React Native is a framework that allows you to create native apps for iOS, Android and web using the JavaScript programming language and the React library. Expo is a set of tools and services that make development with React Native easier, offering features such as fast refresh, push notifications, native APIs and over the air deployment. Here is the official page address <a href=”https://expo.dev/”>https://expo.dev/</a>.
With Expo, you can create a single project that works on all your users’ devices, without having to install Xcode or Android Studio, which would otherwise be required. You just need Node.js and a phone (or, even more minimalist, a phone emulator!). In addition, Expo offers an app called Expo Go that allows you to view your project by scanning a QR code from the terminal (<a href=”https://reactnative.dev/docs/environment-setup”>https://reactnative.dev/docs/environment-setup</a>).
However, Expo is not perfect and has some limitations that you need to consider before choosing it. One of the main limitations is that Expo only supports the native modules included in its SDK, so you cannot use third-party libraries that require native linking. This means that some features such as maps, augmented reality or in-app payment may not be available or work only on some platforms.
Another limitation of Expo is that it requires an internet connection to work, both in development and production. This can be a problem if you want to test the app offline or if you want to distribute it on alternative stores. Also, Expo has rather long update times for its SDK, so it may not always be aligned with the latest versions of React Native.
Finally, Expo can be slower and heavier than a pure native app, due to the overhead of the runtime and the JavaScript bundle. This can affect performance and user experience, especially on less powerful devices or with little memory https://docs.expo.dev/.
If these limitations are too restrictive for your project, there are some alternatives to Expo that are worth exploring. One of these is React Native CLI, which is the official tool for creating native apps with React Native. With React Native CLI, you have full control over the native code and you can use any library or native module available. However, this requires installing and configuring Xcode and Android Studio, managing native dependencies manually and compiling the app for each platform.
Another alternative to Expo is Ionic, which is a framework that allows you to create hybrid apps with Vue.js (or other frameworks such as Angular or React), using web components optimized for mobile and integrating native features through plugins. Ionic also offers an app called Ionic DevApp that allows you to view your project by scanning a QR code from the terminal. Ionic has the advantage of being more flexible and compatible than Expo, but has the disadvantage of being less performant and native than React Native or Vue Native (be careful: the latter is now discouraged!).