React Native vs Kotlin: A Quick Comparison

Mobile apps have become an emerging platform, and mobile app traffic is very high, with a well-appreciated response from the people. So, entrepreneurs are focusing on the mobile app development process to develop their businesses to the next level. 

To meet all the business requirements, many technologies are introduced, and many developers and businesses are confused with different languages and frameworks. 

So, we will discuss the most famous technologies, like React Native and Kotlin, to find out which is the best framework for your application. Let’s get started.

React Native

Facebook created React Native for the development of mobile applications. It is considered the best JavaScript framework for developing Android and iOS apps. As an open-source platform, React Native is free to every business requirement and for every developer to develop the latest application.

Applications Built With React Native

• Facebook 
• Instagram 
• Uber Eats 
• Myntra 
• AirBnB 

Note: There are many more apps aside from the ones listed above.

Kotlin

On the other hand, Kotlin is famous for developing web apps and mobile apps on the Android platform. The iOS platform feature is on the way, but Kotlin is always one of the best options for Android application development.

Applications Built With Kotlin

Most of the apps use the Kotlin language to develop their Android version. Some examples are: 

• Pinterest 
• Evernote 
• Corda 
• Uber 
• Atlassian or Trello

Since most of the popular applications are built with these technologies, it’s worth comparing them to figure out the best platform for your application needs.

React Native vs Kotlin 

Below are the six things we will compare to see which framework will work best for your application:

1. Technology 
2. Performance 
3. Time and Code 
4. Developing Environment 
5. Developer Support 
6. Availability 

1. Technology

When discussing the technology stack of these platforms, React Native and Kotlin have their own developing language you have to learn to use in your applications. You are not allowed or are not flexible, to choose your language. 

React Native

React native is generally a JavaScript framework, and the developer should use JavaScript/JSX syntax in the react native application, meaning you need to know the JavaScript programming language if you want to develop an application based on React native. 

Kotlin

Kotlin is designed especially for developing mobile applications. So, you can use Kotlin to get the native app features and experience when developing Android applications.

2. Performance

Performance is one of the factors that cross a developer’s mind when choosing the best application technology. 

React Native

When looking deep into React Native, a native experience Android app can develop with multiple segments. With React Native, the developer should need JavaScript code to develop the Android applications with API components. To achieve these code functionalities, React Native uses third-party libraries. 

Kotlin

On the other hand, Kotlin is meant for Android development and is created with native functions. So, Kotlin automatically gives a native app experience to your Android applications and doesn’t need third-party libraries to communicate with your app components. In simple terms, native app technology is more appreciated than cross-platform technology. 

Overall, Kotlin provides the best Android app performance in comparison to React Native.

3. Code Reusability

React Native

React native provides you with all the resource requirements to build the app efficiently. It allows developers to write code based on any platform like Android, iOS, or the web. 

Kotlin

Kotlin needs lesser code to use the functionality. So, developers can easily write or modify the code effectively with the help of Kotlin. 

Overall, React Native and Kotlin are well equipped with the reusability of the code and helps the developers design the app with lesser codes.

4. Developing Environment

Developing the environment is the main thing to start your app development process. 

Similar to code reusability, the development environment of React Native and Kotlin also stay in the same line. 

React Native

With React Native, you can use any Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or text editor with the help of the NPM package manager. The “hot reload” function in React Native helps you reload the code automatically, which makes the development process simple.

Kotlin

Kotlin also gives you the flexibility to choose the best text editors from many other editors, and the installation and development of Kotlin do not take much time. In Kotlin, the auto-reload function is a little slower. So, React Native is more productive than Kotlin.

5. Developer Support

React Native

The biggest tech company, Facebook, currently maintains the React Native technology with experienced, expert software engineers. From the stats of GitHub, React Native has a large responsive community. 

Kotlin

Kotlin is managed by a great company called JetBrains. The JetBrains development team is known for developing the best IDEs for applications. The dedicated developers always focus on the improvement of the Kotlin language and help the coders develop efficient Android applications.

6. Availability

React Native

React Native is the best choice for developers who are knowledgeable in JavaScript. You don’t need to have a separate team for the Android and iOS app developments. Instead, you can use a single React Native team. The React Native framework satisfies the Android and iOS app requirements at the same time.

Kotlin

Kotlin is known for having an effective growth to ignore the issues faced by Android developers. So, it is considered the future of Android applications by offering advanced features to its programmers.

Which Is Better? 

React Native, managed by Facebook and used by many popular apps, is one of the best frameworks for developing mobile apps, without a doubt. However, Kotlin is also maintained by coders and passed many tests before its release.

If you are planning to develop an Android-only app, then you must consider Kotlin. But, if you want to develop an Android and iOS app on the go along with the web app, then React Native is the best option for you.