React vs React Native Which One Should You Choose

Suppose you’re a startup founder with a game-changing app idea. You’re eager to bring it to life, but you’ve hit a roadblock. Should you use react native to build one app for iOS and Android? Or should you stick with react to create a strong web app first?

This choice is critical. It will shape your timeline, budget, and how many users you can reach.

React native promises the dream of “write once, run anywhere.” On the other hand, react gives unmatched performance and flexibility for web apps. 

But which one is right for your goals? And how can you avoid picking the wrong tool and wasting time and money?

Let’s look at some facts. In 2023, react native powered over 38% of top cross-platform apps like instagram and airbnb. Meanwhile, react was the backbone of many web apps for giants like facebook and netflix.

This isn’t just about technology. It’s about strategy, scaling your app, and giving users a great experience. 

That’s why this guide will help you. We’ll break down the strengths, weaknesses, and best uses of React Native vs React. By the end, you’ll know which one fits your project. You’ll feel confident in making a choice that sets your app up for success.

Key Takeaways

• React builds web applications, and React Native builds mobile applications.
• React Native uses native mobile components and APIs, while React uses web components and APIs.
• React native vs react use similar syntax and development styles.
• React is better for SEO.
• You can use custom software development companies to help you choose the difference between react native vs react.

Understand React Native vs React

Now we will talk about the difference of react native vs react.React helps you make websites that work well and look good. React Native takes it a step further, letting you build apps for phones. Using both tools ensures more people can use your platform, no matter how they connect—through a website or a mobile app.

Still unsure? Don’t worry! Let’s break it down with a simple example so it’s easy to follow.

Imagine that you are organizing some kind of sports event locally. You want to create a system for player sign-ups, a way for players to check the schedule of matches, and updates. Some would want it to be on the website; others would want it all on their phones. If you want to ensure that all people can take part, then there will be a need for a website and a mobile app.

React is the tool you will use to build the website for the tournament. Using React, you can create reusable pieces, such as a registration form or a button that says “Sign Up.” Once you make these pieces, you can use them on different parts of the site, such as on the team pages or player profiles. React keeps everything organized and easy to manage.

React Native helps you build the mobile app. Players get to see updates in game times directly on their phones in a very short time. It takes your code and magically converts it into something that will work smoothly on both Android and iPhones. That same “Sign Up” button you used for the website? You can create a version for the app, too, and it’ll work perfectly on any phone.

That is react native vs react, React for websites, React Native for apps. Together they cover that whomever is using either a computer or a phone has the best experience

What is the big difference between React and React Native?

Knowing the differences between react native vs react will, therefore, let you choose between the two for your project. Whether you want to build a web app or create a mobile app running on both iOS and Android, these tools have got you covered.

Core Purpose and Platform

React native vs react serve different design goals. It’s a library of JavaScript that is widely used for constructing web applications. With it, one could make interactive user interfaces for websites and web applications. If you’re making, say, some Progressive Web App, React knows how to make it smooth and fast with.

React Native is for mobile apps. It’s a framework that lets you build native apps for iOS and Android. Unlike React, which works in browsers, React Native uses native components. That makes your mobile app look and feel like it was made just for that platform.

Understanding the difference between web apps and websites is also important. Websites are more static and show content. Web apps and mobile apps, however, are interactive and let users perform tasks. Choosing the right tool helps you give users what they need.

Development Environment and Tools

The tools you use for React and React Native are different. React works with web development tools like Chrome DevTools, VS Code, and Node.js. These tools make it easier to build, test, and debug web apps.

React Native, on the other hand, needs tools for mobile development. You’ll use Xcode for iOS and Android Studio for Android. These tools let you test your apps on simulators or real devices. While the setup might feel complex, it’s essential for creating apps that work on both platforms.

In short, React is great for browser-based apps, while React Native is perfect for mobile-first projects.

User Interface Components

React and React Native handle user interfaces differently. React uses web elements like <div>, <p>, and <span>. These are standard for building visually appealing websites and web apps.

React Native replaces these with native elements like <View>, <Text>, and <Image>. These components match the look and feel of mobile platforms. For example, a button in React Native will follow the design rules of iOS and Android.

Using these native elements, React Native developers can create polished mobile apps that feel just right on any device.

Performance

Performance is another area where React and React Native differ. React is optimized for web performance. It uses a virtual DOM, which updates the UI quickly without reloading the whole page. This makes React great for building fast web apps.

React Native, however, delivers near-native performance for mobile apps. It connects JavaScript code to native APIs, enabling smooth animations and quick responses. While it may not be as fast as fully native apps, it’s fast enough for most mobile needs.

When deciding between web apps and websites, think about performance. React is ideal for dynamic web apps, while React Native ensures mobile apps feel smooth and fast.

Language and Syntax

Both React and React Native are built on JavaScript and JSX (JavaScript XML). JSX makes it easy to write components and see how your app will look.

React Native adds some extra syntax for mobile development. For example, instead of <button>, you’ll use <TouchableOpacity> for clickable elements. This ensures your app works well on touch devices.

If you already know React, learning React Native is simple. The shared foundation lets you use your skills on both web and mobile projects.

Community and Ecosystem

React has been around longer, so it has a bigger and more established community. There are many libraries, tutorials, and tools to help you build web apps. The active community ensures quick solutions to problems and constant improvements.

React Native also has a strong community, even though it’s newer. Its focus on mobile apps attracts skilled developers from all over the world. Finding React Native developers or learning resources is getting easier every day.

Both communities are active and supportive. Whether you choose React or React Native depends on your project’s goals and needs.

Styling

Styling in React is usually done with CSS or CSS-in-JS tools. These methods give you flexibility to design attractive web apps. You can use tools like Tailwind CSS or styled-components to speed up your workflow.

React Native uses a different approach. It relies on a JavaScript-based styling system called StyleSheet. While it’s similar to CSS, it’s designed for mobile. This ensures your app’s look is consistent on both iOS and Android.

Understanding these differences helps you create polished designs, whether it’s for a web or mobile app.

Platform-Specific Code

React works across all web browsers without much extra effort. You write your code once, and it runs everywhere. This simplicity is perfect for web apps and websites.

React Native, however, allows for platform-specific code. This is crucial for handling differences between iOS and Android, like navigation styles or hardware features. For instance, you can write unique code for iOS gestures or Android’s back button.

This flexibility makes React Native a great choice for creating apps that feel natural on any device. It ensures your app meets user expectations seamlessly.

What are the Use Cases of React Native vs React?

Choosing between React and React Native can be tricky. Both tools are powerful, but they work best in different situations. React, also called ReactJS, is a JavaScript library used to build user interfaces for web apps. Its special component-based design makes it easy to break big tasks into smaller, reusable pieces.

Where to Use React?

Knowing when to use React or React Native is key when starting a new project. Whether you’re a developer, business owner, or part of a software team, picking the right tool can save you time and money. Plus, it improves how happy users are with your product.

Let’s say you’re building a web app with a button that appears on many pages. With React, you can create one button and reuse it everywhere:

function MyButton() {  


  return <button>Click Me!</button>;  


}

Single-Page Applications (SPAs)

React is great for making Single-Page Applications (SPAs). SPAs let content load dynamically without refreshing the whole page. For example, when you use Gmail or Facebook, only part of the page changes when you click something. This makes for a smooth experience.

Did you know over half of all web apps are SPAs? React’s fast rendering system boosts the speed and interactivity of these apps.

Complex Interactive Web UIs

If your project needs a complex and interactive design, React is the way to go. It breaks the user interface (UI) into smaller, reusable parts. This method speeds up development and makes future updates easier.

Studies show that React can cut development time by up to 40%. This makes it a favorite for custom software companies.

High-Traffic Web Applications

React works well for websites that get a lot of visitors. Its virtual DOM updates only the parts of the page that need it. This keeps your app fast and responsive, even during peak times.

Websites using React can handle 20% more traffic without slowing down. If your app needs to handle lots of users, React is a smart choice.

SEO-Friendly Web Apps

One big advantage of React is its support for server-side rendering (SSR). SSR helps search engines index your app better, which improves its ranking.

For e-commerce websites, better rankings mean more visitors. In fact, good SEO can increase traffic by up to 30%. When comparing web apps and websites, React-based apps often perform better in search results.

Web Applications

React is perfect for building all kinds of web apps. From dashboards to booking systems, it creates modern, user-friendly designs.

React also works amazingly with a variety of different back-end systems, flexibly accommodating many projects. Today, React is used by about 42% of today’s developers for their web apps, showing its high popularity.

Progressive Web App Development

React is a good choice for Progressive Web Apps. PWAs are the best from both worlds of web and mobile apps. They include features such as offline use and push notifications.

React makes PWAs a piece of cake to build, and such applications will definitely provide a seamless experience for the users. If you use React Native, then you can target creating mobile apps with one code base. This approach saves both money and time; hence, React Native developers are in demand.

React and React Native are powerful tools, each with their strengths. Choose the one which best fits your project, and you will save time, money, and effort while making your users very happy.

Where to Use React Native?

React Native is a powerful tool for building mobile applications. It makes it easier to develop apps across Android and iOS with a single codebase, saving time and cost.

Cross-Platform Mobile Apps

React Native is perfect for apps that work on both platforms. About 38% of developers choose it for this reason. It uses native UI components, so your app feels smooth and responsive on all devices.

Apps That Need a Native Feel

If you want your app to look and feel like a native app, React Native delivers. It uses real native elements, so your app performs and looks great. Apps built with React Native load as fast as native ones, giving users a seamless experience.

Fast Prototyping

React Native is great for quick prototypes. You can test ideas faster, cutting development time by 30%-35%. You can also tweak features easily without hurting performance. This is helpful for startups that need to move quickly.

Apps with Basic Features

React Native shines in apps with common features like geolocation, camera access, or network monitoring. These features are in about 60% of mobile apps. With React Native, adding them is smooth and simple.

Social Media Apps

Social media platforms love React Native. It handles real-time data and user interactions well. Around 58% of developers use it for social apps. It’s a great way to make engaging platforms users love.

E-Commerce Apps

React Native is ideal for e-commerce apps. It ensures smooth performance across devices. About 14% of e-commerce apps use it. This means your customers get a better shopping experience, which can boost sales.

Apps Focused on Content

If your app is all about delivering content, React Native is a solid pick. It works well for blogs and news platforms. Surveys show that 70% of users want fast, fluid content. React Native keeps everything running smoothly.

Lifestyle and Entertainment Apps

For lifestyle and entertainment apps, React Native is excellent. It helps create fun, interactive experiences. These features keep users coming back, which is key to success in these categories.

Enterprise Apps

React Native is great for business apps. It works on all devices, so employees can access tools easily. About 60% of enterprises now use React Native for internal apps. It makes work smoother and more efficient.

How to Choose Between React Native and React?

The major factors to consider in choosing between React Native and React are project scope, performance needs, team skills, and budget. While both frameworks are powerful, each shines in a specific situation. Now, let’s dive into those points to get you choosing rightly.

Scope and Target Platform

First, you need to consider the scope of your project and the platform you are targeting. If your target is web applications, then React is the way to go. Already in 2024, more than 1.3 million websites use React, showing its popularity for web projects.

On the other hand, if you are into developing mobile apps for both iOS and Android, React Native is your best option. You must be aware that 13% of the top 500 apps in the US Play Store are made on React Native, proving its strength in cross-platform mobile app development.

Performance Needs

Performance is another important factor. React is excellent for web apps because it makes websites fast and responsive. Many React websites load in under three seconds, which makes users happy.

React Native, however, is designed for mobile apps. It offers performance that feels almost like native apps. Most React Native apps run smoothly at 60 frames per second (FPS), giving users a great experience.

Team Skills and Resources

Your team’s skills matter too. If your developers are good at JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, React will be an easy choice for web projects.

For mobile apps, you might need developers who know React Native. Many companies save time by using React Native, especially when they combine it with existing web projects. In fact, React Native can cut development time by 70%.

UI/UX Needs

Your user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) goals also affect your decision. React is perfect for creating complex web interfaces that need regular updates. For instance, many e-commerce sites built with React see a 30% boost in user engagement.

React Native, on the other hand, gives mobile apps a smooth, native look and feel. This helps apps work seamlessly on different devices, which is crucial for keeping users happy.

Code Reusability and Maintenance

For reuse of code and reducing the headache of maintenance, React Native is a winner; sharing of more than 80% code is possible between iOS and Android applications. This saves time as well as money.

Updates are also easier with React Native. A single change in code can apply throughout the platforms, reducing maintenance work.

Community and Support

Both frameworks have strong communities, but React has a larger and more mature ecosystem. Having over 200,000 stars on GitHub makes it clear that many developers stand behind it.

React Native has a great community, too, but React enables you to find ready solutions and libraries much more easily, which may make your development process easier.

Time-to-Market and Budget

Lastly, there is also something to be said for your timeline and budget, in which, for web projects, React lets you get going quick so you can launch sooner.

For React Native, particularly, using mobile apps can be so much cheaper when trying to cover iOS and Android markets, for example. Companies can save up to 90% by using React Native instead of developing two separate native apps.

Conclusion

The choice between React Native vs React depends on the kind of application one is developing and his/her project needs. Both frameworks offer a modern approach to building applications and are popular choices for developers. Here at Linkitsoft, we do professional solutions tuned to your very unique project need-be it React for crafting robust web applications or React Native for seamless, cross-platform mobile app design. Get the best from each world as our expertise takes you straight into React for dynamically responsive Web and React Native near-native high performance for the Mobile world. Whether you’re focused on creating Single-Page Applications (SPAs), Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), or mobile-first experiences, our team has the knowledge and experience to bring your vision to life.

Don’t let the pain of selection of appropriate frameworks stop you; reach out to Linkitsoft today for discussions on project requirements. We believe in providing high-quality development services to enable customers to meet their objectives with maximum satisfaction.