How to Choose Between React Native and Native Apps?

The thirst for applications still remains unquenchable. New applications are created in a highly increasing ratio. The applications can be cleaved into two categories, depending upon the environment they are created and how they behave in different platforms. The classifications are ‘Native’ and ‘React Native’ applications.

Native Applications

Native applications are those that can be developed only on a specified platform. They created to function only on that particular platform. Take a look at these examples,

• With Android studio as the development environment, the Android applications are built using Java.
• The iOS applications are created in the x-code environment using Objective C or Swift coding languages.

Native applications are platform specific and can be developed only with those specified tools.

React Native Applications

React Native applications was first developed by Facebook for ‘Ads Manager’. These applications are ‘Write once and use over any platform types’. Such application type was created in 2015 and it’s still under development stage. The applications of this React Native type are built using JavaScript. Irrespective of the platforms, they do not compromise any feature of the application. Consider the below examples,

• Bloomberg, Airbnb, Myntra, Uber Eats are some successful react native applications. The cost of production for these applications was optimum but reached greater heights.

React Native or Native?

So, what to choose React Native or Native applications? To make the right decision it is a must to compare and contrast between the two application types.

1. Time Factor

For an application to be built with Native nature consumes more time than the same application built React Native. Consider an application must draw the attention of both the iOS and Android users. In such a case, it becomes a must situation for the organization to spend time building the same application in two different platforms. Create an app with similar features in native nature consumes a wholesome time.

In case of the same application to be built in the React Native nature, a whole a lot of time will be saved. Building two native applications are going to be replaced by a single React Native application.

So, it’s a win for React Native on considering the time factor. React Native consumes only half the time taken by the Native.

2. API Access

In native, all the functionalities provided by the native application development platform can be utilized. There are no dependencies or applications imposed. The React Native has the major drawback that it becomes unsuitable in certain APIs. It allows almost all the APIs except a very few.

3. Cost Factor

Developing a React Native application is highly recommended when the cost becomes the subject of matter. Building a Native app will require experts in that particular language in both platforms. For developing the application in the native, for Android platform, one would require Java developers and Swift or Objective C expert developers for developing the application in the iOS platform.

But the React Native would take only 5 developers to create the application whereas the Native would take a minimum of 8 developers for the same job.

4. Application Complexity

The Native applications can be built when the application needs to be long-term and safe. When native applications need to be updated it is easier to perform. The developers are provided with proper guidance. Hence complex applications can be developed at ease in Native.

In React Native highly complex applications cannot be designed. The React Native was a 2015 idea and it has not yet reached its maturity.

5. Third Party Libraries

The Native applications have the benefit of a large number of third-party libraries available to choose. It has a wide range of applications which can be utilized to improve the overall application performance.

The React Native application has only very few third-party libraries. In addition to that, the libraries must be initially written in the native module.

6. Community Support

The community support available for the Native applications is so broad. Any kind of queries can arise in mind can be solved with the guidance of the experts available in the Native Community. Comparatively, React Native community is very small. Only a very limited support is available. This may lead to a struck in between the walls situation.

7. Design difficulties

Designing the application through the Native platform does not cause any technical difficulties. But building the application in React Native is hectic. The graphical elements in the Android platform and the iOS follow their own set of algorithms. When there is a transformation from one platform to the other, the entire graphical element would be different. The placement of the graphical element varies during the transformation.

8. Error detection

The Native follows a very strict language and the room for the development errors is very less. Any error made in the Native platform can be detected with ease. But this is not the case in the React Native platform. The error detection is too complex. Both UX and UI must be flawless and function efficiently. Hence, it requires high skill and dedication.

Both the Native and React Native have their own pros and cons. So, before choosing the application type make sure you ask yourself certain questions.

What’s the time limit to complete the application development? On which platform or both your application is going to serve? What’s the cost that you have in mind? Whether your app must have the same quality, efficiency, and speed in both the platforms? Answer these questions to yourself. You will find the right shoe that fits your leg!