Why We Chose Expo 52 Over Bare React Native 0.74 for Rapid Prototyping in 2026

In 2026, our product team faced a familiar challenge: deliver a functional cross-platform prototype for a client in 14 days, with minimal upfront infrastructure overhead. After evaluating two leading options — Expo 52 (paired with React Native 0.74) and bare React Native 0.74 — we landed on Expo 52 as our go-to tool. Below, we break down the technical and workflow factors that drove this decision.

Context: 2026 Prototyping Requirements

Rapid prototyping in 2026 demands three non-negotiable traits: (1) near-zero initial setup time, (2) support for iterative testing across iOS and Android, and (3) seamless integration with third-party tools for user feedback.…