Apps for mobile devices continue to grow in popularity. App developers can create apps for one platform and have them work on another. React Native and Ionic are the two most popular frameworks. Although both are excellent platforms for developing apps for mobile devices, they differ in some ways.
Ionic
Drifty Company created Ionic using the AngularJS framework. To develop apps, developers use HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Ionic supports Android and iOS platforms, desktop apps, and web applications.
React Native
Developers can use React Native to build applications for iOS and Android. Facebook developed it, so much of its technology is derived from its React JavaScript library. App developers love that their apps could be released on both platforms simultaneously.
The distinction between Ionic and React Native
React Native and Ionic are both powerful tools. Among the differences, Ionic is an open-source framework, while React Native was built by Facebook and requires a license.
They are also different in their flexibility, performance, and usability.
- Flexibility
Ionic
It is easy to use because it uses standard web languages. Applications can run on any web platform right out of the box.
React Native
With React Native, you can develop apps for Android and iOS. But, it can provide the best performance on their devices.
- Performance
Ionic
Ionic creates native browser apps using HTML, CSS, and JS Components. You can write once and use it everywhere.
Platform performance is impacted by plugins that need to be downloaded. A programming interface, or API, requires to connect Ionic to devise functions. The result can be low-speed app performance.
React Native
It allows you to customize platform-specific components, giving your application a native feel. The platform is stable and highly reliable, which makes it ideal for applications requiring a great deal of processing power. However, it requires a larger budget.
React Native runs in native code, thus it offers a better user experience.
- Usability
Ionic
Each platform offers a ready-made UI framework. Because Ionic is programmed in basic web languages, it is easier to get started. Several pre-built user interface elements have been included to reduce development time. Because Ionic does not require building apps for different platforms, the development process becomes even simpler.
React Native
Anyone who has used React before can easily use React Native. To create apps for Android or iOS, you must learn the concepts first and then execute them.
- Solutions stack
Ionic
With Ionic, you can build multi-platform and multifunctional apps using a complete SDK and web technologies. The platform was built on top of a rewritten version of Angular. You will have no difficulty using Ionic if you are familiar with Angular. As such, it is quickly gaining popularity.
React Native
Unlike Ionic, React Native doesn’t have a complete SDK. Its goal is to promote the principle of writing everywhere after learning it once. It follows platform-specific standards to provide a smooth native experience. Thus, the platform can take advantage of native UI elements and focus on user experience.
- Extensions and community
Ionic
There is a growing community of Ionic users. Therefore, you can easily find updates, information, and answers. Additionally, PhoneGap/Cordova plugins allow developers to access the native features of their apps.
React Native
A wide range of plugins is available for React Native. It is also easy to find any information, updates, and solutions since the platform is used by a large community of developers. Additionally, you can use PhoneGap/Cordova plugins to find plugins from other communities.
- A platform-based approach
Ionic
Ionic works on Android, iOS, and Electron. Each Ionic app has the same user interface regardless of the platform. Ionic uses a responsive design and CSS to detect different platforms. Developers can still customize the apps according to their needs.
React Native
Ionic and React Native both have cross-platform capabilities. In other words, they can build apps for Android and iOS. You can add web and desktop support to React Native using some unofficial plugins and projects. The platform is designed to teach you some concepts, React Native flavors, and how to design UI screens for iOS and Android.
How do I decide between Ionic and React Native?
Programmers strongly support both of these frameworks. Ionic might be the right choice if you want easy development and flexibility. Additionally, it offers low entry barriers, which could translate into faster development times and lower development costs.
React Native is a popular choice, but people who choose it have performance issues usually. If you’d like a phone app that runs naturally on a smartphone, React Native is the right option.
