"React" and "React Native" sound like the same thing, and they are related — but they solve different problems. Here is the difference in plain language.
| Point | React (React.js) | React Native |
|---|---|---|
| Builds | Websites and web apps | Android and iOS apps |
| Runs in | Web browser | Installed on the phone |
| UI elements | HTML tags like <div> with CSS | Native components like View and Text |
| Distribution | Open a URL | Play Store and App Store |
| Device features | Limited by the browser | Camera, GPS, notifications, Bluetooth |
| Typical use | Dashboards, portals, SaaS | Customer apps, field staff apps |
Many products have a web dashboard for staff and a mobile app for customers. Building the dashboard in React and the app in React Native lets one team work across both and reuse knowledge.
Flutter is another way to build Android and iOS apps from one codebase, using Dart instead of JavaScript. Compare them in Flutter vs React Native.
Infowave Technologies builds both: React.js web apps and React Native mobile apps. Post your project and we will suggest the right mix.
No. React is for websites and web apps; React Native is for mobile apps. They share the same programming style and JavaScript language.
Not automatically. The business logic and API can be reused, but screens must be rebuilt with React Native components.
If your product is mainly used in a browser, start with React. If customers will use it on phones daily, React Native (or Flutter) is the better first step.
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