React vs React Native

Both developed by Facebook

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 - It is a javascript library (not framework) for building web applications which run on browser. For rendering, it uses 𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗼𝗺 (elements tree in browser) to render components on browser. It Is ideal for single page applications and progressive web app.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 - It is a framework for building native mobile apps using js and react. So it is basically write once use at multiple platform like ios, android, desktop app. It uses 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗨𝗜 components and 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗣𝗜 (instead of virtual dom) to create native like experience on mobile. Native api - such as View, Text, ScrollView, camera access, photo lib access, barcode scan, etc, these modules are written in native code.

Popular apps like Instagram, facebook, myntra built in with React Native