12 Apps Using React Native: Learn About Their Value and Popularity
The mobile app market keeps flourishing. As a rule among online marketplaces, companies have to strive to attract more users than their competitors. However, some of these companies have their framework built with React Native and now enjoy the comparative advantage.
To savor the long-lasting benefits of having React Native as the brain-box behind an app, many companies from different industries keep choosing this framework to design their applications. A bit from the long list includes Facebook, Skype, Tesla, Uber, Walmart, Salesforce and so on. Nevertheless, one could ask: What amplifies React Native’s popularity among many other frameworks? What are the benefits and opportunities the framework can bring to your business? Keep on reading to find out.
Our analysis in this article will cover the following aspects:
- What is React Native?
- What Amplifies Its Popularity Among Many Others?
- Kinds of Apps Can You Create Using React Native?
- The 12 Best React Native Apps
- How to Design Apps Using React Native?
- The Reasons You Must Switch To React Native?
What is React Native?
The birth of React Native was a big blast for all developers; an event that changed the whole story! In March 2015, its first release for iOS appeared on GitHub. Six months afterwards, React Native for Android was released and upgraded the program to a cross-platform framework. Ever since, React Native community and its open-source projects keep growing at a multiplying rate.
In March 2020, we could witness its popularity level, when there was a hike in the numbers of contributors it got on GitHub. The fact that Facebook’s internal Hackathon project grew into a competitive and massive cross-platform framework is indeed surprising.
Now, let’s get to the point. What is React Native? Many have the misleading definition or description of React Native as “a special template language.” React Native can better be described as a UI component library carved of React JavaScript. The Modules of these programs transform the code into the operating system — Android and iOS views — as a result of the mutual interaction with native APIs.
The description sounds appealing; however, what does that imply for small, medium, and large business owners? The development team works faster and adopts the same code for different platforms. Furthermore, the creation of iOS and Android versions are carried out simultaneously. A research on online marketplace growth reveals that websites built with React Native perform very well, and also increase the company’s popularity and strengths.
Now, assume you’re a user, what does it mean for you? An app on React Native framework enables a native-like experience during the process. Regardless of the kind of platform or the industry they belong to, your app will work perfectly on Android and iOS devices.
What Amplifies Its Popularity Among Many Others?
In short, there are many reasons. However, most of the time, the impressive work and efficiency in the React Native draws the focus of business owners and developers to the framework. If you are a business owner, in the process of choosing a tech stack for your app your mind must be going through the following.
Expenses: The cross-platform framework designed for Android and iOS sounds promising, appealing, and cost-effective.
Developer pool: Due to its popularity, you stand a better chance to hire React Native developers or tech agencies with an extensive expertise.
Release time: Suppose you want to observe your scheme or project on the market with MVP, React Native is the perfect platform for a quick release.
Maintenance: Most post-release plans are executed in a React Native development. Its features include the frequent updates that are carried out faster than the native Android (Java/ Kotlin) or iOS (Swift/ Objective C).
Once you have placed yourself in a developer’s shoes, you’ll definitely understand the benefits you can gain using React Native.
A cross-platform software (Android and iOS): The React Native programs will unleash the unlimited opportunities in programming. Even though you might be a single developer in your team, your world of creation using React Native extends to major mobile OS.
Easy to learn and execute: Rest assured, React Native is not a rocket science; you don’t have to go through intricate concepts to use these sets of codes. Once you become familiar with JavaScript, you will quickly learn how to work on the React Native framework.
Multi-use components: First, you need to be specific about the components you will adopt in the app. Just like a cement block, these components are reusable content so that you can employ them in any part of the app. Most importantly, these features save more time in your development process.
Smooth experience: Apps built with React Native get an auto-refresh, unlike the native android or iOS. Once you have your app engraved in React Native, you don’t need to rebuild your app from any level. Furthermore, you can also adopt Chrome Developer Tools to debug your code.
Community backup: You have got backup from every direction. Remember that, React Native is an open-source mobile application framework created by Facebook; therefore, you have the platform support and a large developer community. So, what does that mean? It makes it clear that there will be a constant improvement of the framework for your benefits.
How to Design Apps Using React Native?
The React Native framework gives the opportunity of shaping your idea into a smooth fast-performing app. Though there are other frameworks available, none of them can challenge the concept or features of “cross-platform” in their development process. Isn’t that incredible? Sure it is!
So, how does React Native work? It’s just like a pocket knife; it analyzes and procures solutions to the problems of developing and managing complex UI. Observe React UI modules as the essential elements needed for the proper development until the last stage.
React Native functionality is the same on iOS and Android operating systems. We know what we are talking about because we practice it. You should check out our article on how to integrate push notifications with React Native.
What else? React Native enables further modification through native languages. Therefore, your mobile apps can have complex functionality and comprehensive UI. To intensify our discussion, we shall reveal some concrete examples of the efficiency of React Native apps. So, carefully observe the most successful examples highlighted below…
The 12 Best React Native Apps
1. UberEATS with the Improved Dashboard
Category: Food & drink
Age: 3+
Language: Multilingual
Price: Free
Offered by Uber Technologies, Inc.
Source: TechCrunch
UberEATS is a marketplace that gets the food you want from any location and delivers it to you wherever you are. However, its operation is slightly different from the standard Uber app. The app is designed as a central connector among restaurants, delivery partners, and eaters.
As simple as that sounds, yet, the design still required a distinct dashboard for restaurants, and as a model built on React/Flux, UberEATs rendered its interface on users’ mobile devices. It made its performance inefficient enough. Furthermore, the restaurant control panel lacks some functions on mobile devices.
So, what’s their response? And, did they care? Yes, they did! The team noticed that UbderEATS’ users accessed their platform through mobile devices. And, due to the glitch in the system, their sales suffered substantially from incomplete, delayed, and even pending information delivered by the app.For a profit-making company, all deficiencies must be fixed ASAP. So, how did they go about it?
The long-term solution to the problem was to create an Android and iOS version of their program to extend its use. Uber teams were professional in React; however, their hands were tied. They encountered a limited area of expertise in iOS/Android exposure. The best alternative to patch things up was React Native, which takes only a part of the apps stack. Nevertheless, the Uber team has the agenda of full utilization of the React Native to grow their market further in the nearest future.
2. Is Facebook App made with React Native?
Category: Social Networking
Age: 12+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free, offers in-app purchases.
Offered by Facebook, Inc.
Source: AppStore
Facebook is a React Native application and what is interesting, React Native was created because of Facebook. It was designed to bring more growth to the company in a remarkable way. Facebook Management had two goals — a reduced interaction and a small group of developers who will create all versions of the application.
Afterwards, the new creation was subject to a rigorous test on the Events Dashboard. The loose ends were improved as well as the UX. Besides, all the manipulation took place on the framework level, which makes all inputs during the process visible.
Thereafter, the project was transferred to a new React Native version, and the app performance greatly improved. Even though React Native was designed to support an iOS version, Android UIs were added as an additional package. How does that sound? Incredible!
First, they reduced iteration and made the release process 2 times faster. These were enough to prove the framework’s efficiency.
To strengthen support and constant improvement, Facebook made React Native an open-source framework. The developer community keeps React Native updated and compatible with other platforms.
3. Facebook Ads Manager and React Native
Category: Business
Age: 4+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free
Offered by Facebook, Inc.
Source: Minalyn
Facebook Ads Manager, a tool designed to run campaigns, is the first React Native app for Android and the first completely React Native based app built in the company.
Facebook Ads Manager is a complex and dynamic app that ties together many elements. The app possesses a complex business logic and works with different ads and date formats. Furthermore, it also possesses the ability to identify time zones, currencies, timetables, spending times, client profiles, and more.
During its development process, the major components of the app were written using JavaScript codes that enhanced the implementation of React Native UI components. In summary, the app gives its users a native-like experience with smooth performance and animations.
4. How Instagram Advanced Performance with React Native
Category: Photo & Video
Age: 12+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free
Offered by Instagram, Inc.
Source: Google Play
Instagram is a multipurpose application full of active clients around the globe. The upgrade and extension in their services began as a journey when they decided to integrate React Native into the existing app. The Instagram development team embarks on the journey that changes the story by starting with the Push notifications view and checkpoints that were designed as the Web view.
Furthermore, these tech gurus proceeded to the JavaScriptCore, represented native modules and view managers by injecting JavaScript bundle into each of them. Then they integrated the current Edit Profile and the Photos of views into React Native. At the end of their journey, the development team realized that the new modifications had cut the development time, costs, improved interface, and app efficiency.
5. Walmart Revises eCommerce App Using React Native
Category: Shopping
Age: 3+
Language: English
Price: Free
Offered by Walmart
Source: Walmart
As a popular multinational retail corporation that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount department stores, and grocery stores. You’ll expect nothing but perfection in its app’s work. This is why we are not surprised to see the tech-driven firm renovating their e-commerce app using React Native.
In the development process, Walmart dev team added smooth performance, new features, and clear UI for Android and iOS. The resources used were efficiently utilized, and the time spent was cut by half. Finally, the mobile platforms share 95% of the firm’s codebase.
But what drove Walmart to opt for React Native? Their desire to assume the place of the world’s largest online retailer. Therefore, the quality of the customer experience Walmart offers matters a lot. So, what is the result? With React Native, they were able to release faster and gain the upper hand in the industry. No doubt that they have chosen the right technology stack for their goal.
6. Townske and React Framework Combo
Category: Travel & Local
Age: 3+
Language: English
Price: Free
Offered by Townske Pty Ltd
Source: Google Play
If you are familiar with Townske, you might think it’s a travel app. You are right! However, it’s more than that. The travel publishing platform began with the Web version, and they intended to extend their services by creating the iOS version of their app. However, they didn’t have a standby iOS developers in their team and didn’t think of outsourcing the project. Then, there comes React Native who was merely a foot away and the prime solution.
Townske team built their front-end using React. Their decision to adopt React Native in the creation of the native mobile apps was firm. After they have compared and contrasted the benefits and the risks, the advantages outweighed in the end. Townske development team created a smooth performing app. The decision enhanced the user experience, cut the development cost, and the time frame.
7. Wix and React Native Library
Category: Productivity
Age: 4+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free
Offered by WIX.COM, INC.
Source: Google Play
Wix is a platform designed to provide web hosting and website design services. On the platform, you can create your website (and mobile version) in HTML5/CSS or through the use of drag and drop utilities. The Wix center of attention is focused on the SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises).
So, where exactly does Wix applied React Native during the development process? They provide a library for delivering a native experience in the app navigation utilities. This module is named Wix React Native Navigation. This library proved to be a reliable means of creating a fast and efficient app. Nevertheless, the incredible means offered by Wix should be adjusted to your initiative for the sake of your future app.
8. Bloomberg Marches to Native Cross-Platform Experience
Category: News & Magazines
Age: 3+
Language: English
Price: Free, In-app purchases
Offered by Bloomberg Finance LP
Source: Google Play
The four-in-one (a privately held financial, software, data, and media) company created a mobile app to make personalized content, videos and live feeds more readily available for users. To wrap this up, the media app was created to ensure that users operating mobile applications will share the same experience with their web version counterparts.
In the process of actualizing their dream, the Bloomberg developer team chose to the React Native framework. Among the numerous options React Native has to offer, their developers opted for automated code refreshes, accelerated iterations, and quick feature upgrades. Normally, such a development operation would take a year, but because the development team adopted React Native during the process, they got it covered within five months.
9. Tesla App Draws Benefits from Using React Native
Category: Lifestyle
Age: 4+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free
Offered by Tesla, Inc.
Source: AppStore
Tesla management decided to power its app with React Native. They built the “Tesla app” for managing the electric car and Powerwall battery. The function is simple and straightforward; it was designed to diagnose and locate an owner’s vehicle. Through the user’s device, he/she will have partial control of the vehicle. Tesla keeps all details under the cover, but their React Native app got positive feedback from users.
So, why did Tesla opt for the React Native framework? Their choice explains their whole intention. The company wants a simple, efficient, and a cross-platform mechanism. To wrap it up, Tesla’s most concern is its customers’ smooth experience and convenience as they surf through the app functions.
10. Skype Became More Engaging with React Native
Category: Social Networking
Age: 12+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free, In-app purchases
Offered by Skype Communications S.a.r.l
Source: Business Insider
The struggle to gain the upper hand has always been the leading reason why many companies strive to improve their core, and Skype isn’t the exception. The process that rebranded the company’s outlook began in 2017 when the management decided to rebuild its Android and iOS apps through the React Native framework.
As a result, the app efficiency was totally optimized and a few new attributes were attached. Since then, Microsoft involved itself fully in the creation of React Native for building Windows apps.
11. Discovery VR Found A Match in React Native
Category: Entertainment
Age: 3+
Language: English
Price: free
Offered by Discovery
Source: Oculus
Discovery Virtual Reality is widely known for its mission to expose the world to the unseen and unrevealed, fascinating stories, space, and more. To be sincere, the VR app provides an uncommon experience to users and can be used for educational purposes.
How did Discovery VR succeed with React Native? They carved their app through React Native, and as a result; they succeeded in creating a cross-platform app. It brings 360-degree views rendered by VR headset. The React Native based interface adopts gyroscope and player using the native APIs.
Generally, Discovery VR got reduced response time and an impressive navigation style. From a VR app point, every second of response time matters a lot.
12. How SoundCloud Pulse Bridged the Gap in Releases
Category: Social Networking
Age: 4+
Language: multilingual
Price: Free
Offered by SoundCloud Ltd
Source: Techcrunch
SoundCloud Pulse is a platform designed to help the musician and other users to control their accounts and community. To enhance its services, the management endorsed the agenda to revise the current app.
However, there was a problem; they lacked the iOS development team at the time. Technically, two problems surfaced; first, there was a delay in the release for the iOS app and second, they lost the iOS audience.
To find a solution to the case, SoundCloud hired an independent research agency that had previously tested the app prototypes built on React Native framework. Immediately the efficiency of this framework was proven.
SoundCloud development embarks on the development of a cross-platform app on React Native. They laid more emphasis on the usability of automated live app reloading, debugging in Chrome, many ready-to-use libraries. Read more about SoundCloud’s app development process here.
The Reasons You Must Switch To React Native
At this point, you may ask: Why must I change my current framework to React Native? There are several reasons why you should opt for this technology, and the following are some concepts to bear in mind before reaching a conclusion.
- React Native creates apps with native components. Therefore, you are bound to experience seamless animation and impressive performance.
- You can design React Native to execute any task your desire. It covers the creation of a full-featured app, rebranding some functions, content migration, and more.
- The development quality works harmoniously with native languages. Although, it’s quite fast and operates on major mobile OS.
- React Native is a “cost and time-efficient approach” in the creation of a mobile app (assume you owned a business) and also a low-risk addition to your app brain box. It saves your money and time you would have spent during the development process. And finally, it monitors and ensures consistency of the app infrastructure.
- The iterations are shorter than Android and iOS apps. The life cycles got simplified without any impact on the performance.
In Conclusion
If you want your marketplace to spark everyone’s interest, the React Native framework is your best shot. Over the years, apps using React Native have drawn so much attention, and the score is on.
React Native cross-platform development is highly important to your business. This framework is a versatile technology that covers all facets of programming, so you can build any app with it that aligns with your goals.
React Native saves your time and money. It also reduces the iterations, release time, and enables sequential updates after the MVP is launched. However, bear in mind that there are no suits-all-needs-languages, frameworks, and approaches. If you have any questions left, drop us a line, and we shall discuss how to convert your idea into an app and make your goals come true.
