Expo is the recommended framework by Meta (creators of React Native) for building React Native applications. When you visit the official React Native website and click "Get Started", you're directed to create a new project using Expo.

Key Benefits

• Official Recognition: Recommended by Meta's React Native team
• Developer Experience: Provides an efficient and enjoyable development workflow
• Maturity: With nearly 10 years of development, Expo has become the leading choice for mobile app development
• Open Source: The SDK and CLI are open source with a thriving community
• Simplified Development: Makes common tasks like dependency management much easier
• Easy Updates: Features like Expo Doctor make upgrading between React Native versions seamless
• Proven at Scale: Powers major applications like BlueSky (30M+ users)
• EAS Integration: First-class support for Expo Application Services for building, deployment, and automation
• Great Documentation: Consistent, up-to-date documentation reflecting latest changes and best practices
• Active Maintenance: Supported by a dedicated team with a strong open source presence

With Expo, you can focus on shipping features rather than managing infrastructure or dealing with native modules. It's a battle-tested framework that will continue to evolve and improve in the years to come.