Expo vs React Native CLI — A Complete Comparison

Both Expo and React Native CLI are widely used approaches for building cross-platform mobile apps. While they share the same React Native core, they differ significantly in philosophy, flexibility, performance tooling, and development experience.

This page breaks down the practical differences, helping you choose the right tool for your next project.

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What Is Expo?

Expo is a managed ecosystem built on top of React Native. It focuses on providing a streamlined development process with minimal configuration.

Key characteristics:

• Pre-built native modules
• Over-the-air (OTA) updates
• Unified build system via EAS Build
• File-based navigation with Expo Router
• Push notifications service
• High consistency across platforms

Expo is designed to minimize friction and reduce the time spent configuring native code.

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What Is React Native CLI?

React Native CLI is the traditional way of building RN apps. It gives full access to the iOS and Android native projects.

Key characteristics:

• Maximum control over native code
• Ideal for apps requiring custom native modules
• Standard navigation via React Navigation
• Builds handled manually or through CI/CD
• Higher setup and maintenance cost

This approach is preferred when you need deep customizations or advanced native integrations.

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Core Differences

1. Development Experience

Expo simplifies onboarding and reduces boilerplate, while CLI is more flexible but requires more setup.

2. Access to Native Code

• Expo: limited, unless using the Custom Development Client
• CLI: full access to iOS/Android folders by default

3. Builds & Deployment

• Expo: EAS provides cloud builds, code signing, OTA updates
• CLI: you manage Xcode, Android Studio, fastlane, and distribution manually

4. Performance

Performance is similar, since both rely on the same RN core. However, CLI gives more room for low-level tuning.

5. Library Compatibility

Some libraries expect direct access to native code, which may require ejecting Expo to a custom client.

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When to Use Expo

Expo is ideal if you:

• Need to ship quickly
• Don’t need deep native modifications
• Want easy builds and updates
• Prefer simplicity over low-level control
• Have a small team or are working solo

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