| Feature | React Native CLI | Expo |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Complexity | More complex (requires installing Xcode, Android Studio) | Easier (no need for native dependencies) |
| Native Code Access | Full access to native code (Objective-C, Swift, Java, Kotlin) | Limited access (some native modules not supported) |
| App Size | Smaller (can optimize native dependencies) | Larger (includes extra dependencies for ease of use) |
| Performance | Faster (optimized for production) | Slightly slower (due to extra libraries) |
| Third-Party Libraries | Supports all third-party native modules | Limited support for some native libraries |
| OTA (Over-the-Air) Updates | Manual (requires app store updates) | Built-in with Expo Updates |
| Ejecting | Not needed (full control from the start) | Requires Ejecting to use custom native code |
| Best for | Advanced users, production apps with custom native modules | Beginners, rapid prototyping, simple apps |
* You need full control over native code.
* You are integrating third-party native libraries that Expo doesn’t support.
* You need optimized performance for production apps.
Example : Apps with complex native integrations like custom video processing, Bluetooth, background services, or AR/VR.
* You want a quick and easy setup.
* You don’t need deep native code modifications.
* You need over-the-air updates without app store approvals.
Example : Prototyping, MVPs, internal tools, or small to medium-sized apps with no custom native code requirements.
You can eject from Expo using:
npx expo prebuild
This converts your Expo project into a standard React Native CLI project.