Expo
React Native with the painful parts handled — native builds in the cloud, over-the-air updates, and one toolchain from prototype to App Store.
What it is, and why we use it.
Expo is the platform layer that sits on top of React Native. It removes the parts that used to hurt: EAS Build compiles native iOS and Android binaries in the cloud (no Xcode/Android Studio babysitting), EAS Update ships JavaScript fixes over the air, Expo Router gives file-based navigation, and config plugins add native modules without ever opening native projects. Modern Expo runs the full React Native ecosystem — it's no longer the 'limited sandbox' it was early on.
Expo is our default starting point for React Native work. We prototype in hours, ship internal builds to clients the same day via EAS, and push urgent fixes over the air without waiting on store review. When a project needs a custom native module, config plugins let us add it and keep the managed workflow.
Expo vs Bare React Native vs Flutter.
Expo against bare React Native and Flutter — the practical question of how much build-and-release machinery you want to own yourself.
| Dimension | Expo | Bare React Native | Flutter |
|---|---|---|---|
| Native build setup | Cloud (EAS) — no local Xcode/Android Studio needed | You own Xcode + Android Studio toolchains | Local Flutter + platform SDKs |
| Over-the-air updates | Built in — EAS Update | Add CodePush / your own | Limited; add third-party |
| Time to first build | Minutes — fastest start in mobile | Hours of native setup | Moderate |
| Custom native modules | Config plugins; prebuild when needed | Direct, unlimited | Plugins or platform channels |
| Ecosystem | Full RN ecosystem + Expo SDK modules | Full RN ecosystem | Dart pub ecosystem |
| Lock-in | Low — eject/prebuild to bare any time | None | None |
Expo wins when
- You want to ship a React Native app without owning native build infra
- Over-the-air updates matter to your release cadence
- Speed from idea to a build in a client's hands is the priority
Bare React Native wins when
- The app is mostly custom native code from day one
- You need build-pipeline control Expo doesn't expose
- Deep platform integration outweighs convenience
Flutter wins when
- Pixel-identical UI across platforms is the brief
- Heavy custom graphics and animation
- The team prefers Dart and a single rendering engine
Expo is how we start almost every React Native project now — the managed workflow saves real days, and prebuild means we never trade away native power to get it. We only go fully bare when a project is native-heavy from the first commit.
Thinking about Expo?
Tell us what you're building — we'll tell you honestly whether Expo is the right tool for it.