React Native vs Swift
One codebase for both platforms, or a native iOS app tuned for peak performance — here is how to decide.
Get expert adviceCross-Platform vs Native iOS
React Native lets you build iOS and Android apps from one JavaScript codebase, while Swift is Apple's native language for building iOS apps with maximum performance and platform fidelity. They are not direct equals — one is cross-platform, the other is iOS-only.
The decision usually hinges on whether you need Android too, how performance-critical your app is, and how deeply you must integrate with Apple's latest features. Below we weigh the honest trade-offs.
React Native at a Glance
Swift at a Glance
When to Choose Which
Our Recommendation
We Build With Both
React NativeTypeScriptSwiftSwiftUIKotlinFirebase
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Swift faster than React Native?
On iOS, Swift has a performance edge because it is native with no abstraction layer, which matters for demanding apps. For typical business apps, React Native performs well enough that the gap is rarely decisive.
Can React Native build for Android too?
Yes — that is its main advantage. One React Native codebase targets both iOS and Android. Swift is iOS-only, so Android would require a separate Kotlin app.
Which is more cost-effective?
React Native is usually more cost-effective when you need both platforms, since one team maintains a single codebase. Swift can be efficient if you are iOS-only and need native depth.
Can I combine Swift with React Native?
Yes. A common pattern is a React Native app with Swift native modules for the few performance-critical or platform-specific features, getting both shared code and native power.
Cross-Platform or Native iOS?
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