React vs React Native: Key Differences, Pros, and Cons Explained

Introduction to React and React Native

It is worthwhile to first know the intent of each technology before getting into the differences of the two technologies.

What Is React?

React React (or React.js or ReactJS) is a JavaScript library created to be used to create interactive user interfaces in web applications. It focuses on “view layer” and allows the developers to create reusable UI components. React took the world of web development by storm with its virtual DOM system, component-based architecture and the declarative programming style.

React is perfect in creating websites, dashboards, portals, SaaS, e-commerce stores, web systems of enterprise scale, and most platforms that involve rich interactions.

The greatest advantage of React is that you specify what you desire and React handles the remaining part. — Pete Hunt, co-creator of React

What Is React Native?

React Native is a platform on which mobile apps can be created in iOS and Android based on the concepts of JavaScript and React. In comparison with hybrid frameworks, React Native is compiled to native elements, which ensures almost native levels of performance. It enables the developer to code for a single platform on every platform — with platform-specific customizations when needed.

React Native is aimed at making the power of React available to mobile development among other simplifying the traditionally complicated native development process.

History and Evolution of the two Technologies.

React was released in 2013 as the answer to the complicated interface updates on the dynamic web platforms of Facebook. It was quickly adopted because it was simple to use, improved the performance, and was component-based.

It was followed in 2015 with React Native which was started in an internal Facebook hackathon. It was designed to allow writing native apps in JavaScript, which minimized the need to maintain a set of Swift, Objective-C and Java/ Kotlin codebases. React Native is used in mobile applications by today several international brands, such as Instagram, Tesla, Airbnb (previously), Shopify, and Discord.

The ecosystem of React is growing year after year driving numerous websites, enterprise applications, API-driven dashboards, and more. At the same time, React Native is constantly updated with such functions as better architecture, TurboModules, and Fabric Renderer to work with more performance.

Basic React and React Native Dissimilarities

React and React Native are developed in completely different contexts, in spite of the similarity of their underlying concept.

Platform Purpose

• React: React is an interface that may be used with web apps and browsers.
• React Native: Mobile applications on Android and iOS.

Rendering Technology

• React: HTML, CSS and the virtual Dom.
• React Native: Employs native mobile UI components (ex. <Text>, <View>) instead of using the HTML.

Styling Approach

• React: Standard CSS / CSS-in-JS.
• React Native: StyleSheets (nothing like CSS but nothing that is too different).

Navigation Systems

• React: Uses routing libraries such as React Router
• React Native: Relies on React Navigation or native navigation modules.

Build and Deployment

• React: It is used on web servers or on the basis of a static hosting service.
• React Native: Compiled to Native binaries iOS and Android.

Access to Device API

• React: Only browser API Limited.
• React Native: Access to device hardware (GPS, camera, Bluetooth) thanks to native modules.

Code Reusability

• React: Reusability is used in web-based ones.
• React Native: 70-90 percent of code sharing between iOS and Android.

Pros and Cons of React

Pros

• Component-Based Architecture

Promotes modularity, reusability and maintainability – hence easier debugging and faster development.

• Virtual DOM for Performance

React is able to update the UI with little real DOM manipulation and with high speed.

• Large Ecosystem

React enjoys an unlimited number of 3rd party libraries, developer tools, and usefulness.

• SEO-Friendly (With SSR)

React is compatible with Next.js to facilitate server-side rendering to optimize search engines.

• Easy Scalability

The component-based design is a natural extension of the complexity of applications.

Cons

• Constant Changes

Frequent updates can be overwhelming for the new developers.

• Setup Can Be Complex

React only and no frameworks can need some other tools (Webpack, Babel etc.).

• No Built-in State Management

External libraries such as Redux or Zustand are used in complex state handling.

Pros and Cons of React Native

Pros

• Cross-Platform Code Reuse

One JavaScript codebase works on iOs and Android, which saves a significant amount of time and cost in development.

• Native Performance

In contrast to hybrid apps, React Native renders native components and guarantees an easy interaction and high-quality animation.

• Hot Reloading

Makes the process of debugging quicker with instant updates of the app.

• Smaller Community and Libraries.

Ready-made units, UI kits, and completions, thousands of them.

• Lower Development Costs

Perfect in the startups and companies that require a quicker entry into the market.

Cons

• Limitations to Performance of the Heavy Apps.

Pure native development may be needed by very complicated or graphics-intensive applications (e.g. AAA games).

• Native Modules Necessary At Times

Swift/Java is not compatible with native modules that developers are required to write or integrate.

• Dependency on Third Party Libraries

There are libraries which are not up to date or are not well documented.

• Complex Debugging

Due to the ability of the React Native system to connect JavaScript with native code, debugging can be a complicated process.

Use Cases: React or React Native: When to Use and When to Choose

Choose React for:

• Single-page web application or multi-page web application.
• Complex real-time data dashboards.
• SaaS platforms
• E-commerce websites
• Corporate portals
• Admin management systems
• Web-based workflows

Choose React Native for:

• Mobile-first business ideas
• MVPs that need quick entry into the market.
• Social networking apps
• Location-based apps
• Fitness, lifestyle or e-learning applications.
• Cross platform product ecosystems
• Applications with medium level of hardware consumption.
• Adoption by Industry and Real-Life Examples

React Use Cases

• Netflix: Modular UI, as well as scalable and performance, is implemented on React.
• Facebook: React creation place Used in budget across interfaces
• Dropbox: Increased Responsiveness and File Management UI.
• Salesforce: This company uses React in its Lightning Platform.

React Native Use Cases

• Instagram: React Native is used on several levels of interface.
• Shopify: Redid its mobile application in React Native.
• Tesla: React Native based Vehicle control and dashboard features.
• Discord: iOS application based on React Native to be fast.

Performance Comparison

React Performance

React’s performance is mostly based on the efficiency of the operations virtual DOM performs in order to update the DOM. React can provide very fast and scalable results when it is used in conjunction with efficient state management frameworks and SSR frameworks.

React Native Performance

React Native is very fast in performance of most business applications. The bridge architecture potentially introduces heavy load in the form of overheads of performing heavy computations, but emerging advances (such as the Fabric Renderer) are eradicating this distance rapidly.

Architecture Comparison

React Architecture

• The idea of structure is to revolve around components.
• Uses the unidirectional data flow.
• Can integrate with Redux, MobX, Zustand or custom contexts.
• Easily extensible using routing, state libraries or SSR tools.

React Native Architecture

• Uses JavaScriptCore, uses a bridge to communicate with native modules.
• Has platform components.
• Offers fast native rendering with the help of compiled UI.
• The architecture is evolving in such a way that it is less dependent on the old bridge.

Speed and Productivity of development.

The two technologies enhance the pace of development greatly.

React: Why it is more Productive.

• Component reuse
• Rich tooling
• Large community
• Such frameworks as Next.js and Remix.

The reasons React Native is better at productivity.

• Use of the same codebase for two platforms
• Hot reloading
• Pre-built UI libraries
• Reduced the necessity to have different iOS/Android repos.
• Developer Skills and Learning Curve.

React:

• JavaScript (ES6+)
• JSX
• HTML & CSS
• State management libraries
• Routing and build tools

React Native:

• JavaScript + React basics
• Native components
• Flexbox for layout

Native development (Swift/ Java) (Optional) to be able to achieve advanced features

React developers have the ability to move to React Native in a short time period because of common concepts.

The Ecosystem and Libraries

The ecosystem of React is web-based and has a routing, animations, state management, API, form, and testing libraries.

React Native has the following ecosystem:

• Navigation libraries
• Native integrations
• Device hardware access
• Gesture handlers
• Optimization tools of performance.

The two ecosystems keep on expanding with the support of the community.

The purpose of Role of React and React Native in Business Growth.

React and React Native are preferred by businesses due to the following:

• Rapid prototyping
• Cost efficiency
• Excellent user experience
• Flexibility for scaling
• Community and corporate assistance over long term.

The selection of the right technology has a significant impact on the project outcomes, whether it is the development of a large enterprise solution or the opening of a mobile applications startup.

“React Native is the future. It enables you to develop mobile applications as fast as web innovation. –Jason Brown, React Native Contributor

React vs React Native: a guide to the choice

Choose React When:

• The product is web-focused.
• SEO is a priority.
• There is a large amount of data visualization needed in the interface.
• The objective is to have smooth browser performance.
• You need SSR, static generation or API-first workflows.

Choose React Native When:

• The major platform is mobile.
• You want fast go-to-market.
• To save money you require cross platform development.
• You intend to expand step by step between MVP and enterprise level mobile application.

Conclusion

React and React Native are some of the strong tools, each of which is focused on a particular goal. React is a web application developer that is advanced, responsive, and highly scalable. React Native helps companies build mobile applications by enabling them to experience the benefits of being native yet efficiently performing and appealing to a greater audience using the same codebase.

We assist businesses to select the best technology at TAV Tech Solutions depending on their specific objectives, budget, timeframe and vision. Whether you’re in the process of building a high-performance web platform or mobile app that’s a seamless experience on every device, understanding the strengths and trade-offs of React and React Native can help make smarter decisions and more successful digital products.