Which Backend is Best For React Native?

Introduction

Today, our lives are completely dependent on our mobile devices. Many individuals view particular smartphone applications as indispensable to their daily routines, including anything from exercising to scheduling appointments. The popularity of mobile devices has increased competition among mobile app makers. Given the abundance of applications available, gaining an advantage over rivals requires an app to provide an exceptional user experience. By offering a platform for producing top-notch iOS and Android mobile apps using JavaScript, React Native helps developers in this area.

What is React Native?

React Native is a Java Script based on React and used to create mobile apps for Android and iOS platforms. One code may be utilised for cross-platform programming using React Native. Additionally, it enables the developer to utilise the mobile device’s inherent functionality. This implies that capabilities like the phone’s camera may be used by applications created with React Native.

React Native Advantages 

One of the finest solutions for creating an appealing app UI akin to native apps is React Native. One of the many advantages that React Native provides developers is the aesthetic. The following are additional benefits of using React Native:

• High Performance: React Native-built apps are renowned for performing at their peak. Thanks to the numerous native controls and modules offered by the platform.
• Reusable Codes: When utilising React Native, there is no need to create the wheel. It gives programmers reusable scripts to create different features into an app project. This is why utilising React Native may speed up the development of apps.
• Quick Support: Many developers and fans in the React Native Community can assist rapidly.
• Impressive Functions: The platform, among other outstanding capabilities, includes many helpful tools for app development, including Hot and Live Reloading.
• Cost-Efficiency: Because React Native is an open-source JavaScript framework, developing apps using React may be much cheaper.

Best React Native Backend Services

Selecting a development platform that enables you to use both technologies for application development makes sense given the benefits that React Native and Backend as a Service provide. Here are the top providers of Backend as a Service for React Native.

Back4app

• One of the top backend service providers, Back4App offers a broad range of technology stacks. Back4App supports a variety of technologies, including Node JS, MongoDB, Postgres, Parse, REST, React, and many more. The platform also offers codes for routine operations like push notifications, texting, etc. Scalability is no longer concerned with Back4pp since the platform automatically expands as your app’s resource requirements grow. The free plan at Back4Apps costs nothing, while the premium options start at $5 per month.

Parse

• One of the often used backends is Parse. It is an open-source platform from which libraries and SDKs are quickly obtained. A sizable community forum is included with the backend service to help new developers learn how to use the code. Storage for objects and files is offered to speed up development.

Backendless

• A mobile backend as a service (MBaaS) offering powerful tools for rapid and easy development is called Backendless. This service offers managed, dedicated, and cloud-based servers as well as user-defined APIs.

• The business provides free tiers, while monthly premium plans start at $25. It functions with a variety of self-hosting choices.

Firebase

• Google bought the cloud service Firebase in 2014 and continued expanding the platform to offer reliable backend solutions for programmers worldwide. Numerous helpful tools are available through Firebase to speed up the building of apps.

Choosing a React Native backend

There are a few important aspects to take into account while deciding between Firebase and Supabase for your react native backend options:

Purpose

• What do you intend to do with the database? Authentication, real-time data synchronisation, and cloud functionalities are just a few of the uses for Firebase, a general-purpose database. A Postgres-based database with real-time features and integrated API support, Supabase is a good choice for creating contemporary web apps.

Data Structure

• What kind of data organisation do you want? Thanks to Firebase’s NoSQL data architecture, data is saved as a collection of documents with any number of fields. Supabase employs a SQL data model and stores data in rows and columns of tables. Supabase could be a better option if you are experienced with SQL or need to work with organised data.

Ecosystem

• What additional software and services are needed for connecting your database? A substantial and active developer community exists for Firebase, which integrates with a wide range of other Google Cloud services, including machine learning and analytics. Supabase is highly connected with the Postgres ecosystem, which includes programmes like PostGIS for geographical data and Timescale for time-series data, despite having a smaller user base.

Building a custom React Native backend

Making a server-side application to handle the business logic and data processing for a React Native mobile app includes building a bespoke React Native backend. The frontend (a React Native app) and the database are connected through the backend. A detailed explanation of the procedure is provided below:

Connecting a database to the backend

• Depending on the needs of your application, select an appropriate database from among MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, etc. Establish a connection between the backend server and the preferred database to enable data storage and retrieval.

Also read : How to Reduce React Native App Size?

Creating a workout schema

• Establish the framework and fields for the exercise-related data that your app will manage. The workout schema will outline each workout record’s details, including the name, time, exercises, intensity, and other details. This schema will aid in ensuring data consistency throughout the programme.

Designing the API endpoint

• An API (Application Programming Interface) endpoint is a URL route on the backend server that the React Native app can send requests to. Design the API endpoint for handling CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations related to workouts. For example, you might have endpoints like /workouts to get a list of all workouts, /workouts/:id to fetch a specific workout, /workouts/add to add a new workout, and so on.

Connecting the backend server to the React Native application

On macOS

• Obtain the Backend Server URL: Ensure your backend server is up and running with a publicly accessible URL, like http://localhost:PORT.
• Install Dependencies: In your React Native project, install packages like axios or fetch using npm or yarn to make API requests.
• Import Axios: In your React Native component, import the HTTP client library (e.g., axios) to make API requests.
• Make API Request: Use the HTTP client library to fetch data from the backend server. For example, axios.get(‘http://your-backend-server-url/workouts’).
• Test the Connection: Run your React Native app to verify it can fetch data from the backend.

On Windows

Just like on macOS, follow these procedures. Access your React Native project directory and launch the programme using Command Prompt or PowerShell.The URL of your backend server should be used instead of http://your-backend-server-url.

Conclusion

React Native is an effective solution for creating cross-platform mobile apps and comes with several benefits including high performance, reusable code, and cost effectiveness. There are various alternatives when choosing a backend for React Native app, each with unique benefits and features.

Top backend providers that work with React Native without any issues are Back4app, Parse, Backendless, and Firebase. Hire the best React Native developers that utilizes these capabilities to meet the needs of diverse applications, including user authentication, real-time data synchronisation, and cloud functionality.

FAQ’S