Almost one-third of the mobile app developers in 2020 used cross-platform technology as per a survey conducted recently. The most commonly used cross-platform frameworks used by software developers included:
42% React Native
39% Flutter
18% Ionic
14% Xamarin
The above stated data indicates the popularity of the React Native framework among developers in today’s times. Yet, every app developer finds it difficult to make a pick when it comes to choosing between the most popular cross-platform app development frameworks available. This is owing to the multiple options available in the market that make the developers spoilt for choice. Despite the highest adoption of React Native, business owners are always curious to know the standing of the framework among its competitors like Flutter, Ionic, and Xamarin.
This article is written for people who want to analyse all the options available and weigh the pros and cons of the various frameworks before picking the right and most suitable option for their business’ app development.
React Native Vs. Its Closest Competitors
React Native
React Native mobile app development companies make use of JavaScript – the most common, popular, and dynamic high-level programming language. The positives of React Native are amplified because of JavaScript as it is one of the easiest and most widely used programming language that every developer has mastered. The hired React Native developers can also write modules in Swift, Objective-C, or Java which makes the choice quite diversified.
Flutter
Flutter is a Dart language-based framework that can be very easily compiled into the native code in order to enhance and improve an app’s performance. While carrying out build creation, Dart gets compiled into simple code for ARM as well as x86 processors. It can even be translated into JavaScript and made to supportdynamic compilation through runtime.
Cordova
The developers using Cordova employ web technologies such as CSS3, HTML5, and JavaScript for cross-platform app development. This feature allows them to avoid using native development language for each of the mobile platform. The applications thus created are executed within wrappers that are meant for each platform individually. They are usually dependent on the standard API bindings for data accessing, sensors, and retrieving network status of each device.
Ionic
Ionic uses web technologies like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML5 to write and run applications. Cordova wrapper is required in order to access the native platform controllers. The core code of Ionic is written in Sass and the main programming language is TypeScript. TypeScript adds to the convenience by detecting and eliminating errors while code is being typed. This improves the quality of the code written. TypeScript is the optional language as the majority of code is written in JavaScript.
Xamarin
Xamarin makes use of the .NET framework and C# language for developing apps for all kinds of mobile platforms. The developer using C# with Xamarin can easily achieve the same results as those achieved through usage of Swift, Objective-C, or even Java.
Comparing React Native with the Most Popular Contemporary Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks
1. React Native Vs. Flutter
- JavaScript is a very easy and common programming language as compared to the lesser known Dart programming language. Development for Flutter requires a steep learning curve. Therefore, it is easier for companies to hire React Native developers and trained professionals to get the work done.
- It is easier to install as well as configure React Native. Node.JS is used as Package manager. On the contrary, installation of Flutter requires additional effort of downloading the binary for mobile platform and then adding a path variable through the command line. It is a complex and time-consuming process.
- React Native can very well render native components for each kind of platform and replicate the look and feel of the native iOS as well as Android applications. Flutter, on the other hand, makes use of built-in widgets to create native-like UI.
- The JavaScript bridge is made use of by React Native to interact with native modules.This bridge has a tendency to create a lag in the UI and lower the rendering speed. On the other hand, Flutter does not need any such bridge for this task. It has multiple built-in components and frameworks that make Flutter applications a lot more stable.
- React Native undoubtedly has a much stronger community backing that acts as one of the most important advantages for any open-source frameworks. The community support for Flutter is not as good as that of React Native.
2. React Native Vs. Ionic
- Ionic developers have a better deal when it comes to the learning curve associated with the framework.
- React Native apps are relatively faster when compared with Ionic apps and possess much more elegant and neat interfaces – just like their native counterparts.
- React Native apps code cannot be tested without an emulator or real mobile device. Ionic apps can be tested to the same efficacy using any browser.
3. React Native Vs. Xamarin
- React Native and Xamarin are both open-source platforms. However, Xamarin is only free for small firms and individual needs.
- React Native offers a number of built-in components that include buttons and text inputs which can be categorized as partially adaptive. These components cannot be used in case of advanced features and need to be rebuilt. Xamarin, on the other hand, provides a set of complete cross-platform toolkit that includes native UI components for Android and iOS.
- While React Native has a better community support, Xamarin is not far behind owing to a greater code reusability.
The comparison of React Native with its closest contemporaries allows business owners to make a wise choice when it comes to selecting the right framework for their app. React Native is the clear winner among its closest competitors – as opined by developers all over the world. This is why it is so popular and used in every kind of application.