Introduction
React Native is becoming more and more popular each and every day, and it’s not a surprise many web and mobile developers are choosing to work with it rather than platforms like Ionic and Cordova.
In this article we'll have a look closer on the comparison between them, and why we (still) think it’s worth planning a migration to RN.
What is React Native?
Shortly, for those who aren't fully familiar with it — React Native is the JavaScript framework that allows you to create iOS and Android applications simultaneously.
You just got to code once and it would be used for both platforms which would ultimately result in saving time and effort.
This framework is developed by Facebook and has a huge market and support at this very moment.
What is Cordova?
Cordova is another mobile development platform that's open-source and free.
Standard web technologies like HTML5, CSS3, or Javascript, etc are used to create cross-platform applications.
Usually, web applications don't have the native functionalities like accelerometer, camera, GPS, etc but with Cordova, you'll package web applications according to the format of the device.
All those developers who don't want to stay to single application development, usually prefer this platform.
What is Ionic?
Ionic is additionally a platform that allows developers to create high-performance cross-platform applications using a single codebase.
Applications created via Ionic are often used on the web or the other device.
This open-source framework provides friendly tools to the developers along side powered services.
It also incorporates a rich library and building blocks which make things way easier for the developer.
React Native vs Cordova
If we've to make a comparison between React Native and Cordova, then there are few points that should be reviewed, so we will easily consider the platform which provides a far better and feasible solution.
Build Performance
If you compare against the builds then you might notice that Apache Cordova is better in terms of build time and it also produces smaller built packages.
React Native, on the other hand, takes longer to build performance and also produce large packages.
However, there are other benefits that give RN an edge over other platforms, for example, it's a built-in camera while you would like to add a plugin in Cordova to support native functionality.
App Performance
As we all know that the inspiration of the Cordova app is written according to standard web technologies due to which it takes a lot more time to render the appliance .
While in React Native UI components are linked with native UI views which permit it to render during a fast way.
Not only this but, React Native also utilizes multi-threading technology due to which a separate thread runs, this functionality doesn't exist in Cordova.
Debugging Capabilities
Cordova doesn't come with a pre-packaged debugging environment. you've got to go through the documentation and prepare a local environment for debugging purpose.
While in React Native you'll debug JavaScript code via Chrome Developer Tool. Now, there's a standalone application with which you'll drill through the React Native projects.
There is also an additional menu for React Native developers which gives them access to the list of features to make their work tons easier. Some features are:
- Live Reloading
- Hot Reloading
- Performance Monitoring
- Element Inspector
- System Trace
React Native Vs Ionic
Most of us think that each one cross-platform frameworks work in a similar manner, and we are able to do similar results from all of them.
What you should know is that despite providing us with almost similar results their processes and functionalities are different from one another .
Below mentioned are some points which will help us to make a decision which platform provides a better approach.
Native Vs Hybrid
Major advantage of React Native over Ionic is that RN is best for developing truly native-like applications.
A native-like application is that the software program that's built following a selected programming language regarding device platforms like Android or iOS.
In other words, you'll develop native applications for Android and iOS using a single codebase.
Whereas Ionic may be a hybrid application and it revolves around JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to develop applications which will be used on mobile, web, or different devices.
Being a hybrid application, it doesn't have access to native features like contacts, GPS, camera, etc and you need to go through a whole process to get the work done.
Ionic is suitable for web applications but if we mention building mobile applications then React Native is surely the winner.
Performance
React Native provides the look and complete feel of native apps and work round the same building blocks which are used in the native apps.
It also provides enhanced performance and responsiveness.
Whereas in Ionic we cannot build native apps and might face performance issues. We even have to go through tons of callbacks to the native application which results in lag.
If you would like to access native functions then you need to add a plugin like Cordova to perform the specified functions.
Conclusion
If we consider all these platforms and work around their features while taking into account their pros and cons then we will easily state that React Native seems to be the best choice among all the rest.
This platform is quite famous within the world of consumer app startups, as it allows them to create effective solutions and a quick MVP during a much better way.
Ionic and Cordova have their own benefits, but their usability depends upon a specific use-cases.
You need to carefully evaluate what you want to develop and how you're getting to use it, but if we talk about native-like mobile applications then nothing can beat React Native at this point.
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