Overview

React Native is a JavaScript library that enables developers to create native mobile applications using React. It renders native platform UI components and supports Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and web platforms. It is maintained by Meta and a global community.

Updated Oct 19, 2026.

Key Features

JavaScript UI library

React Native brings the best parts of developing with React to native development. It's a best-in-class JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

Native platform UI

Written in JavaScript, rendered with native code. React primitives render to native platform UI, meaning your app uses the same native platform APIs other apps do.

Native apps

React Native lets you create truly native apps and doesn't compromise your users' experiences.

Native components

It provides a core set of platform agnostic native components like View, Text, and Image that map directly to the platform's native UI building blocks.

Pros

Enables true native app development using JavaScript and React.
Supports multiple platforms beyond Android and iOS, including Windows, macOS, and web.
Large community and backed by Meta with ongoing maintenance and improvements.
Allows integration with native code and third-party libraries for extended functionality.
Includes developer tools and interactive documentation to facilitate learning and development.

Cons

Does not prescribe routing or API access methods, requiring additional frameworks like Expo for some features.
Requires understanding of JavaScript and React fundamentals, which may have a learning curve for beginners.
Performance can be affected if native modules are not optimized properly.
Debugging native code integration can be complex compared to pure native development.
Some platform-specific features may require custom native development, increasing complexity.

Key Features

JavaScript UI library

React Native brings the best parts of developing with React to native development. It's a best-in-class JavaScript library for building user interfaces.

Native platform UI

Written in JavaScript, rendered with native code. React primitives render to native platform UI, meaning your app uses the same native platform APIs other apps do.

Native apps

React Native lets you create truly native apps and doesn't compromise your users' experiences.

Native components

It provides a core set of platform agnostic native components like View, Text, and Image that map directly to the platform's native UI building blocks.

Pros

Enables true native app development using JavaScript and React.
Supports multiple platforms beyond Android and iOS, including Windows, macOS, and web.
Large community and backed by Meta with ongoing maintenance and improvements.
Allows integration with native code and third-party libraries for extended functionality.
Includes developer tools and interactive documentation to facilitate learning and development.

Cons

Does not prescribe routing or API access methods, requiring additional frameworks like Expo for some features.
Requires understanding of JavaScript and React fundamentals, which may have a learning curve for beginners.
Performance can be affected if native modules are not optimized properly.
Debugging native code integration can be complex compared to pure native development.
Some platform-specific features may require custom native development, increasing complexity.

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React Native

Overview

What React Native has

Extras

Key Features

JavaScript UI library

Native platform UI

Native apps

Native components

Pros

Cons

Featured Video

Frequently Asked Questions

What React Native has

Extras

Key Features

JavaScript UI library

Native platform UI

Native apps

Native components

Pros

Cons

Featured Video

Frequently Asked Questions

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