Have you ever come across a technology with no limitations? Let me guess your answer. It’s a no, isn’t it? And the reason is that no such thing exists. React Native is no special case.
The framework has several advantages, no doubt. From reducing process time to making development more efficient, React Native has made developers’ lives much easier. However, React Native also has its share of limitations.
If you’re looking to learn more about the limitations of React Native, you have come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll be highlighting the cons of React Native. Continue reading to find out more.
What is React Native?
Before we jump to the cons, let us understand the concept of React Native and how it works. React Native is a JavaScript framework for mobile app development.
It enables the developers to build natively rendered mobile apps for IOS and Android. Meta, formerly known as Facebook, created React Native back in 2015.
The framework became a sensation with each passing year.
Today, React Native is one of the most popular technologies in the world of mobile app development.
React Native’s ability to build an application for various platforms using a similar code base has enhanced its popularity.
However, there isn’t just a single reason for its popularity. Various factors make React Native a powerful framework in the realm of mobile app development.
That’s why React Native has been declared the second-best mobile framework, a survey by Stack Overflow claimed.
What Makes React Native Special?
React Native has some specific qualities that set it apart from other frameworks. Because of those qualities, app developers consider React Native as the second-best mobile app framework. Here are some of the qualities that have helped in React Native’s growth:
❖ Cross-Platform Development
Cross-platform efficiency is one of the qualities that make React Native so popular. Cross-platform development enables React Native to build an application for various platforms using a similar code base.
It means a developer can build a single app that can run on multiple systems. If a developer uses React Native to build a particular application, it will work on various systems, including Android and IOS.
So, instead of using different codes for building different versions of an app, a developer can use the same code base to develop an app for multiple systems.
It doesn’t just save time but also the cost and energy of a developer. Skype and Instagram are some of the examples of cross-platform development.
❖ The Bridge
Another essential quality of React Native is its bridge. The bridge gives React Native the ability to use the same code base throughout multiple platforms. It means the bridge transforms JavaScript code into native components.
This enables React Native to offer native-like performance by using a native interface. As a result, it leads React Native to build faster, more smooth and more responsive apps.
❖ Reusable Codes & Components
React Native makes tasks much easier for developers because of its qualities. One of those qualities is that React Native offers pre-developed components.
This enables the developers to implement the codes according to the requirements of the application instead of generating codes from zero.
React Native also allows users to reuse the codes. It enables developers to save their time and energy. This, as a result, leads to enhanced productivity.
❖ Quick Refresh
If you ask a developer which step is the most tedious in app development, the answer would be debugging without hesitation.
But with React Native, the task has become easier for developers. React Native offers “Fast Refresh”.
It enables the users to see the changes they make to the app code during the process. As a result, it makes the debugging process instant. It saves time and enhances the development process.
❖ Vast Active Community
React Native has a vast community of active developers. The vast community offers several benefits to the developers.
They can have access to various useful resources. Similarly, they can seek help from other developers about issues in the development process.
One of the essential benefits of this community is that it boosts the confidence of the React Native developers to be more creative.
What are the Limitations of React Native?
No technology comes with mere advantages. Every framework in the industry has its share of limitations.
And so does React Native. Like other mobile app frameworks, it also has its shortcomings. Here are some of the limitations of React Native:
❖ Applications can be Slow
Indeed, React Native can build a single app for multiple platforms. However, the app doesn’t need to be fast and smooth on various platforms.
It might be smooth and fast on ios Instead of doing flutter localization you can you can use react native. However, there are chances it could be slow on Android. So, your strength can be your weakness sometimes. It is the same case with React Native.
❖ Limited Reach
React Native works well with advanced mobile phones. However, when it comes to the older versions, the story is different.
React Native doesn’t work quite well with older versions. And this is one of the significant limitations of React Native. As a result, this shortcoming limits the reach of the application.
❖ There is No Easy Learning
Another significant limitation of React Native is its complex learning process. Mastering React Native requires in-depth knowledge of languages like JavaScript. Similarly, a developer must have an understanding of concepts like CSS and HTML.
Considering these requirements, it becomes a challenging task to accomplish, especially for newcomers.
However, it isn’t an impossible task, considering there are resources that can help ace the framework.
❖ Limited Access to Features
Limited access to various mobile features and designs is hurting the image of React Native.
The framework has limited access to advanced features and designs. The limitations hurdle the development of creative and appealing apps.
Final Notes
React Native is one of the best mobile frameworks in the industry. Its ability to build an application for various platforms using a similar code base, pre-developed components, and hot reloading feature makes it one of the best frameworks in the mobile app development world.
However, like other frameworks, React Native also has its shortcomings. The single apps for multiple operating systems can be slow. Similarly, React Native has limited access to advanced features and designs.
All these shortcomings limit the ultimate success of React Native. However, regardless of these limitations, React Native is still the top choice for developers. React Native is the best choice for specific developments.
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