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Top 10 React Native Disadvantages

In this era of technological advancements, everyone needs an application that is supported worldwide, but the application must be feature-rich. It puts the developers in challenging times because they have to develop the same application for different devices running on different platforms.

So, in these challenging times for the developers, React Native is a platform that quickly develops excellent applications. It comes with its unique advantages related to cross-framework mobile application development. However, with all the React Native advantages, we cannot ignore some disadvantages.

So, here we will enlighten some of the most significant disadvantages of React Native.


React Native Text Input

The TextInput is one of the main components of the React Native Core library, and also one of the most commonly used in many apps. This simple component is so fundamental in any application design that there are possibly only a few applications not using it. In this article, we are going to cover the most common use cases, input masking, and basic troubleshooting. If you want to know more about one of the most used components from React Native check this article out!


React Native Explained

Different platforms allow the developers to make mobile applications, and each of them is different. The main difference is in the features and the compatibility, so it is essential to carefully select the platform or the framework for developing the application as a developer. Among all of the frameworks present today, one of the most popular is React Native.

React Native is a platform that is well known all over the world, and there are a lot of developers using it for developing their iOS and Android applications. Additionally, the developers who are moving towards application development are also looking to learn about React Native. So, here we will discuss everything about React Native in detail that you need to know.


Top 10 Benefits of React Native

As mobile phones are getting powerful, the need for developing more powerful applications is increasing. It is all because the powerful mobile devices make it possible for the users to do most of their daily tasks on their phones, making things very difficult for the users.

This increased difficulty is that different people have different mobile phones in terms of operating systems and interfaces. So, the developers need to develop applications for all of the devices. One thing that has also gained a lot of popularity in recent years is React Native.

This platform allows the developers to develop applications for all the devices and platforms only by writing the code for once. This is only possible because of the cross-framework mobile application development provided by React Native. One of the major reasons for this popularity is that React Native comes with some amazing benefits.

Here we will discuss all of the benefits that the developers can enjoy from using React Native to develop modern-day mobile applications.


How to Build an App in React Native?

How to Build an App in React Native?
build app react native

Are you looking forward to creating an app for iOS and Android platforms?  Then, you should consider using React Native. It is an innovative mobile application development framework that has transformed the way developers create mobile apps.

This article summarizes my 13 years of experience while creating apps for desktop and mobile devices. You will learn several secrets I discovered from experience, so you don’t have to make the mistakes I made in the past. I shall also offer several practical tips that save time and help make React Native development a pleasant experience.

Mobile technology has taken over the world by storm. It is by far the most dominant computing device in the world today. Thanks to mobile apps that allow people to perform almost any computing task from their smartphones.  Although creating apps for mobile devices is tasking and expensive, React Native and Backend services can help you develop apps faster and cost-efficiently. 


Top 5 Cloud Firestore Alternatives

Top 5 Cloud Firestore Alternatives
Top 5 Firestore Alternatives

All high-performance mobile and web apps need a reliable database. Although there are several database options in the market, Firestore stands out among others for its many useful functions and reliability.  However, Firestore’s undesirable vendor lock-in and inability to handle relational queries make it inadequate for specific app projects. This explains why developers are seeking reliable Google Firestore alternatives for their app development projects.  It would be easy to choose the right cloud development platform after selecting one of the best Google Firestore alternatives in 2021.


The Best Firebase Alternatives in 2021

The Best Firebase Alternatives in 2021
Firebase alternatives 2021

Firebase, which was acquired by Google in 2014, is arguably the most popular platform for creating apps without extensive server-side programming.  It is a Backend as a Service platform that offers useful features such as a realtime database, push notifications, and many more.  It is an excellent tool for accelerating app development assignments. 

However, issues like proprietory technology, vendor lock-in, and lack of support for GraphQL API are limiting factors. That is why developers are searching for Firebase alternatives in 2021. Thankfully, many other platforms that offer similar services have emerged. This article presents the best Firebase alternatives in 2021; many of the Firebase alternatives listed in this article offer novel ways of creating apps without stress. 

So, if you are researching for Firebase alternatives, you would discover the top five options in this article. Those who have chosen a platform already can still benefit from knowing other viable Firebase alternatives in 2021.

The top five Firebase alternatives reviewed in this article are:

  • Back4App
  • Parse
  • AWS Amplify
  • Hasura
  • Game Sparks

Keep on reading as we review every Firebase alternative in detail.


Top 5 Free mBaaS Services You Should Know

Top 5 Free mBaaS Services You Should Know
free mbaas

Backend services is one of the most crucial aspects of app development projects. Without a backend service, most of the apps on your mobile device cannot function.  Creating an app backend used to be a time-consuming,  tiresome, and tedious task, but that is no longer the case. Thanks to Mobile Backend as a Service companies that supports developers with infrastructure and tools that make backend development less tasking. 

Don’t worry if the concept of Mobile Backend as a Service is new to you. We shall take the time to explain this innovative service in the next section. 

What is Backend as a Service?

Mobile Backend as a Service, commonly referred to as MBaaS, is a platform that offers tools and cloud infrastructure for creating web, mobile, and IoT apps quickly. With MBaaS, developers don’t have to spend countless hours writing backend codes for apps. They simply use tools that the mBaaS platform provides to perform backend assignments without hassles.  For instance, most platforms offer tools and codes for implementing functions like authentication, push notifications, database management, and the likes. 

With the backend headache out of the way, MBaaS developers can focus on creating excellent frontend functions for their app users. Watch the video below to learn more about backend services. 

Benefits of Mobile Backend as a Service 

Below is a summary of MBaaS benefits.

  • Highly Efficient: Enhancing the efficiency of app development is the most apparent benefit of MBaaS. Developers leverage the backend platform tools to save time and create special app functions. 
  • Reduce Time to Market: Developers leverage MBaaS platforms to create new products and updates faster than before.
  • Cost-Efficiency: Backend services help developers reduce app development costs by taking care of knotty backend development tasks.
  • Help Create Better Apps: With more time at their disposal, developers can create excellent app frontend functions. 

The Five Best Free Backend as a Service

We have already discussed the many benefits of using backend services for app development. Here is good news for those looking forward to starting MBaaS development; you can begin MBaaS development without investing a dime upfront. Here is the list of five MBaaS companies that offer some sort of free plan.

Back4app

Back4app is a Sunnyvale, California-based MBaaS company that provides a platform for creating apps more efficiently.  Since it’s inception in 2015, Back4app has been offering a free plan packed with plentiful resources. The free plan does not expire as long as the app does not exceed the allocated resource threshold. Some of Back4app’s features include push notifications, GraphQL and REST APIs,  Geo Queries, and many more. Back4app allows you to start creating your dream app at no cost. 

Back4app Pricing

  • Free plan
  • Paid plans start at $5 per month

Backendless

Backendless is an innovative backend platform that offers lots of unique features that makes app development faster and manageable. It provides user authentication,  realtime databases, enhanced security, user-management, caching and logging, auto-sync, geolocation,  and many more.  With all these features, developers can create modern applications fast and efficiently.

Backendless Pricing

  • Offers a free plan
  • Premium plans start at $15 per month.

Parse

Over the years, Parse has evolved into one of the most reliable opensource community-driven Backend development solutions. The Parse community consisting of developers and technology enthusiasts, are making improvements to the platform continuously. Parse is an excellent development platform for both new and experienced developers. It is easy to use and offers top-notch functions such as APIs, email notifications, app dashboard, and lots more. 

Parse Pricing

Parse available as a free download.

Firebase

Established in 2011, Firebase is one of the first generation Backend as a Service provider.  .Google acquired Firebase in 2014 and improved it to provide a comprehensive mobile, web, and IoT development solution. Some of the excellent features of Firebase include Analytics that gives professional insight on app usage. The platform also offers APIs, realtime database, storage, and other top-notch app development features.  It’s a viable MBaaS platform that offers a free plan packed with useful tools and server resources. 

Firebase Pricing

  • Free plan available
  • Premium plans are prices on resource usage on the go.

Kuzzle

This is an easy to use Backend as a Service platform that offers excellent functions and great visuals.  One of the selling points of Kuzzle is the simplicity of implementing leading-edge features in apps. For instance, developers can create functions such as push notifications, geofencing, realtime data sync, and user authentication without extensive coding. 

Kuzzle allows developers to expedite time to the market and gain a better ROI for app development investments. 

Kuzzle Pricing

  • Framework is available for free download.
  • Managed hosting plans stars at  $1,200/month

A Final Note

Backend as a Service has become increasingly popular because of the value it brings to application development.  It is a viable solution for developing apps without heavy investment in infrastructure and backend development tasks.  Backend services continue to evolve, providing innovative solutions for creating, running, and managing apps worldwide.

The MBaaS platforms listed in this article are excellent for new and experienced developers, especially for people who would like to test-run development with free MBaaS in 2021.

FAQ

What is a mBaaS?

Mobile Backend as a Service, commonly referred to as MBaaS, is a platform that offers tools and cloud infrastructure for creating web, mobile, and IoT apps quickly. With MBaaS, developers don’t have to spend countless hours writing backend codes for apps. They simply use tools that the mBaaS platform provides to perform backend assignments without hassles.

Why use a mBaaS?

– Reduce time to market
– More code with less developers
– Scalability

What are the best free mBaaS services?

– Back4app
– Backendless
– Parse
– Firebase
– Kuzzle


The Best 10 Mobile Cross-Platform Frameworks

The introduction of mobile applications has made things a lot easier to handle. Businesses now operate differently compared to what used to be a decade earlier. The entire approach to marketing and serving the clients have changed and become a lot easier to manage.

Several SMEs are creating mobile apps for their businesses, and it has reaped significant benefits. With the launch of mobile applications in a different field, it has become a lot more convenient to access different tasks with the least amount of effort. The majority of mobile apps are developed using cross-platform frameworks.

According to Statista, React Native and Flutter are the most popular cross-platform mobile frameworks. Cordova, Ionic, and Xamarin follow them. Unity is by far the most used solution for game-related applications.

React Native usage remained steady between 2019 and 2020, and Flutter increased roughly 30% during this period. Cordova, Ionic, and Xamarin had a significant decline.


Top 5 Firestore Alternatives in 2021

Top 5 Firestore Alternatives in 2021
firestore alternatives 2021

Firestore, a database option from Google, is quite a popular choice among developers today. It offers many powerful features to ensure hassle-free development.

Yet, Firestore has limitations related to meeting development requirements when it comes to vendor lock-in and relational queries. As a result, some developers look beyond Firestore and opt for a few of its alternatives. Exploring suitable Firestore alternatives can prove to be quite beneficial for your development prospects in 2021.