The growing popularity of cross-platform apps has made it difficult for many businesses to choose between React Native and Xamarin.
However, deciding between Xamarin and React Native and determining which is superior is tricky. Because there isn’t a straightforward answer which is better?
Most app developers want their products to be available on both iOS and Android. Logic dictates that they should go for cross-platform mobile app development.
React Native and Xamarin are currently trending and leading, therefore which of these two has the upper hand? Which one should you go with for your game-changing application?
In this article, we will compare and analyze both frameworks on different factors. So that you can get the right answer for your requirements.
What is Xamarin?
Xamarin is a cross-platform app development toolkit that allows us to create native Android and iOS apps with unified and branded user interfaces. It was first released in 2011.
Xamarin communicates with the application program interface (API) of common mobile device features via the Mono framework, employing shared code to forge compatibility and usability across many platforms or operating systems.
Xamarin is a simple transition for C# developers since it allows them to build strong applications using the C# programming language that runs on the.NET Common Language Infrastructure (CLI).
Some popular apps that use Xamarin
- UPS
- FreshDirect
- Olo
What is React Native?
React Native, like Xamarin, is a cross-platform mobile app development framework that allows developers to create apps for Android and iOS devices using the same tech stack.
React Native, which was released in 2015, allows users to create mobile apps using JavaScript and React libraries.
Some popular apps that use React Native
- Walmart
- Wix
React Native vs Xamarin side-by-side Comparison
A detailed comparison of Xamarin vs React Native is often the best way to make a major decision between two choices.
Popularity
The cross-platform mobile framework marketplace has remained dominated by React Native. In 2021, the company will have a decent market share of 38%. In comparison, Xamarin has an 11% market share. In recent years, these values have remained rather steady.
Brands that use Xamarin are less well-known than those that use React Native, but both are used by prominent companies. Even though Microsoft owns Xamarin, it does not use the platform for any of its flagship apps, instead opting for React Native for Skype. As a result, Xamarin is frequently referred to as a “dreaded” framework among developers.
Performance
Due to the fact that cross-platform and hybrid frameworks are known for compromising performance for convenience, this factor may be critical in making your decision.
Despite the fact that both Xamarin and React Native deliver near-native performance, Xamarin runs the quickest code on Android and iOS and includes a UI for using native tools.
Development cost
React Native is a highly adaptable framework that allows developers to use their preferred IDE. When it comes to availability, React Native is without a doubt the clear winner because it is free. React Native allows developers to use the framework and all of its libraries at zero cost.
Xamarin also has a free version, although it has fewer features and resources than React Native.
Furthermore, while the platform itself is free, using the visual studio comes with a cost.
Development environment
The Live Reload functionality in React Native allows web developers to see the consequences of code changes in real-time. Being able to view these changes in real-time gives you a huge advantage, especially when it comes to time management.
The Hot Reload functionality in React Native allows the app to keep running even as developers inject new file versions. This feature is particularly handy for adjusting the UI because it allows changes to be made without requiring a full reload of the app.
Xamarin, on the other hand, has a considerably more user-friendly development environment. It allows developers to build code specifically for iPhone apps on Windows and then compile it for Mac.
To create Mac apps, Xamarin uses the Visual Studio or XCode IDEs, both of which are substantially easier to use than React Native.
Technology used
React Native makes use of JavaScript, one of the most popular and widely used programming languages in web development.
As a result, individuals who have a lot of familiarity with JavaScript will have no trouble creating a mobile app with React Native.
Xamarin uses the C# programming language and the.NET framework. Microsoft also offers extensive support for Xamarin, including debuggers, native platform integration, and a rich editor.
Conclusion
Choosing the best framework for your digital journeys can provide you with a competitive advantage. If you are not sure which framework can help your business, feel free to get in touch with Stellar Digital. We are a seasoned web and mobile app development company with a lot of expertise. We can assist you in developing cutting-edge cross-platform mobile applications.
