Comparison of React Native and Angular frameworks for mobile applications, presented by full scale.

React Native vs. Angular for Mobile Apps

Among the toughest development decisions is choosing which tools work best for your mobile app software design. The debate on React Native vs. Angular comes into play in this discussion. This is considering that they’re among the most competent frameworks. In this article, we’ll discuss which of the two tools works best for your mobile application.

The mobile application market continues to grow year after year. Currently, there are over 100 billion apps combined in popular application market platforms, App Store and Google Play Store. Alongside its growth is also the development of competition.

As we categorize the types of apps in the market today, we will see that the competition depends not only on industries. Nowadays, another competitive aspect of mobile applications is how they are made. 

Countless development tools are also available today. Whether open-source or proprietary, these tools guide developers to design and implement app functions. They can develop with proper integrations and user experience and interface.

Among these popular tools are React Native and Angular. But what are they, and what can we learn from them? In this article, we’ll discuss what these things are and their advantages. Ultimately, the decision on which one to go with is yours!

Before we dive into the topic, let’s familiarize ourselves with JavaScript. So, let’s have a brief overview of what it is. Simultaneously, we’ll also compare libraries and frameworks according to their relevance.

JavaScript and Libraries vs. Frameworks

JavaScript is a programming language that is used to create interactive and responsive web designs. In order to use the language properly, companies developed frameworks and libraries as tools to enhance the usage of the language.

Libraries are collections of fixed resources used by computer programs. These resources could be pre-written code, configurable data, fixed data, classes, values, and/or documentation.

React Native vs. Angular for Mobile Apps 1

A framework, on the other hand, is a collection of libraries. It has predefined classes and functions that allow interactions between code and input/output interfaces. In web design, these can be traced to page elements’ design and functionality of page elements, business logic, responsiveness, etc.

Now we can proceed with defining and differentiating React Native vs. Angular.

What is React Native?

React Native is a hybrid JavaScript framework. This allows you to render mobile apps on both iOS and Android using multiple independent libraries. It is an open-source JavaScript hosted and maintained by Facebook.

It’s very popular among developers because of its simplicity. It uses server-side rendering so that the programs deliver optimum performance. In React Native, code are easier to understand and launch.

React Native’s Key Features

React Native’s popularity stems from its key features that most React Native developers prefer. Here are multiple reasons why:

  • React framework is supported by Facebook
  • It is easy to use
  • There are available React components ready for utilization
  • Enables quick development with high performance
  • It has XSS protection for security and more!

These key features allow developers to leverage the following benefits of using React Native for mobile app development:

  1. It is the most used platform for mobile app development because of its simplicity and ease of use.
  2. There is a “Codemod” feature in React Native libraries. This automates most processes needed for development.
  3. React Native is useful for easy rendering and development for iOS and Android.
  4. The framework is robust for content-focused mobile apps.
  5. Highly detailed and highly-supported documentation containing HTML-based syntax.
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What is Angular?

Angular is a JavaScript framework. It is open-source and can be used to develop web and mobile functions. Google’s Angular team and the Angular developer community manage the framework.

This framework is structured to be compatible with multiple code editors. This allows angular developers to produce dynamic applications by using HTML as a template language.

Angular’s Key Features

Angular is also popular because of many reasons. The following key features make it a developer’s favorite when it comes to choosing a framework to work with.

  • It provides seamless updates using the Angular CLI
  • Angular is supported by a huge community of developers
  • Google supports Angular
  • Contains improved support for error handling
  • It has built-in support on HTML, AJAX, etc.
  • Compartmentalized User Interface and Business Logic functions
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Because of these key features, developers get to enjoy multiple advantages of using Angular for mobile app development. Here are some of them:

  1. Angular is a framework with a maximized performance that enables high-quality and secure mobile app development.
  2. An Angular CLI (Command Line Interface) is also available for quick and smooth updates.
  3. When developing in Angular, developers will experience cleaner code. This makes the development process more efficient.
  4. Developers can move from view to view easily because of the fast routing.
  5. When it comes to size, Angular takes a smaller space in your computer without compromising investable features.

React Native vs. Angular

Based on the definitions of the two, we can now begin to contrast them in different development aspects. Additionally, we can already identify some takeaways from each of their key features and advantages. The following are mobile app development areas we can look at to further separate the two tools.

Support and community

As mentioned, Facebook supports React Native. The company and the React community maximize the React functionalities with different plugins frequently. As of 2019, React has more than 1,600 contributors. Alongside Facebook, platforms that use React are Instagram, Netflix, WhatsApp, Uber, Dropbox, etc.

Angular, on the other hand, is powered by Google and its Angular community. It has continuous updates from the team to maintain and preserve its usage for many developers who use it. It’s built to provide a powerful set of tools for optimum front-end development. Google, Nike, Sony, Forbes, and HBO all use Angular in development.

react native and angular which is better
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Code Quality

Maintaining the code quality is simpler in React. This is because React Native uses Linters, which easily trace code or syntax errors. However, in Angular, developers can leverage AngularCLI to maintain the code quality. Certain plugins, such as Angular Core allow developers to maintain the expected quality of code.

Architecture

Both have a component-based architecture. Their components are reusable and modular during development. However, Angular is a complete MVC (Model-View-Controller) framework. This means that Angular contains the program logic among the compartmentalized elements. 

React Native, on the other hand, only contains the View component. It would require additional libraries to apply the same MVC architecture for React. Its advantage is that it allows the developers more freedom to expand creatively.

Performance

Performance trumps the competition. In this case, React and Angular are neck and neck. Both are built for optimum performance. So any of the two can definitely deliver. The edge relies on the expertise and experience development team you have. This will determine how optimized your app will be. If you have a problem with this, don’t fret because we can help you with this!

Overall Mobile Development

There is actually no clear answer as to which one is better than the other. For an enhanced view layer without constant screen reloading on apps, React Native is the way to go. It is also best for highly customized mobile applications.

Alternatively, you can choose Angular when you want a full-fledged framework with all development components.

As mentioned, it’s all about preference. This can be based on the experience and expertise of the developers you hire. But how do you make this attainable? Hire quality and experienced developers!

We got you!

At Full Scale, we have a pool of development experts who can help you with your app development needs. With our senior-level developers, they’ll guide you on the right path to choosing the framework that works best for the product of your dreams!

It’s easy to get lost when there’s too much information. But with the right people, you can streamline your development decisions. Our pool of web and mobile app developers, development managers, testers, and business analysts can fill the gaps that might be barring you to finally kickstart your mobile app.

Reach out to us and let’s make some magic!