Expo vs React Native
Expo IS React Native now. The question is whether you need bare workflow. Spoiler: you probably don't.
Expo
Expo has become the recommended way to build React Native apps. The managed workflow handles 95% of use cases. Going bare is for edge cases, not defaults.
Expo Grew Up
The old criticism was 'Expo limits you.' That was true in 2020. In 2026, Expo supports custom native modules, has EAS Build for cloud builds, and the React Native team literally recommends it as the default.
The managed workflow handles push notifications, camera, location, payments, and hundreds of other native APIs. The days of ejecting are mostly over.
Why Expo Wins
EAS Build means you don't need Xcode or Android Studio installed to build production apps. Push to GitHub, get an IPA and APK.
Over-the-air updates with EAS Update. Ship bug fixes without going through App Store review. This alone is worth the Expo tax.
Expo Router brings file-based routing to mobile. If you've used Next.js, it feels familiar. Deep linking just works.
When to Go Bare
Custom native modules that Expo doesn't support (rare but it happens). Extremely performance-sensitive apps like games. Brownfield integration into existing native apps.
But even then, you can use Expo modules in bare projects. It's not all-or-nothing anymore.
Quick Comparison
| Factor | Expo | React Native (bare) |
|---|---|---|
| Setup Time | Minutes | Hours (Xcode, Android Studio) |
| OTA Updates | EAS Update built-in | CodePush or manual |
| Cloud Builds | EAS Build | DIY CI/CD |
| Native Module Access | Most via Expo modules | Full access |
| File-based Routing | Expo Router | React Navigation manual |
| Flexibility | High (with dev clients) | Maximum |
The Verdict
Use Expo if: You're building a new React Native app. Full stop. Start with Expo and only eject if you hit a wall (you probably won't).
Use React Native (bare) if: You're integrating into an existing native app, building something extremely performance-sensitive, or need native modules Expo doesn't wrap.
Consider: If you're choosing between React Native and Flutter, that's a different comparison. But within React Native, Expo is the default.
Expo has become the recommended way to build React Native apps. The managed workflow handles 95% of use cases. Going bare is for edge cases, not defaults.
Related Comparisons
Disagree? nice@nicepick.dev