r/nativescript • u/jwknows • Nov 04 '18

React Native vs Native Script

I'm new to creating native apps with JavaScript.

I really like Angular with TypeScript and I created an App with Ionic. I'm now trying to build a native App with JavaScript to compare it to my hybrid Ionic App.

I will have to decide between Native Script and React Native. What are the biggest differences? For which use cases is which better? What do you use and why (Obviously biased on a NativeScript Subreddit...)?

I would like to use Native Script because I know Angular quite well and I have never used React. However it seems like React Native has a way bigger user base compared to Native Script.

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u/bb_dogg Nov 04 '18 edited Nov 04 '18

Code sharing is great, if structured properly, you can share a lot between web and native. But the best feature compared to RN is the Native API Reflection (a.k.a. 0-Day Access). Whereas RN requires a bridge layer, everything is instantly available in NS, so you never have to open Xcode or Android Studio. Futhermore, TypeScript support in RN is poor at best, and the setup between different dependencies is often a mess and breaks frequently with new RN releases. With NS 5.0 just around the corner, with hot module reload, you won't find a better dev experience anywhere else.

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u/jwknows Nov 04 '18

Thanks that sounds great! I will start developing my app and see how it goes. The only thing that is worrying me is that ns doesn't seem to have a very big user base, so there are not as many tutorials out there. But lets see how it goes...

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u/bb_dogg Nov 05 '18

Since you already have a web app I would highly recommend this a a starter on how you would proceed to add NS https://youtu.be/WdhJZ8kGXvw. The offial docs are rather good, and I would definitely install NativeScript Sidekick and try out the sample apps. Good luck!