NativeScript vs. React Native for Mobile App Development

In the expansive realm of mobile app development, the choice between NativeScript and React Native is akin to navigating through a labyrinth of possibilities, each promising its own set of advantages and challenges. As the app market continues its meteoric rise, projected to attain a staggering market volume of US$673.80 billion by 2027, the significance of this decision amplifies. In a landscape where user experience reigns supreme, selecting the most suitable framework holds the key to unlocking the full potential of mobile applications.

In this article, we will compare NativeScript and React Native, two prominent frameworks vying for supremacy in the realm of mobile app development. Both frameworks allow developers to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms, making them ideal choices for cross-platform mobile app development.

What is NativeScript?

NativeScript is an open-source framework that enables developers to create native mobile apps using popular web technologies such as Angular, Vue.js, TypeScript, and JavaScript. With NativeScript, you can build cross-platform applications that seamlessly run on both Android and iOS devices, utilizing a single codebase. It provides direct access to native APIs, allowing you to leverage the full capabilities of the underlying operating systems.

Software developers with existing web development skills can easily transition to NativeScript and take advantage of their knowledge in building native mobile apps. The framework offers a familiar development experience, making it easier for developers to write robust and performant applications.

Some popular apps developed using NativeScript include:

• Strudel
• BitPoints
• Daily Nanny
• Regelneef

Key Features of NativeScript

• Open-source framework
• Support for Angular, Vue.js, TypeScript, and JavaScript
• Direct access to native APIs
• No need to learn platform-specific languages
• Quick and efficient development

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework for building mobile applications using JavaScript and React. It allows developers to create native mobile apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase. Similar to NativeScript, React Native also utilizes native components and provides access to device features and functionality.

According to the 2022 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, React Native is one of the most popular frameworks and cross-platform tools with over 13% of professional developers already using it and another 11% of developers considering learning it. It has gained popularity due to its cross-platform capabilities and the ability to reuse code. Many popular apps, including Instagram, Pinterest, and Uber, have been built using React Native.

Key Features of React Native

• Single Codebase: Develop apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase, saving time and effort
• Native Components: Utilize native UI components for a native-like experience and improved performance
• Access to Device Features: Interact with device features and functionality such as camera, GPS, and push notifications
• Code Reusability: Reuse code across platforms, reducing development time and effort
• Hot Reload: See real-time updates without recompiling the entire app, speeding up the development process

NativeScript vs React Native Comparison

React Native and NativeScript stand out as two prominent frameworks. Both offer developers the ability to write code once and deploy it across multiple platforms, but they differ in their approaches and features. This subsection delves into various aspects of these frameworks, from learning curves and development tools to native API access and community support, providing insights to help developers make informed decisions.

Learning Curve and Development Tools

When it comes to the learning curve, both NativeScript and React Native require some time and effort to get familiar with. However, if you have experience in JavaScript and web development, you’ll find it easier to dive into these frameworks.

NativeScript, with its deep integration with Angular, Vue.js, TypeScript, and JavaScript, proves to be an excellent choice for developers who are already acquainted with these technologies. It allows you to leverage your existing skills and knowledge, making the learning process smoother.

On the other hand, React Native relies on the popular React library. If you have experience in React, you’ll find it easier to grasp the concepts and syntax of React Native.

Both frameworks provide their own set of development tools. NativeScript users often take advantage of the Visual Studio Code NativeScript extension, which enhances the development experience. React Native, on the other hand, offers a wide range of tools and libraries that are tailored to the React ecosystem.

Both frameworks can be debugged using Chrome Developer Tools, making the debugging process more efficient and streamlined.

Native APIs and Performance

NativeScript and React Native are both powerful frameworks that provide access to native APIs, enabling developers to harness the full potential of device features and functionality. While both frameworks excel in performance, they have distinct approaches to achieving it.

NativeScript offers developers direct access to all iOS and Android APIs, ensuring a seamless integration with the underlying platform. With 100% direct access, developers have the freedom to leverage native code and fine-tune their app’s performance to meet their specific requirements. This level of customization allows for optimal utilization of device resources, resulting in high-performance native apps.

React Native, on the other hand, utilizes native components and provides access to native platform APIs, enabling developers to create apps with native-like performance. By leveraging the power of native components, React Native ensures efficient rendering and smooth user interactions. Although it does not provide direct access to all native APIs, React Native’s performance is still impressive and suitable for most applications.

Both NativeScript and React Native offer a wide range of UI components, allowing developers to create visually appealing and interactive user interfaces. Whether it’s buttons, navigation bars, or complex custom components, developers can easily build beautiful and responsive UIs using the extensive libraries provided by each framework.

Overall, both NativeScript and React Native can deliver exceptional performance and user experiences. However, NativeScript’s direct access to native APIs may offer additional performance advantages for developers who require fine-grained control or need to optimize their app for resource-intensive tasks.

Code Sharing and Community Support

Both NativeScript and React Native provide excellent support for code sharing, enabling developers to write code once and deploy it on multiple platforms. While there are differences in the size and nature of their communities, both frameworks offer valuable resources for developers.

NativeScript has a smaller community compared to React Native, but it compensates with a wide selection of pre-built plugins. These plugins enable developers to leverage existing functionality and accelerate development time. The NativeScript community is known for its active engagement and dedication to creating and maintaining reusable code snippets.

On the other hand, React Native boasts a larger and more expansive community, making it a preferred choice for many custom software developers. The React Native community is renowned for its thriving ecosystem and extensive repository of third-party libraries and plugins. This abundant collection of resources allows developers to tap into a wealth of preexisting solutions and seamlessly integrate them into their apps.

React Native’s community support extends beyond library availability—it also benefits from a significant number of GitHub contributors. With countless developers actively contributing to the framework’s growth and improvement, React Native receives regular updates and enhancements.

The availability of community support and code libraries in both NativeScript and React Native greatly facilitates the development process and troubleshooting. Developers can rely on the expertise of the community and leverage pre-built code to deliver high-quality, feature-rich mobile applications.

React Native vs. NativeScript Comparison Table

Here is a concise table that will help you make an informed decision on whether to adopt either React Native or NativeScript for your project. 

	NativeScript	React Native
Native API Access	100% direct access to all iOS and Android APIs	Access to native platform APIs through native components
Performance	Highly customizable performance through direct native code integration	Native-like performance with efficient rendering using native components
UI Components	Extensive library of UI components for building beautiful and responsive interfaces	Wide range of UI components for creating visually appealing apps
Community Size	Small	Large
Pre-built Plugins	Wide selection	Abundant repository
GitHub Contributors	Active engagement	Significant number

Conclusion

Both NativeScript and React Native are powerful app development frameworks with their own set of pros and cons. NativeScript provides direct access to native APIs and customizable UI components, making it a good choice for developers who prioritize native-like performance and fine-grained control over the app’s look and feel. With NativeScript, you can create cross-platform apps using web technologies such as Angular, Vue.js, TypeScript, or JavaScript.

On the other hand, React Native offers code reusability, a larger community, and a familiar JavaScript development experience. This makes it suitable for developers who value code sharing and community support. React Native allows you to create native mobile apps for both iOS and Android using a single codebase, leveraging the popular React library.

Ultimately, whether to pick NativeScript or React Native for your project depends on your specific requirements and preferences. If you prioritize performance and customization, NativeScript is worth considering. If code reusability and community support are more important to you, React Native takes the spotlight. Consider your project’s needs, your team’s expertise, and the desired outcome when deciding between these two mobile app development frameworks.

If you are looking for help with your React Native project, read more about Flatirons’ React Native development services.

FAQ

What is the difference between NativeScript and React Native?

NativeScript and React Native are both popular frameworks for building native mobile applications using JavaScript. The main difference lies in their approach to accessing native APIs and rendering UI components.

When should I use NativeScript over React Native for mobile app development?

Use NativeScript when you need deep integration with native APIs, want to build truly native user interfaces, or have prior experience with native development as it allows direct access to native APIs and native performance.

In what scenario is React Native a better choice than NativeScript?

React Native is a better choice when you aim for cross-platform app development, seek a large community of developers and contributors, or want to take advantage of a smooth transition for programmers with a background in React.

What are the pros and cons of using NativeScript for mobile app development?

The pros of using NativeScript include direct access to native APIs, true native performance, and the ability to build native user interfaces. However, the cons may involve a steeper learning curve compared to React Native and potentially fewer available third-party components.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of opting for React Native in mobile app development?

The advantages of React Native include its large community and seamless cross-platform development. On the downside, it may lack some native capabilities and might not deliver the same level of performance as NativeScript for certain types of applications.

How does NativeScript compare to React Native in terms of building native mobile applications?

NativeScript allows you to build truly native mobile applications with direct access to native APIs, while React Native offers a more cross-platform approach with a focus on ease of development and a familiar environment for React developers.

Can I use NativeScript and React Native together in a single app?

Yes, it is possible to use both NativeScript and React Native in the same application, either by integrating them through native modules or by creating separate modules for different parts of the app.

Which framework is better for developers with a background in JavaScript and React?

Developers with a background in JavaScript and React may find React Native more familiar and easier to transition to, making it a more suitable choice for such individuals.

What are the main differences in accessing native components and APIs between NativeScript and React Native?

NativeScript provides direct access to native components without a bridge, whereas React Native communicates with native modules through a bridge, potentially impacting performance in certain scenarios.

What are the key considerations when choosing between NativeScript and React Native for mobile app development?

The key considerations include the need for deep native integration, the desire for cross-platform development, the familiarity with JavaScript and React, and the specific performance requirements for the app being developed.