Expo Location vs React Native Background Geolocation

Developers should use Expo Location when building mobile apps that require location-based features, such as mapping, navigation, ride-sharing, or location-aware content meets developers should use this library when building react native apps that need persistent location tracking, such as ride-sharing, logistics, or health/fitness applications. Here's our take.

Expo Location

Nice Pick

Developers should use Expo Location when building mobile apps that require location-based features, such as mapping, navigation, ride-sharing, or location-aware content

Pros

• It is particularly valuable for Expo-based projects as it integrates seamlessly with the Expo ecosystem, handling permissions and platform differences automatically
• Related to: react-native, expo

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

React Native Background Geolocation

Developers should use this library when building React Native apps that need persistent location tracking, such as ride-sharing, logistics, or health/fitness applications

Pros

• It's particularly valuable for scenarios where users expect location updates to work reliably without keeping the app open, as it handles platform-specific background execution and battery management efficiently
• Related to: react-native, geolocation-api

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Expo Location if: You want it is particularly valuable for expo-based projects as it integrates seamlessly with the expo ecosystem, handling permissions and platform differences automatically and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use React Native Background Geolocation if: You prioritize it's particularly valuable for scenarios where users expect location updates to work reliably without keeping the app open, as it handles platform-specific background execution and battery management efficiently over what Expo Location offers.

The Bottom Line

Expo Location wins

Developers should use Expo Location when building mobile apps that require location-based features, such as mapping, navigation, ride-sharing, or location-aware content