React Native vs Native Development: Pros and Cons

Two decades ago, mobile apps were written in native languages. Android was written in Java, and iOS used Swift. Though there were cross-platform development frameworks available at that time, they were not as popular as they are today. That is until React Native came along and completely changed the mobile app development scene. Developed by a team at Meta (formerly Facebook), it took cross-platform development to the next level.

Now, you would probably be thinking, what actually is the difference between native and cross-platform development? We have broken down the difference between the two in the blog -- native vs cross-platform.

Coming to the React Native vs. native development as we will specifically compare React Native vs. native development in this article and weigh the pros and cons of each approach. By the end of this article, you will know what works best for you. Native could be confusing for you here. So, let's break it down with the simple example below.

Think of it like talking to someone who speaks a different language. If you don't speak their language, you need an interpreter or translator. Native development is like speaking directly in the OS's language. For example, if you're building an app for both iOS and Android, you'd need to learn Java or Kotlin for Android and Swift for iOS. No technology is needed to communicate with native components.?

But what if you do not have the time or resources to learn all these different languages? That is where cross-platform development comes in. More than 50% believe cross-platform is the go-to choice when it comes to reducing development time. Obviously, you would need only language.

Instead of writing separate code for each platform, cross-platform uses a kind of translator layer that adapts the code to different systems. As a result, performance is affected a little.?

So, the basic idea is? Android is written in Java/Kotlin, and iOS is written in Swift. If you go purely native, you have two options: learn both or hire a different team for each. On the other side, with a cross-platform approach, you can write in one place, covering all platforms, but, of course, some technology is required to establish communication, and that might affect performance a little bit.

Native development is pretty pricey, but cross-platform is a little more affordable. React Native is part of the cross-platform development, providing apps that look and feel native without breaking the bank.

React Native in 2025

React Native has been the second most popular application development tool in the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024.? This survey also reveals that it is admired by more than 55% of developers. Used by the world's largest organizations and mobile app development companies, React Native continues to be one of the most sought-after JavaScript-based frameworks among mobile app developers.

Since it is a cross-platform development framework, it requires fewer resources and a single codebase can be used across both Android and iOS platforms. If you're interested in learning more about the advantages of React Native, the "What is React Native?" blog will help you understand what it is and what makes it popular in the mobile app development world.

A Brief Introduction to React Native

React Native started as an internal project at Facebook and was made available to developers in 2016. Since then, it has evolved into a globally renowned framework, being used to develop complex applications and dynamic user interfaces.

It eliminates the need to write HTML/CSS, which is used in web application development with other tools. Instead, views are controlled by the JavaScript thread. React Native uses a bridge to interact with native components or APIs. This not only reduces development time but also lowers costs by 40-50%.

Why Choose React Native Development

Managing two teams and two codebases for one product is always tougher than managing a single codebase with one team. While you may not deliver a fully native experience, tools like React Native enable developers to build apps that mimic native speed and experience.

Even the world's renowned companies have opted for React Native to build cross-platform features and apps. Popular examples include Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc. Let's look at some benefits that you may not get with native development.

1. Rapid app development

As the Google Trends chart above indicates, cross-platform development has been in demand for a number of years. It's usually faster in the sense that developers don't need to write two different codes. Thus, when developing apps that could run on two different platforms, a significant number of hours is saved.

Faster development equals reduced development cost and time-to-market, which is essential in today's environment to remain alive and innovating.

According to a report by Kobiton, slow mobile app releases cost an average of more than $100k. Furthermore, 75% of respondents said in a survey published by Kobiton, a popular mobile testing company, that slow releases impacted their businesses.

Another report shows that although advanced automation tools and generative AI technology have increased still, almost half of the world's C-suite executives said that over 30% of the technology development projects in their organizations were over budget and late, as per a Boston Consulting Group survey.?

2. Cost-Effective development

Cross-platform applications can be even 30-40% less expensive than creating native versions on different platforms. A great example is Discord, which used React Native, which helped it save 30% in developing costs and was able to enjoy a 99% crash-free app.

Cross-platform development can be cheaper in terms of development and maintenance costs. There is no need to have separate codes for iOS and Android. Everything is managed in one place. Cross-platform apps are built as a single project but can be deployed on different platforms.

Frameworks like React Native enable developers to share more than 90% of their codebase across platforms.

3. Broader Reach

This can be cost-sensitive for a majority of businesses looking forward to the creation of Android and iOS apps. You can settle between Android or iOS depending on what you are trying to do, but then, you tend to miss more potential users, considering you only went for either platform. For example, with the help of React Native app development, you'll easily reach an extensive audience starting off.

Is the investment cost greater than that missed audience? You don't have to do this trade-off with cross-platform development.

4. Code Reusability

This is the same single codebase we are emphasizing here. However, it is not true that you wouldn't need to write any native code. Some native code still might be necessary, even with cross-platform development. However, more than 90 percent of the code could be shared between platforms.

Cons of React Native

• You won't have deeper access to native modules, which is an inherent characteristic of cross-platform frameworks. As a result, you won't be able to take full advantage of any platform.
• You are limited to shared APIs and interface patterns.
• Love CSS? You won't have full power over CSS.
• You won't be able to use the newest Android and iOS features until they are made available through a library. You can also write your own.
• Not every dependency in React Native supports platforms beyond Android and iOS.

Advantage of Native Development

1. Speed and Performance

If you are concerned about speed, then native development is the right choice for you. These apps are designed specifically for a specific operating system. They run smoothly and provide a silky performance.

2. Native Performance

If you decide on a native development strategy, you develop apps that do not rely on third-party libraries and software. This means that they run smoothly and faster than cross-platform apps.

3. Enhanced Security

Native apps are more secure because they are not dependent on third-party software to communicate with the operating system. Selecting the native route gives your application a tighter layer of security. Native apps are also better integrated than cross-platform apps with regard to security features like hardware encryption, secure APIs, and authentication.

Cross-platform apps, which usually are built on web technologies, have more vulnerabilities.

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