Expo provides a managed workflow that abstracts away much of the complexity involved in setting up and configuring a React Native project. It allows developers to focus on writing JavaScript code while handling the native build process and dependencies automatically. The Expo Go app enables instant previews on physical devices, making the development cycle faster and more efficient.

React Native CLI offers a bare workflow that gives developers complete control over the project structure and native configurations. Developers can customize the build process, integrate third-party libraries, and modify native code as needed, which is essential for applications that require specific native functionalities.

Expo comes with a rich set of APIs and libraries that cover functionalities like camera access, location services, notifications, and more, all without the need for additional native code. This makes it easier to implement complex features quickly and efficiently.

With React Native CLI, developers can integrate any native library or module, allowing for greater flexibility in using third-party libraries that may not be available in Expo. This is crucial for applications that require specific native capabilities or optimizations.

Expo is less customizable compared to React Native CLI, as it operates within a managed environment. While it simplifies many tasks, it may limit the ability to modify native code or integrate certain libraries that require custom native implementations.

React Native CLI provides maximum flexibility, allowing developers to customize every aspect of their application, including native code, build configurations, and dependencies. This is particularly beneficial for projects that have unique requirements or need to leverage platform-specific features.

Expo is designed to be beginner-friendly, making it easier for new developers to get started with React Native. The managed workflow reduces the complexity of setting up a development environment, allowing developers to focus on learning React and building applications.

React Native CLI has a steeper learning curve, especially for developers who are not familiar with native development. Understanding the intricacies of native code, build processes, and configurations can be challenging for newcomers, but it offers a deeper understanding of the underlying platform.

Expo simplifies the deployment process with its over-the-air updates feature, allowing developers to push updates to users without going through the app store review process. This is particularly useful for quickly fixing bugs or adding minor features after the app is published.

With React Native CLI, deployment requires a more traditional approach, where developers must build and submit their applications to app stores. While this process is more standard, it does not offer the same level of immediacy for updates as Expo's over-the-air capabilities.