware of it as a digital platform that cooperates with various retailers to process your transactions.
From electronic transactions to shipping data, Shopify delivers, particularly for online retailers who appreciate the platform's convenience.
It was fortunate that Shopify was already familiar with the React framework built on their web platform. Therefore, the use of React Native on their mobile apps wasn't a significant change.
Top 3 Alternatives of React Native
React Native framework is now being considered to be the preferred choice for the development of iOS as well as Android applications. However, many developers prefer React Native alternatives for mobile app development and deployment needs. Check out some of the most popular alternative mobile app development frameworks below.
Flutter
Flutter is an open-source user interface toolkit that could be used by designers to develop mobile, web desktop, and mobile platforms through the shared codebase. Writing code once to run on various platforms and devices is possible.
Flutter uses an implementation of the Dart programming language to facilitate the development of Android web and iOS platforms. Flutter also uses the hot reload method to speed up development cycles.
Flutter vs React Native
Overall, React Native and Flutter are excellent options to save time and money when developing mobile apps. The preferences of both the developer and company will determine which framework is best.
Xamarin
Xamarin is always discussing React Native alternatives due to the options it gives developers. It is an open-source development framework that allows you to create contemporary iOS, Android, and Windows applications. It uses .NET as an abstraction layer to support sharing and platform-specific code management.
Xamarin operates in managed environments and uses various garbage collection and memory allocation features. The Xamarin platform is used for reasons of sharing and testing code as well as for creating C# based cross-platform applications.
Cordova
Apache Cordova is a mobile application development framework developed by Nitobi. The framework was changed to PhoneGap in 2011 following the purchase from Nitobi through Adobe Systems.
Then it was made available as an open-source edition known as Apache Cordova. Cordova allows developers to create hybrid web applications for mobile devices using languages like JavaScript, HTML5, and CSS3.
It helps reduce the dependence on specific APIs for platforms like the ones of Android as well as iOS. Developers can wrap JavaScript, HTML, and CSS code according to the device's platform.
The Key Takeaway
Today, the development of mobile apps is the norm for almost every business hoping for long-term growth. However, the old question is whether to create an app native to the platform or a cross-platform application. React Native app development allows businesses to create mobile applications in a different way than was possible ten years ago. It is possible to create native apps, but you should stick to the one language for programming: JavaScript.
Others have used this distinction to their advantage. In return, they've made significant improvements on both sides rather than sacrificing functionality and performance. However, this type of improvement can't be achieved without the assistance of skilled developers or a renowned React Native development company.
