Home Mobile Development Xamarin vs React Native vs Ionic – A Comparison

Xamarin vs React Native vs Ionic – A Comparison

by Mariya Parackal
hybrid app framework

It is true when we say we are living on computers and mobiles phones and our lives revolve around the mobile phone apps. The market for smartphone applications is significant, and these mobile apps are becoming immensely popular.

Some of the leading mobile applications that we use frequently involve Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and Pinterest, etc. When it comes to mobile apps, what are the requisites as developers of mobile apps have their in mind and how do they select perfect platforms. 

Cross-platform apps that can work with both iOS and Android operating systems, and if you are thinking from a perspective of a business point of view, in that case, there are a plethora of options that one can select from. The possibilities include React Native, Xamarin, Ionic.

This article provides you with information about Xamarin vs React Native vs Ionic. This will help you to choose the best one, which can be the best framework for mobile app development for your next project.

Check: Develop Mobile Applications Faster Using React Native

React Native

Facebook created this framework in 2015. Since its development, it has been creating different types of web and native mobile application, particularly with the help of Javascript. It provides support to both iOS and Android platforms and mobile user interfaces.

Ionic 

Drift Co. founded Ionic in 2013, and it has gained popularity since its conceptualization. It is well known as the open-source platform, and it helps in developing hybrid applications. As it also helps support cross-platform development, developers prefer the Ionic platform. 

Xamarin

Microsoft developed a tool called Xamarin. It is also used for application development using cross platforms and thus letting engineers to give most of the coding across primary platforms. 

Interests of React Native is increasing from 2018 – 2020

Xamarin vs React Native vs Ionic

How to Choose a Framework?

1.The Language Stack

Which framework has a better performance using the compatibilities of language and its benefits?

Javascript is used by React Native, which is one of the most popular and best-performing languages. As Facebook supports it, it makes use of React Js and Javascript to create optimized applications based on cross platforms. 

On the other hand, to make run apps, Ionic utilizes CSS, HTML5 and Javascript. So, it is perfect for hybrid applications. 

Last but not least, Xamarin uses C# to develop iOS and Android applications. It is excellent for cross platforms. 

Hence, React Native is the best framework when it comes to language compatibility. 

If we consider from the perspective of performance,

React Native: React Native’s performance is the same as native apps. The code is not shared preferably with React Native one can get it with the help of programming.  Check React Native for Android.

Ionic: Unlike React Native, Ionic minimizes the performance. Whenever it comes to rendering an application, it utilizes technologies used for the website. 

Xamarin: The approaches to React Native and Xamarin are immensely different; hence the process of operating codes is not the same. Check Xamarin Tools.

Check: Most Popular Mobile App Development Frameworks

Again, when it comes to performance, React Native emerges as the clear winner. 

2. Community Support and Market

All the businesses depend on community support and the scope of the market. 

React Native: React Native is the best performer when it comes to Support of Community and Market. It utilizes Javascript to create mobile applications which have helped them to earn immense popularity in community support and market. 

Ionic: If we think from the perspective of popularity, Ionic takes the second position after React Native.

Xamarin: It is also a renowned application, and Microsoft has developed this application with a lot of effort. 

Again, React Native beats others and wins the market. 

Some of the supported platforms include

React Native supports Ios and Android, Xarmarin is compatible with Windows and Android and Ionic support Windows and Android. 

3. Pricing

Undoubtedly, pricing is one of the most significant aspects when it comes to investing in mobile applications. 

React Native: Being an open-source platform, developers are free to use the fantastic library and create applications.

Ionic: It is a free platform for creating mobile apps that are made using cross-platforms. 

Xamarin must perform some installation in its platform, and it also provides a free version for non-enterprisers and students.

Again, in the pricing section React Native surpasses others. 

4. Performance:

Performance of the app is the most important attribute

React Native:  React native won’t allow to share and reuse the code in different platforms. It has high performance capability and is almost similar to native applications. 

Ionic: Ionic has less performance capability as it utilizes web technologies the speed will decrease significantly. And it affects the performance of Ionic. 

Xamarin: The performance of Xamarin is always compared with React Native. Its operating codes are different from other platforms and it is the reason for a reduced performance of Xamarin. 

5. Supported Platforms:

Supported Platforms are as follows:

React Native: Android, iOS

Ionic: Android, iOS, Windows

Xamarin: Android, iOS, Windows

6. Graphical User Interface:

React Native:  User experience of React Native apps is amazing and it is similar to Native apps. React Native utilizes ReactJS and with efficient UI development.

Xamarin: Xamarin allows developers to develop the UI in Xamarin.Android/iOS or Xamarin.forms. It will take time to set-up but the output gives a Native look in terms of UI.

Ionic: Ionic never utilizes native elements but provides everything in HTML and CSS. To get Native mobile experience it applies Cordova. 

Graphical User Interface is a significant aspect and users have high hopes about it while they use the application. Just like others, in this sector as well, React Native wins the race. Ionic and Xamarin closely follow it. 

Further reading: How to avoid Apple App Store ‘UGC’ rejection?

Xamarin vs React Native vs Ionic

Benefits of Cross-platform Mobile Development

  1. Cost-effectiveness
  2. One technology stack
  3. Reusable code
  4. Quicker development time
  5. Easier implementation
  6. Wider audience reach
  7. Easy maintainability

Which Platform is Better? 

As we can see, React Native is the winner at every point. Hence, we can undoubtedly say, React Native is the best cross-platform mobile application.

It shows an incredible performance in every sector and has managed to gain immense popularity. No matter what the reputation of React Native is, other mobile framework gives a close competition and follows React Native in every department. 

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