React Native vs Xamarin: Which Is The Best Cross-Platform Development Framework
11 Mar 2019
Xamarin and React Native are two of the most popular cross-platform frameworks for developing mobile applications. A vast community of developers, shorter development cycles, cost efficiency, ease of coding for multiple platforms are just a few of the reasons why both these frameworks will dominate the mobile app development market in 2019.
Through this article, we will review the difference between Xamarin and React Native to determine which solution can best match the requirements for your business.
Comparison Between Xamarin And React Native
Most businesses aim to develop apps on both Android and iOS to capture a more significant market share. However, apps developed using iOS tools may not work seamlessly on Android devices and vice versa. React Native or Xamarin help organizations overcome this problem. Both these frameworks have a few similarities and some marked differences too.
Here is an overview to help you make the decision on which is better Xamarin or React Native:
- Package Set
Xamarin framework offers a complete set of the package that includes IDE, Xamarin SDKs, Xamarin Insights, Testing cloud and more. It reduces the acquisition cost for app integration using a third-party tool.
Meanwhile, React Native App utilizes the platform-specific tools to ensure flawless user experience. It helps create simple, customized, and secure mobility solutions. - Development Environment
The Xamarin Studio or Visual Studio are used as IDE to develop a cross-platform application using Xamarin. Even, the Xamarin Studio Editor is free that is available for both Mac and Windows. It allows development, testing, generating, profiling, and creation of intuitive interfaces.
React Native encompasses reloading features, which enable the development teams to discover any changes made in their source code without compiling the entire code. React Native allows for quick iteration without a complete compile cycle. Further, it even enables the execution of new code while the application is running. - Compatibility Issues
Xamarin code provides good hardware support and eliminates all the hardware compatibility issues. It allows the source code to link some specific native libraries and ensures compatibility. Further, Xamarin offers useful customization on both platforms and native-like app features.
With React Native, you can embed native codes to make your app that is more platform-specific. Initially designed for iOS app development, React Native even supports Android app development successfully as well. - Performance
There are not many significant differences when you compare Xamarin vs. react native performance of applications. Xamarin App development offers a native performance by providing a variety of innovative tools to create, develop, test, integrate, and deploy without hassle. Here are a few other reasons why Xamarin is beneficial for your enterprise.
React Native app has a rich set of libraries, tools, and frameworks for type checking. However, React Native does not offer 64-bit support, which affects the speed of codes, especially in iOS. - Scalability
It is a crucial factor for consideration while choosing the best cross-platform mobile development framework.
Xamarin is famous for giving a native-like feel to its cross-platform applications. Further, it integrates effectively with native features and operating systems. Thus, Xamarin offers more scalability.
In case of React Native, you will have to customize the application to offer it a native look and feel. Read more about the Business Benefits Of ReactJS Framework that enable development of modern web apps. - Development And Maintenance Cost
While both React Native and Xamarin are open source platforms, there is a subscription fee for installing Visual Studio IDE in Xamarin. Unlike other source codes, Xamarin requires less maintenance cost as the updates are regular and accessible to the source file. However, the changes will reflect in your app only if it uses Xamarin code.
React Native is fully open source, and its components and libraries are available free. Further, it helps reduce the development and licensing costs marginally. However, React Native requires extra maintenance cost as compared to Xamarin.
Xamarin vs. React Native – Which Is Better?
| Factors | Xamarin | React Native |
| Language | C# | JavaScript |
| Developed by | Microsoft | |
| GUI | Native Widget | Native Widget |
| 64-bit Support | Yes | No |
| Code Compilation | AOT | JIT |
| Approach | Integrated | Functional |
| Performance | Near-Native | High Build Up |
| Framework | One-way Data Flow | Model-View-View-Model (MVVM) |
There cannot be a final winner of React Native vs. Xamarin battle. Though, the choice of the framework depends on the business requirements, the development team’s skillset, other available resources, and finally the budget. As an experienced Xamarin application development company, Rishabh Software has the know-how to map these parameters for your business, and offer the optimal app development solution.
Xamarin Or React Native?
Our experts in cross-platform application development can help you select the right framework based on your expectations
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