In this episode, we explore the vision and strategic decisions behind WaveMaker React Native Studio with insights from Deepak Anupalli, Co-founder & CTO at WaveMaker. Built to empower web developers, this platform simplifies the creation of high-performance mobile apps through open standards and a seamless visual development experience.

WM: Deepak, when you think about the evolution of mobile app development, what was the turning point that led to the creation of WaveMaker React Native Studio?

Deepak Anupalli: The mobile app development space has transformed significantly. The user experience delivered through mobile apps is critical for the success of businesses. Initially, WaveMaker followed a hybrid mobile application strategy, which worked well for creating cross-platform apps for both web and mobile.

However, as user experience demands grew, particularly in terms of sleekness and performance, the hybrid approach began to fall short. Hybrid apps often rely on a JavaScript engine and a web browser, making them feel sluggish and bulky. That’s when we realized there had to be a better solution.

WM: So, that's when React Native came into the picture? A solution to those performance issues…

Deepak: Exactly. When we saw the limitations of the hybrid approach, React Native seemed like the perfect fit. It allowed us to bring together the best of both worlds—a JavaScript-based approach for native app development on both iOS and Android. This was a game-changer, as it let us keep leveraging our existing web development skills to build mobile apps with native performance.

WM: Let’s talk about bridging the gap between web and mobile development. How does WaveMaker React Native Studio make this easier for developers?

Deepak: Great question! At WaveMaker, we focus on visual development, making the process intuitive and accessible. Instead of spending countless hours coding, developers use a visual canvas to design their apps. Think about how AI tools like large language models (LLMs) let users interact through simple prompts. We’ve applied a similar philosophy to app building—making it as interactive and straightforward as possible.

WM: So, it’s less about coding and more about designing visually?

Deepak: Exactly. Whether you’re building a web app or a mobile app, the experience remains consistent. You drag and drop UI widgets, integrate APIs, and create workflows visually. Behind the scenes, WaveMaker takes care of the technical complexities. It generates Angular code for web apps and React Native code for mobile apps. For developers, this means they don’t need to learn new frameworks or languages and can transition effortlessly.

WM: That consistency must be a big deal for enterprises. How do they benefit from this approach?

Deepak: Enterprises value tools that reduce complexity without compromising on quality. Our UI library includes modern widgets and user interactions commonly seen in consumer-grade apps. This lets teams build interfaces quickly and maintain consistency across platforms. And because everything, from web to mobile, is built with JavaScript, it’s incredibly easy for web developers to adapt their skills to mobile development.

WM: WaveMaker is known for its open standards. How does that shape the platform and its adoption?

Deepak: Absolutely. WaveMaker has always embraced open standards, which has been a key differentiator for us. From the very beginning, we chose open-source stacks not just because of their popularity and the talent pool available in the market with the skills, but also due to the large ecosystem of developers who continuously contribute to advancing these technologies.

WM: And how does that openness translate to real-world use cases?

Deepak: In enterprise app development, third-party tools and custom plugins are critical. For example, some enterprises might need plugins for barcode scanning or biometric authentication. Instead of building these from scratch, WaveMaker integrates seamlessly with open-source plugins, particularly those from established platforms like Expo.

WM: That’s a huge time-saver for developers.

Deepak: It is. These plugins are treated as native widgets within WaveMaker, so developers can use them without any additional hassle. This open approach not only simplifies development but also ensures that enterprises can meet even their most complex requirements efficiently.

WaveMaker React Native Studio is a solution that empowers web developers to build high-performance mobile applications for both iOS and Android using their existing JavaScript skills. The platform’s open architecture further strengthens its capabilities, allowing enterprises to leverage a wide range of third-party tools and custom plugins. By combining a low code development approach and open standards, WaveMaker is driving innovation in enterprise mobile app development.