React Native vs Valdi
Which should you use? A side-by-side look at what each one does, who it suits, what it costs, how hard it is to set up, and where each falls short.
Open source · MIT
A framework for building native Android and iOS apps using React and JavaScript.
Open source · MIT
A UI framework that writes your app's screens once in TypeScript and compiles them to native iOS, Android, and
The short answer
Choose React Native if you need…
- Web developers who already know React and want to build mobile apps
- Teams that need one codebase for both Android and iOS
- Developers who want quick feedback through Fast Refresh while editing JavaScript
- Projects that need access to platform APIs through Native Modules
Choose Valdi if you need…
- Mobile teams who want one UI codebase for iOS and Android
- Developers comfortable with TypeScript who want native-looking views
- Teams already working in a large native app who want to embed Valdi components gradually
- Developers interested in Bazel-based builds and in-editor debugging
Side-by-side
| React Native | Valdi | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Framework | Library |
| Price | Free and open source | Free and open source |
| Licence | MIT | MIT |
| GitHub stars | 127k | 16.4k |
| Setup difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
| How you get it | Install with a package manager | Install with a package manager |
| Main language | C++ | C++ |
| Last code update | 4 days ago | 6 days ago |
What each one is
React Native
React Native lets developers build apps for Android, iOS and other platforms using React, a popular JavaScript UI library. The code is written in JavaScript but the interface is drawn with the platform's own native UI elements. Developers use it to share most of their code across platforms instead of writing separate apps in each platform's own language.
Valdi
Valdi is a cross-platform UI framework from Snap. You write declarative TypeScript (TSX) components, and Valdi compiles them into native platform views instead of web views or a JavaScript bridge. The README says it has been used in Snap's production apps for about 8 years and is currently labeled beta.
Best for
React Native
- Web developers who already know React and want to build mobile apps
- Teams that need one codebase for both Android and iOS
- Developers who want quick feedback through Fast Refresh while editing JavaScript
- Projects that need access to platform APIs through Native Modules
Valdi
- Mobile teams who want one UI codebase for iOS and Android
- Developers comfortable with TypeScript who want native-looking views
- Teams already working in a large native app who want to embed Valdi components gradually
- Developers interested in Bazel-based builds and in-editor debugging
Strengths
React Native
- Native UI rendering, so apps use the same platform APIs as other native apps
- Fast Refresh applies JavaScript changes without rebuilding the native app
- Large ecosystem and documentation, with an MIT license
Valdi
- Compiles to native views rather than web views or JavaScript bridges, per the README
- Supports hot reload and VSCode debugging, including breakpoints and heap dumps
- Has a flexible adoption path: embed Valdi in native apps or native views in Valdi
Not ideal for
React Native
- People who only want to build websites, since this targets native mobile apps
- Developers who need to write everything in one native language and avoid JavaScript
- Teams that cannot take on the setup work of native Android and iOS toolchains
Valdi
- Projects that need a stable, fully supported release: the README says it is in beta and will exit beta once the developer experience is ready
- Teams who need a mature open-source community yet: the README notes the tools and docs still need more testing outside Snap
- Beginners with no mobile or build tooling experience, since setup requires Node.js and, on macOS, Xcode
Trade-offs
React Native
- Requires working knowledge of React and JavaScript, plus native tooling for Android and iOS
- The README recommends using a framework such as Expo for most apps, which adds another layer to learn
- Some native-level problems still need platform-specific knowledge
Valdi
- Labeled beta; the README says tools and docs need more open-source testing
- Setup requires specific tooling, such as Node.js 18+ and Xcode 26.5 or 27 on macOS
- The latest release is beta-0.2.1 and has no binaries attached, so you build from source
Getting started
React Native
Create a new Expo project (recommended by the README)
npx create-expo-app@latestValdi
Install Valdi CLI
npm install -g @snap/valdiOne-command setup (installs all dependencies)
valdi dev_setupFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between React Native and Valdi?
React Native: A framework for building native Android and iOS apps using React and JavaScript. Valdi: A UI framework that writes your app's screens once in TypeScript and compiles them to native iOS, Android, and. React Native suits web developers who already know react and want to build mobile apps, while Valdi suits mobile teams who want one ui codebase for ios and android.
Are React Native and Valdi free?
React Native: Free and open source. Valdi: Free and open source.
Which is easier to set up, React Native or Valdi?
React Native is easier to get started with (rated intermediate); Valdi is rated advanced and usually needs more setup.
Is React Native or Valdi more popular?
React Native has more GitHub stars (127k) than Valdi (16.4k). Popularity isn't the same as fit — check which one matches your use case above.
What are other alternatives to React Native and Valdi?
Other options people compare them with include NativeScript, Capacitor, Expo, Avalonia.
Keep comparing
Built from our catalogue entries for both products: open-source details come from each project's README (AI-assisted, refreshed weekly) and GitHub data; AI-tool details are editorial. Spotted something wrong? Let us know from either product's page.