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React Native is a framework that lets developers build mobile apps using JavaScript and React. It allows you to create apps for both iOS and Android from a single codebase, reducing time and cost.
Why It Matters
- Cuts development time by allowing shared code across iOS and Android
- Saves costs on hiring two separate teams for native development
- Speeds up MVP delivery and product iterations
Use This Term When...
- You're planning a cross-platform mobile app
- You want to reach both iOS and Android users quickly
- Your tech team is already familiar with JavaScript or React
- You're trying to reduce mobile development costs
- You're choosing the tech stack for your app’s frontend
Real-World Example
In one of our projects, we chose React Native to develop a cross-platform mobile app from a single codebase. This significantly reduced development time and cost while maintaining a native-like performance and user experience on both iOS and Android.
Founder Insight
A common misconception is that React Native apps are always slower than native apps. While this can be true for highly complex apps, most startups find the performance is more than enough for MVPs and early-stage products.
Key Metrics / Concepts
- Code Reusability – Percentage of code shared between platforms, often 80%+
- Performance – How close the app feels to a native experience in terms of speed and responsiveness
- Hot Reloading – A feature that updates the app instantly as developers make changes
Tools & Technologies
- Expo – A toolchain that simplifies building and deploying React Native apps
- React Native CLI – Command-line interface for building custom apps with full control
- Flipper – A debugging tool for React Native that helps with performance and error tracking
What’s Next / Future Trends
React Native is being refined to support more native features and improve performance through tools like Fabric and TurboModules. Its active community and backing by Meta (Facebook) mean it’s continuously evolving to support enterprise-grade apps.
Related Terms
Mobile App Development – The overall process of building apps for mobile platforms
React JS – The web counterpart of React Native, focusing on browser apps
Cross-Platform Development – Building software that runs on multiple operating systems
Expo – A framework and platform for universal React applications
Native Apps – Apps built specifically for one platform, like iOS or Android
Helpful Videos / Articles / Pages
Blog: Flutter vs React Native: Find a Framework
Choosing The Right Technology For Your Mobile App (Video)
Blog: Hybrid App Development : Pros, Cons, and Best Practices
Call to Action
Curious if React Native suits your product vision? Let’s explore the best-fit approach for your mobile app with a free strategy session.