For several years, React Native has been a popular choice among developers for building truly native applications for Android and iOS. However, the potential of this open-source UI software framework extends far beyond mobile. In other words, React Native has found its way into the realm of desktop and web application development. As the demand for desktop and web applications is increasing, React Native app development professionals are turning to this JavaScript-based framework to build robust and high-performant applications that deliver seamless user experience across devices. Furthermore, React Native’s extensive ecosystem, modular architecture, and seamless integration with other technologies make it an ideal choice for building desktop and web applications. Now, let’s dive into this detailed post to pros and cons of using React Native for desktop and web application development.

Pros of React Native for Desktop and Web Application Development

1. Code Reusability

React Native’s real power comes from its ability to reuse up to 90% of existing code for building desktop and web apps. When building native apps, developers must have to write custom code specific to each platform’s functionalities and UI elements. Conversely, React Native lets developers write code once and use it across iOS, Android, desktop, and web. This not only speeds up the development process but also helps apps launch faster, giving companies an edge over rivals.

By using a single codebase, developers can keep the user interface and experience consistent. This eliminates the need to duplicate efforts for each platform. Besides this, reusing code lessens the overall upkeep load. Furthermore, changes or updates made to the unified codebase can show up in all platform-specific app versions. In short, reusing code not only reduces development time and effort but also allows organizations to react swiftly to market shifts, while maintaining a cohesive brand identity across all touchpoints.

2. Access to a Large Talent Pool

Another key benefit of using React Native for building desktop and web applications is that it offers access to a large talent pool proficient in JavaScript and the React framework. In 2023, JavaScript completed its 11th year in a row as the most commonly used programming language used by 65.82% of professional developers. On the other hand, React remained the most common web technology used by 42.87% of professional developers.

By tapping into this large pool of talented developers, organizations can quickly find experienced React Native development services providers to build desktop and web applications. Furthermore, access to a large talent pool reduces the time and costs associated with hiring and training developers. This allows organizations to build feature-packed desktop and web applications in a timely and cost-effective manner. Besides this, the large talent pool also provides more flexibility to organizations during hiring. They can be more selective with specific technical skills or experience when looking for React Native developers for desktop and web application development. In a nutshell, the large talent pool of React Native developers allows organizations to build high-performing teams, accelerate project timelines, and stay responsive to changing market demands.

3. Rich Ecosystem and Strong Community Support

React Native boasts a vast collection of tools, libraries, and frameworks tailored for desktop and web app creation. It also provides numerous pre-made components and modules that make app development quicker and easier. Developers can use these ready-made solutions in their projects, which saves them loads of time and effort. Instead of building everything from the ground up, they can focus on the app’s main features. The huge library of resources lets React Native development experts concentrate on what matters most in the app rather than getting stuck on common features.

React Native’s thriving ecosystem gets a boost from its huge developer community. The developers play a key role in shaping the UI framework through open-source contributions and providing regular feedback. This helps React Native keep getting better, thanks to the community’s active contributions. Plus, the community offers lots of help. You’ll find online tutorials, documentations, and open-source projects. These resources help developers solve coding problems, learn best coding practices, and keep them in the loop about new trends and tech updates in React Native.

Also read – Deliver Seamless UX with React Native Mobile App Framework

Cons of React Native for Desktop and Web Application Development

1. Testing and Debugging Challenges

React Native desktop and web applications can present significant challenges in testing and debugging, particularly when dealing with platform-specific bugs. As the framework relies on a JavaScript runtime environment to interact with native components, it can lead to platform-specific bugs. Debugging platform-specific problems requires deep knowledge of JavaScript and native languages. This makes the debugging process more complex. Furthermore, the need to test the application’s behavior across different platforms and devices can further complicate the process and make it more time-consuming. Though there are tools like Native Debugger and emulators for testing and finding bugs, they aren’t as advanced as the ones used for native mobile apps.

2. Steep Learning Curve

Developers who are new to the framework or lack expertise in React and JavaScript may face significant challenges using React Native for desktop and web application development. The framework has a unique set of concepts, APIs, and best practices that present a learning curve even for seasoned React developers. Furthermore, the framework’s constant evolution demands continuous learning, which can be challenging for developers who are new to React Native.

3. Third-Party Dependency

When developing desktop and web applications, React Native developers rely heavily on third-party tools and libraries. These libraries can help them achieve desired functionality, but it may also introduce several challenges, such as potential security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, and maintenance overhead. Developers must spend a lot of time checking libraries before using them. Why so? Some libraries are strong and well-kept while others might be old or not supported. This can cause compatibility or performance issues and bugs in the application.

Summing Up

React Native’s popularity for desktop and web app development opens new possibilities for companies striving to expand their reach to more platforms. Companies can create a unified user experience on mobile, desktop, and web using one codebase. If you’re thinking about using this framework to offer unified experiences across platforms, you might need to team up with a reliable React Native app development company.