Nothing can be much better than building apps with JavaScript until and unless it’s not the mobile app development. JavaScript is used to build web apps and building native mobile app backed with JavaScript is not possible. So, if you’re a web developer and want to dive into native mobile app development, it would be indeed hard since they need to be proficient with languages like Java or Objective C.
So, what’s the way out?
Is there any way where developers can build web and mobile apps using single language?
Yes, Facebook’s React Native is the way out. Founded in the year 2011, React Native is an open source mobile application framework created by Facebook to build cross-platform mobile apps. Before React Native, you had to write code twice – For Android and iOS. But now, its no longer the case. With React Native, you can write code once and can deploy application on both the platforms. Saves time and money both. And, there is lot more than this.
This article is all about a brief introduction to React Native and how it can prove fruitful for any business. So, get ready to dive deep into the React Native world.
Is There A Thin Line Of Difference Between React And React Native?
Yes, there’s a difference. React aka React.js is a JavaScript library that help mobile app developers to render Ui components. It acts as a V section of the MVC framework that is solely responsible to render your views as per the request.
On the contrary, React Native is a full-fledged framework that assists mobile app developers to build native applications. This simply means that React Native compiles all the placeholders to the native app components that allow mobile app developers to build futuristic mobile apps.
Then, what’s the major difference between these two terms?
When you’re building mobile apps using React.js, it acts as the base abstraction of the React DOM for web platform. However, when you’re working with React Native, it acts as a base abstraction for React Native itself.
This means that in both the instances, the syntax and workflow remain the same but the components are different.
Why React Native?
Yes, so why React Native app development and not any other technology?
It gives us many solutions that we hardly achieve from other technologies. Here is what React Native can offer to the developers:
- Developers can build Native Mobile Apps
With React Native, app developers can write native apps for both Android and iOS platform. It gives developers an ability to access all native components such as camera, push notification, location etc. Though there are many JavaScript libraries such as ionic or PhoneGap that is used to build mobile apps but since it uses Webview, those apps are not native.
- Building cross-platform mobile apps (Android and iOS)
Yes, React Native allows you to build cross-platform mobile apps. It eliminates the need to build app twice with different codes. It means, developers just need to write code once that will work on both the platform: Android and iOS. It also allows you to build great UI and user experience components.
React Native: Best Alternative for Budding Startups And New-Fangled Mobile App!
- Quick app development
As React Native makes it easy to transfer codes between different platforms, applications developed for Android can be easily compiled for iOS with few or minor changes. Since the single codebase can be used for multiple platforms, it saves development time to a greater extent.
- Saves development cost
As per the expert’s report, developing app with React Native takes 33% less time as compared to the time taken to build native android or iOS application. With such minimized development time, the cost gradually decreases and it proves to be the best option for budding startups and new-fangled mobile app developers.
- Target larger user base
Since with “write once, run everywhere” approach, it not only decreases development time and cost but also allow app to targets larger user base.
What’s The Difference Between React Native And Native App Development?
Developed by Facebook in 2011, React Native is a cross-platform framework developed to assists platforms such as Android, iOS and windows for cross-platform mobile app development.
So, React Native applications are developed using React Native platform.
On the contrary, Native applications being platform specific are developed using specific frameworks such as Objective C and Swift. So, when you’re developing native mobile apps, you need to develop multiple codes as per the corresponding platforms.
While, if you’re using React Native to build native apps, you need to write one code for multiple platforms. For eg: code written for android app can be used to build iOS app with little modifications.
A Glance Over Applications Built With React Native Framework
Source: Facebook.github.io
Considering the fact that majority of the business owners rely on native apps to achieve one-of-a-kind performance, you’d be surprised to know the number of successful and top-grossing apps built on React Native.
- Facebook Ads Manager
It is the first ever app that was entirely built on React Native and is cross-platform. For an app idea that needs to juggle between multiple time zones, currencies, ad formats and other values, JavaScript did a tremendous job. The application has a clean interface, intuitive navigation and excellent performance. The micro-interactions and transitions have done to the perfections and Facebook Ads manager turned out to be an awesome app.
Yes, you heard it all correct. One of the most popular apps amongst the youngsters – Instagram has been developed with React Native too. Earlier they have a native app and then they too up challenge to add React Native to it. Though the initial phase was bit tough but later on they recognized that their development team is able to reuse 85 to 90% of their code between Android and iOS apps. Migrating to React Native also results in easy maintenance in Android and iOS platforms.
How can we forget about this? The iOS and now even Android app of Facebook is powered by React Native. And as a result, the app is faster, speedier and the dashboard loads up twice the speed as compared to the earlier version.
- Bloomberg
Bloomberg’s new consumer app for Android and iOS leverages interactive experience with high degree of personalization. The application loads tons of features such as media, live feeds, audios and much more that can be quite complicated to design but React Native made it simpler.
- AirBnB
If you’ve seen AirBnB app, then you might be surely aware with the React Native power. A largely community driven app allows users to upload listings, transact, view listings and a lot more. AirBnB manages to look great and all thanks to React Native.
Tools used to Help build React Native Mobile App for Startups, Business & Enterprise!
- Atom
Atom is a free and open source text editor that is widely popular for its straightforward approach and hacking. Launched in Feb 2014 by Github, it supports Mac, windows and Linux. The services include cross-platform editing, custom designs and themes, integrated package manager etc.
- Visual Studio Code
Created by Microsoft, Visual studio is a free and open source native react source editor. As far as JavaScript developers are concerned, it supports TypeScript, JavaScript and Node.js. It also leverages a good network of extensions supporting languages such as C++, C#, Java, Python etc. It is highly compatible with Mac, Linux and windows.
- Flow
Its an another React programming tool that leverages static typing. Launched in 2014 by Facebook, it provides fast, reliable and simplified coding standards. It eases React Native programmers with real-time comments, custom JavaScript, easy integrations and type interface. It also monitors errors in the code with annotations.
- Expo
Its an open-source toolkit for React native developers that offers multiple resources such as documentation, community forums and slack community. It also offers it developer rich source of react native components such as Expo SDK library and API’s for android and iOS platforms.
- Redux
One of the major reasons for redux popularity is it offers real-time code editing to its developers. With redux, it is possible for developers to build apps running in different environment such and front-end and native platforms.
How to Find the best React Native App Development Companies?
Below are some of the tips that will help you to gauge the best react native app development company.
- Evaluate the project scope
Not all the companies are going to deliver end-to-end development services like app strategy, designing, development, support and maintenance etc. So, make sure to access your project requirements and scope of the work before outsourcing it.
- Checkout company portfolio
Portfolios are the proof of company’s quality, skill-sets and expertise. So make sure to check out company’s portfolio thoroughly on App and Play store so as to evaluate its experience with technology standards and to get an idea of the deliverables.
- Evaluate the development experience of the company
It is advisable to conduct meeting with company to discuss the company’s capabilities and creativities. Discussing challenges faced in the projects and its solutions will help you to decide whether your project would be delivered on time without any setbacks or not.
- Focus on company’s ratings and reviews
Ratings and Reviews acts as a glass sheet to analyse company’s credibility and domain expertise. So make sure to checkout company’s reviews on sites like Clutch.co, good firms etc before making any decision.
How Much Does It Cost To Build React Native App For Android And iOS?
Well, it depends on your project scope of work. If you’re tight on a budget and want to build an app, React Native is the best alternative. React Native development cost varies depending upon the application complexity. The average cost to build React Native mobile app can be somewhere between $____ to $_____. The exact quote shall be declared once the requirement is shared.
Still confused? Let’s answer few of your queries below:
React Native App Development Questions
- Why big companies are going towards React Native for app development?
React Native app development is a modern yet advanced cross-platform technology that offers myriad of benefits such as code re-usability, quicker development for android and iOS. Quick and effective architecture built by Facebook with low development cost is one of the biggest reasons for companies to adopt React framework.
- What are the benefits to hire react native app developer from xyz company?
Outsourcing your react native project could be more beneficial rather than in-house development in below ways;
- Low operational and development cost
- Quick turn-around time
- Assured quality services from the experts and professionals
- Flexible working hours as per your suitable time-zone.
- What is the cost to build react native mobile app?
The cost varies as per the project complexity and scope of the work. However, the average charge to build react native app is $25-$35 per hour.
Conclusion
If you’ve made this far, then I’m sure you must be excited to kick-start your first react native mobile app development project. This article not only elaborates various factors of react native app development but I hope it has also piqued your interest and might have given opportunity to explore other aspects too. So, go on and start your first react native project. Don’t forget to share your experience with us.
If there’s something we miss out to cover, do let us know in the comments section below.
Keywords used:
React Native, React native app development, cross-platform development, cross-platform app development, mobile app development, android app development, native app development.
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