Demand for custom mobile application development has been at an all-time high. At the same time, the implementation of next-gen capabilities to overcome the issues of the traditional battle between iOS and Android is intensifying.
The competitive mobile application development market has insisted market collaterals look for innovative tech solutions. Cross-platform mobile application development has made this easier for enterprises to accelerate their business.
Developers do not have to build applications for two different frameworks when working on a cross-platform app. And you can build applications for multiple platforms. Cross-platform app development is a developmental strategy that allows enterprises to build mobile applications to reach a wider customer base.
As cross-platform app development works seamlessly, enterprises acquire this development strategy to build apps for multiple devices. Businesses tend to follow this strategy to buy time for focusing on other developmental factors. There are many frameworks on which applications are developed. Among many frameworks, Xamarin and React Native are the most popular ones. Both platforms have their advantages and limitations. Therefore, Xamarin vs. React Native has made the developmental process smoother. Let’s take a glance at how it leverages to reach business goals.
Here are some of the most prominent benefits of using Xamarin.
- Flexibility
- Time and cost saving
- Easier implementation
- Uniformed design
So, are you planning to develop an application?
You have the choice to develop an application using the cross-platform framework for iOS and Android. The two most important frameworks are React Native app development services and Xamarin. Let’s discuss the Xamarin framework in detail. And understand the core factors of it that enterprises prefer to incorporate into their businesses.
A Detailed Introduction to Xamarin
Initially, companies preferred to use Xamarin for a single project only. Later, when overtaken by Microsoft, they started integrating into the .NET ecosystem.
While developing an application Xamarin uses C#. Now, this is a common language and enterprises use this language broadly for their projects. So, anyone can enhance their expertise in Xamarin.
Being an open-source framework, it makes all developmental tasks easier and lets your application run smoothly on multiple platforms.
Top Three Tools for Xamarin App Development Services
Developers can use UI and ‘Xamarin.Forms’ on any platform.
Xamarin Native, a combination of libraries such as Xamarin Android, Xamarin Mac, and Xamarin iOS, allows xamarin developers to access multiple functionalities of native solutions.
Xamarin App development company uses ‘Xamarin.Essential’, which is the single API that can function for any applications you intend to develop.
Use Cases of Xamarin Apps
1. Cincinnati – There is a non-profit academic medical center called Cincinnati, which is solely devoted to top-quality treatment procedures and the development of children. They have developed their application on Xamarin.
The application shows the real-time status of your health and it also helps the patient schedule appointments well in advance. Furthermore, it renders solutions to you during times of emergency.
Core features of the application
- Spot reminders and issuing digital parking pass
- User-friendly interface
- Wide range of libraries and resources
2. Alaska Airlines – If you have any doubt regarding flight information, this air travel platform is a one-stop solution to answer all your queries. Built on Xamarin, it resolves all doubts about selecting a flight seat, booking tickets, check-in, and selecting and booking your preferred food.
Core features of the application
- Push notification on time
- Information on your reservations
- 24/7 technical support team
- The responsive customer feedback system
3. Microsoft Azure – Invented and designed by Microsoft, Microsoft Azure offers all useful solutions that help you monitor and manage your operations. As they have used Xamarin tools, it gives you the best outcome for your projects.
The USP of this application is, you can keep controlling the resources while you are operating it. It helps azure developers to resolve all issues instantly. Besides providing a graphical representation of metrics, it gives you updated status.
Core features of the application
- Alerts you to health issues.
- It is safe to use and encrypted end-to-end
- It assists you to stay connected to your cloud
- Leverages the resources with corrective actions
Potential Challenges in Xamarin Development
Open-source libraries are less accessible -
While you are using Xamarin, you need to have access to the elements. However, you will have limited access to these libraries. So, the framework does not provide rich developmental experiments for Android and iOS.
As a result, most of the time it ends up using native coding. On the other hand, Xamarin has limitations in accessing third-party libraries. These third-party libraries require developers to develop applications on Android and iOS. They end up consuming a longer time for the development of these elements.
Larger application size-
The applications that developers built on Xamarin differ in respect of their sizes. Sometimes the final product seems much larger than the ones built on native. You can count these sizes based on the Mono routine and data libraries. Developers prefer to experiment with optimization. These include linking, one of the ideal ways to clear code and control the application file size.
Sometimes Xamarin has less usefulness for overloaded graphics – With an extensive requirement of UX/UI designs, you may have to look for development tools for native applications. The applications which have the demand to appear with large-scale user interaction may take a longer time with Xamarin. The use of Xamarin requires an enhanced level of knowledge of Android and iOS native tech solutions.
Delayed support and latest updates-
Xamarin restricts you from taking help from third-party tools while you are trying to seek immediate support. Also, until the latest feature update of Android and iOS releases, you cannot rely on their support team. Therefore, if you are developing Xamarin, you will have to wait till the time the support team updates the latest release.
A Detailed Introduction to React Native
React Native, a JavaScript framework, owned by Facebook, has a highly demanding market. It is built on native applications designed for iOS and Android. Let’s have a glance at some business benefits which helped enterprises speculate immense growth.
A simple process of development
Do you have a question in your mind about the exact operation of React Native? Well, to answer that, it works with an important programming method. There are chain movements for cell software builders who can develop a personal interface. The method of the cell application improvement process is quite simple. It further embraces the latest releases of application updates.
Cost-effective tech solutions
The framework holds a cost-effective approach and offers a wide space, for additional possibilities of scalability, features, and its final result. The code-sharing feature of React Native implies an easy entry of groups to an application. Furthermore, opening an option for the marketers to a specific market.
Modular architecture
The use of modular architecture encourages the growth of flexibility. This feature of React Native App Development services also makes the development process easier by upgrading and updating the application.
Ready-made libraries
As React Native offers several already-made libraries, tools the developers can easily address decoding issues. It also assists them to keep a close check on the market trends. The ready-made libraries help users to design the code swiftly and in an easy way.
Hot reloading
React Native offers hot reloading which allows the users to check the changes done in the code. This saves time in the entire process of the compilation of the code.
A smooth entry into the app development market
Almost nearly 69.8% of developers in today’s app development market use React Native, a JavaScript framework. The USP of React Native makes the project delivery process faster. Also, completion of the final project delivery will be within a low budget. You could also explore how other app development frameworks perform in comparison with these two.
Enhanced reliability and stability
If you are planning to secure the parent data React Native framework does not make these data dependable by simplifying all information.
Use Cases of React Native Apps
The motive for the initiation of react native was Facebook was a development project generated for the company’s needs. A few valuable pointers came as an outcome of this developmental project. A single team worked on the entire project. React Native has made the entire process smoother by leveraging the mobile application development process.
Walmart
Though initially, Walmart incorporated Node.js for developing projects, later they shifted their attention to React Native. They started reworking the incorporation of React Native into the mobile application development projects.
Companies like Walmart always aim to have a business vision for achieving the set goals. To reach the goal, they tend to face many challenges involved in the projects. Therefore, they seek technologies to implement in their projects for enhancing their customer base. Here comes the relevance of React Native that can be implemented while you are planning to develop your mobile application.
Bloomberg
An internal mobile application team of Bloomberg has used the technology of React Native for developing their mobile application. This platform has a few simple, and easy-to-use libraries which allow users to design the application considering multiple options.
Instagram used to represent its page views by integrating push notification views. This is nothing but the web view. Initially, it was challenging to incorporate React Native. However, they have successfully integrated React Native into their platform.
The Final Outcome of developing a mobile application using React Native
The development team of Instagram initially was dealing with a few issues. However, with time they have significantly improved the efficiency of the developers. The company has used 99% of the codes, initially shared among iOS and Android applications depending on the products they were showcasing. This way the team delivered their final product of the application using Native application.
A comparative analysis of React Native vs. Xamarin
There are many grounds where Xamarin vs. React Native can be compared to understand the positive points and limitations of both platforms. Let’s discuss the same and understand each pointer.
Cost and availability
React Native’s availability is significant because it is free for use by the developers. Being a flexible framework, it offers a range of IDEs to choose from. So, the developers are able to use a wide variety of libraries at zero cost. On the other hand, Xamarin also has a few free versions but they have a limited set of libraries or features to use.
The use of technology
React Native leverages developers with programming languages while developing websites using JavaScript. Users who have an extensive level of Knowledge of the use of JavaScript must not have any issues developing any mobile applications using React Native.
On the other hand, the developers use the C# and .NET programming languages and have immense support from Microsoft. Xamarin gets access to a wide range of tools offered by Microsoft. It further offers the integration of native platforms, rich editors, and debuggers.
Community support
React Native ranked 6th as a popular framework, and top 8 as a cross-platform development platform, a survey of StackFlow revealed. Xamarin is positioned at 10th and as a cross-platform mobile application, it ranked 11th. However, most of the time, developers prefer to use React Native over the Xamarin framework.
Developmental environment
If you are developing a mobile application on the Xamarin framework, you will require Microsoft Visual Studio, the community edition. Further, developers will be needing MAC to work on Xamarin. On the other hand, to work on React Native framework, you will require Node. You can work on any kind of developmental platform like Atom, Visual Studio, Nuclide, Vim Editor, Deco IDE, and Spacemace Editor.
Third-party support
Another crucial factor that defines the fine line of difference between Xamarin and React Native. The dependency on third-party support is much less for Xamarin. This is because it has its own ample tools and a set of libraries to choose from.
On the other hand, React Native, being a UI library, demands the integration of third-party features and libraries. It also looks for APIs for accessing the Native configurations. Therefore, React Native App Development company has a higher level of dependency on all third-party integrations for their services.
Wrapping up
Xamarin vs. React Native frameworks have their contributions and areas to limit their potential. To choose any one of the frameworks, you need to check the nature of the mobile development project you are dealing with. It is always advisable to discuss with an experienced team of developers for choosing any one framework for their mobile developmental projects.
A pro tip can be mentioned here- If you are in need of developing a mobile application, get in touch with OrangeMantra to hire mobile app developers to build your app on React Native or xamarin. Also, our expert team in C# will be able to build your app perfectly on the Xamarin framework offered to you.
FAQs
1. Is Xamarin easy to use than React Native?
The codes of Xamarin are written explicitly for iPhone applications and it leverages XCode IDEs for designing applications for MAC. It is easier to use than React Native.
2. Which framework is better?
If you have hands-on experience with JavaScript programming language, there is no doubt that you have to use React Native. If you expect fast and stable performance, Flutter has uniqueness and more offerings over React Native.
3. Does React Native have relevance in today’s development project?
React Native has a major market share in designing mobile applications. Well, the more industries look for cross-platform applications, the more dependencies will be on React Native framework. Hire react native developers from OrangeMantra to built mobile apps using reeact native frameworks.