React Native has become one of the most popular frameworks for cross-platform mobile app development. Built and maintained by Facebook (now Meta), React Native allows developers to use JavaScript and React to create apps that work seamlessly on both Android and iOS platforms using a single codebase.
If you’re planning to build a high-performance, cross-platform mobile application, it’s highly recommended to hire React Native developers who have expertise in leveraging the latest tools, libraries, and best practices. Skilled developers can help you design, develop, and optimize robust applications that deliver exceptional user experiences on both platforms.
However, to build feature-rich, high-performance, and scalable apps, relying solely on the built-in React Native components is often not enough. That’s where React Native libraries come in. These third-party packages speed up development, simplify complex tasks, and enable developers to add powerful functionalities like chat, animations, maps, navigation, and more.
In this article, we at React Native Development Company have compiled a comprehensive list of the best open-source React Native libraries in 2025 that will help you create modern, cross-platform mobile apps faster and better.
Why Use React Native Libraries?
Before we dive into the list, let’s understand why React Native developers must leverage third-party libraries:
1. Faster Development
Instead of writing everything from scratch, libraries provide pre-built components and ready-to-use APIs.
2. Consistent Cross-Platform Experience
A single codebase works seamlessly on iOS and Android, reducing bugs and inconsistencies.
3. Better Performance
Many libraries offer native modules that enhance speed and ensure smooth UI/UX.
4. Large Community Support
React Native’s ecosystem is huge, so you’ll find well-maintained libraries, regular updates, and active developer communities.
Best React Native Libraries to Use in 2025
1. The Gifted Chat 🗨️ (For Chat Interfaces)
The Gifted Chat is one of the most popular React Native libraries for building chat UIs quickly and efficiently. It helps developers integrate real-time messaging with customizable features.
Key Features
- Fully customizable chat components
- Clickable links and media sharing
- Redux support for state management
- Easy image copying and attachments
- Supports typing indicators and message timestamps
Use Case Example
Best For: Social media apps, customer support apps, team collaboration tools.
2. NativeBase 🎨 (UI Component Library)
NativeBase is a powerful cross-platform UI toolkit for React Native that offers production-ready components. It helps developers save time by avoiding the need to design components from scratch.
Key Features
- Pre-built UI components like buttons, modals, and inputs
- Theming support for brand consistency
- Cross-platform compatibility
- Responsive layouts out of the box
Why Use NativeBase?
Developers can prototype apps faster and reduce development costs, especially for MVPs.
3. Ignite CLI 🚀 (Boilerplates & Project Setup)
Ignite CLI by Infinite Red is a command-line tool that offers boilerplates, plugins, and generators to kickstart React Native projects.
Key Features
- Preconfigured navigation, authentication, and state management
- Built-in Redux and MobX support
- Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
- Reduces project setup time by up to 2 weeks
Best For
Developers who want to launch projects faster without worrying about repetitive configurations.
4. React Native Maps 🗺️ (For Location-Based Apps)
If your app requires maps, markers, and geolocation, React Native Maps is the go-to library. It integrates Google Maps and Apple Maps seamlessly.
Key Components
MapView → Renders maps
Marker → Adds pins
Polyline & Polygon → Draw routes
HeatMap → Visualize data density
Geojson → Support for GeoJSON data
Example
Best For: Ride-hailing apps, delivery tracking, fitness apps, and travel platforms.
5. React Native Paper 📝 (Material Design UI)
React Native Paper is a cross-platform UI library based on Google’s Material Design principles.
Key Features
- Beautiful Material Design components
- Customizable themes
- Supports React Native Web
- Tree-shaking support to reduce bundle size
Best For: Apps requiring modern, consistent UI across devices.
6. React Native Camera 📷 (Camera & QR Scanning)
If your app needs to capture images, scan barcodes, or record videos, React Native Camera is the best choice.
Key Features
- High-quality photo and video capture
- QR code scanning support
- Easy integration with device hardware
- Works smoothly across Android and iOS
Best For: Social apps, e-commerce apps, document scanning tools.
7. React Native Elements 🧩 (UI Toolkit)
React Native Elements is an open-source UI library that offers ready-to-use, customizable components without forcing a specific design system.
Key Features
- Cross-platform components like buttons, sliders, and cards
- Lightweight and highly customizable
- Supports Material Design and iOS-style UI
Best For: Developers who want a clean, minimal UI without heavy dependencies.
8. Lottie for React Native 🎞️ (Animations)
Lottie, developed by Airbnb, lets you add beautiful animations to your app using JSON files.
Key Features
- Lightweight and smooth animations
- Free LottieFiles animations available
- Integrates seamlessly with React Native
Best For: Onboarding screens, loading animations, gamified UIs.
9. React Native Navigation (Wix) 🧭 (Advanced Navigation)
Although React Navigation is popular, React Native Navigation by Wix offers a more native-like navigation experience.
Key Features
- Smooth screen transitions
- Built-in stack, tab, and drawer navigators
- Better performance for large-scale apps
- Regular updates and enterprise-level stability
Best For: Complex apps requiring advanced, optimized navigation.
10. React Native Snap Carousel 🎠 (Carousel & Sliders)
React Native Snap Carousel lets you build beautiful, interactive carousels with advanced animations.
Key Features
- Horizontal & vertical carousels
- Parallax backgrounds and custom layouts
- Highly optimized for performance
Best For: E-commerce apps, onboarding flows, galleries, and product showcases.
Best Practices for Using React Native Libraries
- Choose well-maintained libraries with active contributors.
- Always check compatibility with the latest React Native version.
- Use tree-shaking to reduce app size.
- Combine libraries thoughtfully to avoid performance bottlenecks.
- Follow official documentation for smooth integration.
Final Thoughts
React Native continues to dominate the cross-platform app development landscape in 2025. The libraries mentioned above will accelerate development, improve UI/UX, and add powerful functionalities to your mobile apps.
If you are looking to build scalable, feature-rich, and high-performance applications, opting for professional Mobile App Development Services can be a game-changer. Expert developers can help you leverage the power of React Native along with modern libraries to create seamless apps for both Android and iOS platforms.
