When to Choose React Native vs Native Development

One of the most common questions I get from CTOs and engineering leads is: “Should we use React Native or go native?”

The answer, like most things in software architecture, is: it depends. But I can give you a framework to make that decision confidently.

When React Native Makes Sense

1. You Need Speed to Market

If you’re a startup validating an idea or a company racing to beat competitors, React Native’s single codebase advantage is significant. You’ll ship to both platforms in roughly 60-70% of the time it would take with separate native teams.

2. Your Team Knows JavaScript/React

Don’t underestimate the cost of hiring and ramping up native developers. If your existing team has strong React skills, they can become productive in React Native within weeks, not months.

3. Your App is Primarily UI-Driven

Apps that are essentially “views over data” - think e-commerce, content apps, dashboards - are perfect for React Native. The UI layer is where React Native shines.

When to Go Native

1. Heavy Platform-Specific Features

If your app relies heavily on:

• Complex animations (games, AR/VR)
• Background processing
• Deep hardware integration (Bluetooth, sensors)
• Platform-specific APIs that change frequently

Native gives you direct access without translation layers.

2. Performance is Non-Negotiable

For apps where every millisecond matters - high-frequency trading apps, real-time gaming, intensive media processing - native eliminates the JavaScript bridge overhead entirely.

3. You Have Separate iOS and Android Teams Already

If you already have dedicated native teams who are productive and happy, introducing React Native can create friction without clear benefits. The “rewrite tax” is real.

The Hybrid Approach

What I often recommend: start with React Native for your MVP, with a clear architecture that allows migrating specific screens to native modules if needed.

This gives you:

• Fast initial development
• Real user feedback before over-investing
• Escape hatches for performance-critical features

Red Flags I Watch For

In my consulting work, I see projects fail when teams:

1. Choose based on hype rather than requirements
2. Underestimate native module needs - “We’ll just add a few native modules” often becomes 30% of the codebase
3. Ignore team experience - A React Native project led by native developers (or vice versa) often struggles

Making Your Decision

Before deciding, honestly assess:

• What’s your timeline? (< 6 months favors React Native)
• What does your team know today?
• How much platform-specific functionality do you need?
• What’s your performance threshold?
• Do you have budget for two native teams long-term?

If you’re still unsure, I offer pre-development assessments where we map out the technical landscape for your specific project. Sometimes an hour of expert guidance saves months of wrong turns.