The mobile app development market has expanded towards cross-platform app development. Businesses invest in functional apps over different platforms such as iOS and Android. The mobile app development market and its highly competitive environment need cross-platform apps, helping expand the user base.
Many popular cross-platform app development frameworks help complete the whole process. This article talks about the Xamarin and React Native app development framework in a comparative tone. As an app development company, choosing a good app development framework is very important.
Before we compare the features and benefits of Xamarin and React Native, let us know about the two platforms in brief.
What is Xamarin?
Xamarin is a popular cross-platform app development framework that creates new apps for iOS, Android, and an array of wearable devices. In 2011, the platform was a paid resource. However, now it is an open-source software library that is free to use. Microsoft developed the open-source type of platform in 2016.
The platform also provides access to the different tools in the integrated development environment of Microsoft. Microsoft’s VSE or Visual Studio Enterprise also allies with Xamarin app development services. Therefore, the development platform is a top choice for developers who want to work with a full technical stack for apps.
Many apps have been developed with the help of Xamarin app development services. Bosch, Honeywell, Pinterest are apps supported by Xamarin.
The Features of Xamarin
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Complete Development Environment
The Xamarin Development framework comes with a complete tool suite that helps with design, development, performance analysis, etc. The IDE from Microsoft supports all the development processes chosen. The developer does not need additional development tools from third-party companies to create the app. A single platform for development processes helps create the entire framework with uniformity.
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Immense hardware support
Apart from having a strong software suite for app development, the Xamarin platform also extends hardware support. The development services allow room for native app-like integration with the device. This feature minimizes functionality gaps in an application and maintains its performance regardless of the device it is used in. The services use APIs and plugins to create a highly functional app that operates uniformly over different devices. This helps streamline the functionality over cross platforms for a better user experience.
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Single Technology stack
The simplicity of the Xamarin platform lies in the single technology stack that supports back-end development for the apps. The only languages the platform uses are C# and .Net. The languages help in the fast development of apps. The code developed by the stack is reusable and is easy to deploy in real-life scenarios. Therefore, the app development process leading to its launch goes ahead quickly and without additional workload. The mechanical stack of the Xamarin platform is very easy to use and simple to work with. From experienced developers to freshers, the platform is great for both types.
What is React Native Platform?
After looking at the Xamarin cross-platform app development framework, let us look at React Native. React Native is a preferred app development platform for millions of developers worldwide. The framework is an open-source JS library that works with the app codes to create natively rendering apps. The app framework is highly popular and works as a support framework for many popular apps.
For example, the Facebook app is the best one out of the lot. Another social media app that works with the React Native framework is Instagram. Other apps developed with the framework is SoundCloud, Tesla, Uber, etc. Apps created with React Native are designed to handle huge traffic and activity on the internet. React Native is a notch higher than conventional native app development frameworks.
Benefits of React Native
Below are the benefits of React Native app development services that developers can avail themselves of.
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Simplified Development Process
The React Native app development process is a simple approach that works through a particular sequence. The simplified approach expedites the creation of an interactive UI and UX for the app. The approach of React Native helps in the easy and fast development of mobile apps. The approach also maintains the app in further cycles of analysis and improvement.
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Cost-Effective Solutions
The React Native app development platform is a cost-effective one. The solutions offered by the platform have enough space for additional features and tools. The platform makes scalable apps that are profitable for the market and the industry. The platform allows code-sharing operations, allowing multiple teams to work on the same code and develop it for different devices. The reusability of the code and its sharing with different teams helps in the simultaneous creation of app code for multiple operating systems.
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Modular Architecture
The modular architecture of the React Native platform is a good option for maintaining code flexibility. The framework allows the developer to create independent blocks of code for development. This way, the developer can easily edit, manage, and improve different blocks. The upgrading process of the app is very fast and easy to complete with the modular architecture of the app.
React Native Vs. Xamarin: In-Depth Comparision
There are many factors on which a developer can compare the two platforms of React Native and Xamarin. The comparative factors are market share, programming language, user base, learning curve etc. come across as factors in comparison. Let us have an in-depth look into the comparative factors.
Market Share
By market share, the React Native platform leads among cross-platform development frameworks. The share of React Native is higher than that of Xamarin. The new version of React Native released by Facebook has only expanded the market share for the framework.
Programming Language
When it comes to programming language, Xamarin takes advantage of React Native. As a developer, you need to master the languages of Objective C, Java, Kotlin and Swift for working on React Native. On the other hand, Xamarin only needs C# and .Net language capabilities. Therefore, Xamarin is a better platform than React Native based on programming languages and their use. Even a fresher developer can work with Xamarin.
Learning Curve
Because of the lesser number of languages that the developer has to know and the limited capabilities Xamarin needs, the learning curve of Xamarin is simpler and easier to complete. On the other hand, the React Native platform has a very complex learning curve that aligns with different third party libraries. The RN learning curve is therefore difficult to complete.
Development Environment
The development environment of Xamarin needs the use of Microsoft Visual Studio, or Visual Studio Community. However, with React Native, you can use any development environment using Node. The developer can use any development environment like Visual Studio Code, Nuclide, Vim Editor etc. The React Native platform has more flexibility in the area.
Development Speed
The compilation and development speed of the app code is a major factor in determining the efficiency of the development platform. In the case of speed, the React Native platform works the best. The compilation speed decreases, and time increases with app size on Xamarin. React Native, on the other hand, does not have additional compilation requirements, which reduces the development time.
The two platforms of Xamarin and React Native have benefits that developers can experience. The app development platforms are highly efficient and apt for cross-platform app creation. However, they differ in many aspects, like programming language and market share. The market share of React Native is higher than that of Xamarin. The React Native platform releases new versions to hold on to its share and expand it. In terms of credibility and market share, the React Native app development services take the cake in the long run.
