Mobile apps have become the primary way for businesses to connect with their customers. Naturally, more and more companies are considering developing a mobile app. However, when it comes to the technical part of mobile app development, engineers have to choose between two main options – native app development or the cross-platform approach. In this article, I will compare and highlight the contrast between these two development approaches and help you determine which is better for your needs.

What is native app development?

Native app development refers to building an application for a specific platform, either Android or iOS, using the platform's programming languages and tools. For Android, the two main languages are Kotlin and Java, and, for iOS, it is either Swift or Objective-C. Native apps can use the full range of features and capabilities of the device's hardware and software, resulting in a highly optimized and responsive app best suited for the platform. This optimized app experience is especially relevant for high-performance apps in gaming and VR/AR industries, among others.

What is the cross-platform approach?

The cross-platform approach allows you to utilize shared code and architecture to develop your apps for both platforms at the same time. The most popular framework for hybrid development is React Native.

React Native uses JavaScript and the React library to create a hybrid app that works on multiple platforms. This means that, instead of building separate apps for each platform, businesses can save time and resources by building a single app that works across both iOS and Android platforms.

Comparison of native app development and React Native development

Let’s compare these two approaches in several areas:

• Performance

One of the biggest differences between native app development and hybrid app development is performance. Native apps are highly optimized for their respective platforms, resulting in faster performance, smoother animations, and an overall better user experience. Libraries, such as React Native, on the other hand, may experience performance issues due to the added layer of abstraction and translation between the code and the device's hardware.

• Development time

Native app development takes longer than React Native development since developers have to build two separate apps for Android and iOS. This can increase development time, cost, and resources, while React Native allows developers to build one app for both platforms, reducing development time and cost significantly.

• User interface

Native apps offer a better user interface since they are optimized for their respective platforms, resulting in a seamless user experience. React Native provides a user interface similar to native apps, but there may be slight differences due to the framework's cross-platform nature. However, there are a few libraries that offer experience similar to native.

• Third-party libraries

Native app development offers access to a vast array of third-party libraries, tools, and APIs that are specific to each platform. React Native, on the other hand, offers a selection of third-party libraries optimized for both platforms, making it easier for developers to find and use them.

Conclusion. Which approach is better for your business needs?

Choosing between native and hybrid app development depends on your business needs, resources, and timeline. If your app requires highly optimized performance, a seamless user interface, and access to specific device features, then native app development is the best choice. However, if your app needs to be developed quickly, cost-effectively, and work across multiple platforms, then a framework like React Native is better.