REACT NATIVE VS SWIFT: WHICH IS BEST FOR YOUR APP?
By Moana Snow
React Native is a cross-platform app development framework that primarily makes use of javascript and JSX. Swift, on the other hand, is a programming language for creating iOS native apps that employs Objective C code.
For iOS programming, the two most popular options are React Native and iOS Swift. If you choose to build a native iOS app, you may have to spend separately in future Android app development. Your decision is critical and challenging.
We have provided a full comparison of React Native versus Swift in terms of performance, development, prices, and community support. Let’s get started!
WHAT IS REACT NATIVE?
React Native and React confuse beginners. Know the difference between React and React Native before learning the language. If you understand it, choosing React Native for your iOS app is simple. React Native is Facebook’s JavaScript framework. To construct cross-platform mobile applications and speed up mobile development, the language was invented.
React Native employs JavaScript, the world’s most useful language. JavaScript lets developers reuse up to 70% of code across platforms. Thus, you’ll save time and money on cross-platform programmes. Developers may build code for Android and iOS using React Native app development. Then native UI components are rendered. The React Native iOS app employs the same native UI as native iOS apps. The Android version is the same.
Before comparing React Native to Swift, let’s discuss its pros and cons.
POPULAR APPS DEVELOPED WITH REACT NATIVE
Surely you want to know how much it sets you back to create a React Native app. Our blog will give you a good understanding of what we’re about. The time and money spent on development will undoubtedly pay dividends for your company.
Nonetheless, check out the best applications that were developed using React Native below.
- Walmart
- SoundCloud
- Bloomberg
BENEFITS OF REACT NATIVE
Before deciding between React Native and Swift, we must analyse the benefits and drawbacks of each. Let’s look at the benefits of hiring React App Developers and see whether they’re worthwhile.
Using a Hot Reload: Hot reloading lets React Native developers see their code. It streamlines the development process.
Flawless Performance: Native applications maximise device processing performance since they’re OS-specific. The applications work well and are simple.
Rich Library Support: Swift has 3800 libraries and packages, whereas React Native has 33,000. Libraries demonstrate React Native is well ahead.
Easy to Integrate: Native applications interface easily with GPS, camera, and touchscreen devices. Native applications can also effortlessly combine VR, AI, IoT, and AR.
Less Debugging: Bugs may be tracked with less work for developers.
Extremely Secure and Reliable: Native applications are safe and reliable since they follow OS standards. App Store approves these. They’re safe and trustworthy.
REACT NATIVE’S DRAWBACKS
There are some downsides to using React Native despite its many advantages. However, the React Native community is always working to find solutions to these issues.
Complex Design: As we know, iOS and Android have app publication rules. Developers struggle to create high-quality React Native app UI.
Longer Testing Process: Due to a single code source, React Native app development is quicker than Swift, but testing takes longer. React Native applications need extra testing due to problems on both platforms.
Fewer Wrappers: It takes time to develop bespoke wrappers for native modules, components, and APIs.
WHAT IS SWIFT?
Apple and the open-source community use Swift to create native iOS apps for all Apple devices. Swift is a multi-paradigm, general-purpose language from 2014.
Swift creates iOS applications for watchOS, macOS, tvOS, and Apple devices. Swift aims to increase developer interest in iOS development services. Swift’s syntax is compact and expressive, making it interactive.
Swift was created to replace Apple’s programming language, Objective-C. Thus, the following coding technique is simple and secure. iOS app development is better this way. Thus, mobile app developers have focused on it.
POPULAR APPS DEVELOPED WITH SWIFT
Swift is used in the development of certain well-known app brands. Here is a selection of the best applications for learning faster and easier.
Here is a selection of the best applications for learning faster and easier
- Airbnb
- SlideShare
- Lyft
- Test Centre
PROS OF USING SWIFT
Is it any secret to you why Swift has become the preferred method for creating iOS apps? Read on so that we may learn about its benefits.
Better Error Handling: Swift features extensive typing and error handling. It reduces production mistakes and code failures.
Scaling Up Quickly: Swift is future-proof. Developers may simply add additional features. Thus, these applications scale better than React Native.
Increased Stability and Efficiency: Swift, which replaced Objective-C, prioritises performance and safety. Its original performance was 40% better.
Customer Satisfaction: Lightweight Swift apps install faster and use less device memory. The language was designed for native iOS programming, allowing developers access to device functionalities. Swift applications will look and perform better.
Open Source Community: Swift’s open-source community supports it. Newcomers may also grasp it easily.
CONS OF USING SWIFT
Is there anything serious to look out for in Swift? Read on for some of the drawbacks of this approach.
Limited Talent: Swift has fewer developers than other programming languages despite its fast development. Hiring Swift developers is challenging.
Unique to Apple Products Only: Swift runs solely on native devices. Thus, you must design two applications for Android and iOS.
SWIFT VS. REACT NATIVE DETAILED COMPARISON
Swift is best for producing native iOS apps, whereas React Native is best for cross-platform development. Compare Swift versus React Native using the following criteria to determine which is best for iOS app development.
PERFORMANCE: REACT NATIVE VS SWIFT
GPU speed, CPU use, memory usage, and more affect React Native versus Swift performance. In testing, Swift outperforms React Native in CPU use but not memory or GPU speed. React Native developers may quickly insert native programmes and leverage numerous tools.
React Native outperforms Swift.
Winner: React Native
SWIFT VS. REACT NATIVE: UI
Developers can design stunning iOS applications and UIs using Swift. Swift developers may build SwiftUI from scratch to improve user experience. React Native creates UIs using JavaScript libraries. For a native-like experience, developers may construct platform-centric components. JavaScript and declarative UI help React components encapsulate native code and connect with native APIs. Thus, JavaScript makes it simple to build a great UI but hard to keep up with native environment updates.
Winner: React Native
REACT NATIVE VS SWIFT: STABILITY
Swift has every platform capability to develop Native apps. Swift trumps React Native in heavy workloads and visual effects. Swift stabilises iOS. <./p>
React Native, a cross-platform framework leader, is inferior to native app development. React Native prioritises using internal APIs and frameworks to run apps smoothly. The programme may be unreliable due to multiple development levels.
Winner: Swift
SWIFT VS. REACT NATIVE: CODING SPEED
JavaScript, which enables React Native, has been around for years. Its simple learning curve and tool support are making it popular. React Native is easier to understand and write than Swift. Swift developers can create native iOS applications, though. Swift, which overcame Objective C’s limitations, has improved procedures.
Winner: React Native
SWIFT VS REACT NATIVE: LEARNING CURVE
Developers find React Native iOS app development straightforward. Web development differs from app development. Thus, React Native developers feel uncomfortable. React Native includes substantial documentation and modules to assist developers understand the language.
Swift has an advanced learning curve. Apple has produced a whitepaper to assist developers grasp the language, its basics, and capabilities. Swift Playgrounds also makes learning Swift easy for non-technical professionals.
Winner: Swift
SWIFT VS. REACT NATIVE: PLATFORM MATURITY
React Native and Swift are nascent platforms. Swift debuted in 2014, React Native in 2015. Both communities appreciate improved robustness with each version release. React Native, like Swift, is a native app builder but not a native iOS app language. React Native connects iOS platforms and code. Swift excels in heavy computation and graphics.
Winner: React Native
SWIFT VS. REACT NATIVE: DEVELOPER COST
React Native developers are affordable for iOS app development. However, hiring a Swift and React Native engineer is similar. Developer teams grow cheaper later. React Native is cost-effective and high-quality. Thus, organisations benefit long-term.
Winner: React Native
REACT NATIVE VERSUS SWIFT: DEVELOPER AVAILABILITY
Developers love JavaScript, making it easier to locate JavaScript developers. Swift is rather new. Thus, Swift development teams and firms are harder to locate. Stack Overflow 2022 found that 65.36% of devs favour JavaScript. This shows React Native’s popularity over Swift.
Winner: React Native
SWIFT VS. REACT NATIVE: COMMUNITY AND DOCUMENTATION
React Native is an open-source programming language backed by many professional developers worldwide, whereas Apple engineers retain Swift. Public platforms provide Swift developers technical help. Swift’s documentation updates are beneficial, while React Native’s is thorough, succinct, and correct.
Winner: React Native
WHEN DO I NEED TO USE REACT NATIVE?
React Native has been fully explored. When to use React Native:
- Build iOS and Android applications under budget.
- Hot reloading speeds development.
- Build cross-platform applications.
WHEN DO I NEED TO USE SWIFT?
Swift may be used as the main programming language when:
- You must only create an app for the iOS platform.
- The app requires extensive memory management and complicated user interfaces.
- The app requires iOS native capabilities as well as APIs.
CONCLUSION
Finally, cross-platform vs. native development is the difference between Swift and React Native. However, in this case, the context is iOS. Both languages are capable of producing amazing iOS applications. Hire React App Developer for cross-platform applications and a Swift App Developer for native platform apps.