ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core are both frameworks used for the development of Web Applications; however, they differ significantly in many ways. ASP.NET runs on .NET Framework, is Windows-specific, and is ideal for legacy applications. Thus, although full of features, it’s not ready to work on any platform.

On the other hand, ASP.NET Core is a new, modular framework that is cross- platform, enabling development on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It has many performance improvements and is geared toward microservices and cloud integration.

It is lightweight and designed especially for constructing modern web applications: APIs and real-time apps. In fact, ASP.NET Core represents another step toward a more scaled development approach in Web development and is highly recommended for new projects.

At Intellisource, the best software development firm, we’ll discuss the best usage of ASP.NET vs ASP.NET Core and its other functions and how it does work and more.

ASP.NET: An Overview

ASP.NET is another relatively mature web development framework, released by Microsoft in the early 2000s. The framework enables developers to build dynamic web applications, APIs, and services as part of the .NET Framework. It provides several tools, libraries, and features for easy website development, among them: page templates, validation controls, and server-side controls. This is a mature solution used vastly for enterprise-class applications.

ASP.NET Core: An Overview

ASP.NET Core is a modern, open-source, cross-platform version of ASP.NET that was released in the year 2016. This means that unlike the traditional ASP.NET framework, ASP.NET Core was designed to be lightweight and modular. It would enable the creation of applications that could work on multiple platforms—for example, Windows, MacOS, or even Linux.

The focus of ASP.NET Core is more towards high performance and flexibility, which makes it very handy for modern cloud-based applications with microservices architecture.

Key Differences Between ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core

To help you choose between these two frameworks, let’s look at key differences in various areas.

1. Platform Support

ASP.NET is Windows-only, running on the classic .NET Framework. This limits the environments in which ASP.NET applications can be deployed. On the other hand, ASP.NET Core is truly cross-platform. It can run on Linux, macOS, and Windows. Thus, it offers greater flexibility, especially to organizations looking to use cloud services.

2. Performance

ASP.NET Core is designed to be performant. It introduces a new modular framework where only the components required in a particular instance are loaded. This reduces overhead to a great extent and, in the long run, makes it faster to load with improved performance compared to ASP.NET, due to its monolithic structure making it heavier. In terms of web application speed and response time, there certainly is no doubt about ASP.NET Core being far ahead.

3. Modularity

ASP.NET Core has been purposely developed in a modular way. Thus, one only brings the packages which one needs for his app. For that reason, it’s lightweight. This is in contrast to ASP.NET; you have to install the full framework although what you need is part of it. Modularity allows you to achieve a smaller footprint, which is very handy in the architectures based on microservices.

4. Dependency

Injection Dependency Injection (DI) is plugged into ASP.NET Core at the very beginning. It makes the application development process easier, maintainable, and testable because the dependencies of a class are under excellent control. The same does not happen in ASP .NET, where at least classes are not easier to maintain, although it supports DI by depending on third-party frameworks for the same cause.

That is why, when someone would like to leverage the power of dependency injection within an application and enjoy it with lower integration cost and easier configuration, ASP.NET Core becomes a better option.

5. Development

Approach ASP.NET follows a traditional model of development, focusing primarily on server-side rendering. ASP.NET Core, however, embraces modern development trends. It supports both server-side and client-side rendering, allowing developers to choose how they want to build their applications. This flexibility encourages more contemporary approaches, such as using single-page applications (SPAs) with frameworks like Angular or React.

6. Hosting

ASP.NET applications are hosted using only IIS, a web server from Microsoft. On the other hand, ASP.NET Core applications can be hosted on some of the following servers: IIS, Nginx, Apache, or upon using the self-hosting configuration with Kestrel, a lightweight web server available with ASP.NET Core. This means easy portability and, depending on hosting arrangements, at times some softened costs for hosting.

7. Tooling and Modern Practices

Over the years, development tools have undergone tremendous improvement. ASP.NET Core complements the new tooling by providing support for CLIs and by improving the linkage with Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code. It is focused on Agile and DevOps practices, hence simplifying cycles of development. Tools are supported by ASP.NET, although it needs to be mentioned that they are neither up- to-date nor supportive of fast replication.

When to Use ASP.NET ASP.NET

may still be a valid choice for organizations with legacy systems that already rely on it. If your project requires a robust and tried-and-true framework specifically tailored for Windows environments, ASP.NET might be suitable. Additionally, if your team has extensive experience with the ASP.NET framework, it may be more practical to continue using it rather than transitioning to a newer framework.

When to Use ASP.NET Core ASP.NET

Core is the way to go for new projects, especially if you want a modern, flexible, and high-performance web application. Its cross-platform capabilities, modular architecture, and support for modern practices make it a better fit for cloud-based applications or microservices.

Both ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core have their merits, but they offer different needs and project types. ASP.NET is a great fit for legacy systems and developers who have built a solid knowledge base over the years.

As a software development firm involved in .NET development services, understanding these frameworks’ differences will enable you to choose the right tools for your project, ensuring a successful outcome tailored to your clients’ needs.

In the debate of ASP.NET vs ASP.NET Core, the winner largely depends on your specific requirements, but as the technology landscape continues to evolve, ASP.NET Core is undoubtedly the forward-looking choice.