What Is React Native? Beginner’s Guide + FAQ

Whether you want to develop an application in your spare time or become employed as a React developer, learning about React Native is an excellent starting point. Studies suggest plenty of career opportunities for those interested in mobile development, and the global revenue from mobile applications is expected to reach 613 billion US dollars by 2025 [1]. In the following article, you'll learn more about what React Native is and how you can use it.

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework, meaning it’s free for public use. In software development, a framework serves as a platform for developing applications. It contains resources like pre-built components, libraries, and reference material. Like the framework of a home, React Native provides the basic structure of an application. Developers can then customize Native modules to suit their needs rather than building the application from the ground up.

What does “native” mean in React Native?

When an application or software is native, it’s written for the computer’s natural operating system (OS). For example, a Playstation 5 game's native platform is the Playstation 5 because it was designed for that specific device and OS. Native-run applications and native code typically provide a better user experience with fewer performance issues. They run better and faster because they were created to suit their particular platforms. As the name suggests, React Native enables you to render applications natively. Your application will use the same programming platform as a native application despite not being specially created for that device.

React Native vs. React

React is a JavaScript library, also known as ReactJS or React.js. Like React Native, it provides developers with development building blocks, such as pre-written code and configurations. Unlike React Native, those building blocks are web components rather than native components. When used together, React.js and React Native complement one another. The chart below explores some similarities and differences between React and React Native.

Read more: Java vs. JavaScript: What’s the Difference?

What is Expo React Native?

Expo is a framework for building JavaScript and React Native applications. It includes libraries, x as well as a set of services and tools designed specifically for React Native development and testing. Expo was created to simplify universal app development for the web and mobile platforms like Android and IoS.

What is React Native for?

React Native is most famous for its cross-platform development capabilities. Cross-platform development refers to the process of building software that is compatible with more than one type of device and OS. With this key feature, developers can create platform-specific versions of components. Instead of building applications natively for each platform, developers can build their codebase just once and use it for both iOS and Android applications. Additional React Native features include:

• Active developer community and ecosystem of tools. ReactJS and React Native both have large communities of developers and tech experts. For example, you can ask questions and share insights with the Native community on the Reactiflux Discord channel or attend a React Native Meetup.

• App performance. React Native enables applications to behave like native applications, which run faster and more efficiently than their non-native counterparts.

• Code reusability and cost savings. Reusable components are a key advantage of React Native. In addition to cost efficiency, reusing large amounts of code across platforms allows for shorter development time and a simplified development process overall.

Examples of applications built with React Native

React Native is one of the most popular technologies among developers worldwide [2]. The list below compiles a few of the most popular cross-platform apps that use React Native:

• Facebook

• Pinterest

• Oculus

• Salesforce

• Airbnb

• Coinbase

• Shopify

Working with React Native

Thanks to the open-source nature of React Native, anyone can use it to develop their own mobile projects. However, you can also seek employment as a freelance developer or on an engineering team. Professional React Native developers are software developers who specialize in using the framework to build mobile apps.

A mobile app developer’s typical day will likely involve writing and reviewing code, troubleshooting bugs and defects, and designing user interfaces (UIs). React Native developers typically focus on front-end development but may also work with other development teams to ensure quality across the entire application.

Read more: How to Become a React Developer in 3 Steps

Salary and job outlook for React Native developers

The average total pay for a React Native developer in the US is $123,000 per year [3]. As of August 2024, there are over 4,000 open React Native developer positions on LinkedIn [4]. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth of 25 percent for software developers between 2022 and 2032 [5]. Compared to the 5 percent median growth rate for all occupations, careers in this field are growing much faster than average.

Read more: React Developer Salary Insights: From Entry-Level to Senior Engineer

Start developing with React Native on Coursera

You can learn React Native from an industry leader in technology with the Meta React Native Specialization. In this beginner-friendly, self-paced course, you'll learn the basic concepts you need for cross-platform application development. You'll gain additional hands-on experience with JavasScript, GitHub repositories, and version control. Upon completion of this course, you'll have a Native project to add to your professional portfolio and a certificate from Meta for your resume.