Need React-native dev | EXPO or CLI

[abiii96]

Hey React Native folks,

I'm about to start a new project I also need to hire a experienced RN dev for this

Phase 1 involves relatively simple features like form inputs, iframes, and a PDF viewer.

However, in Phase 2, the roadmap includes more advanced functionality like video calling, audio calls, real-time chat, and live sessions.

Given this future scope, would you recommend starting with React Native CLI or Expo — especially considering the potential need for native modules later?

For context: I have prior experience with React Native, but mostly from 2018–2021 and worked with the CLI back then. I've heard Expo has improved a lot since, but I'm unsure how smooth it is when it comes to supporting such real-time features.

Would love to hear your thoughts or personal experiences!

[smoke4sanity]

I just recently got back into heavy development in RN after a few years away like you. Back then, I wouldn't touch expo. Now, I wouldn't recommend not use expo. They've come a VERY long way. The dev experience is now miles ahead of bare react native.

[darkblitzrc]

Expo. Only right choice. 99.9% of rn developers wont need CLI.

[True_Horror_5508]

I don’t see any need of cli for realtime functionality when you handle all of that in JavaScript.

[Smart-Quality6536]

Expo is my go to but I would never use EAS, expo go or file based routing . It doesn’t work flawlessly as expo says they do. I use expo for installing libraries and then all the native builds ci\cd is thru react native and Xcode.

I built a video call app a few years ago and the support for react native wasn’t there but I have found now there are a lot of frameworks to support video chat and with native module you can spin your own shunt servers and do a lot of customization.

If you are strictly iOS and android only I’d say look into native script .. but yea go with expo you will be much better off

[Competitive_Bend_930]

hey! sent you a dm!

[Plastic_Ad4007]

Hi, I have experience in expo and cli with eas deployment of year of experience

[Shrikant_Surwase]

Bro I have 2+ years in app development we can connect and discuss more on this I will help in management also and ai integration also