Expo vs React Native

Expo and React Native (often referred to as "React Native CLI" or "bare React Native") are closely related tools for building cross-platform mobile apps, but they serve different needs and offer distinct advantages and trade-offs.

Both offer compelling pathways to build native-like applications using JavaScript and React, but they approach the React Native development process with distinct philosophies and toolsets.

This Expo vs React Native guide will explore what sets these two approaches apart, compare them across real-world scenarios, and help you decide which is the better fit.

What Is React Native (Bare Workflow)?

You may have heard developers discuss "pure React Native" or the "Bare Workflow." Both of these terms refer to using the React Native CLI to create a React Native application without the abstraction layer that Expo provides. Opting for the Bare React Native workflow means you're exclusively in charge of the native project files for iOS and Android.

This means you are responsible for managing the native aspects of your application, including:

  • Native Module Linking
  • Build systems
  • Project configuration
  • App size

The Bare Workflow offers unmatched flexibility and the capacity to incorporate any native module or unique native code. It's frequently the go-to option for projects requiring total control over the underlying native layer, intricate native integrations, or extremely specific requirements. However, because you are in charge of a large portion of the setup and configuration that Expo automates, this power comes with a steeper learning curve and a more complicated development and maintenance workflow.

What Is Expo?

If you want to make React Native development easier, Expo is an excellent choice. It's an open-source platform and framework that takes away most of the headache from native build process. In addition to this, Expo is a strong group of services and tools developed on top of React Native, which makes app development faster, easier, and less complex.

Key characteristics and features of Expo include:

  • Managed workflow: Expo handles the native project files, meaning no direct interaction with Xcode or Android Studio for most common tasks.
  • Built-in Native Modules: Most common functionalities (camera,maps, etc.) work out-of-the-box via Expo's pre-built modules, eliminating manual linking.
  • Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates: Push JavaScript and asses updates directly to users without app store submissions.
  • Simplified Cloud Builds: Build native app binaries (APK/IPA) using Expo's cloud service, automating complex native build steps.
  • Expo SDK: A comprehensive collection of JavaScript modules providing access to native device capabilities, pre-configured for seamless integration.
  • Ecosystem and Services: In addition to its SDK, Expo provides tools like cloud-based builds and asset management to streamline the deployment process.

While highly convenient, the Managed Workflow restricts you to the Expo SDK's native modules. For highly specific or custom native code, you might need to "eject" to the "Bare Workflow" or use Expo's "development builds." However, for most common app functionalities, Expo offers a powerful and streamlined solution.

Key Differences Between Expo and React Native

Having discussed what Expo and bare React Native each provide separately, let's now see how they compare on key elements of the mobile development cycle. Although, both allow you to create quality apps using JavaScript plus React, their workflows differ in terms of customization and build complexity.

Let's take a look at their core differences:

1. Control Over Native Code and Modules

  • Bare React Native: You have direct and full control over the underlying native iOS and Android project files. This means you can add any custom native code, integrate any native library (e.g., Swift/Objective-C, Java/Kotlin), and configure native settings precisely as needed.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): Expo abstracts away the native layer. You normally do not deal directly with the iOS or Android directories. Instead, you'll rely on the modules included in the Expo SDK. This largely simplifies development, but this means that you're limited to the native APIs and Libraries that Expo natively supports. If there's a critically important feature that isn't in the Expo SDK, you are likely to have to use development builds or eject to the Bare workflow.

2. Setup and Development Speed

  • Bare React Native: Initial setup can be more involved, requiring configuration of Xcode, Android Studio, environment variables, and potentially CocoaPods. Getting your first "Hello World" app running on a device takes more steps.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): Setup is significantly faster. One may start a new project, write code, and run it on the gadget in a matter of minutes, most probably through the QR code scan. In this way, it is suitable for rapid prototyping and quick iteration.

3. Third-Party Native Modules

  • Bare React Native: Integrating third-party native modules often requires manual linking. For iOS, this typically involves pod install for CocoaPods. For Android, it might involve editing build.gradle files. While flexible, it adds complexity.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): For modules included in the Expo SDK, no linking is required – they work out of the box. For external native modules not part of the SDK, direct integration isn't possible within the Managed Workflow. You would either need to find a pure JavaScript alternative, use Expo's development builds, or eject.

4. Build Process

  • Bare React Native: You build your app binaries (APK, IPA) locally using Xcode (for iOS) and Android Studio (for Android). This requires a Mac for iOS builds and can be resource-intensive.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): Expo provides a cloud build service (EAS Build). You simply push your code, and Expo handles the compilation of native binaries in the cloud. This means you don't need a Mac to build iOS apps, and it offloads the heavy lifting from your local machine.

5. Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates

  • Bare React Native: Implementing OTA updates requires custom solutions or third-party services (e.g., CodePush).
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): OTA updates are a built-in feature. You can push JavaScript and asset updates to your users' devices instantly, without requiring a new app store submission, which is excellent for bug fixes and minor feature additions.

6. App Size

  • Bare React Native: You have more control over the final app bundle size as you only include the native modules your app explicitly uses.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): Apps built with Expo's Managed Workflow tend to be slightly larger because they include the entire Expo SDK, even if your app doesn't use every single feature.

7. Ejection and Flexibility

  • Bare React Native: You start with full flexibility from day one, able to modify any native aspect.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): While convenient, if your project grows to require highly specific native capabilities not covered by the SDK, you can "eject" your Expo project. The conversion results in a Bare React Native project, giving you total native control. However, it's a one-way process, and you lose some of Expo's conveniences. Expo also offers "development builds" for more granular control without fully ejecting.

8. Debugging

  • Bare React Native: It utilizes standard React Native debugging tools, frequently integrated with platforms such as Chrome DevTools, VS Code, and native debuggers like Xcode and Android Studio.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): Primarily relies on the Expo Go app for running and debugging during development, with Chrome DevTools for JavaScript. Native debugging requires more advanced setup if not using development builds.

9. Learning Curve

  • Bare React Native: Steeper learning curve due to the necessity of understanding native development environments (Xcode, Android Studio) and manual linking processes.
  • Expo (Managed Workflow): Gentler learning curve, as much of the native complexity is hidden, allowing developers to focus primarily on JavaScript and React.

By comparing these variations against your project's particular requirements, team's skillset, and required development pace that you can make a sound judgment regarding which one of Expo or the Bare React Native workflow is suited best.

When to Choose: Expo vs React Native Bare

The decision between Expo's Managed Workflow and the Bare React Native workflow largely hinges on your project's specific requirements, your team's expertise, and your priorities regarding control versus convenience. Here's a guide to help you choose your path:

Choose Expo if:

  • You need rapid Prototyping or an MVP.
  • You are new to mobile or React Native development.
  • Your app relies on standard mobile features.
  • You don't anticipate needing custom native code or highly specific native modules.
  • Over-the-Air (OTA) updates are a priority.
  • Your team has limited native development expertise.
  • You want a simplified build process.
  • You aim for maximum cross-platform efficiency with minimal platform-specific adjustments.

Choose React Native Bare if:

  • You require full control over native code and project files.
  • Your project demands complex native integrations.
  • You need to use a specific third-party native library not supported by the Expo SDK.
  • App size optimization is critical.
  • You have experienced native mobile developers on your team.
  • You foresee a long-term, complex project with evolving native requirements.
  • You prefer to manage your entire build process locally and directly.

In the end, it's a trade-off between the simplicity and swiftness gained from Expo's managed environment versus the unrestricted control and deep native integration capabilities of the Bare React Native workflow.

Final Thoughts

The purpose of this discussion regarding Expo vs React Native isn't a declaration of who wins or is inherently "better;" it's about reconciling the specific needs of your project, your team's existing expertise, and your development priorities. Both are powerful tools that can be used to build great mobile applications, albeit with the utmost performance and quality.

Expo stands out for its unparalleled ease of use, rapid development, and simplified build processes. On the other hand, React Native provides full control and unrestricted access to native layers.

Expo is a great onramp for new developers and a perfect fit for projects that can live within its well-rounded, yet controlled, environment. React Native is the way to go when you need custom native modules, super-specific integrations, maximum performance optimization, or if you already have a seasoned team comfortable with all the nuances of native mobile development.

The successful app development projects are those in which the selected tools suitably fit the needs of the project. By carefully considering the advantages and disadvantages mentioned above, you can make a well-informed choice that places your mobile application development in the right direction.