Comparison
How reactnative.run compares to other online React Native development tools.
vs Expo Snack
Expo Snack is Expo's official online editor for React Native.
| reactnative.run | Expo Snack | |
|---|---|---|
| Bundling | Client-side (browser-metro) | Partially client-side |
| npm packages | Any package, on-demand | Curated subset, some restrictions |
| HMR | Full HMR with React Refresh | Live reload |
| Expo Router | Full file-based routing + HMR | Limited support |
| API Routes | In-browser +api.ts | Not supported |
| Offline capable | Partially (after package cache) | No (requires server) |
| Source maps | Full, inline | Yes |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | Partially |
| Native preview | Web only | iOS, Android, Web |
Key difference: Expo Snack partially bundles on the client but still relies on Expo's servers for package resolution and native preview. reactnative.run bundles everything client-side with on-demand package fetching via the ESM server. Expo Snack can preview on native devices via the Expo Go app, which we don't support (yet).
vs CodeSandbox
CodeSandbox is a general-purpose online IDE.
| reactnative.run | CodeSandbox | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | React Native (web) | Any web framework |
| Bundling | Client-side, custom Metro-like | Server-side (Nodebox/microVM) |
| React Native support | First-class | Via templates, limited |
| Expo Router | Full support with HMR | Basic support |
| npm packages | Any, on-demand bundling | Any, via server |
| Collaboration | Not yet | Real-time multiplayer |
| GitHub integration | Not yet | Full integration |
| Pricing | Free, open source | Free tier + paid plans |
Key difference: reactnative.run is purpose-built for React Native with deep Expo Router integration, HMR, and API routes. CodeSandbox is a general-purpose IDE that supports React Native through templates but doesn't have the same depth of React Native-specific features.
vs StackBlitz
StackBlitz runs Node.js in the browser via WebContainers.
| reactnative.run | StackBlitz | |
|---|---|---|
| Runtime | Custom bundler (browser-metro) | Full Node.js (WebContainers) |
| npm install | On-demand via ESM server | Full npm in browser |
| Startup time | Fast (no Node.js boot) | Slower (boots Node.js) |
| React Native | First-class | Via manual setup |
| Expo Router | Full HMR support | Manual configuration |
| Open source | Yes (MIT) | WebContainers is proprietary |
Key difference: StackBlitz runs a full Node.js environment in the browser, which is more general but heavier. reactnative.run uses a purpose-built bundler that's faster for the specific use case of React Native development.
When to use reactnative.run
- You want to quickly prototype a React Native (web) app
- You need Expo Router with file-based routing and HMR
- You want to test API routes without a server
- You want instant feedback with client-side HMR
- You're teaching or learning React Native
- You want an open-source tool you can self-host
When to use something else
- You need native iOS/Android preview (use Expo Snack)
- You need full Node.js capabilities (use StackBlitz)
- You need collaboration features (use CodeSandbox)
- You need to run non-React-Native projects (use CodeSandbox/StackBlitz)