React vs. React Native – Comparison and all the Key Questions

While React and React Native share core concepts and use JavaScript as their primary language, they cater to different development needs. React, a JavaScript library created by Facebook, primarily focuses on building user interfaces for web applications. It allows developers to create interactive and dynamic UI components, making it an ideal choice for web development projects.

On the other hand, React Native, also developed by Facebook, is specifically designed for building mobile applications that can run on multiple platforms. It allows developers to use React-like components to create a rich mobile UI using JavaScript and React, meaning developers can write code once and use it across different platforms – , saving time and effort in the development process.

This article will focus on both libraries, highlighting the differences and similarities between React and React Native, as well as describing the most popular projects that used them in the development process.

What is React?

React is a JavaScript library used to build user interfaces. It is a component-based framework that breaks down complex UIs into smaller, reusable pieces known as components, making it easier to manage and maintain large-scale applications. React has a rich ecosystem of tools and libraries, such as Redux for state management and React Router for navigation.

What is React Native?

React Native is a JavaScript framework for building native mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms. It leverages React’s component-based architecture and declarative syntax, allowing developers to create cross-platform apps using a single codebase.

Unlike hybrid app development approaches that rely on web views, React Native renders native UI components directly, resulting in a more native-like experience.

React vs. React Native: Main differences

Rendering

React uses a Virtual DOM to update the user interface efficiently. This approach allows React only to update the parts of the DOM that have changed rather than re-rendering the entire DOM every time there’s a change. On the other hand, React Native employs a bridge mechanism to render native components, enabling platform-specific UI elements for iOS and Android.

Components and elements

In React, developers work with HTML elements and can also create reusable web components. This flexibility allows for the creation of complex and interactive user interfaces. In contrast, React Native leverages platform-specific native components, allowing developers to build mobile UIs that closely resemble those of native apps.

Styling

When it comes to styling, React uses standard CSS for defining the appearance of UI elements. Conversely, React Native utilizes a subset of CSS and JavaScript objects for styling, enabling developers to create visually appealing mobile applications with platform-specific styling.

Development environment

Developing with React typically involves using a web browser-based development and testing environment, making it easy for developers to iterate and test their applications. In contrast, React Native requires additional tools such as Expo, simulators, or SDKs to create and test mobile applications, given the need to target specific mobile platforms.

Performance

While React is well-suited for web applications, making it work on mobile devices requires implementing adjustments specific for mobile view. React Native, on the other hand, generally offers better performance for mobile apps due to its native integration, resulting in a smoother and more responsive user experience.

Target platforms

React is primarily used for building web applications that run on web browsers, providing a seamless and interactive experience for users accessing the applications on desktop or mobile web browsers. React Native, on the other hand, is designed to create cross-platform mobile applications for iOS and Android, allowing developers to write a single codebase that can be used to build apps for both platforms.

Use cases

React is commonly used for developing complex single-page web applications, portals, and interactive user interfaces. Its flexibility and robust ecosystem make it suitable for a wide range of web development projects. React Native, on the other hand, is ideal for building cross-platform mobile applications with native-like performance and user experience, making it a popular choice for companies looking to develop mobile apps for multiple platforms simultaneously.

When should you use React for your project?

There are several factors that might influence the usage of React in your project. Here are the most crucial scenarios when using React is a viable option.

• When you need to build a complex web application, React’s component-based architecture and virtual DOM make it well-suited for handling large and intricate user interfaces.
• When you prioritize performance, React’s virtual DOM and efficient rendering techniques can significantly improve the performance of your web application.
• When you want to create a reusable UI component library, React’s components can be easily packaged and reused across different projects, thereby saving development time and effort.
• When you value a large and active community, React has a vast and supportive community, providing abundant resources, tutorials, and libraries to aid in development.
• When you prefer a declarative approach, React’s declarative syntax allows you to describe the desired state of your UI, making code more readable and maintainable.
• When you need to integrate with other JavaScript libraries or frameworks, React can be easily integrated with other popular JavaScript libraries and frameworks, such as Redux for state management or React Router for navigation.

What software projects use React?

Numerous well-known projects utilize React. Here are just a few:

• Facebook: The social media giant uses React to power its user interface.
• Instagram: The platform leverages React for its dynamic and responsive feed.
• Netflix: The streaming market leader uses React for its user interface.
• WhatsApp: The messaging app uses React for its web interface, as a way to offer a consistent experience across devices.
• Dropbox: The cloud storage service’s web interface is built using React, which provides a user-friendly experience for managing files.
• Codecademy: The online learning platform uses React to build its interactive courses and exercises.
• GitHub: The code hosting platform uses React for its web interface, to provide a seamless experience for developers.
• New York Times: The newspaper uses React to power its website and deliver news content in a modern and engaging format.

When should you use React Native for your project?

The following scenarios illustrate when React Native might be an excellent choice.

• When you want to build cross-platform mobile apps, consider using React Native. It allows you to develop apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase, which saves time and effort.
• When you need to access native device features such as the camera, GPS, and push notifications, React Native provides the necessary tools and support.
• When you have experience with React, you’ll find that the learning curve for React Native is relatively low, as they share many similarities.
• When you want to leverage a large and active community, React Native has a thriving community offering abundant resources, tutorials, and libraries to support your development efforts.
• When you need to integrate with existing React web applications, React Native can be used to create mobile apps that share code with your existing web applications, promoting code reuse and consistency.

What software projects use React Native?

Reactive Native has become a part of various high-profile projects. Here are some worth knowing about:

• Walmart: The retail giant’s mobile app uses React Native, which provides a convenient shopping experience for customers.
• Airbnb: The travel booking platform’s mobile app uses React Native, which makes it easier for users to search for and book accommodations.
• Skype: The communication app uses React Native for its mobile app, so users can make calls and send messages on the go.
• Pinterest: The visual discovery platform’s mobile app uses React Native, which enables users to explore and save images.
• Uber Eats: The food delivery service’s mobile app uses React Native to provide a seamless experience for ordering and tracking food.
• Discord: The communication platform uses React Native for its mobile app, which offers a chat-focused experience for users.
• Shopify: The e-commerce platform’s mobile app uses React Native to enable merchants to manage their stores on the go.
• SoundCloud: The music streaming platform’s mobile app uses React Native to provide a convenient way for users to listen to music.

Is React better than React Native?

There’s no single correct answer to this question. React is mainly utilized for developing web applications, using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build interactive user interfaces. Alternatively, React Native is a framework designed for creating mobile applications. Though it shares a similar syntax with React, it renders native components and offers a near-native experience on both iOS and Android platforms.

React still remains popular

According to Stack Overflow trends, React is the most searched term among front-end frameworks, accounting for over 5% of questions. Thanks to its performance and compatibility, React provides an effective solution for businesses and developers aiming to create high-quality mobile applications efficiently.

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