React Native vs. Ionic
React Native
React Native is the mobile app development framework, which is developed by Facebook. It is an open-source tool which is released in 2015. Using React Native, we can build iOS and Android applications. React Native utilizes the JavaScript and React. JavaScript is one of the most dynamic programming languages.
Ionic
Ionic is a typical hybrid development framework. It allows the web developer to built apps for the majority of the platforms using a single code base. It uses web technologies like HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript to write the application, and requires PhoneGap/Cordova to access native features.
Tabular Comparison between React Native vs Ionic:
| React Native | Ionic | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Learn once, write anywhere | Write once, run anywhere |
| Language Stack | React and JavaScript | Web technologies- HTML,CSS, JavaScript, Angular JS, TypeScript |
| Nature of apps | Cross-platform | Hybrid apps |
| Developers | Facebook Community | Drifty.co |
| Popular for | Native - like and elegant user interfaces across the platforms | Using a single code base, you can develop an app for iOS, Android, Windows, Web, Desktop |
| Reusability of code | The platform-specific code needs to be changed | Optimum reusability of code |
| Performance | Closer native look and comparatively faster | Slower than React Native due to WebView |
| Code testing | Need a real mobile device or emulator to test the code | Using any browser, the code can be tested |
| Learning curve | A steep learning curve | An easy learning curve due to web technologies, Angular, and TypeScript |
| Community and Support | Strong and Stable | Strong and Stable |
| GitHub Stars | 66k | 34k |
| GitHub Contributors | 1694 | 243 |
| Supported Platforms | Android, iOS | Android, iOS, UWP (Universal Windows Platform), and PWA |
| Companies Using | Facebook, Instagram, UberEATS | justWatch, Untappd, Cryptochange, Nationwide, Pacifica |
Advantage of React Native:
- It has the maximum code reusability to develop apps for iOS and Android platforms.
- It has a stable and maintained platform to develop large projects.
- Rapid development with an efficient code structure
- It has broad community and platform-independent code.
Challenges of React Native:
- There is a need for native development skills.
- Lack of custom modules.
- As it is backed by Facebook, we need to follow licensing rules.
Advantage of Ionic
- It is free and open-source.
- Easy to learn with built-in components.
- Clear and updated documentation.
- It builds apps for iOS, Android, Windows, Desktop, Web, and PWA.
- It has rich pre-styled component and great community support.
- Rapid development testing cycle.
Drawbacks of Using Ionic
- It has slow performance.
- It requires Apache Cordova plugins to access the device's hardware functionality.
- It uses WebView to deliver a native-like experience.
What Should I Choose React Native or Ionic?
There are many factors we can consider, such as features, cost, requirements, team size, time, and platforms while deciding the best framework. Both frameworks serve a different purpose; choosing any of them is an easy task.
If you want excellent performance with low on budget, you can go for Ionic.
React Native is used for native-felling apps, which are higher cost than the Ionic.
