Why React Native is the Best Framework For Your Mobile App
When it comes to developing your app, there are many options out there. Who to work with, what to build, and perhaps most importantly, how to build it.
There are over 256 coding languages in existence today, at least in the known-universe.
Which one is right for your app? Are there any right answers to that question? For many of these questions, well, that depends on who you’re asking.
While we are very experienced with six different languages when it comes to mobile app development, we consider React Native to be the best option for our clients in most cases.
At Chop Dawg, we educate our clients on the benefits of using React Native
React Native is a framework that allows you to build native mobile apps using JavaScript.
Normally, you’d need to program your mobile app using Java (for Android) and Swift/Obj-C (for iOS). So, you’d basically have to program your app twice if you want your app to work on iPhone and Android.
But using just one coding language (React Native), you get a fully functional app on both platforms in less time.
Saving you lots of money.
This also saves you in the long-term in terms of maintenance, as you only have to maintain one code base for your app.
Even better: if you also have a ReactJS web app, fragments of the front-end code (such as the business logic) can be shared between mobile and web, which means you’ll need less development to create the web app and mobile app simultaneously.
The origins of React Native
No, it’s not actually new.
Facebook is behind both ReactJS, and React Native, using React to create the web-based social network that we all love to hate today. After working out the kinks, they released ReactJS to the web as open source (eternally grateful for that by the way, Facebook).
Later, when Facebook initially created their mobile app, updates were a pain because they needed to be done separately for iOS and Android apps.
With this in mind, React Native was born.
Now, Facebook could use JavaScript and push updates out to iOS and Android devices simultaneously.
It just makes mobile app development easier and therefore more cost-effective. And for any new app or business venture, this is always a good thing.
React Native is on the rise in mobile app development
Don’t just take our word for it. Check out these charts below from AppBrain.com, showing both React Native’s market share and top apps built using the framework:
Here’s some more hard stats:
Among the Top 500 apps in the US, 18.76% of installed apps are built with React Native.
React Native is even listed as the second most popular framework in the Top 500 US apps.
Even Microsoft has taken notice, and released React Native for Windows, allowing developers to easily create apps for Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile and Xbox One.
All of this is pretty incredible, considering just a few short years ago, React Native was not considered commercially viable.
But you can see all of the incredible apps above that have all been built using the React Native framework.
The times, they are a-changing.
Popular Apps Built Using React Native
Curious about React Native’s potential? We’ve included links to a few of the most popular apps in the App Store built using React Native:
React is not 100% native, but it can be as native as you need it to be
When you code something as ‘native’, it means it was specifically coded for and with a specific device in mind. It allows for close integration with the operating system; whether Android or iOS.
With React Native, you’re not integrated so closely with the system – at least not out-of-the-box. Your account will be stored within the app, not the system. There are some apps that require the close integration that only Native programming can achieve.
But here’s the good news: when you choose to use React Native, you don’t have to use it exclusively.
You can still use React for most of the app, and native java or swift code for the crucial pieces that need to integrate 100% with the phone’s system.
Check out some of the apps in our portfolio built using React Native
React Native saves you time and money developing your app
The ability to use one code base for an app across iOS, Android, and web is an incredible advantage for many startups, non-technical entrepreneurs, and businesses where cost and time frame is usually a concern.
And when you see some of the example apps shared above, you can see there is no sacrificing quality either. When it comes to apps built using React Native, you’re in good company.
If you have questions about React Native or your future app, simply reach out to us or schedule your free consultation.
Steward said:
Cool apps Tammy, React Native has brought app development a long way since 2015. Keep up the good work.
Tammy Slaughter said:
Thank you!
Florian Marcu said:
Great article, thanks for sharing! I’d also recommend using React Native + Firebase to launch a social network super quickly. You can even publish it in a few hours, if you start with a React Native Social Network app template
Rupinder said:
Thanks for sharing, Its amazing. I was searching for info like this for a long time! Keep those posts coming! I want to subscribe to your posts and get notified as soon as possible! Awesome job!