React Native vs CRNA

I think create-react-native-app is a good way to start so that you can focus on the React part of react native, especially if you are not familiar with React. And when you are ready to do things with native you can simply eject with npm run eject

When I started a new project with react native late last year, there was no create-react-native-app and I evaluated expo first. I didn’t like it as there were no easy native integration unless you eject when I know for sure we will need native integration. Therefore I went with vanilla react native. Also I already had experience with React on the web and iOS and Android native development.

Hi I will also share some of my experience on the topic.

Since I have a front end background and was not familiar with XCode or Android Studio I've decided to start my native app developement from CRNA.

Indeed with just a text editor, purely with javascript and utilizing built-in expo SDK components I was quickly able to implement and publish to Play Store a fairly simple app. That I find truly amazing :)

However after publishing the app I realized there are some pitfalls that unable it to compete with similar rival Java apps:

The biggest IMO is the size of the apk generated with exp service. For the app with just 3 screens and not a lot business logic, 25 mb and about 60mb after install is really a lot. According to expo devs more complex apps will be approximately the same size or only slighty larger due to the bulk of the size being the native dependencies, and not actual javascript side. But this still is a big problem and I will probably have to anyway eject the app to optimze the build size

So in general CRNA is a great and fast way to start and have something working but still before publishing the app to the users you'll not avoid seting up your custom build and all the dependencies like Android Studio