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Expo

Expo

The official React Native framework and cloud platform for building and shipping cross-platform apps.

softwareMobile DevelopmentReact NativeMobile DevelopmentCross-Platform
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Our Verdict

Best for

React Native teams that want cloud builds, OTA updates, and a large library of native modules without managing native tooling.

Skip if

You need fully custom native app architecture outside the React Native ecosystem.

What is Expo?

Expo is an open-source framework for React Native, recommended by Meta's React Native team as the standard way to build production apps for iOS, Android, and web from a single codebase. It bundles file-based routing (Expo Router), over 100 production-ready libraries for things like cameras, push notifications, and biometrics, and Continuous Native Generation for creating native projects on demand. Alongside the free, open-source framework, Expo Application Services (EAS) is a cloud platform that handles cloud builds, app store submissions, and over-the-air updates so teams can ship changes without waiting on app store review for every fix. EAS Workflows add CI/CD automation, and the Expo Modules API lets teams drop into native Swift or Kotlin code when they need it.

SpecificationsAI-estimated

deploymentCloud/SaaS
open source✅ Yes
api available✅ Yes
key integrationsGitHub, Slack, Apple App Store, Google Play

Key Features of Expo

Provides Expo Router, a file-based routing system for React Native modeled after Next.js.
Ships over 100 production-ready libraries covering camera, push notifications, file system, biometrics, and maps.
Generates native iOS and Android projects on demand through Continuous Native Generation instead of committing native folders.
Runs cloud builds and handles app store submissions through EAS Build and EAS Submit.
Pushes over-the-air JavaScript updates to installed apps without waiting for app store review via EAS Update.
Offers EAS Workflows for automating build, test, and release pipelines.
Lets developers write custom native code in Swift or Kotlin through the Expo Modules API when needed.
Includes Expo Go and development builds for fast iteration on physical devices.

Use Cases for Expo

1

Cross-platform app development

Build one React Native codebase that ships to iOS, Android, and web.

2

Rapid iteration without native tooling

Develop and preview apps using Expo Go without installing Xcode or Android Studio for every change.

3

Shipping hotfixes instantly

Push JavaScript-only fixes to users via over-the-air updates, skipping app store review.

4

Automated release pipelines

Use EAS Workflows to automate builds, submissions, and update publishing in CI.

Pros & Cons of Expo

Pros

  • Core framework and SDK are free and open source
  • Backed and recommended by Meta's React Native team
  • Over-the-air updates skip app store review for JS-only changes
  • Large library of pre-built native modules

Cons

  • EAS build minutes and MAU limits require paid plans at scale
  • Ejecting to fully custom native code adds complexity
  • Build queue can be slow on the free tier

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Expo free to use?

Yes, the Expo framework and SDK are free and open source; EAS cloud services are freemium with usage-based paid plans.

What platforms can Expo apps target?

Expo apps can target iOS, Android, and web from a single codebase.

Can I write native code with Expo?

Yes, the Expo Modules API allows writing custom native code in Swift or Kotlin when needed.

Does Expo require an app store review for every update?

No, JavaScript-only changes can be shipped over the air via EAS Update without a new app store review.

Pricing Overview

View full pricing →
Freemium

Free

$0

Starter

$19

Production

$199

Enterprise

Custom

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About the Product

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Platforms
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Target AudienceMobile developers building cross-platform apps with React Native

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Tags

React NativeMobile DevelopmentCross-PlatformApp BuildsOTA Updates

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