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Many factors can be considered when comparing top mobile apps development platforms. We used our blog as an avenue of exploration in this comparison of Flutter versus React Native or Hybrid Apps - our preferred platforms being React Native and Ionic respectively.
Facebook developed React Native using JavaScript, the most frequently utilized by developers. They developed Vue.js and React.js frameworks as part of this endeavor using this programming language; Drifty created Ionic in 2013 using TypeScript; this is currently on version 4.7.1 of their framework.
As part of our study of these terms, let's first get acquainted with them separately before moving forward.
Ionic
Ionic is an open-source hybrid platform built upon JavaScript and CSS with HTML5 support, ideal for app development that prioritizes appearance, feel, and user interface. App development using Ionic Framework typically focuses on arrival, feel, and user interface rather than functionality; Ionic is also a great option when combined with Apache Cordova/Angular development for PWA apps.
Ionic offers developers various tools, such as Sass and HTML5, for building hybrid mobile applications that work on Android, iOS, and Windows. When pitted against React Native, it provides fierce competition.
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Ionic Framework Benefits
- After a single development, ionic apps can be deployed on Android, iOS, and Windows.
- Build using HTML5, JavaScript, and CSS.
- The Ul design is the main focus of Ionic Framework app development to create a positive user action-oriented experience.
- Ionic allows developers to build applications quickly by selecting from a variety of pre-existing elements.
What Has Ionic 4 Added?
Compare Ionic 4 with Ionic 3 to see which version offers superior features and functionality.
Web Components
The new version features many surprises, with web components used for each construction element.
Web Component APIs such as Ionic 4 allow developers to easily and flexibly build custom and reusable HTML tags for web pages or apps without writing code - an amazing capability that drastically improves startup and load times and is one reason many opt for Ionic over React Native.
Stencil
Stencil, an open-source JavaScript compiler, enables web components with standard compliance to be designed using frameworks like React and Preact in addition to additional APIs like Virtual DOM and TypeScript for use with Ionic applications - an amazing feature used by developers alike!
Ionic 4.0 CLI
Ionic CLI, short for Command Line Interface, is an Ionic app development framework with numerous useful commands for programmers. This engine gives programmers more freedom when selecting which framework best satisfies their project - you may switch frameworks at will! Angular-CLI compatibility adds further efficiency when building applications using Ionic Framework apps.
Ionic Native
Ionic Native 5 transforms projects to become framework agnostic by making components work on any platform or none at all. If your project utilizes injectables or providers, Ionic Native 5 and Angular 5 must be installed for proper functioning.
Lazy loading
Lazy loading refers to content being downloaded incrementally rather than all at once, first introduced with Ionic 3 to improve app performance and already utilized by mobile app development companies as an efficient strategy to speed up app loading time and ensure more rapid app launches. With lazy loading techniques, apps become faster by forcing all data through simultaneously instead.
React Native
React Native is a platform for developing apps specific to certain operating systems. Developers can reuse codes instead of having to start over with each app they make using React Native, which also makes use of JavaScript, which runs smoothly on both Android and iOS devices.
Companies often hire React native developers because of their proven ability to design apps compatible with both Android and iOS operating systems.
Benefits Of React Native App Development
- The same code can be used for both iOS and Android.
- React Native Android and iOS apps are supported by quickly responding to issues.
- React Native is the most popular app among developers and businesses.
- React Native keeps improving, and every upgrade makes app development more interesting.
React Native apps allow developers to quickly resolve Android and iOS applications, leading them to switch from Ionic apps.
React Native is one of the most beloved applications among developers and businesses. React Native development becomes more exciting with every update released.
React Native
- The cost savings are because React Native is reusable. It is possible to deploy the same code in Android and iOS, reducing app development costs and time. The overall cost is reduced even though there's not much reduction.
- Virtual-Dom Support allows you to see changes in one window immediately on another window.
- Companies are always looking for React Native developers to fill their positions.
- The platform allows other developers to see the code so they can build and study it.
Ionic Or React Native?
Debates between React Native and Ionic have raged for years; everyone seems to come up with unique arguments on either side. Below is a table comparing React Native and Ionic according to their differences:
Now is the time to become familiar with their differences; each technology offers distinct benefits, and it may be challenging to decide between native and ionic reactions.
The table below briefly compares Ionic Native and React Native; to better comprehend some aspects, we will dive further.
- Design: React Native and Ionic 4 are each suitable solutions for innovation; however, Ionic 4 outshone React Native in terms of aesthetic appeal. Ionic allows developers to utilize pre-developed components that look elegant without resorting to custom development; React Native does not offer this advantage compared to its counterpart, thus being less appealing as an aesthetic option for users seeking cute apps.
- The Performance Of A: React Native Android applications have enjoyed unparalleled performance for years, whereas Ionic falls far short. Relying solely on web view for its mobile app development process and with very well-designed applications that still don't perform as effectively, React Native apps continue to outperform Ionic offerings in overall app performance.
- Community And Plug-Ins: React Native is a community-driven platform with access to an expansive library of plug-ins. React Native's large community is always engaged and contributing to one another; Ionic developers offer solutions without access to as many native features plug-ins.
- The Cost Of The Product: Ionic 4 offers mobile app developers an affordable alternative to React Native development costs for developing apps. Because its code can run across different platforms, development costs for Ionic apps tend to be reduced; mobile developers frequently turn to Ionic when budgets are tight, whereas React Native is significantly more costly in development terms.
Which Brands Do You Prefer?
Before we get to the end, let's look at the brands that used Ionic and those that used React Native. Below is a list of some of the best-known apps in history:
Which Of These Two Options Should You Pick?
After carefully considering each platform in detail, it can now be concluded that no definitive winner can be established between them. They both serve the same function yet have distinctive parts that set each apart from its rivals.
Ionic Framework is the optimal way to save time, money, and effort while quickly building amazing designs with incredible efficiency. React Native is your perfect partner if you require strong community engagement with seamless performance when handling large volumes of data. Companies creating mobile applications often look for ways to develop applications with better performance at an accelerated rate, using JavaScript, which speeds the development of these apps. React Native can help companies do this through its use.
React Native is superior in overall performance; its performance, efficiency, and quality stand out among competing frameworks. Large brands like Myntra and Instagram use React Native due to their performance efficiency and quality characteristics - Airbnb, UberEats, etc., use React Native app development themselves! React native app development services also benefit companies themselves greatly. React Native's continuous updates present Ionic app development with numerous challenges for its future success. Once considered the go-to framework, developers have often turned toward React Native because of potential development risks associated with Ionic development.
Ionic Vs. React Native: What Is The Best Option For Mobile App Development?
Selecting an optimal tech stack is crucial to any application's success, yet it can be challenging due to all the available choices. This article can assist in making that task simpler by providing comparisons between Ionic and React Native as Cross-Platform App Development frameworks. With smartphone active users hitting over 6 billion worldwide (currently), mobile app development services for Android and iOS operating systems remains in high demand.
Would creating code that works across platforms be preferable, saving both time and resources? Cross-platform App frameworks offer this possibility: React Native or Ionic are ideal cross-platform applications development frameworks that allow developers to quickly develop high-performing mobile applications using either framework. Which framework should you select now for your project? Don't panic: Our article here has covered both frameworks in a head-to-head comparison, so you can choose your framework quickly using our table below!
Ionic And React Native
Let's begin with some basics and then explore their differences using our Table of Contents to quickly navigate directly to our Comparison section. Stay Tuned for More!
Let us shed some light on the differences between hybrid and native applications. Native Apps - Native apps are created for specific platforms like Android. Applications developed across multiple platforms, known as hybrid apps, may also incorporate web technology.
Ionic Mobile Application Development: A Quick Overview
Ionic SDK is an open-source development technology kit for hybrid mobile apps that uses web technologies like CSS, HTML5, SaaS, and HTML5. Apps created using these web-based technologies can then be distributed using native app stores for distribution via native functionality. Cordova allows developers to develop mobile applications using web technologies, with its one code running across iOS and Android systems. Ionic apps offer cost-efficient time savings.
Top 7 Apps Built With Ionic Framework
- MarketWatch
- Pacifica
- SworKit
- Diesel
- McDonald's Turkiye
- Untappd
- Crypto Xchange
An Overview Of React Native For Mobile Application Developers
React Native is an open-source JavaScript Framework for mobile applications on both iOS and Android. Based on React, which is Facebook's library for user interface design, React Native makes developing apps simpler by sharing code between mobile platforms - web developers can now develop mobile applications with native-like appearance and functionality using React Native without worry! React Native offers several other advantages over its predecessor, React. It enables them to write apps that run both ways--iOS and Android platforms are supported!
10 Best Apps Built With React Native
- You can also use Instagram.
- Skype
- UberEats
- Walmart
- Tesla
- Advertise on Facebook
- Wix
- Bloomberg
- Rent a car in your area.
- SoundCloud Pulse
Read More: What Are The Benefits Of Using React Native Services?
Comparing Ionic With React Native Head-To-Head
1. Popularity
Are You Wondering Which Framework Is Most Preferred, Ionic or React Native? These stats should give an excellent picture of trends.
Ionic
- 44.2k GitHub stars
- 268 version launches
- 134,000 project forks
React Native
- 95.4k GitHub stars
- 357 version updates
- There are 20.8k mobile app development projects which are often forked
The Developers' Survey Results For 2020-
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- Statista's research shows that in 2021, 42% of developers will use React Native and 18% Ionic.
Mobile Frameworks For Developers (2019 To 2021 )
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- Ionic and React Native: a comparison of the latest npm trends
Downloads Of Npm In The Past Year
- Google Trends shows the popularity of both frameworks.
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*Intensity of color represents percentage search
Learning curve
Both frameworks share JavaScript as their core SDK. They aren't the same. Find out which has a simple learning curve.
Ionic
The ionic technology stack offers greater flexibility. You can build mobile-ready web applications using Ionic's hybrid approach, which developers find more user-friendly than React Native's native approach. In Ionic, you can choose any framework from Angular Vue, React Knockout, etc., to JavaScript, CSS, and HTML, making learning it much less steep for newcomers to pick up quickly compared to React Native's steep learning curve.
React Native
Learning React Native can be simple if you already possess knowledge of JavaScript or React. Coding React involves similarity to HTML5, with web components making up its hallmark feature.
React Native is an emerging platform that wraps native iOS and Android elements. However, learning React can be daunting for newcomers; the learning curve is steep if they have yet to become experienced with React.
Functionality
Ionic
Learning React Native can be simple if you already possess expertise with JavaScript or React since all it requires is writing some code in React and HTML5. React differs from HTML5 by taking advantage of web components instead.
React Native is an app development framework that wraps native iOS and Android elements like buttons into one program. However, its learning curve may be steep if it is unfamiliar.
React Native
JavaScript is used for programming React Native. The primary strategy involves employing dynamic run-times; JavaScript code can then be communicated to Android or iOS platforms using mobile JavaScript, where data and functions will eventually reach their respective native API. A bridge connects these APIs; React Native apps often appear and act like native applications.
The Performance
Many factors, including the code efficiency in a particular framework, determine an application's performance. Find out which framework (React Native vs. Ionic) has better performance.
Ionic
Hybrid apps are developed using web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript but require plug-ins or third-party packages in order to achieve a native feel and look. Ionic's poor performance may be caused by its additional layer integrating Cordova plug-ins, as it simply builds WebView rather than a Native App.
React Native
React Native is an open framework constructed with native components and APIs, offering performance comparable to native applications. Furthermore, React Native allows developers to write complex operations using native modules written using native languages for optimal results, resulting in superior performance overall.
The Development Time
React Native is designed to offer clients an immersive mobile app experience while taking more development time than Ionic due to write-once running anywhere not working as effectively with React Native; you have to build one version for every platform instead.
Encryption
Encryption, used to protect digital data, works by scrambling plaintext (such as messages sent over SMS or emails) into encrypted coded text - see which framework offers better protection from applications here.
Ionic
Ionic ensures iOS developers maintain data security with its secure storage Cordova plug-in; Android users encrypt data requiring setting screen or swipe locks as their primary means.
React Native
Developers can use third-party libraries for encryption to save sensitive data on their local system. Some of these are:
- React-native-keychain
- React-native-secure
- React-native-sensitive-info
Testing
Ionic
The end-to-end test setup in Ionic is the same as Angular CLI. It is compatible with Protractor, Jasmine, and other unit and end-to-end testing tools. Karma is used for component testing.
React Native
Unit testing and automated testing are done using some frameworks. These are:
- Jasmine Jest ReactTestUtils Unit Testing
- Mocha for Integration Testing
- iOS UI automation using EarlGrey
- XC Test automates iOS app testing
Debugging
Ionic
Debugging Ionic can be simplified when tools like Chrome Dev Tools are at hand; however, projects employing ngCordova hardware features present additional challenges when debugging Ionic projects.
React Native
Chrome Developer Tools provide another method for debugging code; when working with native code, debugging may also be accomplished using any app editor like Visual Studio or XCode.
Listview Scrolling
Ionic apps render using a wrapper for mobile devices (WebView), whereas React Native is natively compiled(based on JavaScript). React Native is better at native rendering and has a faster performance.
Third-Party Libraries
Ionic
The framework includes a large library. You can find any plug-in in various libraries, such as Ionic, Apache/Cordova/ etc. It is much easier to create customized modules with Ionic.
React Native
Although React Native has a large set of libraries, it can be difficult to incorporate multiple third-party plug-ins
Cost of Development
Startups and established companies often struggle with determining the cost of creating applications, particularly depending on factors like Ionic versus React Native development costs. Let's compare each approach to see who takes out first place!
Ionic
Ionic may be a cross-platform and free mobile application framework, but you will require Ionic Pro's pro version for professional-looking apps. DeveloIonic Pro developers apps in real-time, thereby reducing development time significantly.
React Native
React Native, also open-source, gives developers access to many libraries. Hire a React Native company to get the most out of this framework.
Maintenance
Ionic
Ionic is easier to maintain than React Native because it only requires managing one code file (hybrid app). The biggest challenge for Ionic or Cordova is maintaining continuous release cycles.
React Native
Maintainability in React Native is an important issue. You could run into problems with any third party you use.
User Interface
The user interface is what makes a person decide whether or not to use an app. Continue to the Ionic and React Native interface.
Ionic
Ionic UI does not employ native elements but relies on web technologies like HTML and CSS to simulate native app-like experiences. Cordova helps recreate native apps, while the Angular components give Ionic apps more native appearances.
React Native
React Native is connected to native UI controls, which gives a very similar user experience to native apps.
Community Of Developers
Ionic
A large community backs ionic and has a marketplace with many starters, templates, etc., to help you create an Uber-like app. Ionic is a framework that has around 46k stars on GitHub. Four hundred-seven people have contributed to it.
React Native
React Native has the most market recognition and is well-known in its community. The growing demand for React Native has led to a rapid growth in its developer network. It is, therefore, easier to start a React Native project. GitHub statistics can also be used to gauge the popularity of React Native. On GitHub, it has 99k contributors and 2257 stars.
Code Reusability And Execution
When hiring a developer to build a cross-platform mobile application, the most important factor is code reusability. Ionic and React Native use different strategies for code execution. Could you find out more about them?
Ionic
Ionic uses "one codebase, any platform." It is possible to reuse the same code for different applications. The same principle can be used to build an interactive application quickly.
React Native
The React Native innovative approach is based on "learn it once, write it anywhere." A codebase can be reused to create multiple apps on platforms like Android and iOS. This allows developers to create more efficient apps.
Ionic Vs. React Native: Pros & Cons
Ionic
Ionic Pros
- Ionic can be used with various frameworks, including React, Angular, and Vue.
- The documentation is good. This company develops tools to help business space and engineers build smartphone applications.
- The framework can be used on any platform, whether HTML, CSS, or Angular.
- Ionic allows you to create mobile applications that are highly interactive, user-friendly, and engaging.
- Ionic's development cycle is faster since you don't have to deal with platform-specific issues or native languages.
- Ionic allows you to easily port your code into a Progressive Web App.
- Ionic allows for maximum code reuse to create Android, iOS, and Windows apps.
- The Ionic framework is simple to learn, and many developers have intuitive experience with its technologies.
- The learning curve is low as the framework is based on Angular. It also contains components that are already built in.
Ionic Con
- Ionic uses a WebView instead of a native application.
- You must use Apache Cordova plug-ins in Ionic to gain access to the hardware capabilities of your device.
- There will be performance problems if there are many callbacks to the native code.
- The development of advanced interactive or graphics transactions is not possible in Ionic.
- Developers should be familiar with AngularJS.
React Native
React Native Pros
- There is a large community. Developers can, therefore, easily solve their problems.
- This allows code reuse to create Android apps, iOS applications, and Windows programs.
- The user feels like using an app native to their device, as the JavaScript is converted into native JavaScript. Sixty frames per second are also achieved.
- React Native applications perform much better and faster than Ionic.
- This code allows for rapid development and an efficient structure.
- This is an ideal framework for large projects.
- React Native is platform-independent so it can run on any advanced operating system.
Native Cons
- This creates problems with placement by automatically transforming the graphic elements to fit each platform.
- Custom modules are not supported, and native programming is required.
- You should only build an app with a few graphics and transitions, such as simulation applications.
- Facebook is backing the licensing rules.
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Conclusion:
Who will win in the Ionic vs. React Native Battle? No one, as only project success, counts in its evaluation. The success of any mobile application development depends upon fulfilling business requirements effectively, so choose the framework that meets them best based on an assessment of needs since only some frameworks meet everyone. Techstack requirements vary based on the project. Choose an ideal option by carefully considering the requirements and consulting this article. Feel free to reach out if any additional guidance or help is required; we are always here for our readers! We're happy to assist our readers if needed and welcome any inquiries/concerns. Don't be afraid because we are always here to support you!
