Why React Native Is A Leading Choice For App Development Over Hybrid Apps

Posted by Nabmita Banerjee Filed under React Native App No Comments
Why React Native Is A Leading Choice For App Development Over Hybrid Apps
react native app
While developing mobile apps, most businesses wish for high-performing apps that are built faster and at minimal costs. But, the availability of numerous outstanding technologies causes dilemmas when choosing the right app development framework. Also, it becomes difficult to maintain a balance between opting for top-quality app development and affordable costs. In this regard, the two most popular approaches are ‘Hybrid app development’ and ‘React Native app development’. And, the decision on whether to go for hybrid apps or React Native apps is the most popular topic of debate.
Several businesses go for hybrid mobile app creation thinking that it meets their requirement. No doubt it offers advantages like:
  • Faster development in a cost-efficient manner.
  • Wider reach at once.
  • Offline support.
  • Ease of integration with the cloud.
But, before investing in hybrid apps, businesses must also look at the drawbacks associated with them.

Drawbacks Of Hybrid Apps

Unsatisfactory Performance:

These apps crash several times. Also, these introduce an extra layer between the targeted mobile platform and the source code which ultimately deteriorates their performance.

Unappealing User Interface:

The first impression is the best impression. Hybrid apps visible on the app store do not entice the user because they have a very dull look and appear like web apps on the android and iOS platforms. Owing to lesser clarity, users tend to avoid downloading such apps.

Below-average User-experience:

The UX of the modern-day apps is impeccable and highly captivating. But a hybrid mobile app fails to match this raised bar of UX in the apps. They have sluggish graphics, limited animation, keyboard malfunction, and the absence of platform-specific features that contribute to poor user experience. This could be the probable reason why Facebook switched from HTML5 to React Native.

Debugging Issues:

As discussed previously, the additional layer between the platform and the code of hybrid apps makes the debugging process lengthy and complex. The developers have to rely on the framework to make modifications to the targeted OS. Also, since the developers may not have a thorough knowledge of the target platform, detecting issues in these apps becomes highly time-consuming.

Limitations while upgrading to Latest Features:

To stay competitive, it is essential for modern-day apps to embed new features and upcoming software capabilities. But in hybrid mobile apps, this process is extremely difficult and troublesome.
With such disadvantages, it can become highly impossible to develop attractive, engaging, and robust apps while maintaining cost-effectiveness. At this time, the usage of React Native for app development comes into the picture.
Let’s take a look at how React Native apps fare better than Hybrid apps!

Key Benefits offered by React Native App Development

react native app development services

Native-like Functionality and Appearance:

The platform components used in React Native applications are similar to those in native Android or iOS apps. So, the cross-platform apps created in React Native have a native-like look and feel and perform better as compared to Hybrid apps. Hybrid apps are like a web view with a native container wrapped around them. They are not smooth and fast. On any operative device, hybrid apps run and behave like web apps.

Code-reusability for Time and Cost-efficient Development:

The benefits of React Native as a cross-platform app development framework are known to all. This framework allows the sharing of a single code-base across multiple platforms, so it is possible to create top-grade apps in half the time when compared with native apps, thereby being more cost-effective. Hybrid apps, on the other hand, use age-old frameworks that require more time for development.

‘Ready-made’ Components and Third-party plugins:

React Native has a reusable component-specific structure. So, the developers do not need to write code for these components from scratch. Comparatively, hybrid apps have a WebView component that is getting outdated gradually. Also, React Native offers a host of amazing third-party libraries with pragmatic interfaces and flexible customization options.

ReactJS’s Programming Model:

React Native is nothing but a JavaScript framework at its core and makes use of the programming model of ReactJS. As a result, the React Native developers utilize the same conceptual framework used by React developers.

Attractive and Efficient User Interface:

React Native is much more exclusive and versatile as compared to other JavaScript frameworks like Angular and React. Due to the asynchronous JavaScript connections, the resulting user interface of React Native becomes highly responsive and native-like. It has a smooth feel with faster loading times and looks much better visually as compared to hybrid apps.

A rich Open-source Ecosystem and Vibrant Community Support:

This framework is open-source and has a rich open-source ecosystem for knowledge sharing and external integration. It is backed by a strong community and talented developers worldwide contributing to its progress. Big players like Facebook, GitHub, Callstack, Software Mansion, Microsoft, Infinite Red, etc. support this framework.

Used by several Industry Giants:

Above all, this cross-platform framework supports big leaders like Instagram, Facebook, Tesla, Walmart, Bloomberg, etc. It is being adopted for varied applications by diverse industries and this fact speaks for the popularity of React Native.

Other Technical Merits:

The below-mentioned features simplify the coding efforts and also make the testing of React Native apps easier.
  • It has a modular architecture that helps to divide the code functions into free and interchangeable modules; thereby speeding up the development process.
  • The ‘Hot-reload’ feature is another great feature of this framework. Any modification in the code immediately reflects in the apps, even while the apps are running. It reduces the wait times and allows the implementation of any feedback with ease.
  • The declarative coding style in React Native makes the processes of reading and understanding the code much easier. It enables even new developers with basic knowledge of JavaScript to grasp the coding of this framework.
  • It allows for easy migration

Concluding Note:

With this, we come to the end of this blog. We understood how apps developed in React Native have unparalleled quality and performance as compared to hybrid apps. React Native development has undoubtedly overshadowed hybrid app development. The apps built in React Native are stable and reliable. Also, it is a cost-effective technology for cross-platform mobile app creation. Needless to say, this technology is already popular, and React Native app development services have immense potential to develop profitable applications. So, if you were thinking of hiring a hybrid app company, for your next project, it’s high time to reconsider your decision.

React Native Or Flutter? A Brief Guide To Choose The Best Framework! – Part II

Posted by Nabmita Banerjee Filed under Flutter, React Native No Comments
React Native Or Flutter? A Brief Guide To Choose The Best Framework! – Part II
React Native or Flutter
In Part I of this blog, we compared the frameworks- React Native and Flutter based on numerous vital parameters. You may have a glimpse at Part I here.
This blog is an extension of Part I and here too, we will be focusing on a few more significant parameters to carry out a more detailed comparative analysis of both of these technologies.
We presume that by the end of this read, you will have better clarity on which framework is the best pick for your project development requirements. You will easily be able to decide whether to go with React Native app development or Flutter app development. So let’s commence.

Comparative Analysis: React Native App Development Or Flutter App Development

 
React Native or Flutter

Learning Curve

 

React Native:

The learning curve of React Native is quite easier, especially for those who are familiar with JavaScript. But working with React Native may get a bit difficult when it comes to mobile app development, though the framework has released several libraries, tutorials, documents, etc. to make the learning of this framework easier.

Flutter:

Flutter too is not much difficult to learn. To understand this framework, developers need to learn the Dart language, which is pretty simple along with some basic knowledge of native iOS and Android development. However, this language is rarely opted by developers due to its low popularity.

The Installation Process

React Native:

Node Package Manager (NPM) is required to install the RN framework. NPM can install the packages globally as well as locally. For this, it is essential for the React Native App developers to have knowledge of the location of the binary.
Also, the Homebrew package manager is required while installing React Native on macOS.The developers need to run the desired code for installing React Native on macOS and then access it from the command line.

Flutter:

For installing Flutter, one should download the binary for a particular platform from GitHub. For macOS, the developers should download the file- flutter.zip and add it as a PATH variable and then run the desired code.
The installation method of Flutter is a bit tedious and can be enhanced by supporting package managers like MacPorts, Homebrew, APT, YUM, etc. so that users can get rid of performing the extra steps while installing.

Architecture Supported by Each

 

React Native:

The latest architecture of React Native is based on 3 important threads namely: Native thread (where native code is placed and executed), JavaScript thread (where complete JavaScript code is kept and compiled), and Shadow thread (where the app’s layout is calculated).
React Native has a bridge between JavaScript and Native threads. According to this feature, the JavaScript code communicates with the Native API and the platform. Also, when it comes to iOS, React Native makes use of JavaScriptCore separately for running all codes, whereas in the case of Android, it bundles the JavaScriptCore within the app. This will increase native functionality, however, it also increases the size of the app and that results in device lag or performance issues.

Flutter:

Flutter has a layered architecture. Developing a basic app in Flutter starts with platform-specific widgets or top-level root functions. Next, it is followed by basic widgets that communicate with rendering layers and the platform. Animation gestures exist just beyond the rendering layer, and this animation gesture transfers API calls to the foundation of the mobile app; also called Scaffold. It is run by a platform-specific embedder and a C/C++ engine. For separating the presentation layer from business logic, the Flutter app developers can utilize Flutter BLoC. Such architecture eases the creation of complex apps with the use of simple and small components.

Development API and UI Components

React Native:

There are very few features and functionalities available in core React Native. This framework comes with just device access APIs and UI rendering. But using third-party libraries, this shortcoming can be overcome. For accessing native modules, RN makes use of several third-party libraries. You can find the list of the best-known UI component libraries here.

Flutter:

On the other hand, the Flutter framework comes with device API access, UI rendering components, testing, navigation, stateful management, and a plethora of libraries. In Flutter, you will have access to everything required for architecting mobile apps and so, there’s no need to use third-party libraries. It also comes with widgets for Cupertino and Material Design that enable the developers to render the UI on both Android and iOS platforms with ease.

The Convenience of Maintaining Code

React Native:

It is a bit difficult to upgrade and maintain code in React Native mobile apps. One of the key reasons behind this is the dependency on third-party libraries. Usually, the libraries are old and outdated and cannot be properly maintained, thus, affecting the code maintainability. Besides, there are chances that when the developers fork the code to suit the app requirement, it may interfere with the framework’s logic and slow down the overall development process.

Flutter:

On the contrary, code maintenance in Flutter is quite easier. It has simple code which allows the Flutter app developers to easily find issues, support third-party libraries, and even source external tools. Also, the hot-reloading property in Flutter is comparatively better than that in React Native and it helps to resolve several issues quickly.

Modularity

 
Note: Modularity refers to the ability of a framework to enable different professionals with diverse experiences and technical skillsets to work on a single project.

React Native:

React Native offers less modularity support. At times, React developers, iOS developers, Android developers, etc. working on a project, may find it tough to match up with each other.

Flutter:

Comparatively, Flutter provides better modularity for team diversity and also supports well while dividing the project codes into separate modules with its pub package system. The teams can easily add/change a code-base or construct various modules with the plug-in ability.

Testability of Code

 

React Native:

In React Native app development projects, there is no official support available for integration testing and UI-level testing. It offers just a few unit-level testing frameworks. Tools like Jest can be utilized for snapshot testing. Also, there are some third-party tools like Detox and Appium that can be used for testing the React Native apps even though these aren’t supported officially by the React Native team.

Flutter:

Since Flutter functions with Dart, it provides excellent support for automated testing. Also, it offers a rich set of features for testing the applications at the integration level, unit level, widget level, etc. Furthermore, it offers detailed documentation on testing the Flutter apps.

Concluding Views:

 
In this fast-paced digital era, having a high-quality, user-friendly, and responsive mobile app for your business is crucial. For developing such outstanding mobile apps, both frameworks – React Native and Flutter – have proved to be apt technologies. But, which of these is the best pick for your project?
Well, we have tried to explain this aspect in this post and in Part I. We hope this post has provided you with an in-depth understanding of the good and the bad of both technologies. Also, these detailed insights will help you make an informed decision on whether to partner with a Flutter App Development Company or go for React Native App Development Company.