React Native UI libraries make it easier for developers to build great-looking and functional user interfaces. React Native is already a popular framework that helps developers create mobile apps faster. It is the backbone of apps built by some of the world’s most renowned brands, such as Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and many others. It enables faster mobile app UI development. With the help of these UI libraries, you can make the process even smoother. Whether you're starting a new project or improving an existing one, these libraries can save you time and effort. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best React Native UI libraries you can try.
Why Use React Native UI Libraries?
React Native is one of the most popular frameworks for building cross-platform mobile apps. UI development with React is smooth. You can enhance your development experience more with React Native UI libraries.
These libraries come packed with pre-built components like buttons, sliders, and navigation bars. Instead of coding these elements yourself, you can simply plug them in and customize them to match your app’s style.
The best part? They save you tons of time. Why spend hours writing code for a feature when someone has already done it for you? Plus, these libraries are designed to look great on both iOS and Android, so you get a consistent and polished user experience without extra work.
Another win is the active community. React Native UI libraries are constantly updated and improved by developers worldwide. This means fewer bugs, better performance, and access to the latest design trends.
Benefits of using React Native Libraries
With the React Native UI framework, you can build applications much faster than building from scratch. Instead of starting from scratch, you will be able to focus on core issues by using them.
1. Accelerated Development
Speeds up the development process by offering ready-to-use components and tools, cutting down the time needed to build functionalities from scratch.
2. Cross-Platform Compatibility
Simplifies building applications for both iOS and Android with a single codebase, speeding up development.
3. Cost Efficiency
Reduces overall development costs by minimizing the need for separate platform-specific resources and leveraging reusable code components.
4. Customization
Offers extensive customization options to meet unique design and functionality requirements, ensuring apps align with brand identity.
5. Robust Community Support
Provides access to a vibrant community for support, frequent updates, and a wealth of open-source libraries to streamline development.
6. Improved User Experience
Delivers polished UI and UX by utilizing libraries with pre-built, tested components optimized for performance and accessibility.
7. Enhanced Productivity
Boosts developer efficiency by reducing redundant tasks, allowing the focus to remain on creating features rather than boilerplate code.
8. Seamless Integration with Third-Party Services
Enables easy integration of APIs and third-party libraries, adding functionality without reinventing the wheel.
9. Responsive Design
Supports responsive layouts, ensuring apps look great across different devices, screen sizes, and orientations.
10. Streamlined Testing
Simplifies testing processes by providing pre-tested, reliable components, reducing debugging time and improving code stability.
11. Accessibility and Localization
Includes built-in support for accessibility and localization, helping developers create apps that cater to global audiences and diverse user needs.
12. Future-Proofing
Keeps your app future-ready with libraries that evolve alongside industry trends and technological advancements.
9 Best UI Frameworks for React Native for 2024
There are plenty of libraries out there, but we’ve rounded up our top picks for you to try. Some cater to advanced users, while others are beginner-friendly. Let’s explore a few of our favorites that can help improve your work.
1. React Native Paper
TL;DR:
- Expo support
- Open-source
- Live Demo
React Native Paper is a UI library that embodies Google’s Material Design guidelines, providing a consistent and polished experience for React Native apps. Do you like simplicity?
This is an excellent option. It adheres to the material design principles. Furthermore, it provides built-in support for screen readers and proper contrast ratios, a huge plus for inclusivity.
Furthermore, the components are simple to implement and customize. If you are looking for a simple UI framework for React Native, you will like it.
However, it may lack the depth for highly customized or complex designs. If your app requires a unique or deeply custom aesthetic, its Material Design-focused components may constrict you. React Native Paper is fully supported by Expo, making it easy to integrate pre-built UI components into your app without additional setup.
- Tamagui
TLDR;
- Detailed documentation
- Impressive performance
- Expo support
This is our second favorite pick, Tamagui, a high-performance UI library that targets both mobile and web. You can use it if you are already familiar with React Native UI libraries. It is a super-fast UI library for building apps that work on both mobile and web. If you’re used to React Native libraries, it’s a great choice. It focuses on speed and smooth development but might feel tricky for beginners.
There are some reasons why we have picked it among our best React Native UI libraries. We have leveraged it for building complex app UI development. It’s performance is really impressive. And if you have ever used Tailwind-Like styling, you will love using it. It gives you more control over designs.
If you are new to utility-first styling, Tamagui might feel a bit overwhelming. It requires some time to learn it. You can find detailed documentation and advanced React Native development techniques.
3. React Native Elements
TL;DR-
- Easy to use
- Large community
- Expo Demo
- Snippets extension with previews
It is an open-source React Native UI framework, packed with customizable components like buttons, cards, and sliders. If you prefer a library that is easy to use, it is a great fit —perfect for developers who want good-looking apps without getting bogged down in complex design work.
It offers over 30+ pre-built components, speeding up development without sacrificing quality. In addition, you can easily tailor the library to fit your app’s branding and style without needing extensive configuration. Plus, there is a community to help you out.
However, we don’t recommend using it if you create a complex application with many nested components or complex interactions. And, if you are a big fan of modern designs, it is not a great fit.
- Shoutem UI
TL;DR-
- Mobile backend services
- Extensions
- A rich library of pre-built themes
Shoutem UI offers pre-built standard templates and extensions like tools for displaying news, events, products, and more. Plus, it integrates with platforms like Shopify and Firebase.
Shoutem UI offers a user-friendly approach to building cross-platform apps with React Native.
It is a great fit if you are running out of time and want to build a React UI quickly. Unlike libraries like Tagamui, it can be used easily with limited design experience. It also provides standard default themes; without much coding, you can use them to build professional interfaces.
However, if you need fine-grained control over component behavior or design, you might find Shoutem UI somewhat restrictive. While it’s good for standard layouts, it's not as flexible as some other libraries when it comes to advanced customization.
5. gluestack-ui
TL;DR-
- Pre-built high-quality components
- Expo support
- Customization
NativeBase was once one of the most popular React Native UI libraries, known for its rich set of components. However, as of 2023, it has been deprecated in favor of Gluestack UI. With gluestack-ui, you can copy paste components and patterns. It is one of the most popular React Native UI frameworks today, with over 20k+ GitHub stars and over 200+ contributors.
You will like its deep theming options and a wide range of components for standard app features. However, one may feel overwhelmed with the components. Overall, if you are looking for a feature-rich UI toolkit, it is an excellent choice.
7. UI Kitten
TL;DR-
- Detailed documentation
- Theming system
- General purpose components
Are you familiar with Eva Design System? UI Kitten is based on it. It offers customizable components that work in both light and dark modes. It’s an excellent choice for developers working on large-scale or enterprise-level projects, as it ensures consistency and scalability. We would recommend it for building large-scale apps over others.Tamagui is also an excellent choice.
We have included it because it offers a theming system that allows for easy light/dark mode switching and full component customization. You will also like its design system.
However, if you are a newcomer, we would recommend getting familiar with the simple UI frameworks first before using UI Kitten. You may come across unfamiliar design systems.
8. React Native UI Lib
TL;DR
- Expo support
- Components
- Auto-generated modifiers
React Native UI Lib is a lightweight and flexible UI framework from Wix. It offers a set of essential components with easy-to-understand APIs. It’s designed for developers who want to avoid bloat and focus on building custom UI elements while maintaining a fast, responsive experience.
You will find all the necessary components to build a simple UI. We would not recommend it if you are looking for a library to build a complex app. It is flexible, too, like you can build your own components. It works well with other libraries and tools, especially React Navigation, for building smooth, modern mobile apps. When used, we found that it offers limited components.
Why use React Native Frameworks (or Libraries)
Usually, "framework" isn't the most accurate term. However, many developers use "library" and "framework" interchangeably. In reality, these are libraries designed to work with the React Native framework to help build modern, advanced mobile apps.
While React Native itself is a popular framework, using these libraries can speed up your development even more. These UI frameworks allow you to create stunning UIs faster, saving time compared to using default configurations.
Reduced Development Time Pre-built components eliminate the need to build everything from scratch, accelerating development.
Visual Consistency UI libraries ensure a consistent and polished look and feel throughout your app.
Ease of Use Many libraries are designed with user-friendliness in mind, offering clear documentation and examples for a smooth learning curve.
Active Maintenance Open-source and actively maintained libraries guarantee they remain updated with the latest advancements.
How to Choose the Right React Native UI Library?
In this article, we've listed 8 of the best React Native UI libraries, from simple ones for basic projects to more complex options for advanced work. When choosing the best library for your needs, follow these guidelines:
1. Write Down Your Requirements
Be specific about what you want to build. The clearer your goals, the better the tools you'll be able to find.
2. Consider Your Skill Level
Are you a beginner? If so, start with simpler libraries. Advanced libraries like UI Kitten or TailwindUI might feel overwhelming at first. It’s always better to begin with the basics and gradually move to more complex tools. Mastering the simple ones will help you learn faster and unlock more possibilities.
3. Community Support
This is an important factor. We've analyzed the community support for the libraries we’ve mentioned here. The more niche the technology, the harder it can be to find help when you’re stuck. A strong community can be a lifesaver, providing support and innovative ideas.
Conclusion
React Native, along with top-tier UI libraries, helps developers create visually appealing and consistent user interfaces while saving time. With their rich features, ease of use, and active communities, these libraries ensure React Native's ongoing success in cross-platform app development.
What do you think? Are we missing any great UI libraries? As frameworks evolve, developers often outgrow their current tools and seek something new. That's when fresh frameworks emerge. We'd love to hear from you in the comments—what's your go-to UI library for React Native? And if you're looking to hire a React Native developer, we're ready to help.
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