Xamarin vs React Native: Which One Wins The Race?

Cross-platform application development has completely changed the way developers develop over the last few years, and there's a reason for that! It lets them write code once and then use it on multiple platforms from Android to Windows to iOS. In addition, implementing these practices provides the best chance of creating a successful mobile app, whether it is designed for internal purposes or for distribution on app stores.

As software development becomes increasingly cross-platform, users will be able to save time, money, and effort. Approximately one-third of all developers use a cross-platform approach, while the rest develop native apps. The top two cross-platform frameworks are Xamarin and React Native.

There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so choosing between the two most popular frameworks, Xamarin vs. React Native, does require a great deal of consideration. Let’s gain a deeper insight to find which software is best to choose in 2022.

What Is React Native?

React Native is a superb JavaScript framework that allows application development company programmers to build native mobile and desktop applications on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web, and Universal Windows Platform.

Currently, React Native is the most popular solution for mobile app development. These JavaScript frameworks are most commonly used to develop mobile apps like Instagram, Facebook, and Skype. The framework can be used either to modify existing iOS or Android applications or to build a new app from scratch.

What Is Xamarin?

Originating in 2011, it was acquired by Microsoft in 2016, which made it open source. If you are just getting started with Xamarin, it's an open-source platform that enables developers to create modern applications for iOS, Android, and Windows using .NET. 

By using Xamarin, developers are able to code in a single language as well as achieve native performance on all platforms. In Xamarin, C# is a commonly used language, since it offers significant advantages over Java and Objective-C.

Xamarin vs. React Native: Watch Out for the Winner!

Before coming to any conclusions for the best cross-platform application development framework, let's compare Xamarin Vs. React Native, and find out which is better.

1.  Learning Curve

If you want to get started with Xamarin, you will need prior experience with .NET. React Native requires you to have some JavaScript or React knowledge along with third-party libraries in order to get started. 

Consequently, a developer of React Native apps must learn new libraries regularly. Xamarin, on the other hand, offers a much easier learning curve than React Native.

2.  Performance

Fast-precise near-native apps can be built with React Native. Native performance apps can be built using native languages. namely Swift, Java, and Objective-C. Developing some parts of the application with native code and the remaining parts with React Native is possible. Facebook apps are built this way as well.

Xamarin is also a powerful tool for building high-performance apps. Through its specialized hardware, it enables rapid mobile app development. In the same way that React Native does, Xamarin provides near-native performance.

3.  Adaptability

Xamarin's current libraries and instruments create the best integration prospects with iOS. In addition, it offers a broad assortment of gadgets and a native look to your application.

Nonetheless, Facebook's React Native framework offers flexibility with a few development efforts and some experience in designing your React Native application. Xamarin wins out here.

4.  Support and Ecosystem

In the hunt to find the best solution between Xamarin and React Native, developers should also think about the support and ecosystem attributes. Basically, this means documentaries, tutorials, and forums. In contrast to Xamarin, there are many tutorials and learning materials for developers on React Native, which makes it the preferred choice of beginners.

5.  User Experience

Xamarin and React Native deliver similar user experiences. With React Native, mobile application developers use a React library with several UI components to speed up and improve mobile app development. On the other hand, Xamarin allows them to create apps using Xamarin. Android/iOS or Xamarin. Forms allow them to enjoy both common and platform-specific codes, as well as benefit from code sharing. 

6.  Compilation

React Native and JavaScript use just-in-time compilation (JIT). JIT compilation may offer some benefits over traditional compiled languages because these are converted to machine code prior to execution. 

All three (JavaScript, Java, and C#) use JIT compilation. React Native, however, only compiles for Android, not iOS, resulting in performance issues for iOS applications. The C# compiler supports both JIT and AOT compilation. AOT compiled code typically runs faster than JIT-compiled code. It is evident from Xamarin vs. React Native that they both use the same compiler syntax, but Xamarin provides a compiler optimized for both Android and iOS mobile app development. It is Xamarin that wins out here.

In a Nutshell

Developing cross-platform applications is all a business needs to succeed in the modern era. Xamarin and React Native are the top cross-platform frameworks for writing and developing mobile apps, even though there are a number of other options available.

Cross-platform application development with Xamarin vs. React Native is a toss-up. It is better to ask which framework best fits your project rather than which is better. Make sure you evaluate all the factors, such as user experience, performance, etc. before deciding which is best for you. They both come with ready-made mobile components.