What Is Expo?
Expo is an open-source framework that makes building mobile apps dramatically easier. Think of it as a super-powered toolkit that sits on top of React Native—the technology Facebook created to build mobile apps using JavaScript.
In plain English: Expo handles all the complicated technical stuff so developers (or AI) can focus on making your app actually work. According to the React Native team, Expo is now the officially recommended way to create new React Native apps.
Expo Explained Simply
Expo acts as a translator between your ideas and the complex native code that phones understand.
The Key Insight
Without Expo, building a mobile app requires learning Xcode for iOS and Android Studio for Android—two completely different systems. Expo eliminates this by letting you write once and deploy everywhere, which is why AI app builders rely on it heavily.
Why Expo Matters for Non-Developers
If you are not a developer, you might wonder why you should care about Expo at all. The answer is simple: the technology behind your app determines its quality, performance, and long-term viability. According to Rootstrap, Expo has become the foundation for modern mobile development precisely because it solves problems that previously required expensive developer teams.
No Technical Setup Required
Traditional app development requires installing Xcode, Android Studio, and configuring complex environments. Expo eliminates all of this—you can start building immediately.
One App, Three Platforms
Write your app once and deploy to iOS, Android, and even the web. This cuts development costs by 30-40% compared to building separate native apps.
Instant Updates
Push fixes and new features directly to users without waiting for App Store or Google Play approval. This is called over-the-air (OTA) updates.
Production-Ready Security
Built-in encryption, biometric authentication, and secure storage. Expo handles security best practices so you do not have to be an expert.
Benefits of Expo-Based Apps
When a platform like Natively builds your app with Expo, you get significant advantages. According to React Native Expert, Expo apps in 2026 deliver up to 30% better performance compared to older versions.
| Metric | Expo Apps (2026) | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
| Performance Improvement | 30% faster than 2024 | 10-15% typical improvement |
| Build Time Reduction | 40% faster builds | Manual builds take hours |
| Memory Usage | 25% lower consumption | Varies widely |
| Secure Storage Operations | Under 5ms read/write | 10-50ms typical |
Source: Johal.in Mobile Security Report 2026
What Your Expo App Gets Out of the Box
How No-Code Platforms Use Expo
The rise of no-code app builders is directly tied to Expo maturity. These platforms use Expo as their foundation because it provides a reliable, well-documented, and powerful base for generating mobile apps. When you describe your app to an AI, it generates Expo code that follows best practices.
Natively
AI-PoweredUses Expo SDK 54 with full code export. Describe your app in plain English, and AI generates production-ready Expo/React Native code. Includes Supabase backend, Apple Liquid Glass design system, and zero vendor lock-in.
Draftbit
Visual BuilderDrag-and-drop interface that generates Expo code. Offers code export and AI assistance for building faster.
RapidNative
AI BuilderAI-powered builder that outputs React Native and Expo code with NativeWind styling. Collaborative features for teams.
Why Do No-Code Platforms Choose Expo?
Expo vs Other Frameworks
Understanding how Expo compares to alternatives helps you appreciate why it is the preferred choice for mobile app builders. According to Nucamp, about 94% of companies using cross-platform frameworks choose React Native (which Expo enhances).
| Factor | Expo (React Native) | Flutter | Native (Swift/Kotlin) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Learning Curve | Low (JavaScript/TypeScript) | Medium (Dart language) | High (2 languages required) |
| Market Adoption | 94% of cross-platform apps | Growing, ~6% market share | Declining for new projects |
| OTA Updates | Built-in with EAS Update | Requires third-party tools | Not possible |
| AI Code Generation | Excellent (large training data) | Good (smaller community) | Limited |
| Web Developer Friendly | Yes (uses React patterns) | Somewhat (new paradigm) | No |
Do You Need to Understand Expo to Use an AI Builder?
The short answer is no. The entire point of AI-powered app builders is that they handle the technical complexity for you. You describe what you want, and the AI generates proper Expo code automatically.
However, understanding the basics—like what you have learned in this guide—gives you confidence in the technology powering your app. You will know why your app performs well, why updates can be pushed instantly, and why you can export your code if you ever need a developer to customize it further.
What AI Handles For You
- Generating proper Expo/React Native code
- Configuring native device APIs
- Setting up build configurations
- Following Expo best practices
- Handling platform-specific code
What You Should Focus On
- Clearly describing your app idea
- Defining your user experience
- Testing on real devices
- Iterating based on user feedback
- Planning your app store launch
You Own the Code
With platforms like Natively, you can export your complete Expo codebase to GitHub at any time. This means you are never locked in—if you ever want to hire a developer to add custom features, they will receive clean, professional Expo code they can work with immediately. Learn about code ownership.
Getting Started Today
Ready to build your first Expo-powered app? Here is how to get started, whether you want to use an AI builder or explore Expo directly.
Use an AI Builder
The fastest path. Describe your app idea and get a working Expo app in minutes.
- 1Visit Natively and describe your app idea
- 2AI generates your Expo app automatically
- 3Preview on your phone instantly
- 4Deploy to App Store and Google Play
Learn Expo Directly
For those who want to understand the technology more deeply.
- 1Read the official Expo documentation
- 2Complete the Expo tutorial
- 3Build your first app with npx create-expo-app
- 4Test with Expo Go on your phone
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Expo and how is it used?
Expo is an open-source framework built on top of React Native that simplifies mobile app development. It provides pre-built tools, APIs, and services that eliminate the need to write native iOS or Android code. Expo is used by over 1.5 million apps worldwide and processes more than 30 million builds annually. Developers use it to create cross-platform apps that run on iOS, Android, and web from a single codebase.
Why do no-code platforms use Expo?
No-code platforms use Expo because it abstracts away complex native development while still producing true native apps. Expo provides 50+ pre-built APIs for device features like camera, location, and push notifications. It also offers over-the-air updates, cloud builds without local setup, and cross-platform compatibility. This makes Expo the ideal foundation for AI-powered app builders that generate production-ready code automatically.
What are the benefits of Expo-based apps?
Expo-based apps offer true native performance since they compile to real iOS and Android code, not webviews. Key benefits include: 30% better performance compared to older versions, 40% faster build times, cross-platform deployment from one codebase, instant over-the-air updates without app store approval, access to 50+ native device APIs, and no need for Xcode or Android Studio setup. Expo apps also benefit from a large community and official React Native recommendation.
Do I need to understand Expo to use an AI app builder?
No, you do not need to understand Expo to use an AI app builder like Natively. The AI handles all the technical complexity, generating proper Expo code automatically from your natural language descriptions. You simply describe what you want your app to do, and the platform creates production-ready Expo code. However, understanding the basics helps you appreciate why your apps perform well and gives you confidence in the underlying technology.
Is Expo suitable for production apps?
Yes, Expo is absolutely suitable for production apps. Over 2,262 trending apps on the iOS App Store have been identified using Expo in production, and the framework powers more than 1.5 million apps globally. Major companies and funded startups use Expo for customer-facing applications. The React Native team officially recommends Expo as the primary way to create new React Native apps, stating it is the only recommended community framework.