React Native Or Xamarin : Which One Is Better ?

React Native Or Xamarin : Which One Is Better ?

The smartphone industry has been continuously increasing over years at tremendous scale . Google’s android and Apple iOS are the two most popular operating system in the industry which together contributing 95 % of the smartphone world .

As it has been seen year by year growth in smartphone industry, so is the demand for mobile application today . Thousand of apps are getting flooded in the app market every day on both Android and iOS platform . Thereby it is important to develop apps that can the ability to stand out in the crowd pool of apps . And in order to achieve it , there is a need of good mobile app development company who are aware of. right sets of tools required for app development .

When it comes to development of apps , there is always a long debate which gets followed in respect to choosing the technology stack . Apps can be either build on Native platform or cross platform . Each of the platforms has their own pros and cons . But since this article is about cross platform app development , we are limiting our discussion to cross platform app development only .

Also Read : Which Apps Suits You Best : Hybrid VS Native ? 

When it comes to cross platform app development  these are lots of different spices available in the market such as Ionic app development , PhoneGap app development , React Native app development , Xamarin app development and so on . An app is said to be cross platform app when. developer has to right a single code for the application which works across both Android and iOS and other operating system as well such as Windows .

While talking about native , each platform has their own specific sets of developers , who have to write code individually for each platform , which usually takes longer time .

We although has a long discussion but question remains the same : React Native Or Xamarin ?

Introduction To React Native And Xamarin 

React native is a cross platform development tools that allows use of Javascript , but Xamarin uses C# for designing awesome user interfaces . The big app examples of React natives apps are facebook , Instagram , Airbnb , while Slack and Pinterest are developed on Xamarin .

One of the best thing why more person are preferring React Native is that it is a free tool for building any kind of application , while on the other hand Xamarin does not offers a lot on free module specially if you’re designing for big purposes .

Comparison Between React Native And Xamarin

# Developmental Comparison

As we are aware that both Xamarin and React Native are open source framework but the development platform is completely different for both of them .

Xamarin development requires configuration of Microsoft’s Visual Studio which in turn contain the tools for generating Android SDK . For iOS , Xcode is required which is only available for Mac .

In React Native , developer needs to install Node together with Atom and visual studio to write javascript code

# Performance Comparison

Xamarin performs higher on both 32-bit an 64-bit mode which aids developer in designing fastest UI use native tools directly .

On the other hand React Native is presently not capable of delivering 64-bit mode on android , and thereby does not gives good result on both Android and iOS platform , but it does have an option to cushion design the UI using native widgets .

# Complexity Of Code

React Native is based on the concept of Just In Time (JIT) that helps conversion of programmable source code into native codes just before the program is run . The major drawback of this is it can’t be used in iOS apps .
Whereas on the other hand Xamarin uses Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) complication since JIT is not expandable to iOS . In AOT code is combined even before starting of the application. The main reason behind this is security feature that does not allow writeable executable segments , which thereby makes Xamarin a better choice .

# Speed And Time For Development

When it comes to developmental time and compile of mobile apps – the bigger the size of the app , Xamarin will take longer to compile . That means bigger project consumes more time and so in the cost in Xamarin .
On the other hand , React Native is based on javascript , and it contains the hot reloading feature which aids developers in seeing the changes recently made by them without recompiling the app , they simply has to just refresh the app , thereby giving fast testing environment .

# Debugging

When talking about Xamarin , debugging is a simple process and can be done in the same way as that of a .NET application using Visual Studio , which thereby contributes to positive aspects for Xamarin .

When it comes to debugging in React Native , it can be done in similar way as debugging in web applications. You can either take advantage of chrome developer tool or any other third party debug tools.

# Design

In Xamarin , we have 2 approaches for designing the UI  , the first one being platform -specific way ( ie by using XML for android and storyboards for iOS ) , on the other hand developers can also use Xamarin . Forms that can the capability of sharing the code on both android and iOS platform .
In React Native allows you to use customised components thereby we can say React Native is better choice for developers as projects has always been defined by the level of UI it contains .

# Framework

React Native uses one way data flow for all developmental purposes , whereas on the other hand Xamarin uses MVVM framework style .Both frameworks has their own pros and cons and it depends on person requirement which framework to be used .

Conclusion

Both platforms has their own pros and cons and the use of the one totally depends on each client individual requirement . However in comparison on the matter of facts Xamarin is more preferable by developers due to its end user faster performance along with classic approach .React native delivers low performance and at the same time does not offer native looks and feel that Xamarin delivers . We have cleared our vision , now the choice is unto you .

Challenges In Enterprise App Development And Measure To Solve

Challenges In Enterprise App Development And Measure To Solve

Are you a developer developing enterprise mobile application ? Then I am pretty sure that you are aware of the challenges that you might face during your journey of development . But assume a situation wherein you are already aware of the problem and solution in respect to that !

Seems to be life saver , right ?

Due to technical world is dynamically changing , providing satisfactory service to business operations had become a challenging task in respect of requirement , budgets , deadlines and technology support , which may change overnight . So if you are one of those developers who want to deliver an awesome app irrespective of the challenges then simply go through till the end of the article to know the way out for the challenges you are facing .

Challenge #1 – Change In Business Requirement By Client

Every developer might have faced this situation . You might have done your all day task , and then the email comes with the client about the new requirement . Bam ! All your coding goes into chunk and the new task might seems you like a big mountain to which to have to climb up . But you are left with no other alternative than to climb up in the mountain with the new requirement .

Measure To Solve :

As a developer you have to follow modular approach of building the code in a way that each functional module should be built separately to save your efforts for entire product . In case the changes comes in , you necessarily need to alter few modules only and rest stays the same .

Challenge #2- Security Issues

Enterprise apps are not like other simple apps , but it contain high level of enterprise and mobile data that is highly crucial for business organisations . We all are also aware that now a days enterprise apps are more moving towards cloud for storing of data and other procurement , as a the data is all getting uploaded on cloud , the risk of data being hacked has also been increased . Enterprise app developers can take care of data hacking by providing security patches , data encryption and more .

Measures To Solve :

Hackers try to find the weak security standards and hacks the data from breaking the weak point .Performing penetration testing  can help avoid hackers to hack soft spots .

Challenge #3 – User Interface

The app will become clutter and complex if user interface is not taken into consideration . Assume of an app that is so complex to understand that you are not even to perform a single task in it , will you use it ? Of-course not ! If a user does not finds app to be user friendly , they might never come back to you . So the best solution to this problem is never every try to underestimate the user interface of the app to get the best value of your app . A good mobile app development company is one to develop apps that makes employees more productive and at the same time teach them to struggle with complex interface .

Measures To Solve :

Prototyping is one of the best measure in order to come up with best app . You must proceed to designing of the app once prototype of the app has been approved by the client .

Challenge #4 – Technological Change

Technology is continuously changing and new technology and frameworks is rapidly stepping into the technological world . We all are aware of recent technological advancement such as AI , Blockchain , SaaS and more .Innovative , affordability and competitive advantage is what is needed for successful app delivery .

Measures To Solve :

You must make your app future enabled with coping up with the latest technologies and challenges that should be used in Enterprises apps , which in turn help you in saving efforts on reinventing the whole wheel .

Challenge #5 : Interconnectivity Issue With Third Party Applications

Any enterprise can’t only rely on mobile apps . A mobile apps must have the capacity of integration with existing setup of any enterprises , ie CRM or ERP to make it do final job . There might be a situation that the app that you have made may be missing technology stack of making a connection link between multiple technologies .
Measures To Solve : 
 
The app market is already equipped with lot of interoperability frameworks which enables interconnecitvity between various applications and remove the barrier driven approach .

Challenge #6 : Meeting The Deadlines

This is one of the most common issue that most of the developers have faced while dealing with the app development process . The job of mobile app development company is never been an easier task as it involves developmental process . As a mobile app developer , you must focus on bigger task as after all it is development and will take time but at the same time make sure that you meet deadlines . It is often seen that developers fails to meet the deadlines due to dynamically changing technology and project ideas of the customer .
Measures To Solve : 
 
Always try to follow an agile mythology to complete the task within timelines . At the same time also try to deliver quality product with best quality assured .

Challenge #7 : Maintenance Agreement

Maintenance of any kind of app is important in any kind of enterprise app development . Developers must be fully capable of up keeping with all the issues , bug fixation , security patches . Although maintenance of the app is not a tough task , but it may turn challenging in case you have overloaded the app with fresh products .
Measures To Solve :
The solution to the problem can be solved by including all viable points in the maintenance agreement of which your support is limited to . It is also always advisable to offer a non paid maintenance limited to 2-3 months only due to continuous technology change .

React Native App Development : Impact On Cost And Efficiency Of App

react native app development company

Delivery of the app in a shot period of time is nothing new in the application development environment . Developers are always under intense pressure to deliver the app within limited time , but at the end result is what it matters .

An organisation is called to be professional app development company if they efficiently provide the on demand quality and function software as per the emerging demands of clients . But now it seems to be very often that trend is changing day by day . Every business want to reach wider number of user on the go . When it comes to mobile app development , every business aims to get the best product as soon as possible and at the same time does not want to pay more on the development cost .

As the result of the above outcome , companies fails to achieve the desired result which in turn comes up with unpleasant experience for both the parties . Specially when business are budget constrain , they usually focus on developing the app for only one specific platform  ( Either Android or iOS ) and later on plan to expand to other platform once they started generating revenue from it .

Native app development is something requires double the cost for development and so is the time for development cycle to get it done . Since 2008 it has always seen been rise in the new improved development technology and so is React Native . In 2015 , Facebook has introduced React Native in 2015 which has left huge imprints in app market . By the use of Javascript and XML-esque , it build mobile application interface .

Lets quickly look at some of benefits of using React Native for development platform :

Code Shared Between Android And iOS Is Easily Reusable

We all know that Android and iOS are two different platform equally completive to each other . As they are two different platform , they also have their own specific programming language namely Java for android and Swift for iOS . The major benefit of using react native is almost 90% of the code can be easily shared between android and iOS platform . A good react native app development company can deliver fast app for both the platform which in turn also improves developer velocity .

Hot Reloading

A major benefit of this framework is it precodes with Hot Reloading feature which is based on Hot Module Replacement ( HMR) . No other can understand a pain than a developer itself for time taken to recompile the app again and again just for testing purposes . Under react native platform app changes can be seen immediately in the app once changes done in the source code by developer and developer has not to recompile it to see the effect of changes . Thereby hot reloading in turn speed ups development time .

Navigation

React native has a pre enabled in built navigation bars that aids developers to just to write few lines of code in order to set up the screen of the application . Developers also has the option to create custom navigation pattern for mobile app with using the pre built in feature . The best part is it offers common stack navigation and tabbed navigation patter on both iOS and android .

UI

Apps build using react native have a capability of building apps in native app using native widgets . React native framework is based on Angular JS or Meteor JS which aids developers in delivering beautiful and attractive user interface .

Animation , usability , keyboard behaviour are more smoother for even a complex app , which is even known for its better performance than native app .

One Single Team Is Required

We all are aware that for developing apps on native platform we always required 2 different teams namely Java team for Android and Objective C / Swift team for iOS  . But when it come to developing apps on react native platform , it requires a single development team that has the efficiency of delivering apps for both the platform .

React Native Uses Native Components

React native uses the components of native which is used in Java and Objective C or Swift , thereby optimising app’s efficiency as per the customised requirement . Apps are always being easy to develop using Javascript’s engine without even disturbing main UI thread .

React Native Proved Best For Location Based App

In present scenario many of the apps are using location feature in the app to make it user oriented .Apps like Google , Facebook , Amazon – all are using location feature in their apps .

Is is tested that if you are planning to launch app that needs device location on continuous basis , there is no other option that react native . Android and iOS both the platforms requires sets of permission in order to access the device location . React native makes it easier by allowing native Javascript API .

Faster Development

The apps build using React Native platform can be launched on fast scale . The React Native framework is pre equipped with various ready made components and libraries which makes even the heavy task simple . Developers has a wider option of choosing from the best library which includes APISauce , react-native-vector-icons , react-native-i18n that benefits the developers in numerous of ways , which in turn boost the developmental process and reduces the turn around time of app development .

Better That Web View App

A good mobile app development company always suggest you to go with react native app in place of web based view app , because of the fact that cross platform framework has the capability to achieve 60 frames per seconds while giving awesome native look and feel .

Bundles Of API’s

React Native framework offers different set of API’s which includes Android and iOS specific API’s to which allows taking the advantage of almost all platform features such as camera , contacts and other storage .

Conclusion

Over the time , the React Native app development framework has been scaled to next level which in turn supports every essential mobile app development requirement right from delivering the awesome UI to even management of database . It helps developers focus on building something unique with simple code logic .