Which technology is better for your project, React or React Native?

Interested in building cross-platform mobile applications? You might know two popular technologies: ReactJS and React Native. Everywhere you go, you will notice React Native and ReactJS in the development arena. So what’s all this hype about?

Is the hype worth it?

In this blog, we will share everything about React Native and ReactJS, as well as their features, differences, and advantages, so that you can make an informed choice that is best suited for your next project.

What is ReactJS?

React, often known as ReactJS, stands out as an open-source JavaScript library that plays a pivotal role in single-page application development services. Unleashing its power in 2011, React was crafted and nurtured by the tech giants at Facebook, quickly earning its stripes and establishing a formidable presence in the development landscape.

As per Statista, ReactJS is the world’s second-most-used JS library, while another research by BuiltWith states that there are currently 11,908,579 websites built on ReactJS.

Backed by Facebook, it's a JavaScript library designed to build highly flexible and scalable websites and apps. It allows developers to create reusable UI components that can be used across different parts of a web application. As a result, ReactJS developers can quickly build complex web applications and improve performance by rendering pages on the server side.

What is React Native?

React Native is a full-fledged framework for building mobile applications for iOS and Android platforms using JavaScript. Similar to ReactJS, React Native is the second most used mobile app framework. React Native developers build mobile applications that look and feel like native apps. The advantage is a single codebase. Popular apps built with React Native are Facebook, Instagram, Walmart, and Bloomberg.

What is the Difference Between ReactJS and React Native?

1. Syntax

React.js is a JavaScript library for building user interfaces on the web, while React Native uses a similar syntax but is designed for building cross-platform mobile applications using native components.

2. Cost of Development: ReactJS vs React Native

3. Features

React JS does offer quite powerful features regarding web development, such includes server-side rendering, component-based architecture, and the several libraries and APIs it supports. Native React adds to the list by offering mobile app development features like platform components, touch handling, and native modules.

ReactJS Features:

• #1. Virtual DOM: The virtual DOM helps make things run smoother by only updating parts of the UI that really need it. This cuts down on the unnecessary.

• #2. Components: Components help create modular, reusable UI elements. This approach makes organizing and maintaining code simpler.

• #3. Unidirectional Data Flow: Unidirectional data flow makes data paths clear and predictable. This helps a lot with debugging and makes the code easier to maintain.

• #4. JSX: JSX makes it simpler to create UI elements by using HTML-like code within JavaScript. This improves how easily developers can read.

• #5. React Hooks: React Hooks make managing state and side effects much simpler. They also help in sharing component logic and behavior.

• #6. Context API: Prop drilling is the manual passing of data from one component to another via their props, and it becomes tedious in state management. Context API allows sharing data between components efficiently without involving prop drilling.

• #7. Concurrent Mode: It makes apps feel better by keeping them responsive even when doing a lot of calculations, so interactions stay smooth.

React Native 18 Latest Version Features:

• #1. New Concurrent Rendering Engine: React Native 18's new concurrent rendering engine improves app performance by efficiently managing and prioritizing UI updates, resulting in a smoother user experience.

• #2. <Suspense> Component Optimization: Optimized for server-side rendering, allowing partial rendering and hydration for faster page reloads.

• #3. Opt-in Upgrade Process: Allows developers to adopt new features while selectively ensuring compatibility with existing code.

• #4. Automatic Batching and Transitions: Improves performance, with automatic batching for component state management and transitions for prioritizing UI updates.

• #5. New Hooks (useTransition, useId, useDeferredValue): Introduces new hooks for improved application robustness. 

Table illustrating the Difference Between ReactJS vs. React Native 18

Advantages and Disadvantages of React Native vs ReactJS.

Advantages of React Native - How can React Native 18 Benefit Businesses?

• Provides developers with additional tools for building more resilient applications.

• Improved rendering performance, leading to a better overall user experience.

• Faster page reloads enable users to have a great application experience.

• Smooth transition to newer versions, avoiding disruption to ongoing projects.

• Enhanced application performance and smoother UI transitions.

Advantages of ReactJS - How can ReactJS Benefit Businesses?

• Improved application performance, leading to a better user experience.

• Accelerates development, making maintaining and scaling applications easier.

• Easier management of data in applications, enhancing development efficiency.

• Streamlines UI development, making it more intuitive for developers.

• Improved state management, leading to cleaner and more maintainable code.

• Simplifies state management in larger applications.

• Provides a more responsive UI, enhancing user satisfaction.

Disadvantages of ReactJS

• Messy Data Hierarchy: The code navigation in React.js is rather complicated; one has to traverse from parent to child code.

• Non-Vigilant Focus on UI: Since it is very much about the UIs, it handles only the view in apps having a view controller model; other controller and model features, tools are required.

Disadvantages of React Native

• Dependency on Third-Party Libraries: If there are not enough native libraries for React Native, some third-party resources might have to be used, which can be unsecured.

• Indigenous Efforts are Expensive: Highly customized applications that do not make use of the library components might need coding in native languages or the creation of React Native components from scratch.

• High Loading Time: Even in advanced devices, initialization of the runtime results in extended loading times for React Native apps.

React vs. React Native - Based on Project Requirements

Which Companies use React and React Native?

Websites Built with React

Websites Built with React Native

React Native or ReactJS: Which to Choose?

Depends. React is just a JavaScript library. While React Native is a comprehensive mobile and web application framework.

If you want to create a really efficient web interface, there would be some sense in getting acquainted with ReactJS. If, however, you wish to concentrate on the mobile platforms, then the choice to go with would be React Native.

Hire React Native and time-consuming ReactJS developers from Clarion Technologies to build your apps. With a focus on quality, we house a Top 1% React and React Native talent that can help you gain an advantage over the competition. Connect with our experts to get started right away.