What Is React Native? Beginner’s Guide + FAQ

Key takeaways

React Native, an open-source framework, helps you develop applications using pre-made resources in libraries.

• Global revenue from mobile applications is expected to reach more than 864 billion dollars by 2031 [1].

• React Native is an open-source framework that allows you to render applications natively, even though the application may not have been made natively for that OS.

• You can use React Native to build your own mobile applications.

Learn more about React Native, how it compares to React, some reasons to use it, and how you can begin your career as a React developer. If you’re ready to start building skills with React Native, try the Meta React Native Specialization to learn how to create apps across multiple operating systems, create user interface elements, and end with a portfolio project. 

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework, meaning it’s free for public use. In software development, a framework serves as a platform for developing applications. It contains resources like pre-built components, libraries, and reference material. Like the framework of a home, React Native provides the basic structure of an application. Developers can then customize Native modules to suit their needs rather than building the application from the ground up.

Studies suggest plenty of career opportunities for those interested in mobile development, and the global revenue from mobile applications is expected to reach 864.5 billion US dollars by 2031, up from an estimated $391.3 billion in 2026 [1].

What does “native” mean in React Native?

When an application or software is native, it’s written for the computer’s natural operating system (OS). For example, a PlayStation 5 game's native platform is the PlayStation 5 because it was designed for that specific device and OS. Native-run applications and native code typically provide a better user experience with fewer performance issues. They run better and faster because they were created to suit their particular platforms. As the name suggests, React Native enables you to render applications natively. Your application will use the same programming platform as a native application, despite not being specially created for that device.

What are React and React Native?

React is a JavaScript library, also known as ReactJS or React.js. Like React Native, it provides developers with development building blocks, such as pre-written code and configurations. Unlike React Native, those building blocks are web components rather than native components. When used together, React.js and React Native complement one another. The chart below explores some similarities and differences between React and React Native.

What is Expo React Native?

Expo is a framework for building JavaScript and React Native applications. It includes libraries, as well as a set of services and tools designed specifically for React Native development and testing. Expo was created to simplify universal app development for the web and mobile platforms like Android and iOS.

What is React Native used for?

React Native is most famous for its cross-platform development capabilities. Cross-platform development refers to the process of building software that is compatible with more than one type of device and OS. With this key feature, developers can create platform-specific versions of components. Instead of building applications natively for each platform, developers can build the codebase just once and use it for both iOS and Android applications. Additional React Native features include:

• Active developer community and ecosystem of tools: ReactJS and React Native both have large communities of developers and tech experts. For example, you can ask questions and share insights with the Native community on the Reactiflux Discord channel or attend a React Native Meetup.

• App performance: React Native enables applications to behave like native applications, which run faster and more efficiently than their non-native counterparts.

• Code reusability and cost savings: Reusable components are a key advantage of React Native. In addition to cost efficiency, reusing large amounts of code across platforms allows for shorter development time and a simplified development process overall.

Examples of applications built with React Native

React Native is fairly popular among software developers, with 8.4 percent using React Native in 2024 [2]. The list below compiles a few of the most popular cross-platform apps that use React Native:

• Facebook

• Microsoft Office

• Amazon Shopping

• Shopify

• Coinbase

• Bloomberg

• WordPress Website Builder

Is it worth it to learn React?

React remains a popular choice for developing websites and mobile applications. In the 2025 Stack Overflow Developer Survey, 44.7 percent of professional developers said they used React extensively over the past year [3]. This makes the JavaScript-based React framework a popular option among professional developers. 

How to use React Native

Thanks to the open-source nature of React Native, anyone can use it to develop their own mobile projects. However, you can also seek employment as a freelance developer or on an engineering team. Professional React Native developers are software developers who specialize in using the framework to build mobile apps.

A mobile app developer’s typical day will likely involve writing and reviewing code, troubleshooting bugs and defects, and designing user interfaces (UIs). React Native developers typically focus on front-end development but may also work with other development teams to ensure quality across the entire application.

Read more: Which Front-End Framework Should I Learn?

Salary and job outlook for React Native and React developers

According to Glassdoor, the estimated median pay for a React Native developer in the US is $113,000 per year [4]. This figure includes base salary and additional pay, which may represent profit-sharing, commissions, bonuses, or other compensation. As of February 2025, there are over 4,000 open React Native developer positions on LinkedIn [5]. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates job growth of 16 percent for software developers between 2024 and 2034 [6]. Compared to the 3 percent median growth rate for all occupations, careers in this field are growing much faster than average.

Explore our free resources for developers

Subscribe to our Career Chat newsletter on LinkedIn for industry insights, skill-building tips, and networking opportunities. Then, explore our free resources for software development:

• Watch on YouTube: Mastering the Code: Essential Skills Every Software Developer Needs 

• Hear from a fellow learner: Meet the Software Engineer Looking to Be a More Competitive Job Candidate 

• Build new skills: How to Start Learning React: A Custom Course Guide

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