React Native vs Kotlin: What Everything You Need To Know

Most of the business owners around the world take the cross-platform app development route for some reason. Yes, they know that multi-platform app development tools not just help them save a sufficient amount of money on app creation but also ensure their application looks exactly similar to its native counterparts.

And when one can get the same-looking software application that can do the intended job perfectly, does investing a huge amount of time and money in native app development make sense? Of course, not! But the question comes, whether you should pick React Native or Kotlin to construct a cross-platform application, where the former is a framework and the latter is a programming language.

Well, the response to this riddle can be found out through this expert guidance drafted under the supervision of a top IT company that allows clients to hire React Native developers and other professionals for their projects. So, let’s start with:

Key stats about cross-platform development you must view before you hire Kotlin developers

1.     Using the cross-platform app development approach, you can drive down your expenditure by 30 to 40%.

2.     Apart from that, the time required for app development can be decreased by 50%.

3.     The best thing is that when building a cross-platform app 50 to 80% of the entire codebase can be reused.

Thus, if you wish to make a software application that can run on multiple operating systems without a hitch, it makes sense to hire React Native developers from a globally-known IT agency after proper discussion.

With that grasped, it is time to begin a rigorous comparison between React Native and Kotlin right away: 

What is React Native?

React Native is basically a framework powered by JavaScript that lets software professionals make optimally-performing applications for Android and iOS operating systems. What’s more? This framework has been created by Facebook and one of its main features is that it offers a bridge to native elements. As a result, app creators can develop programs with the help of web technologies without drafting OS-centric code. And this is something which helps professional development personnel to make native-like apps without typing in too much OS-centric language. 

And just to let you know, this framework is used by several entities, like:

A.     Meta

B.     Microsoft

C.     Pinterest

D.    Wix

E.     Shopify

F.     Tesla

Now, if you want to fabricate a mobile app like any one of the above sooner or later, hire React Native developers from a reputed IT organization right away. 

What is Kotlin?

Kotlin is an object-oriented yet functional programming language that has been manufactured by JetBrains in 2011. And this particular programming language has started gaining ground aggressively after Google declared Kotlin as an official language to create Android apps in 2017.

The most interesting thing about Kotlin is that it can also be compiled into a scripting language, like JavaScript and native code. It means experienced software makers can tap it for both native app development and front-end web development. For this specific reason, Kotlin has become another famous computer language among software manufacturers for cross-platform app development.       

And just so you know, this software development tool is utilized by multiple corporations, like:

A.     Reddit

B.     Twitter

C.     Google

D.    Netflix

E.     Uber

F.     BMW

G.     Trello

H.    Slack

I.       Coursera

Hence, if you are willing to shape a mobile application like any one of the above now, please hire Kotlin developers from a leading IT agency.

Coming to the next section, let’s commence imbibing about:

React Native vs Kotlin – A Detailed Comparison Beneath

Pros of React Native

1.     Performance

React Native is capable of compiling your application into native applications, which is quite similar to mobile programs developed with the help of native tools. And that makes React Native-based apps faster than hybrid apps where the codes are executed inside a platform-centric web component.

2.     Reusable code

It ensures that when you forge a mobile app, you can export it on a wide range of platforms using just one codebase.

3.     Native UI elements

As per the establishments that allow customers to hire React Native developers for their projects, this framework lets you develop views with the help of React Native UI elements that are compiled into platform-oriented UI elements. Thus, by getting ready-made elements, you save a sizeable amount of time compared to creating all the things from scratch. 

Cons of React Native

1.     Limited native UI elements

Although UI elements are one of the biggest strengths of React Native, you will be shocked to know that only a few off-the-shelf ones are available at present.

2.     New technologies

If you are considering constructing a cross-platform app on your own while rejecting the decision to hire React Native developers, we must tell you that learning JSX and ECMAScript is no easy feat. Resultantly, you will have to invest more time in getting the hang of such languages compared to other options like HTML and CSS.

Pros of Kotlin

1.     Modular integration

The greatest benefit of using Kotlin is that if you have an existing app, you can easily add a specific module or even migrate a bite-sized part to evaluate its viability without making a massive commitment. Thus, this particular functionality facilitates the experience when moving to a new codebase.

2.     Single codebase

When you hire Kotlin developers, they will exploit just a single code base for making apps for several platforms. Due to this, it will be feasible to share logic and libraries just below the UI layer, leading to easy interaction of developers with their native environment, be it Android or iOS.

3.     Easy to learn

Since Kotlin is a popular language, its syntax is also similar to other computer languages, like Java and Swift. Thus, developers do find it a breeze to get a good sense of Kotlin.

Cons of Kotlin

1.     Community support and libraries

As it is a new kid on the block, libraries, and community support are not extensive. And you will have to be happy with a few basic libraries only at the moment.  

2.     Still in beta

Many organizations will still hesitate to call on Kotlin just because this SDK is still in beta, whether Kotlin 1.2 or Kotlin 1.8.0. 

Winner of React Native vs Kotlin, you must see before you hire Kotlin developers

As far as React Native goes, it is much more established in the market and getting utilized in massive applications. What else? It was once a go-to framework for many software developers.

But these days, there are many solid reasons to be better off with Kotlin. For example, Kotlin is a very powerful programming language and has the ability to make the most of the wads of native components out there.

So, if you want to hire Kotlin developers to work on your multi-platform app development project, do that right away before your competitors capture the greater part of the market.