Meta has recently unveiled a new architecture for React Native, continuing its mission to make React Native faster and more responsive. This project, launched in 2018, aims to address one of the main criticisms of non-native development: the lack of smooth, synchronous communication between code and system. By improving this aspect, Meta hopes to make React Native an even stronger competitor in app development.
The Growing Appeal of Non-Native Frameworks
While native and cross-platform development continue to be a hotly debated topic, developers have increasingly adopted React Native and other non-native frameworks for their flexibility and reach. According to AppFigures’ SDK Popularity Chart, React Native is now the top non-native framework on the App Store and ranks second on Google Play, just behind native languages like Swift and Kotlin. This trend reflects the types of apps released recently on major platforms, highlighting React Native’s growing importance in the industry.
An analysis of 2024 app releases shows that 7% of all apps use React Native, while competitor Flutter holds an 11% share. Both frameworks have grown in popularity, with React Native’s share rising from 4.73% in 2022 to 6.75% in 2024. Flutter’s share also increased, from 10.15% to 11.07%. Meanwhile, other cross-platform frameworks, like Unity, Cordova, and Ionic, have seen declines, indicating a shift toward either native development or the dominant non-native options: React Native and Flutter.
Revenue Insights and Market Impact
React Native’s updated architecture also seems poised to enhance its financial performance. According to AppFigures, apps built with React Native and Flutter together have generated $570 million in net revenue over the past month. React Native accounted for $287 million, while Flutter generated $283 million, showing near-equal revenue between the two.
Revenue distribution was also similar across various income levels. In total, 790 React Native apps earned between $10K and $100K, 255 apps made between $100K and $1M, and 173 apps earned $1M or more in net revenue. Flutter had slightly lower numbers, with 727 apps in the $10K-$100K range, 241 in the $100K-$1M bracket, and 37 bringing in $1M or more.
These figures indicate that non-native development is a viable alternative to native code, especially with React Native and Flutter leading the market. As Meta continues to improve React Native, more developers may be drawn to its potential for high-performance cross-platform applications, notes NIXSOLUTIONS.
The future of React Native’s influence remains to be seen, but with ongoing advancements, its impact on the app development market is likely to grow. We’ll keep you updated on how React Native’s progress shapes industry trends.