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React Native Expo vs. React Native CLI: Which One Should You Choose?
When starting a React Native project, developers are often faced with an important choice: Expo or the React Native CLI (bare workflow). Both options have their strengths and trade-offs, and making the right choice depends on your project's requirements, budget, and long-term goals. In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of each, discuss industry standards, and highlight factors like cost-effectiveness, package support, and CI/CD integration.
React Native's Preferred Option
React Native's official documentation suggests using Expo for most new projects, especially for those that don't require native code modifications. However, for applications needing deep customization or third-party native libraries not supported by Expo, the React Native CLI (bare workflow) remains a strong alternative.
What is Expo?
Expo is an open-source framework that simplifies React Native development. It provides a managed workflow where developers can build apps without dealing with native code. Expo also includes a rich ecosystem of pre-built libraries and tools that enhance the development experience.
Pros of Using Expo
✅ Faster Development – Expo eliminates the need to set up Xcode or Android Studio initially, making it much easier for beginners and teams to get started quickly.
✅ Simplified Updates – With Expo's over-the-air (OTA) updates, you can push fixes and new features without resubmitting to the App Store or Google Play.
✅ Cross-Platform Consistency – Expo ensures that apps behave consistently across iOS and Android without needing custom native configurations.
✅ Built-in Features – Expo provides access to APIs like camera, notifications, location, and more without requiring third-party libraries.
✅ Better Developer Experience – Features like Expo Go allow you to preview your app instantly on a mobile device without compiling code.
✅ Free and Open Source – The core of Expo is free, and the paid Expo Application Services (EAS) offer additional capabilities for scaling projects.
Cons of Using Expo
❌ Limited Native Modules – Some third-party native modules are not supported or require ejecting to the bare workflow.
❌ Larger Bundle Size – Since Expo includes many built-in libraries, app sizes can be larger than necessary.
❌ Ejecting Can Be Painful – If you outgrow Expo's managed workflow, ejecting can introduce complexity, making it harder to maintain.
❌ Restricted Background Services – Apps requiring advanced background processing (like VoIP, custom Bluetooth functionality, or background audio processing) often need full native control.
❌ Dependency on Expo Services – Advanced features like Expo's build service (EAS) come with a subscription cost, which may not be ideal for all businesses.
What is the React Native CLI?
The React Native CLI (bare workflow) gives developers full control over the native code in their app. It's the standard way to build React Native apps that require deep integration with iOS and Android features.
Pros of Using React Native CLI
✅ Full Native Access – You can integrate any third-party native modules, create custom native components, and modify native code as needed.
✅ Better Performance & Smaller Bundle Size – Since you only include the libraries you need, the app's final build size is typically smaller than with Expo.
✅ More Customization – Ideal for apps that require deep OS integration, custom animations, or non-standard libraries.
✅ Industry Standard for Larger Apps – Many large-scale production apps use the React Native CLI due to the flexibility it offers.
✅ No Vendor Lock-In – Unlike Expo, your project isn't tied to a third-party ecosystem, reducing long-term risks.
Cons of Using React Native CLI
❌ Slower Development Setup – You must configure Xcode, Android Studio, and native dependencies manually.
❌ Difficult Updates – Updating React Native and dependencies can be complex, as breaking changes often require manual fixes.
❌ Longer Build & Debug Times – Since everything is managed manually, debugging native issues and recompiling the app can be slower.
❌ Requires More Expertise – Unlike Expo, where you can work mostly with JavaScript, the CLI requires knowledge of native development (Swift, Objective-C, Java, Kotlin).
Industry Standards & Adoption
- Expo is widely used in smaller to mid-sized projects, prototypes, and MVPs because of its rapid development capabilities and simplified workflow. Many indie developers and startups prefer it due to its ease of use.
- React Native CLI is preferred by larger teams and enterprise apps that require native modules, deeper OS integrations, and long-term maintainability. Companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Airbnb have used React Native with the CLI to scale their apps.
- Hybrid Approaches – Some teams start with Expo and later eject to the React Native CLI when they need more flexibility.
Cost-Effectiveness: Expo vs. React Native CLI
| Factor | Expo (Managed Workflow) | React Native CLI (Bare Workflow) |
|---|---|---|
| Development Time | Faster (no native setup) | Slower (manual native setup) |
| Cost of Development | Lower (less need for native developers) | Higher (requires native expertise) |
| Third-Party Costs | Free, but Expo's EAS Build is paid | No external costs beyond hosting |
| Maintenance | Easier with OTA updates | Harder (manual dependency management) |
| Long-Term Scalability | Limited for complex apps | More scalable for enterprise apps |
If your team is small and lacks native experience, Expo can save money and time. However, if your app is expected to grow with complex native features, React Native CLI is a better long-term investment.
Package & Community Support
Both Expo and the React Native CLI have strong community support, but they differ in ecosystem size and flexibility.
- Expo's managed workflow restricts some third-party native packages, though Expo SDK includes many built-in alternatives.
- React Native CLI allows full access to npm packages, making it the better choice for using any third-party library.
- Both have active communities, but React Native CLI provides direct access to native development communities (Swift, Kotlin).
CI/CD Integration
- Expo's EAS Build simplifies CI/CD by handling cloud builds, reducing setup time.
- React Native CLI requires manual CI/CD setup using tools like Fastlane, Bitrise, or GitHub Actions.
- For teams without DevOps experience, Expo's EAS is a huge time-saver but comes with a cost for advanced features.
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Choose?
| Use Case | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Rapid prototyping, MVPs, solo developers | Expo |
| Apps requiring native modules/customization | React Native CLI |
| Teams with no native experience | Expo |
| Enterprise-level apps, scalability | React Native CLI |
| OTA updates & easier maintenance | Expo |
| Performance-critical apps | React Native CLI |
Bottom Line:
- Choose Expo if you want a fast, beginner-friendly development experience and can work within its ecosystem.
- Choose React Native CLI if you need full control, scalability, and the ability to integrate any third-party native modules.
For many teams, starting with Expo and ejecting to the bare workflow when needed is a viable strategy. Ultimately, your choice should align with your app's long-term vision, budget, and technical requirements.