Should I Use Hermes With React Native?

Are you considering using Hermes with React Native? If so, there are a few factors to consider before making the switch. In this article, we’ll explore what Hermes is and whether it’s the right choice for your project.

What is Hermes?
Hermes is an open-source JavaScript engine developed by Facebook. It’s designed specifically for mobile app development and is optimized for low memory usage and fast startup times. It’s intended to be a replacement for the default JavaScript engine used by React Native, which is based on Google’s V8 engine.

Why use Hermes?
There are several potential benefits to using Hermes with React Native. Here are a few:

Better performance: Hermes is designed to be faster and more lightweight than the default React Native JavaScript engine. This can result in faster startup times and smoother app performance overall.

Reduced memory usage: Because Hermes is optimized for mobile devices, it uses less memory than other JavaScript engines. This can be especially important for older or lower-end devices that may have limited resources.

Easier debugging: Hermes includes a number of tools that make it easier to debug issues in your code. For example, it includes a built-in profiler that can help you identify performance bottlenecks in your app.

When not to use Hermes
While there are many potential benefits to using Hermes with React Native, it’s not always the right choice. Here are some scenarios where you may want to stick with the default JavaScript engine:

  • Limited support: While Hermes is an open-source project supported by Facebook, it’s still relatively new compared to other JavaScript engines. This means that there may be fewer resources available if you run into issues.
  • Incompatibility with certain libraries: Some third-party libraries may not be compatible with Hermes, which could cause issues if you’re relying on those libraries in your app.
  • Additional setup: Using Hermes requires some additional setup compared to the default React Native JavaScript engine. If you’re short on time or resources, this may not be feasible.

Conclusion
So, should you use Hermes with React Native? Ultimately, the answer depends on your specific project and its requirements.

If performance is a top priority and you’re willing to invest the time and resources into setting up Hermes, it could be a great choice. However, if you’re working on a smaller project or need to rely on third-party libraries that may not be compatible with Hermes, sticking with the default JavaScript engine may be the better option.