Platform Support
- .NET Framework: Windows only.
- .NET Core: Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux).
Performance
- .NET Framework: Slower in comparison, optimized for Windows.
- .NET Core: Higher performance, optimized for modern web applications.
Application Models
- .NET Framework: Supports Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET Web Forms (older technologies).
- .NET Core: Supports ASP.NET Core, UWP, cloud-native apps.
Modularity
- .NET Framework: Monolithic framework with all libraries included by default.
- .NET Core: Modular, allowing only required libraries to be included, making applications lighter.
Modern Development Support
- .NET Framework: Better for legacy systems, enterprise applications.
- .NET Core: Ideal for microservices, containers, and cloud-based applications.
Deployment
- .NET Framework: Framework must be installed on the host machine, shared among apps.
- .NET Core: Supports self-contained deployment, meaning no need to install the framework on the host.
Open Source
- .NET Framework: Partially open-source.
- .NET Core: Fully open-source, developed on GitHub with community contributions.
Future Development
- .NET Framework: In maintenance mode, no new major updates.
- .NET Core: Actively developed, merged into .NET 5 and newer versions.
Summary Table
Aspect | .NET Framework | .NET Core |
---|---|---|
Platform Support | Windows only | Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux) |
Performance | Slower, optimized for Windows | High performance, optimized for modern applications |
Application Models | Windows Forms, WPF, ASP.NET Web Forms | ASP.NET Core, UWP, Console, Cloud-native |
Modularity | Monolithic | Modular |
Modern Development | Legacy systems | Cloud-native, microservices, containers |
Deployment | Shared framework on host machine | Self-contained or framework-dependent |
Open Source | Partially open-source | Fully open-source |
Future Development | In maintenance mode | Actively developed (now part of .NET 5+) |
Conclusion
.NET Framework is best suited for Windows-based legacy systems and applications that depend on older technologies like Windows Forms and WPF. On the other hand, .NET Core (now .NET 5 and beyond) is ideal for modern, high-performance, cross-platform applications, microservices, and cloud-native apps.