Cross-platform app development is the process of building mobile apps from a single codebase for Android, Apple OS, and Windows instead of creating separate applications for specific operating systems.

While this approach is cost-effective and saves tons of time, developers have had to sacrifice the quality of app performance and user experience previously. Even though the apps were built using the same codebase, the technology prohibited them from delivering the same level of service throughout.

With mobile app frameworks such as React Native and NativeScript, however, developers have broken free of the limitations that cross-platform app development brought on the table and no longer need to maintain excessive overhead in the form of two or more overheads.

They can conveniently build native-like apps with a single codebase — offering a seamless user experience across all operating systems. Here are three more benefits that they enjoy:

  • Shortened time-to-launch — Cross-platform app development is 50% faster than native development.
  • Low maintenance — Fixing the code of one application is cheaper than maintaining two separate apps. It does not burn a hole in the packet.
  • Serve to a larger audience — With a cross-platform app, they can serve users on Android, Apple OS, and Windows and do not have to choose between them, especially with a limited budget.
benefits of cross platform app development(React Native vs. NativeScript)

If you are also looking to build a cross-platform app but cannot decide between React Native and NativeScript, this article will help you make the right decision. Let us go!

An introduction to React Native

An open-source mobile application framework, React Native, is written combining JavaScript and XML-Esque markup and was developed by Facebook, Inc. It focuses on the native rendering of apps compatible with Android and iOS.

In other words, it is a UI component library consisting of React using JavaScript. These components convert the code for the chosen operating system as they can “talk” with native APIs. The developers work faster and can create on iOS versions faster, and also work on Android app development using React Native.

According to Statista, 42% of developers opted for React Native app development in 2020, and 11.5% prefer using the framework because of its reliable native tools and libraries.

Pros

1. Native rendering

In mobile app development with React Native, the latter uses the host platform to render APIs natively. There is no need for CSS or HTML markups in this process. The rendering process is fairly simple.

2. Rich ecosystem

React Native leverages its rich ecosystem of UI libraries and codebases to re-render app appearances automatically, with every state change.

3. Hot-loading

Do you want to deploy a framework that can add new codes directly into a live application? React Native can do so. Two apps for two different platforms can be developed simultaneously, thereby saving time and effort for developers.

4. Easy debugging

It provides instant access to intelligent error reporting and debugging tools. That way, developers can build new, error-free apps for different operating systems without any hassle.

5. UI mimicry

The framework translates the markup of the application to “act” like the authentic UI elements. Even by doing so, the app can deliver a seamless performance across platforms and devices — which is the end goal of using cross-platform app development frameworks.

Cons

1. User interface

The app UI may look a little off or ill-formatted at times as the native rendering of APIs does not support certain native UI elements.

2. Slow performance

React Native does not support multi-processing and parallel threading, which can make the apps on a new operating system perform slightly slower.

3. Faulty Chrome debugger

This might make it inconvenient for developers to edit and inspect codes and UI elements properly.

4. Outdated tools

Sure, many third-party and external libraries can be used for implementing React Native. However, often, these resources turn out to be outdated or redundant.

How React Native has made a difference?

React Native is like a Swiss Army knife — it addresses developing and managing complex UI efficiently. When you think of React UI components, picture them as self-contained functionality blocks. Naturally, this framework has been used by many companies, namely:

1. Bloomberg

The Bloomberg developers created the app to ensure their users had a similar experience on mobile and desktop. React Native helped them accelerate iterations, automate code refreshes and enable quick feature upgrades. They streamlined simple-to-access, personalized content for users via the framework — in five months!

2. Walmart

The retail giant improved the user experience by building smooth in-app animations, including straightforward UI, identical to the native functionalities through React Native. Besides, they cut down on time frames and resources. Today, the mobile platforms share 95% of Walmart’s codebase.

3. Facebook

As the homeland of React Native, Facebook developers have significantly reduced the iterations occurring across all versions of the app. Their new Events dashboard delivers improved performance and UX on mobile. Plus, they have created supportive iOS and Android UIs, with simple navigation, two times faster.

4. Wix

Wix provides a library to its users for delivering a native experience on the app. It is called Wix React Native Navigation. The solutions offered by them can be adjusted to suit the user’s app requirements and help achieve high speed and agility in developing configurable navigations and screen options.

React Native is perfect for building quick prototype applications with simplified UI or that look nearly native with responsive UX or apps that operate with synchronous APIs.

An introduction to NativeScript

NativeScript is an open-source framework helpful in building cross-platform applications. Just like ReactNative, it also uses JavaScript for Android and iOS. It was initially conceived and developed by Progress. It was taken over by nStudio, a long-term Progress partner, in 2019.

With NativeScript, developers can reuse concepts and knowledge of existing frameworks such as AngularJS, TypeScript, or Vue.js to build applications traditionally having native elements, delivering native performance.

According to Statista, only 5% to 11% of developers use NativeScript for cross-platform application development. However, 27% are committed to using this framework for more than a year for various custom App development projects.

Pros

1. Cross-technology compatibility

NativeScript uses JavaScript, TypeScript, and AngularJS during the app development process, allowing efficient data binding and stronger component reusability.

2. Higher extensibility

The framework gives complete and direct access to all Android and iOS APIs and encourages developers to reuse free plugins, CocoaPods, and Android SDKs. This makes their job more uncomplicated and time-saving.

Read More:   How to build an app with Flutter

3. Programming language usability

NativeScript leverages an XML-Esque-based markup language such as HTML and CSS to develop cross-platform applications with personalized features.

4. Developer-friendly CLI

The command-line program of the framework enables developers to carry out a range of tasks, such as adding a platform to deploying apps on a specific device or platform. Thanks to the CLI, installing plugins and debugging apps is faster and more convenient.

5. Native functionality

The developers can access native device API services through native components, enabling a fine native app-like experience on other platforms.

Cons

1. More unverified plugins

Given the enormous volume of plugins, there is little assurance about the quality of plugins used in this framework. In fact, the number of verified plugins is significantly less.

2. UI limitation

HTML and DOM are not widely supported in NativeScript. That makes it necessary for developers to learn using different UI components, leading to an increased chunk of the project budget and time.

3. Slower testing

Given the native nature of the application, it can only be accurately tested on an actual device or an emulator. This factor often slows down the initial testing rate.

4. Steep learning curve

Developers working in NativeScript must have basic knowledge about native functionalities and APIs of both Android and iOS. Otherwise, they will not access any device’s hardware or work on any platform-specific elements.

How NativeScript has made a difference

This framework enables an improved ability to code iOS and Android app, with 100% element-sharing and 90% code-sharing capabilities. It has also proven to bring down the development rate by 40%. Here are a few brands that have used NativeScript:

1. PUMA

Using NativeScript, the sportswear brand built high-quality, simple-interface mobile apps in a short span. They could also integrate on-demand native features such as push notifications, messaging, and user authorization with cloud storage capabilities.

2. SAP

SAP used NativeScript to build its mobile development kit that enabled higher code abstraction levels without hampering the system network. SAP was able to render JavaScript codes into applicable native codes by applying sophisticated business logic.

3. Portable North Pole

Using NativeScript, the personalized Christmas video and call maker could enhance and diversify platform compatibility without affecting the user experience in any way. They developed a separate UI kit that functioned efficiently with native applications, equipped with ready-to-use mobile components, icons, and features.

4. Airbnb Design

The design wing of Airbnb used the framework along with Lottie to deliver native performance and built creative UI elements that quickly rendered After Effects animations in real-time. Besides, developers were able to manipulate code as per the native design.

NativeScript is apt for building apps with massive server connectivity, essential gaming apps, geolocation apps, and music or video streaming apps. If you want to develop an application which can function with the default apps of the device, NativeScript is the right option for you.

Parameters to consider while choosing between React Native and Native Script

parameter to consider while choosing between React Native and NativeScript

1. Experience of development teams

React Native does not have a dedicated IDE. Instead, React Native developers have the liberty to choose whichever code editor they prefer. But since there is no official tool support, they would have to set up everything from scratch, including picking debugging tools independently.

On the other hand, the NativeScript developers can set up the environment through a single line of code. They also use a comfortable set of tools for easing the debugging pain-point. If you use Visual Studio Code, please use a free debugging plugin made especially for NativeScript.

2. Performance analysis

iOS mobile apps made with both frameworks run at 60fps at runtime. This speed is similar to apps built on Swift or C#. However, if we take the example of NativeScript, it uses a multi-threading model to offload long-running processes, optimizing front-end speed.

On Android, React Native used to take the cake until 2016, when it could load up to 1.5 times faster than NativeScript. Even today, there might be some differences depending on the type of platform, viewing device, and application used.

3. Flexibility in testing

React Native gives developers complete freedom when choosing the most efficient test automation framework, for instance, Appium, Espresso, UI Automation, Frank, Calabash, and so on. On the other hand, NativeScript allows developers to use their own QA workflow, and they can run tests straight from the framework’s CLI — through Quint, Mocha, and Jasmine. Both frameworks are flexible when testing but in their ways.

4. Code maintenance

The biggest reason businesses decide to go ahead with cross-platform frameworks is the ease with which mobile platforms and even web and mobile apps can share code amongst themselves.

Of course, the percentage of code that can be reshared on mobile and web heavily depends on the app functionalities, and this difference usually comes from the fact that every component is a piece of UI. Cross-platform development tools based on React Native can save you time and help in quick bug fixing. But only up to 70% of code can be reused.

Alternatively, NativeScript can reuse up to 90% of the code because it provides standard API services for all common functionalities in iOS and Android platforms. Moreover, there is no indifference between JavaScript and UI rendering. However, in the case of NativeScript, there is a possibility of the app getting stuck whenever intensive Java code is executed.

5. Size of the application

When it comes to app size, React Native wins big. Since it is without any framework-specific burden, its APK is light and small, which can be further used on applications of any size. However, NativeScript installers are enormous, even for apps with similar functionalities.

But when they are installed, both solutions are the same in size. The Vue implementation is the only case comparable with React Native in terms of file performance and app size.

6. Community support

Working on a specific framework or technology is easier when there is a large community base to back you. Since both React Native and NativeScript grew at a rapid pace, that is because of the many active contributors who were willing to share information on basically any question or issue you may have on cross-platform app development.

But if you compare the two, React Native certainly has a more extensive community support system than NativeScript. That is because Facebook’s development team was behind it — who are well known worldwide.

The former’s community is responsible for the framework’s vast repository of third-party plugins and libraries. Plus, it is also easier to find developers experienced in the framework, as the available dev pool is much larger.

That makes it easier for businesses to jumpstart a new project on React Native and quickly put together a team that can handle it.

7. Technologies used

React Native uses React JS for development purposes. On the other hand, NativeScript leverages AngularJS, Vue.js, and TypeScript for the job.

8. Development workflow

In both frameworks, developers create a new project, deploy components or widgets to build UIs, apply custom layouts and styling, add required functionalities, run tests on the emulator or simulator and debug the app.

The only difference is NativeScript can debug the app with Visual Studio Code to debug, whereas React Native developers use Reactotron or React Native Debugger to do the job.

Conclusion

As you would imagine, there will be no definite winner in this comparison because the decision is ultimately dependent on the availability of dependable and competent experts skilled in either framework.

Read More:   Let's compare Javascript vs Dart to see which one is better

When deciding between NativeScript and React Native, bear in mind that you can need some native-language adjustments during the development process to optimize the output and user experience of apps for a particular platform- more so if you’re creating a robust, feature-heavy application. That being said, make sure to hire developers with extensive knowledge and experience in the required field. Codersera always comes in handy to meet your hiring needs to the fullest.

NativeScript is the wisest option for rendering Angular or Vue. js web apps to mobile versions. React Native is ideal for those who are just getting started in this field and have no previous experience with mobile development.

If your app is UI/UX oriented, React Native is a great option because it has a plethora of libraries available. If you are acquainted with React, creating an app with React Native is simple. It offers a quick development tool and, yes, it has a great future.

It is faster than a hybrid app and has no limitations in terms of development. The learning curve is typical. Nativescript gives you access to the underlying platform’s native APIs. It is unquestionably worthwhile to give Nativescript a shot.

It is commonly used, and some of its popularity can be attributed to the success of React. React developers can quickly get on board and build React Native mobile applications. Today, React Native is used for mobile apps by products such as Facebook, Instagram, Uber Eats, Tesla, Bloomberg, and many others.

Source: InApps.net

[sociallocker id=”2721″]

List of Keywords users find our article on Google:

react native navigation
nativescript
android app development
nativescript development company
select the app that developed in nativescript
cross platform app development
react native app template
build an app like uber
app development platform
linkedin debugger
hire espresso developers
react native templates
react native error reporting
native script
react native app templates
react native expo
react native template
ecommerce ui kit
react native messaging app
offshore cross-platform app developing service
nativescript mobile app development company
react native video processing
codebase technologies
react native cocoapods
react native chat app
hire mocha developers
chat app in react native
react native live chat
react native push notifications
react native android emulator
on demand delivery app development
custom application development
airbnb ho chi minh
native ux experts
react native template design
react native design templates
react native developer jobs
hire redux developers
sap work manager mobile app
react native video
c# ui framework
template react native
rapid application development android
on demand uber app development
“cross-platform” “development”
hire xml developers
cross sportswear
lottie react native
vue js jobs
vue instant search
expo react native
templates react native
react native emulator
react lottie
airbnb message templates
sap rapid application development
create an app like uber
how to build an app like uber
nativescript vs react native
hire appium developers
reactotron
typescript jobs
wix app market
hire visual basic developers
develop app sap
react native on visual studio code
react native build apk
template app react native
chat app react native
react native desktop
react native web
react native ecommerce
react native with visual studio
web development workflow
android mobile development
vue vs react
nativescript video
airbnb lottie
react native render html
hire play framework developers
developers facebook apps
react native multi select
lottie-react-native
appium with c#
sap field service mobile app
native script logo
wawa hiring process
react native geolocation
cross-platform app development
hire instagram api developers
react native apple sign in
react native share file
react-native-video
wix hire a partner
appium studio
react native ui template
espresso vs appium
react native mobx tutorial
react native responsive ui
on press react native
react native screens
react native shared
vue.js error tracking
wix vietnam
react native message
offshore cross-platform app making service
appium vs espresso
appium android example
appium javascript
develop mobile application sap
develop mobile app sap
react native android device
mobile app ui kit
app development firms
ios app development
android application development
react native app development agency
no code android app development
app development
on demand delivery app development company
tam nguyen facebook
wix editor x vietnam
appium java client
application portfolio tools with xml input
tesla qa jobs
nativescript video player
phunware offering
nativescript app icon
react keywords
react-native-phone-input
nativescript start
facebook create react app
appium capabilities
apps made with nativescript
react native scheduler
nativescript form
react-native-progress
statista airbnb
airbnb message template to host
react native geolocation service
angularjs jobs
vue js developer jobs
select in react
react native native video player
vue.js developer jobs
react-native-device-info
edtech live chat outsourcing
game sportswear phone number
react native navigation params
react native ui design template
vue.js jobs
wix automations integrations
mobx-react-form
appium desiredcapabilities example
react real estate template free
sap mobile platform
custom vision api c#
react native screen
wix web app
react native permission
react native phone number
appium android real device capabilities
react native elements input
appium server capabilities
react native responsive
@react-navigation/native-stack
sap mobile applications
react native video chat
react-native-elements
appium c#
react native navigation options
react native video call sdk
sap mobile development kit
react phone number input
send message on whatsapp using c#
crossplatform app development
airbnb typescript
hire cli developers
navigation options react native
portfolio website using react
appium command not found
nativescript android app
nativescript development companies
react native video editor
appium real device android
debugging in vue.js
react native live video streaming
react native video call
react native video app
let’s sacrifice toby
nativescript developer
visual studio code react native
appium android capabilities example
outsource real estate image editing vietnam
react-native video editor app
react native template typescript
react native visual studio
sap field service mobile application
appium for android
react native navigation android
uiautomation ios
hole maker technology
visual studio react
api.whatsapp.com parameters
react native elements
react native game
real time developer notifications android
vue.js debugging tools
react native windows app
appium framework
c# ui library
react native apple
react native visual studio code
appium app
react native android debug
uber eats delivery tutorial
wawa app
java appium example
visual studio apps for android
live search react native
visual studio code debug react typescript
appium android
appium ios
net core ui
jobs react native
react native appium
react native without android studio
accelerated ui ux design class
react native performance profiling
react visual studio 2019
no code ios app maker
how to create an app like uber eats
how to develop an app for android
android software development
cost to develop fintech app
on demand mobile app development company
mobile app development company
mobile app development services
multi platform app development
nativescript vs react native performance
best cross platform frameworks
cross platform app development 2022
cross platform dev
nativescript jobs
airbnb ho chi minh district 2
react native navigation wix
react native linkedin
react native wix navigation
wix navigation react native
wix react native
scratch imagine program share
lottie visual studio code
knife simulator script
sap.ui.commons
tan app icons
wix navigation
hcmc message board
nativescript plugin
wawa hiring
appium java client version
hire branch io developer
nativescript ios development service
platform frame walmart
mocha ae vs mocha pro
react native wix
who uses nativescript
walmart swiss army knife
nativescript version
wix cross
convert angular to nativescript
react native select
update available for component nativescript
wix apps
nativescript typescript
personalised christmas iphone 6 covers
sap mobile application studio
sap profile parameter table
“expo logic”
icon nativescript
personalised christmas iphone 6 cases
personalised christmas iphone 6 cover
free lottie animations
nativescript core
react-native-community cli
nativescript developer jobs
phone input react native
select in react native
choose for
nativescript ios
personalised monogram iphone 5 cases
sap debugging
capabilities appium
wix trustpilot
build apk expo react native
expo push notifications react native
hire appium developer
nativescript design
sap react js
simulate touch events chrome
react native game engine tutorial
angular and nativescript
appium studio pricing
nativescript get app version
react native device info
visual studio 2022 vs 2019 performance
convert expo project to react native
crash reporting tool webapp
hire twitter api developer
nativescript android studio
nativescript tutorial angular
offshore platform icons
react native navigation expo
sap commerce integration api xml
appium c# example
appium ios capabilities
nativescript service
personalised christmas iphone 7 covers
portablenorthpole
visual studio 2019 very slow debugging
code push react native
nativescript android
nativescript versions
phone number input react
qualee-technology
spartak cake
video chat react native
vs code react native debugger
appium find all elements
how nativescript works
puma seamless
react native loading component
wix android
c# appium
choose app
nativescript android version
react-native-phone-number-input
running appium tests on real devices ios
appium tutorial point
react native ecommerce template
react native typescript expo
wawa app not working
android studio nativescript
appium get device info
nativescript performance
react input phone number
react lottie web
react native community geolocation
react navigation/native
visual studio code debug android device
wix courses app
airbnb message to host template
personalized christmas story
react native music app
react native phone number input
wix workflow
eve online enable hardware rendering
expo react navigation
performance tools for visual studio 2019
portable north pole
react native ecommerce app tutorial
react native lottie
sap developer center
tesla front end developer
appium real device ios
debug vue js
how to find element in appium ios
react native device id
react video call component
react-native-geolocation-service
sap user authorization
visual studio 2022 angular
appium ide
appium pro
field outsource asia inc
react native navigation screen options
react-native-navigation
stack navigator react native
what is native script
wix editor not loading
calabash android
delivery app ux
instant search react
react native eject
react native elements expo
react native without expo
appium capabilities for android emulator
appium java example
apps script range
experience cloud debugger
react native instagram stories
react native make apk
react native stack navigator
react native web template
react-native-render-html
visual studio cross platform
android app developer jobs
long press react native
lottie free animations
lottie library android
native base react native
nativescript example apps
new builds calabash
portfolio website using react js
react native code input
react native run android specific device
react native run simulator
react-phone-input-2
appium community
appium ios app
appium ios simulator
free react native templates
issues surrounding the decisions to build and/or host your own ecommerce
site or to outsource some aspects of site development.
nativescript apps
phunware inc
react native official site
react native run android on device
react-native-share-menu
rerender vue
sap web ide
visual studio community 2022
wix events app
app center react native
app library sap
cli elearning
hire jasmine developer
open source reporting tools for angular
portfolio using react js
react debugging vscode
react native cli vs expo
react native launch screen
react-native-share whatsapp
react-native-touch-id
video editor react native
wawa christmas hours
airbnb experiences dashboard
airbnb statista
android databinding
appium client
appium java version
appium language capability
appium real device
custom monogram iphone 5 case
easing react native
hire facebook api developer
in app messaging react native
multiprocessing pool
mvp streamline
nativescript desktop
react native device
react native in app chat
react native menu
react native testing library
react native with visual studio code
react sap
react-native-vide
run appium on real android device
sap mobile platform overview
sap operating systems
appium c# android example
appium javascript example
higher logic frameworks
phone number react native
portfolio reactjs
react native video calling app
angular lottie
appium get screen size
debug vue.js
expo cli
portable.north pole
react native icons expo
react native navigation style
react native receive email
rich text editor vue 3
update expo cli
android app development jobs
appium job support
calabash vs appium
in-app messaging case studies
offshore streaming server
portfolio website with react
react native in visual studio code
react-native push notifications
redux-form file upload example
run appium test on ios simulator
select react native
what is walmart’s hours on christmas eve
airbnb api for developers
android app ui kit
appium sample code for ios in java
c# if debug
hire facebook api developers
hybrid app appium
java runtime environment 1.5
little giant platform
mobile app development costs and timeframes
navigation in react native
portfolio website react
reac native elements
react native desktop app
react native food delivery app with backend
react native tutorial point
airbnb quality assurance
appium mobile commands
bear development team
hire espresso developer
hire jasmine developers
portfolio website in react
react native input field
react native live stream
react-native-phone-call
react-phone-number-input
server error uber eats
visual studio android
wix profile maker
appium ios tutorial
calabash authentic
develop application sap
device id react native
expo android emulator
messaging ui swift
mobile apps sap
nativescript build ios
navigation react native
quick base application
react in visual studio code
react js game engine
react native facebook
react native for desktop
react native input
react native template free
react native video api
react navigation react native
react redux form file upload
sap javascript
sap mobile maintenance
sending whatsapp message using c# code
wix tutorial
appium hybrid app testing
appium react native ios
build react native app with expo
convert angular app to desktop app
delivery simulator script
facebook developer tools
how to turn off offload apps
mobx
multiprocessing.process
react native ecommerce app
react native share
redux form file upload example
typescript in vuejs
vue js ecommerce template free
wix app for android
wix web development
appium android chrome
appium android emulator
appium desktop tutorial
appsnet
custom logo puma
developers.facebook/apps
expo vs cli
lottie react
lottie tan time
multiplatform mobile app development with nativescript
platform vs framework
react native dashboard template
react native geolocation example
react native ios emulator windows
react native kit
react native multithreading
react native profile picture upload
react native run android emulator
react visual studio code
reactnative web
redfox web design
responsive react native
swift ui chat
three js react native
c# #if debug
messaging app ui kit
mobile app using c#
react debug
react native appium testing
react native icons
react native responsive screen
react native run android
react native send email from app
react native streaming video
react native typescript template
react native windows
react rerender
real estate react template
wix mobile menu
appium java
appium react-native
backend for react native app
create react app debug
create react native app with expo
hire three.js developers
java appium
jobs for android developers
react native for web
react native input number
react native number only input
react native send email
react native video player component
react-native-network-info
sap mobile development
angularjs widget
create stack navigator react native
multithreading c#
native base icons
react native app automation using appium
react native push notification ios
react native send message to whatsapp
react native video upload
sap mobile applications development
select reactjs
video streaming react native
visual studio android development
vue debugging
walmart backend keywords
m-commerce usability
sap success stories
sap android im mobile
vue ui components
sap mobile solution
creating a simple android app
react vs react native
cross-curve
android app development company
apps like seamless
fintech app development cost
outsource react native development
is ui and front end the same
android development company
android app development company usa
software test automation framework
android app developers
hire app developers
react native app development
mobile app development company usa
mobile app development
native app development
develop mobile application
Read More:   How to get an e-learning mobile app development to connect teachers, parents and students?

[/sociallocker]

Rate this post
As a Senior Tech Enthusiast, I bring a decade of experience to the realm of tech writing, blending deep industry knowledge with a passion for storytelling. With expertise in software development to emerging tech trends like AI and IoT—my articles not only inform but also inspire. My journey in tech writing has been marked by a commitment to accuracy, clarity, and engaging storytelling, making me a trusted voice in the tech community.

Let’s create the next big thing together!

Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.

Let’s talk

Get a custom Proposal

Please fill in your information and your need to get a suitable solution.

    You need to enter your email to download

      Success. Downloading...