React Native vs Native Android Cost: Which Is Cheaper for App Development

When deciding between React Native vs Native Android for app development, the cost is often a key factor.

React native development is generally more affordable because it uses single codebase for iOS and Android, which means smaller teams can develop app faster. This faster app development thought is ideal for startups or businesses, who are looking for quick MVP apps without spending extra money on development.

On the other hand, Android app development compares React Native to be more expensive. Because it requires a platform-specific code and expertise team for development. However, Native Android offers better control of hardware and long-term stability. This feature convenes users who are looking for performance-oriented development.

In this article, we will dive deep into the cost factors of React Native vs Native Android development approaches. And help you decide which one is right for your next project.

What Does App Development Cost Include?

App development costs include various types of phases like design, development, testing, deployment, maintenance, and regular updates. These costs are spread around several areas, and each area is required to app work well and functional overtime.

Let’s break down what these cost cover:

UI/UX Design

UI (User Interface) and UX (User Experience) help us to define how your app looks and feels from a user perspective. UI design is all about visual elements like buttons and colors, and UX design means how easy your app is to use and navigate. A well design app keeps users engaged and happy, which is why design performs a key role in cost.

Frontend Development

Frontend is part of an app where users interact. It includes everything from the button they click to page they navigate. So, this part of development focuses on how apps work on user devices. In this phase, cost depends on how complex the apps feature and how many platforms (like Android or iOS) it needs to support.

Backend and APIs

This phase works behind the scenes of the app. It handles data storage, processing, and communication between the app and the server and allows app to interact with other services, like payment systems or weather data. So, the cost of this phase is high because it helps to handle real-time data, heavy integrations, and more complex features.

Third-Party Integrations

Many apps require third-party services like payments, location tracking, or social media sharing for extra features, and this services mostly comes with licensing cost or charges based on usage. This cost depends on how many third-party services we include and how complex it is.

Testing and QA

Testing and QA (Quality Assurance) engineer help us to ensure that the app is free from bugs and works as expected. This phase includes testing on different devices, checking performance, and ensuring the app runs perfectly. Also, QA can take time when apps with lots of features and an important part of the cost because it helps prevent problems after the app is launched.

App Store Deployment

Once your app is ready for production, we need to be submitted to app stores like Google Play or the Apple App Store. This phase includes preparing the app for submission, paying any store fees, and meeting store guidelines. For more information, you can find details of Google Play and App Store for cost.

Ongoing Maintenance

Once the app is live, it needs ongoing maintenance. This phase includes fixing bugs, updating the app for new devices, and adding new features overtime. But maintenance can be expensive, especially if the app is popular or has many users.

We understand how and why costing all phases is important. But this is just overall development phases costing, now let's see in depth costing of both technologies one by one and start with React Native first.

React Native Cost Explained

React Native helps businesses to reduce costs of development by sharing a single codebase and building apps for both platforms (like iOS and Android). Single codebase means businesses save time and resources; this development feature makes more cost effective compared to native app development.

Faster MVP Delivery

With React Native, you can build MVP faster than ever. Since it shares a single codebase for both iOS and Android platforms, initial cost of development time drastically reduces. This allows businesses to launch quickly and start getting user feedback sooner.

Lower Hiring Cost

React Native developer for hire is generally cheaper than specializing in native Android and iOS. Because these developers are skilled in one framework that works for both platforms. So, you don’t need to hire multiple people, and this one framework approach reduces nearly half of Laber cost.

Reduced Parallel Development

With the help of React Native, you can eliminate parallel development. Because when building separate Android or iOS apps, businesses often need two teams who work simultaneously, which increases coordination costs.

Native Android Cost Explained

Native Android development costs more compared to framework approach, because it requires platform-specific development using Kotlin or Java. This means the app is built specifically for Android, which increases the need for specialized skills and tools.

Higher Developer Specialization

As we seen earlier, Native Android developers require higher specialization and experience in development. because developers must be skilled in Kotlin or Java, also familiar with Android Design Systems and APIs. This specializing increases the cost of hiring since finding specializing developers more challenging.

Better Access to Android APIs

With Native Development, you get direct access to core Android API’s and features. This helps deeper integration of an android operating system, and it's necessary for apps that require advanced functionality like custom notifications, background services, or complex animations.

Separate Cost if iOS is Added

If you decide to develop an iOS App later, then development costs increases because you will need to develop this using Swift or Objective-C (for Some Native Functionality). Native Android App are design only for Android, so adding iOS functionality requires separate codebase and team, overall increase both development and cost.

Initial Development Cost Comparison

Compared to Native Android App development cost, React Native development cost is lower, because it reduces development time and size. With a single code base of both platforms, React Native simplifies the development process and accelerates the time to launch.

MVP Timelines

React Native Allows faster MVP development. Since you don’t need a large team to handle both platforms, it shortens the overall timeline. This makes it perfect choice form startup and business, who looking for quick Launch and user feedback.

Team Requirements

With React Native, you need only one development team to handle both platforms, which is eventually cutting down team size and cost. Meanwhile, Native Android Development requires separate teams for Android and iOS development.

Faster Iteration vs Deeper Optimization

React Native development is much faster; it means you can update features for both platforms at once. Native requires deeper optimization specific to Android, which could result in higher quality performance but at a higher cost.

Developer Hiring Cost Comparison

In terms of cost, React Native Developer is easier and cheaper to hire compared to Native Android based on recent surveys in the US. Let's breakdown via below table

Hidden Costs of App Development

Hidden costs often impact app budgets more than framework choice. While the decision between React Native and Native Android is tuff, the long-term costs associated with app development are often overlooked. These hidden costs can be added quickly and affect your overall app budget.

Key Hidden Costs:

• Technical Debt: Rushed or bad code decisions, make it harder and more expensive to improve the app later.
• Poor Architecture: A messy and weaker coding structure makes future updates and new features harder and costly.
• Performance Refactors: If the app runs slowly or not performing well, it may need a major development fix, which can be expensive later.
• Developer Handovers: Changing developers in ongoing projects can cause delays, errors and might require additional cost to fix.
• Store Policy Changes: Play store and App store rules change overtime, and when they change, you might need to make required changes as per policies.

React Native vs Native Android Cost Comparison

Conclusion

If you are looking for a quick prototype of your app without spending time and development cost, React Native often considers the right choice. Especially for cross-platform app. However, if you need advanced features, better performance, and long-term stability for a more complex Android-only app, Native Android could be the better choice.

At Lucent Innovation, we understand your business, whether you need skilled React Native Developer and expert Native Android Developer. Our developers are not only highly skilled but also committed to delivering cost-effective solutions that drive results.

Do you need help with your next project? Check out our dedicated pages to hire Android developers or React Native developers and let us guide you through your next project.