React Strict DOM vs React Native for Web in 2025

Tyler from Infinite Red breaks down why Meta is recommending React Strict DOM over React Native for Web—and what it means for your cross-platform strategy in 2025.

Meta's Nicolas Gallagher, who created React Native for Web at Twitter, now recommends React Strict DOM for new universal apps. This architectural shift flips the approach: instead of translating React Native to web, it starts with web-standard syntax and transforms it for mobile when needed.

Key Takeaways

• React Strict DOM eliminates runtime performance costs of React Native for Web
• Incremental adoption possible using platform-specific file extensions (.web.js vs .native.js)
• Meta and Expo committed to maintaining RNfW long-term, no urgent migration needed
• New universal apps should start with RSD; existing apps can migrate file-by-file
• Web-first API reduces maintenance burden and avoids accessibility pitfalls

The article reveals how platform-specific extensions let you experiment with React Strict DOM on web while keeping your native code completely untouched.