React Native vs MAUI: Cross-Platform Showdown
Comparing React Native/Expo and .NET MAUI for modern cross-platform mobile development.
When it comes to building cross-platform mobile applications in 2024, two frameworks often come up in conversation: React Native with Expo and .NET MAUI. While both aim to solve the challenge of cross-platform development, they take distinctly different approaches that can significantly impact your project's success.
Two Ecosystems#
React Native, enhanced by Expo, brings the power of React and JavaScript to mobile development. It's like having a universal translator that lets your web development skills speak fluently to mobile platforms. The JavaScript ecosystem's familiarity and Expo's development tools make it particularly appealing for teams looking to move quickly.
MAUI, on the other hand, extends the .NET ecosystem into the mobile world. It's Microsoft's answer to cross-platform development, building on the legacy of Xamarin while bringing modern improvements. For teams already invested in the .NET ecosystem, MAUI offers a natural path to mobile development.
Development Experience: Speed vs Integration#
React Native with Expo offers a highly responsive and modern development experience. Features like Fast Refresh and over-the-air updates enable rapid iteration with minimal friction. The tooling is lightweight, the feedback loop is fast, and changes are reflected almost instantly — making it ideal for startups and teams that value agility, quick prototyping, and continuous delivery.
Expo manages much of the native build complexity for you. This means you rarely need to touch Xcode or Android Studio unless you're adding advanced native modules. This reduces setup time and lowers the barrier to entry for teams focused on shipping quickly.
On the other hand, .NET MAUI provides a deeply integrated environment within the Microsoft ecosystem, especially when using Visual Studio. While it supports hot reload for both XAML and C#, the development workflow often involves managing platform-specific projects and configurations for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows. This adds flexibility for native customization but also increases complexity, requiring a more hands-on approach to native tooling and platform-specific concerns.
For businesses, this translates to a choice between speed and simplicity (Expo) vs. tight platform control and integration (.NET MAUI), depending on your team's goals and existing technical stack.
The Performance Question#
Both frameworks are capable of delivering excellent performance, but they take different architectural approaches.
React Native renders UI using actual native components, with business logic running in JavaScript. Communication between the JavaScript and native layers happens over a bridge, which introduces some overhead, but for the vast majority of business applications, the impact is minimal. With modern improvements (like the new React Native Fabric architecture and JSI), performance continues to improve, especially in areas like animations and gesture handling. For most business applications, this overhead is negligible, and apps feel fluid and responsive.
.NET MAUI also delivers native performance by leveraging the native UI controls of each platform, and running logic through the .NET runtime. While platforms like iOS may require ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation, MAUI doesn’t compile your entire application directly to native code by default. Instead, it uses a mix of just-in-time (JIT) and AOT, depending on the target platform and build configuration.
In real-world usage, the performance differences between the two are typically overshadowed by architecture, app complexity, and implementation quality. Both frameworks are capable of powering fast, responsive applications when built thoughtfully.
Team Considerations and Market Reality#
One of the most significant practical differences between these frameworks lies in the available talent pool. The JavaScript ecosystem's popularity means finding React Native developers is generally easier and more cost-effective. Many web developers can transition to React Native development with a relatively gentle learning curve.
MAUI requires specific .NET expertise, including proficiency with C# and XAML. While the .NET developer community is strong, the pool of developers with MAUI experience is smaller. This can impact your ability to build and scale your development team.
Making the Strategic Choice#
Your choice between React Native with Expo and MAUI should align with your business context and goals. Consider React Native with Expo when:
- You need to move quickly and iterate rapidly
- Your team has JavaScript/React experience
- You want to maximize your hiring pool
- Cost-effective development is a priority
MAUI might be the better choice when:
- You're deeply invested in the Microsoft ecosystem
- Your application needs desktop support
- You have a team with strong .NET expertise
- Enterprise integration is a key requirement
Looking to the Future#
Both platforms continue to evolve, but they're taking different paths. React Native, with its massive ecosystem and community support, focuses on improving the developer experience and expanding platform capabilities. Regular updates from both React Native and Expo ensure the platform stays current with mobile development trends.
MAUI, backed by Microsoft, is working to provide a comprehensive solution for building applications across mobile and desktop platforms. Its integration with the broader .NET ecosystem makes it particularly interesting for enterprise development scenarios.
The Bottom Line#
The choice between React Native with Expo and MAUI isn't just about technical capabilities – it's about finding the right fit for your business context. React Native with Expo often emerges as the more flexible and efficient choice for modern mobile development, particularly when rapid development and broad platform support are priorities. However, MAUI provides significant advantages for teams deeply invested in the .NET ecosystem or requiring desktop platform support.
Consider your team's expertise, project requirements, and business goals carefully. The best choice is the one that aligns with your specific circumstances and sets you up for long-term success.
Need help deciding between React Native and MAUI for your project? Wolf Studios specializes in cross-platform development and can help you make the right choice. Let's discuss your specific needs and find the perfect solution for your business.