Top 10 React Native Dev Tools

Statista forecasts that mobile applications would cross $935 billion in terms of revenue till 2023. It also refers to a surge in demand for application development. That’s why programmers prefer to use efficient cross-platform frameworks for app creation and React Native is one of them. React Native is not only a cost-effective and speedy framework but a bulk of dev tools also support it.

However, if you are a coder and still looking for React Native dev tools, you should thoroughly read this article. This article defines React Native, suggests top dev tools for Reactive Native and explains their features and limitations.

What is React Native?

React Native is an open-source framework of JavaScript that you can use for iOS and Android application development. It was introduced by Facebook in 2015 to create ads managing applications and distinct Facebook groups. As compared to Java and Swift, it keeps you away from drawn-out operations of readjusting, rearranging and further upgrades.

Well-known companies like Skype, Instagram, SoundCloud, Walmart and UberEATS use this framework for their mobile application development.

The Top 10 Dev Tools for React Native

The selection of the right dev tool for React Native is crucial to create application projects successfully. That’s why we are going to share one of the best React Native dev tools here.

1. Expo

Expo is one of the best dev tools for React Native applications. It provides the set of tools and services that are helpful to develop & deploy React Native applications quickly & effectively. The same codebase runs on multiple platforms, and this is very helpful when you are developing a cross-platform application, including iOS & Android. This development tool works on the server, share, build & polish principle which is the considered baseline of software engineering.

Expo Features

Cross-Platform APIs: This IDE is opportune to access cross-platform APIs.

Easy to Use: Expo is an easy-to-use IDE for the developers to develop react native applications. It is not necessary to link libraries in it.

Test Directly: Through the expo container, developers can test the application directly on iOS & Android devices.

Expo Limitations

All the assets & JS by Expo require connectivity to Google Cloud platform & AWS. It can slow down performance and development speed.

2. Xcode

Xcode is Apple’s IDE that is used to develop software applications for iOS, macOS, etc. Homebrew is the package that is used to install third-party software and tools. React Native CLI needs to be installed to begin React Native App development in Xcode IDE. Xcode command line terminal can be used to move in directories of the project and run React Native applications.

Xcode Features

Easy Setup: Xcode IDE allows an easy and quick set-up for React Native app development environment. Step-by-step guides are also available online for easy setup.

Custom Build: Xcode enables customer build configuration for the developers.

Easy Debugging: Programmers can debug React Native projects during development easily using built-in debug features of Xcode IDE.

Easy Packages’ Installations: iOS packages can be installed easily and quickly using Homebrew in Xcode for developers’ ease.

Xcode Limitations

Many packages need to be installed including Node JS & NPM during the setup of React Native. This might cause storage & performance issues for the developer.

3. Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is one of the most popular development environments. The huge range of plugins for visual studio code makes it distinctive among others. It is used for different development types such as web, android, hybrid, etc. Almost every development technology plugin is available in visual studio code that is helpful for the developers to begin development easily. Visual studio code also supports JavaScript framework because a complete React Native package is integrated with it.

Visual Studio Code Features

One-Click Plugin Installation: Programmers can install plugins & extensions with just one click through the VS code extensions library.

React Native — Full Pack: VS Code provides an extension which contains a complete package of React Native tools. It is easy to work for programmers to proceed with this dev tool after installing this extension.

Code Maintenance: VS code IDE provides the features to maintain the code easily with automatic indentation and colours.

VS Code Terminal: Command line interface terminals & power shell terminals can be used to run React Native apps conveniently. It is also helpful to move between directories of the project.

Visual Studio Code Limitations

Visual Studio Code IDE consumes too much battery power. It also affects memory usage badly. This may cause performance issues for the developer.

4. Atom

Atom is another one of the well-known IDEs for application development. This is the cross-platform development tool introduced by GitHub in 2014. This dev tool works with various platforms including Android. Developers can build projects efficiently & effectively by using the interactive IDE of Atom. Atom supports React Native development with various plugins & extensions. It is one of the best development tools for React Native apps’ development.

Atom Features

Smart Auto-Completion: Smart auto-completion feature of this IDE is helpful for programmers to write code efficiently.

Easy Integration: React Native plugins & extensions can be installed and integrated easily & quickly using Atom plugins’ library.

Git Integration: The integration of Atom with Git is really convenient to maintain the code versions with GitHub.

Atom Limitations

The user experience of Atom IDE can be improved for better interaction of users. Developers require highly interactive IDE for better progress in development & coding.

5. React Native CLI

React Native CLI is the official developmental tool for React Native applications. Automating jobs including linking, sharing & building an application are very straightforward in React Native CLI. This React Native development tool is very helpful for the programmers. You can use CLI to install projects pre-configured with a specific package.

React Native CLI Features

Watch Mode: Developer can trigger dev menu & reload application using command line interface by pressing either d or r.

Debug: There is improved support for different build flavours, including debug & release of React Native Android application.

Custom Configurations: The React Native CLI supports custom configurations which is really helpful for the developers.

React Native CLI Limitations

Developers cannot add native modules in the React Native Application using React Native CLI.

6. Android Studio

Android Studio is an Integrated Development Environment for the development of Native Android applications. It is widely used by application developers across the world. As an official native app development tool, it provides thousands of useful features & tools that are helpful for app development.

Android studio also enables React native application development with “Xcode version” for Android. There are plenty of advantages of using this IDE instead of others for application development.

Android Studio Features

Intelligent Code Editor: The smart code editor helps the developer to autocomplete the code which is favourable for efficient programming.

Real-time Profilers: The real-time tracking of memory, CPU & network statistics is very helpful to track performance. The profiler tools of Android studio help the programmers to track & maintain the performance of applications.

Fast Emulator: The emulator for the android studio can be installed to quickly run the application virtually on the PC without connecting any device.

Files Explorer: The file explorer side menu is really helpful in android studio to manage & locate files & folders of the project.

Android Studio Limitations

Android studio can really slow your system down if you are using this on a standard PC, especially with the emulator.

7. Sublime

Sublime is a very famous text editor which can be used for multiple development purposes. It was initially released in 2008 by Jon Skinner. A large number of application developers use this editor worldwide.

The interactive interface of sublime is very conducive for the programmers to write code effectively. This editor is equipped with plenty of plugins by the community. Most importantly, Sublime is a cross-platform code editor which can also be used as a development tool for React Native framework.

Sublime Features

Multiple Selections: Programmers can make multiple code selections to copy code from different lines. It is beneficial when your code reusability is high.

Smart Code Editor: Sublime is a smart code editor which helps the programmers to maintain indentations automatically. The colourful code also increases productivity.

Auto-Completion: The auto-completion of code features is very smart in this code editor which works according to previously written code in the project.

Captures Full Content: Sublime captures full content written in it. If your PC or laptop has switched off without files were saved then sublime will open unsaved files as it is. This feature is a lifesaver for the developers.

Sublime Limitations

A free version of sublime text editor prompts users to constantly purchase the full version, which can be disturbing for the developer during production.

8. Bit

Bit is a powerful development tool for React Native applications. This dev tool is handy when the whole team is working on the same project. It resolves the problem of sharing the UI components of React native applications using repositories. Bit CLI tool is helpful to manage versions of applications.

Bit Features

Multiple Workspaces: The user can create multiple workspaces for an individual, organization or a team.

Users Management: The team leader can manage users easily by defining their roles & permissions using Bit.

Interactive Environment: Inside the workspace, users can create smart interactive documents and organize them with multiple folders.

Bit Limitations

Indeed, Bit offers a variety of features & tools for the ease of developers. Withal, it is quite difficult & time taking to learn the use of this IDE completely.

9. Nuclide

Nuclide is a complete package for React Native framework integrated into Atom code editor. You need to install the Nuclide package in Atom because Nuclide has built-in support for React Native app development. This provides different features just like every other development tool for the ease of programmers to debug & maintain the code. 

Moreover, autocomplete, code diagnostics & many other features are embedded in this React Native development tool.

Nuclide Features

Run with Command Line: Nuclide provides you with the feature to run your application through the command line using the root directory.

Support: Nuclide provides support to the React Native development for iOS apps. Programmers can also inspect React Native elements by using this feature.

Auto-Completion: If your React Native app is primarily written in Flow, then auto-complete features can be helpful for the programmers.

Code Diagnostics: Programmers can diagnose the code using Nuclide if React Native app is written in Flow.

Nuclide Limitations

This IDE takes more time to load large files. Moreover, its code processing duration is also high as compared to several other React Native dev tools.

10. Vim

Vim code editor is one of the most useful & highly configurable editors. This code editor is included in most UNIX systems named as “vi”. This code editor can also be used to develop React Native applications by installing RN plugins & libraries.

Vim Features

Extensive Plugin System: A wide range of plugins library is available in Vim that helps the users install tools & extensions required for the development.

Search & Replace: The search & replace feature is beneficial for every programmer during production. Vim provides efficient & effective Search & Replace functionality.

Multi-Level Undo Tree: The programmer can undo multiple times due to the multi-level undo tree. This feature stores different levels of codes when it is being written.

Vim Limitations

The user interface & user experience can be improved for this React Native dev tool.

Conclusion

This article lists one of the best React Native developer tools to make mobile applications with great efficiency. However, the choice of the right dev tool depends on the requirements of your project. Hopefully, these React Native dev tools’ comprehensive features, limitations, and other details would assist you in making an appropriate decision.

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