Ionic Vs React Native: Which Is Better And Why?
Native and hybrid applications
Native applications are developed in the language like Java, Objective C, Swift, etc. that the platform requires. The code is not shared between platforms and therefore there is a big difference between its behaviors on different platforms. The application can access all the functions of the platform directly without any restrictions.
In contrast, hybrid applications are websites integrated into mobile applications through WebView. These are powered by HTML 5, CSS, and JavaScript and run the same code on different platforms. They can use the native functions of the device with the help of tools like PhoneGap and Cordova.
Before answering the question, do we react ionic or native? Let’s take a look at these frames individually.
Ionic
The ionic framework was developed in 2015 by software vendor Drifty Co. for Apache Cordova. The main goal of this framework was to develop hybrid software whose performance was close to native solutions. Ionic is based on software like -SaSS, CSS, HTML, and Angular 1.x. The ionic framework can boast an extremely advanced GUI and CLI, which can launch a variety of functions.
Developers using this framework do not need to employ third-party solutions, as it is seamlessly integrated with the software. It helps developers to create default mobile app UI functionalities in an easy way. The ionic framework is perfect for the statement to be written once, run everywhere. With ionic, you may not have to worry about specific platform issues.
A hybrid application can run the same code, regardless of the platform. This is what Ionic can do. You can adapt some of your behaviors depending on the platform. For example, if you are using tabs, they will be displayed at the top of the screen on Android and at the bottom of the screen on iOS.
Ionic is based on Angular, which is a JavaScript framework and uses HTML for web views. Since the views and the logic are clearly separated, it is in line with the MVC pattern. You will be more familiar with Ionic as it uses classic HTML and CSS.
Ionic allows developers to preview the application on the browser and mobile devices instantly. As you make changes to the app, the results can be seen just by refreshing the screen.
React native
React Native by Facebook has caused quite a sensation in the mobile app development industry. It is a complete JS framework that allows developers to create cross-platform software that is similar to native applications. The great thing about the React Native framework is that it uses native components for the front-end and does not require the use of a browser, which positively affects the performance of the application.
It is managed by a strong community of developers, who help beginners speed up the development process. Any problem with React Native can be resolved quickly, when discussed with many developers in the community. Developing a mobile app in the React Native framework is done using JavaScript and therefore you can share the code across different platforms. However, React Native will use native components, which means that the user experience will be closer to other native applications, providing better performance.
React native wants developers to use components that follow the native behavior of the platform. For example, you cannot use the same toolbar for Android and iOS. With react Native, you can provide a seamless user experience.
React Native is based on the JavaScript framework known as React and uses code that looks like HTML. However, it is called JSX, since display logic is mixed with business logic. Although most developers are comfortable with JSX, the main problem arises when working with a team of designers. Editing templates and writing CSS is not easy, as the JSX rules are slightly different. Developers must learn to create interfaces using JSX components as it is brand new.
React Native allows developers to see modifications as soon as they are made without the need to recompile or rebuild. You’ll get instant feedback without much effort.
React native or ionic: which is better?
Mobile application developers often face problems when it comes to choosing the right framework for developing mobile applications. Well, it depends on various factors such as the requirements of the user, the project, the skills of the developers, and many more. Both frameworks do different things and work equally well. It is difficult to say which frame is better than the other. Both frameworks are compatible with Android and iOS. Both Ionic and React Native have a healthy ecosystem, inheriting the community they are based on.
If I have to give my personal opinion, I would recommend – React Native. The reason behind this is that the applications in React Native are extremely fast and responsive. Although Ionic is easier to learn than React Native, we must say that React Native provides an excellent programming environment that is closer to native application development.
If we look at it from a developer’s point of view, React Native provides a better solution and speeds up the app development process without compromising the quality of your mobile app.
Choosing the best of the two frames depends on your needs. You cannot declare one frame the winner over the other. Please evaluate Ionic and React Native based on your personal criteria with the help of the above comparison, before reaching a conclusion. There are other cross-platform application development frameworks, such as NativeScript, PhoneGap, Xamarin, etc. My advice is to try both frameworks, choose one, and develop the best application using it.