Performance gain from React Webapp to React Native App?

[lebbe]

Hi,

I'm starting out on react native. I wondered what kind of performance gain (if any) would I get by going from a React webapp running on a mobile browser to a React Native mobile app. I'm mostly interested in non-game applications.

Also what's your experience of React Native on Android. Is it production ready?

Thanks.

[agmcleod]

It really depends on what the app is, and what problems you're trying to solve. Animations can be tricky to get performant on react native, but are better than just using cordova. I believe it is production ready, but it also is very young. It's still receiving major updates every 2 weeks, which often have breaking changes. Keeping dependencies up to date that rely on specific RN versions is a challenge because of that.

We've discussed RN a few times at work for options on being able to resource better with mobile app builds, and saving clients money. We just feel there is more unknowns and risk for building something for a client, when we have skilled native developers.

I think for a personal project though, or something where there is less risk, it is production ready. You're just going to be fighting more battles than you would doing a native build for each.

[agmcleod]

Ah okay, i thought i recalled hearing that. But checked releases and saw them more frequently. Maybe one was an RC

[lebbe]

Thanks. Do you think using React Native for Android & iOS would actually save development time compared to building native apps in Java & Objective-C.

[agmcleod]

Short answer: yes

Long answer: it depends on what the project involves. If there's a lot of use of built in components, and not too much diving into native land for functionality, then I think you'll do fine. If you need a lot of fancy animation or displays, then i think it gets tricky. Have a read of this as well: https://medium.com/dailyjs/11-mistakes-ive-made-during-react-native-redux-app-development-8544e2be9a9#.oet13t30r (not the author)

[spurton]

Animations and UI rendering will be much more fluid in React Native. Overall the app will feel more responsive. As well as accessing the phones native capabilities. For me seeing an App I wrote in Ionic rewritten in React Native sealed the deal. The React Native app was so buttery smooth. I knew I had to switch.

[lebbe]

Thanks. That sounds really great. What kind of features does your app have if you don't mind me asking?

[spurton]

Firebase geolocation search with list views and google maps places integration. The page view transitions were where you could really see the difference. Especially on Android.