React Native
React Native is an open-source framework by Meta that lets developers build native mobile apps for iOS and Android using JavaScript and React — sharing one codebase across both platforms.
In depth
React Native renders real native UI components (not a WebView), giving near-native performance. With Expo (the standard toolchain), you get: - One codebase for iOS + Android - Over-the-air updates (ship bug fixes without App Store review) - Access to native APIs (camera, GPS, push notifications, biometrics) - EAS Build for cloud-based app compilation
React Native vs Flutter: - RN: JavaScript/TypeScript, larger talent pool, better for web+mobile teams - Flutter: Dart, better for custom UI/animations, smaller talent pool
React Native vs native (Swift/Kotlin): - RN: 40–60% faster to build, one team - Native: 10–15% better performance, required for heavy native features
We default to React Native + Expo for all mobile MVPs in 2026.
Real example
Discord and Shopify ship iOS and Android from a single React Native codebase.
Tools & calculators
Related terms
Technical Debt
Technical debt refers to the implied cost of future rework required when shortcuts or suboptimal solutions are chosen during software development for the sake of speed.
API (Application Programming Interface)
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of rules and protocols that allows different software applications to communicate with each other — like a contract defining how one piece of software can request data or actions from another.
Expo
Expo is a framework and platform built on React Native that simplifies mobile app development with managed tooling, cloud builds (EAS), over-the-air updates, and pre-built native modules.
Ready to build your product?
Fixed price. 21-day delivery. Senior team.
Get a free scoping call →