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Top React Native Essentials Tech Stack for 2025

Top React Native Essentials Tech Stack for 2025

Pravin Jadhav's photo
Pravin Jadhav

Starting a new React Native project in 2025 can feel overwhelming due to the plethora of options available for every feature. This guide outlines the must-know tools, libraries, and practices to help you create high-performance React Native apps efficiently.

Why React Native in 2025?

React Native has become more stable, performant, and developer-friendly than ever. With a vibrant community and robust ecosystem of packages, it continues to be the go-to choice for cross-platform development. Here’s everything you need to know to start strong.

Core Setup

  1. Use Expo

    • Expo is the recommended framework for React Native, simplifying the setup process and providing tools for seamless development.

    • If working on legacy projects, consider migrating to Expo.

  2. TypeScript is a Must

    • While optional, TypeScript enhances code reliability and maintainability by providing type safety.

    • It helps catch errors early, making development faster and less error-prone.

Navigation

  • Expo Router vs. React Navigation

    • Expo Router is built on React Navigation but offers file-based routing, making it easier to structure apps.

    • Recommended for new projects due to its cross-platform capabilities and advanced features like API routes.

    • Complement with packages like react-native-bottom-tabs for smooth native navigation components.

UI and Styling

  1. Styling Libraries

    • Use NativeWind for Tailwind CSS-like styling in React Native.

    • Alternatives:

      • UniStyled: Enhances React Native’s default stylesheet API.

      • Tamagi: Offers a fast, cross-platform system with components and optimized compilers.

  2. Component Libraries

    • Legacy options like react-native-paper or react-native-elements are still used but less popular in modern projects.

  3. Animations

    • React Native Reanimated: Best-in-class for complex animations.

    • Moti: An easier-to-use library built on Reanimated.

State Management

  1. Server State

    • TanStack Query: Ideal for managing API calls and server-side state.

  2. App State

    • Zustand: Lightweight and highly flexible, suitable for most state management needs.

    • For local-first and sync capabilities, explore Legend State.

    • For simpler needs, React’s Context API may suffice.

Tooling and Testing

  1. Editor

    • Use an AI-supported editor like Cursor or VS Code for enhanced productivity.

  2. Testing

    • Maestro: Excellent for UI testing.

    • React Native Testing Library: Comprehensive guide and examples available for various testing scenarios.

  3. Monitoring and CI/CD

    • Sentry: For real-time bug and performance monitoring.

    • Expo EAS: Simplifies build, deployment, and updates with powerful cloud-based pipelines.

Must-Have Packages

  1. Storage

    • React Native MMKV: Fastest key-value storage for quick state tracking.

  2. Forms

    • React Hook Form: Works flawlessly with React Native, supports type-safe forms with Zod integration.

  3. Lists

    • FlashList: Faster alternative to FlatList for rendering lists.

  4. Images

    • Expo Image: Optimized for speed, caching, and memory management.

  5. Niche Tools

    • Zego: For creating stunning dropdown and context menus.

Conclusion

By leveraging these tools and best practices, you can ensure your React Native apps are built with performance, scalability, and developer satisfaction in mind. Whether you’re just starting out or working on complex projects, this tech stack is your roadmap to success in 2025.

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