Expo
FreemiumThe platform for making universal React applications.
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About
Expo is an open-source platform for building universal React Native applications. It wraps React Native with a managed workflow that eliminates the need to touch Xcode or Android Studio for most development tasks — you write JavaScript/TypeScript, Expo handles the native build pipeline.
The Expo SDK provides pre-built, well-tested React Native modules for device capabilities (camera, location, notifications, sensors, biometrics, contacts) with a consistent API across iOS and Android. Expo Go is a companion app that installs on your phone and lets you preview your project by scanning a QR code — changes appear instantly over the network with no rebuild required.
For production, EAS (Expo Application Services) handles the full release lifecycle: EAS Build runs cloud-based native builds for iOS and Android (no Mac required for iOS builds), EAS Submit automates App Store and Play Store submissions, and EAS Update pushes JavaScript-only changes over-the-air without an app store review cycle. Expo is open-source (MIT) and maintained by Expo Inc.
Key Features
- Zero native configuration required to start
- Expo Go for instant device preview
- Over-the-air updates without app store review
- EAS Build for cloud-based iOS/Android builds
- EAS Submit for automated app store submissions
- Access to native device APIs via Expo Modules
- Web support with React Native Web
- Strong TypeScript support
Pros
- Fastest way to start with React Native
- No need to touch Xcode or Android Studio
- OTA updates for quick bug fixes
- Excellent documentation and guides
- Active community and support
- Managed workflow handles complex native configs
- Can eject to bare React Native if needed
Cons
- Limited access to some native APIs
- App size larger due to Expo SDK
- EAS services cost money for production apps
- Ejecting from managed workflow can be complex
- Some third-party libraries incompatible with Expo
- Less control over native code and build process
Pricing
Freemium- · Development
- · Unlimited projects
- · Expo Go preview
- · Community support
- · Pay-per-use builds
- · iOS and Android builds
- · Custom build configurations
- · Priority build queues
- · Automated app store submissions
- · iOS App Store
- · Google Play Store
- · Submission status tracking
Possible Stacks
React Native + Supabase
ProjectCross-platform mobile app built with Expo's managed workflow and backed by Supabase. Ships to iOS and Android from a single JavaScript codebase.
Related Tools
Works well with (3)
Framework of (1)
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Learning Resources
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