React vs React Native

React (the react package) is a foundation library on top of which you can build a web application if you add the react-dom library, or a mobile application for iOS/Android if you connect it to the React Native mobile application development framework.

What is React in Web Development

React is an open-source JavaScript library for building complex single- and multi-page web applications from reusable components, typically written in JSX. React tracks state changes and updates only the changed parts of the DOM, making the user experience interactive and highly responsive.

Open-sourced by Facebook (Meta) in 2013, React is now owned by the React Foundation, an independent body. Current version is React 19 (April 2026). Most production React web apps today are built on a framework like Next.js or React Router.

React is the 2nd most popular web frameworks and technology with 46.9% worldwide using it according to Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025. It's gaining popularity with frequent updates and advancements.

Should I start with React or React Native App: 3 Business Scenarios

Choosing between React and React Native development for web and mobile apps requires a skilled and proficient team.

At Belitsoft, React developers are experts in both React and React Native mobile app development. By leveraging their technical expertise and domain knowledge, you can save time and costs when expanding from web to mobile and vice versa. No need for additional hiring and onboarding of new specialists.

Let's explore various scenarios your business might encounter:

1. Scalable, Dynamic Web App

Technology Choice: React

How we do it:

A client approached Belitsoft to develop an educational social network for children. We selected React to create a scalable and dynamic web platform with interactive user interfaces.

The web development process involved the following steps:

1. We prepare the necessary environment for React development, including the installation of Node.js and npm.
2. We select the appropriate framework based on the client's requirements.
3. Our team crafts custom React web components tailored to the application's needs, ensuring a dynamic and interactive user interface. Then we manage component states and lifecycles to ensure smooth UX and optimal performance.
4. We handle data passing, fetch data, and ensure smooth integration with APIs and backend services.
5. We implement routing for multi-view applications using standard libraries like react-router-dom or use the capabilities of the previously selected framework.
6. The developers use styling using the client's preferred method, usually traditional CSS, CSS Modules, or styled-components.
7. We conduct thorough testing using frameworks like Jest and utilities like the react-testing-library.
8. Finally, we handle the build and deployment of the React application, delivering a production-ready application that can be deployed to a static server.

2. Building a Mobile App for Android and iOS

Technology Choice: React Native

How we do it:

A US startup founder hired Belitsoft to develop a sports mobile app with limited time and budget. To meet the client's needs for both Android and iOS apps, we selected React Native as the technology choice.

1. We set up the development environment for React Native, including the installation of Node.js, npm, and the Expo CLI.
2. We use the Expo CLI to initiate your project, setting up a robust foundation for your mobile application.
3. Our React team develops custom React Native components to ensure a dynamic and interactive user interface.
4. We handle data passing with props and fetch data as required, integrating with APIs or backend services as needed.
5. We use react-navigation (or other standard libraries) to implement routing for multi-view applications.
6. Our team applies styling using the StyleSheet component provided by React Native.
7. We use libraries like Jest and utilities like the react-native-testing-library to ensure your application works as expected.
8. Finally, we deploy the React Native application, ensuring the delivery of a standalone application that can be easily distributed through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.

3. Expanding an existing web app to a mobile version through React to React Native migration

Technology Choice: ReactJS and React Native

How we do it:

A US startup founder requested Belitsoft’s expertise to create a groundbreaking marketplace app that connects farmers and laborers. The client's requirement was to initially develop a web platform and then transition to a mobile version within a short timeframe. To meet these needs, we chose React for web development and React Native for the mobile version.

Our approach allows the client to save both the budget and time through the following strategies:

Develop both solutions involving the same developers

If you have a React app, use React Native to build your new product. In case of React to React Native migration, we boost time-to-market and reduce costs by using the expertise of the existing developers.

Build a new software product separately, even if you already have a React app. Belitsoft creates new architecture for each software product to ensure functionality, scalability, and clean code. We don't reuse native code, components, or styling. However, we apply some best practices like reusing business logic or applying WebView component.

Reuse business logic

We often reuse business logic from your existing app in a new app, including state management (with Redux or MobX) and utility functions, and any other non-UI JavaScript code.

Reusing business logic for React to React Native migration involves the following steps:

• Identifying the reusable business logic components
• Extracting the business logic into separate modules or files
• Creating a shared codebase or library for the logic
• Building platform-specific UI components in the React Native app
• Implementing platform-specific APIs for the business logic
• Testing and verifying the shared logic in the React Native app

Launch a mobile version urgently using Web View Component.

Suppose you have a web application and urgently need to launch a mobile version. Our React web development team implements the WebView component, which is essentially a mini-browser that you can insert right into your React Native application.

It's a fitting solution for buying time for full-scale native mobile app development.

For that, we adhere to the following flow:

• Setting up the project structure. We establish a project structure that includes specific directories for React Native components and WebView HTML files and scripts.
• Creating an HTML file. We create separate HTML files for iOS and Android to cater to the differences in script loading.
• Developing a JS script. We develop a JavaScript script to manage communication between WebView and React Native, ensuring seamless data transfer.
• Loading WebView. Utilizing the react-native-webview-bridge component, we load the WebView in your React Native component, enabling it to send and receive messages from the WebView.
• Adapting production environment. We adapt the process for a production environment, adding the WebView directory to the project bundle in Xcode and loading HTML files using a filesystem URI.

Simplify code sharing using MonoRepo as a development strategy

Monorepo (monolithic repository) is a strategy that stores code for mobile and web apps in one repository for simplified code sharing, dependency management, and development workflow.

In short, the React to React Native migration using MonoRepo looks the following way:

• The developers create a single repository for all projects, with a directory structure for individual and shared code.
• We set up development tools, including a monorepo-supporting package manager, build tools, and testing tools.
• The React team develops features, making cross-project changes as needed in a single commit. And leverage the monorepo to share code, creating shared libraries or components.
• Then, we run tests, build, and deploy web and mobile apps, using monorepo tools.
• Finally, we use the monorepo for comprehensive code reviews, viewing all changes in the same commit history.