As a widely used framework for cross-platform solutions, React Native caters to the versatility that startups aim to achieve. Creating a native UI without jumping into the specifics of native development, developers can easily use JavaScript to create cross-platform applications with React Native.
The benefits of React Native are clear in the companies that adopt it. From Facebook, Pinterest, Walmart, Bloomberg and other top mobile applications powered by React Native, a major takeaway for startups is that React Native is a trendsetter that's here to stay.
1. Cost and time-efficient
React native is an open-source platform, backed by a strong and knowledgeable developer community. It also brings about elements of native development to the table, allowing developers to build feature-packed apps that are light on the pocket.
Among the flock of factors that make react native perfect for startups, one of them is its ability to reuse code. The expenses for app development and the time used by developers on projects is greatly reduced as the code can be reused on iOS or Android platforms. The added advantage? Debugging is also made easier due to the common code.
In terms of the developer team, startups are often tight on the budget to hire a fleet of developers for a project. With React Native and its ability to run on JavaScript, the need to hire native developers is non-existent.
2. Lesser time to market
Having an idea or an MVP as the foundation of your startup is great, but in the current era, letting the idea sit stagnant translates to customers you may be losing out on. Given that mobile applications are a crucial key to customer attention towards your brand, having an app developed in a short time and launching it can give way to customer interaction.
This is where the code reusability feature comes in again. With more than 90% of the code being reusable on iOS and Android, reaching out to diverse audiences on both platforms is made easier. The first version of the app can be launched quicker, with additional features to be added in later development.
3. Live and hot reloading
Taking a peek into React Native features, it's almost as if React Native was a colleague who wanted to make things easier for his fellow developers. Every time a small change was to be made to the code, the application had to be refreshed and reloaded, which is a time-consuming task. The alternative in React Native? Live and hot reloading.
Whenever a developer makes a change at any part of the code, hot reloading allows developers to see the specific changes without having to reload the entire application. Only the changed part is reloaded and can be viewed. And in cases where you're too deep into the navigation of the application, live reloading does the trick. This reloads the entire application without saving the app state. For smaller apps with simple configuration, live reloading also helps developers debug faster.
This helps startups as the first version of their app isn't usually the final. There are a lot of changes to be made, features to be added through updates and an audience to gain across different platforms. For all these and more, React Native forms the best feature-packed tech stack for startups to thrive.
4. Third-party plugins and a diverse library
To enhance the mobile application development process, React Native has a myriad of plugins that can offer added functionality. The usage of third party plugins enables the inclusion of native features in your React Native application, to make browsing and usage seamless for consumers. The framework has different tools such as
A testing library with tools to write bug-free code such as chai, mocha, jest, enzyme
Type checking tools such as prototype, flow, axios
And libraries such as
As an open-source community, React Native also has constant updates across libraries and best practices. Due to the ease of access to information, developers can also stay updated to incorporate the newest and best features to your startup's mobile application.
5. Security and stability
Given the fact that React Native runs mobile applications on different platforms, stability is key. For all that sweat, hard work and budget invested in an application for cross-platform and to have to perform moderately can be a setback for startups. But with React Native, the usage of JavaScript guarantees its high reliability across platforms.
However, like all JavaScript-based frameworks, React Native is vulnerable to security threats and requires added preventive measures as the source code of the application is available to the client. Some tips to secure your react native application include,
securing your HTTP authentication or using methods such as JSON web token, OAuth and so on
Rate limiting and addition of app-level restrictions on the API to secure against DDoS attacks
Using multi-factor and 2 step authorization
Manually update libraries to the latest versions for updated and better security features
Use JWT tokens for session management to prevent Cross-site request forgery attacks
As a startup, a security threat can be a risk to your growing organization. While React Native offers its own layer of security, it is advised to make the application secure from the developer's end by deciding and addressing possible risks and a strategy for security control.
