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AkhileshChauhan - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Engineering Manager at Emids
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
API creation has been simplified and they have good customer service
Pros and Cons
  • "The APIs are completely effective."
  • "Their system is very vast. I have spent 12 years here, and I can definitely say there is still a lot of scope for improvement."

What is our primary use case?

Whenever I need a back-end system, I create all the applications or all the products. For example, flights, hotels, and car engines have been created. .NET and Chase use my system, and I have developed flights, hotels, and car engines completely; the entire back-end system in .NET for them.

What is most valuable?

The APIs are completely effective. I can create .NET APIs very easily through .NET. For example, if I need to design any system, I can use C# and .NET.

What needs improvement?

Their system is very vast. I have spent 12 years here, and I can definitely say there is still a lot of scope for improvement. They have done a lot, however, .NET still has room to improve.

For how long have I used the solution?

I think I have used the solution for almost 12 years.

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft .NET Framework
September 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft .NET Framework. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
868,787 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is very good right now. With the newer version, the solution is performing very well.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is good. The system has managed the scalability very well. The compatibility with Azure cloud system is very good from the scalability side, and I am deploying a lot of applications on Azure. I didn't see any scalability issues there.

How are customer service and support?

Customer service is very helpful.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

What other advice do I have?

Whenever someone needs a very good back-end system or a strong system, they should go with C# .NET technologies. 

Overall, I would give it a rating of nine for .NET. This is definitely the way to go.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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PraveenKumar27 - PeerSpot reviewer
QA Lead at Paytm
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Useful for automation and is a good investment, but it is difficult to learn
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is easy to use if the user is a developer or some technical person."
  • "The solution is difficult to learn if someone is learning it for the first time."

What is our primary use case?

I use the product only for automation.

What is most valuable?

Our usage was limited. Microsoft .NET Framework is a good investment.

What needs improvement?

The solution is technical. A new user cannot use it. The solution is difficult to learn if someone is learning it for the first time. It is difficult for non-technical people.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The tool was stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Around 20 to 25 developers used the tool in our organization.

What about the implementation team?

The solution was deployed by the vendor.

What other advice do I have?

Only developers can use the tool. We have used Microsoft .NET Framework for web-based applications. If someone is planning to use the tool for the first time, they must learn the basics of .NET. They must go through some manual or training. The solution is easy to use if the user is a developer or some technical person. It’s a good application. Overall, I rate the product a six to seven out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft .NET Framework
September 2025
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft .NET Framework. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2025.
868,787 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Technical Manager at Landmark Group
Real User
A very reliable and near-universal framework for app development
Pros and Cons
  • "Given that it's cross-platform right now, where you can use it on Windows and Mac, that is the single most significant feature that has resulted in wider adoption of .NET."
  • "One thing that could be improved is the tooling and IDE for .NET in non-Windows environments like Mac."

What is our primary use case?

I'm a developer with .NET Framework. Apart from powering the Xamarin platform, I also use .NET for API development for .NET Core, which I deploy on clouds like Azure or AWS. We use .NET Core for every solution, from built-in web apps to REST APIs. I can use .NET Framework to build desktop-based applications using a company called WPF. We use .NET for Unity, a popular gaming engine. It uses .NET as well as C#. In our organization, we just use .NET for Xamarin.

What is most valuable?

Given that it's cross-platform right now, where you can use it on Windows and Mac, that is the single most significant feature that has resulted in wider adoption of .NET. Earlier, you could only build solutions for Windows and Windows server ecosystems, but now you can build a .NET Core app and deploy it on Linux VMs, and so on.

What needs improvement?

One thing that could be improved is the tooling and IDE for .NET in non-Windows environments like Mac. This is a common gripe across the developer community. Visual Studio for Mac is nowhere near as feature-rich and productive as Visual Studio for Windows. Visual Studio for Mac is a shadow of what Visual Studio for Windows offers. For developers who switch from Windows to Mac and those who are using Visual Studio or both, they find that the Visual Studio provided by Microsoft for Mac is very primitive compared to what's offered for Windows.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've worked with .NET Framework since 2002 on and off.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate .NET Framework’s stability a nine out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

I rate the initial setup a nine out of ten. The initial setup is very easy. When you install Visual Studio, it will install the latest .NET runtime for you. You don't have to do anything extra to get .NET installed.

If you build cloud solutions, your .NET Framework will be installed as part of your solution. Suppose you are deploying something on the cloud, microservices, for example. In that case, you'll most likely deploy Microsoft services as part of the container, and the container will ensure that all the prerequisite underlying software, like .NET Framework, is installed. In my organization, we already use .NET Framework for mobile development on Xamarin, and that requires us to install the .NET Framework on the system we're developing on. .NET Framework gets automatically installed when you install the Visual Studio IDE that comes bundled with all the dependencies like the .NET Framework.

How fast .NET Framework deploys depends on your Internet connectivity, but it can take less than two minutes. The solution does not require maintenance. One person is enough for deployment.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I rate the solution's pricing a two out of ten because .NET is an open-source framework. You don't have to pay for a license. .NET alone wouldn't do the job for you. .NET is the underlying framework, so you must install IDEs or something to build apps on top of .NET. Visual Studio, for example. Only the Visual Studio Community edition is free. The other variants of Visual Studio will cost you money, and they have increased their prices. Everything is free if you use the Community edition, but if you have to deploy the solution to the cloud, like Azure or AWS, they will charge you money. Likewise, if you are building something on Unity for game development, you can always distribute your games through the Apple, Windows, or Google Play stores, and they will charge you.

What other advice do I have?

In my organization, .NET Framework is only used for mobile development in Xamarin. It's not used for server-side or cloud development because we use Java and Node.js. Once we move from Xamarin to another technology, our organization will probably not use .NET.

Suppose you want to work within the Microsoft ecosystem, which many organizations do because many organizations have had a partnership with Microsoft for a long period. In that case, .NET is the de facto development framework organizations use. .NET is very mature, well supported, and adopted by major Fortune 100 or Fortune 200 companies. Big companies use .NET, but maybe not for their entire spectrum of services and solutions. But most big companies use Microsoft .NET for some other part of their solution. It's been there for the last 20 years, and Microsoft releases new versions yearly. The current one is cross-platform, very robust, and stable. I rate .NET Framework a nine out of ten on all these criteria.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Andrea Anolli - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Consultant at Sistemi Tre
Consultant
Top 10
Enables applications to be made available for our company's customers or users
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution's technical support is very good...The product's initial setup phase was easy."
  • "The integration capability of the product with AI is an area with certain shortcomings, where improvements are required."

What is our primary use case?

In my company, the solution is used for web development.

I use the tool as a commercial user so that applications can be made available for our company's customers or users.

What needs improvement?

The integration capability of the product with AI is an area with certain shortcomings, where improvements are required.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework since 2004, so I have twenty years of experience with the solution. My company has a partnership with Microsoft.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. Ten years ago, the product was not very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability-wise, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

With the tool, my company works with clients who run small and medium-sized businesses.

How are customer service and support?

The solution's technical support is very good. Users can directly contact Microsoft for support. I rate the technical support a ten out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have not used any other products from other vendors. I may have directly used some other products, but I only use products from Microsoft for the production phase.

Microsoft .NET Framework is a very good solution for the production phase.

How was the initial setup?

The product's initial setup phase was easy.

The time required for the installation process depends on the time the user takes to download the installation stuff. Generally, the installation process takes just a few minutes to complete.

What other advice do I have?

In my company, we use the tool for sales projects, CRM purposes, B2B projects, and creating applications.

The tool's feature that has been very beneficial for the development process stems from the fact that it is very easy to develop applications and to find a knowledge base of Microsoft.

The integration of Microsoft .NET Framework with other Microsoft tools has impacted our company's workflow since we have integrated it with Office 365.

Microsoft .NET Framework is a good product with a bright future.

The maintenance of the product is very easy.

I rate the product's capability a ten out of ten in terms of the learning curve for developers who are new to the tool.

I rate the overall tool a ten out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
Bharadwaj Deepak Mohapatra - PeerSpot reviewer
DevOps Engineer at ESSPL
Real User
Top 5
A cloud solution for implementation release with low maintenance

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution for DevOps for implementation release.

What needs improvement?

The boards within Microsoft Azure need improvement, especially compared to Jira, a widely utilized ticketing tool in various organizations. While Jira is cost-effective, Azure provides various features in one place through its DevOps console. However, some shortcomings in Azure's boards and Wachee require attention. These tools might suit specific industries and workflows, but enhancements in Microsoft Azure's boards and infrastructure are necessary for larger-scale enterprises with complex architectures.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for two to three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

Our client utilizes the Microsoft Stack. Therefore, we must collaborate with them for internal Proof of Concept (POC) and presentations to attract new clients. We have around 250 Microsoft users. Within this context, various components such as ETA, specific developers, working with Azure, and blockchain development are conducted within Azure.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable. We are using the enterprise-level subscription

Around 200 people are using Microsoft .NET Framework.

How are customer service and support?

We have a dedicated support system and have subscribed to it specifically for enterprise-level digital data scripts from Microsoft, which provides us with reliable support lines.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I worked on alternate servers to build the .NET applications. I have created some pipelines for the automation practice.

How was the initial setup?

I have used the .NET Framework to develop applications and build pipelines. Additionally, I have implemented multiple pipelines in the data science domain, handling data. It is easy to design and manage these pipelines.

If you spend some time delving into web development, such as watching YouTube videos, you can discover solutions that may not be as complex as AWS cases. However, Azure offers a user-friendly interface that simplifies configuration and pipeline creation. You don't need to write Java code because, with additional settings in your pipeline, Java can be automatically generated. Configure these settings, write the necessary scripts, and deploy. Azure provides an incredibly cool, user-friendly, cost-effective dashboard that allows you to do more using the GUI.

Deploying applications using the Microsoft .NET Framework involves creating a pipeline. It can be done quickly; within a few minutes, you can deploy applications.

I am the sole developer and engineer responsible for managing the entire pipeline creation process. This involves collaboration between developers and operational teams. My role encompasses implementing solutions and deploying them through Azure DevOps. The team has completed the website development, and my task now is to establish an efficient deployment pipeline that doesn't require extensive time for construction or interface.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We don’t need to pay any particular ownership charges for creating pipelines on the .NET service. We have a monthly subscription for the solution.

What other advice do I have?

Azure offers numerous automation systems that are already predefined by Jira pipelines. Consequently, there's minimal intervention required as they come pre-configured for build tests and deployments. Our primary task involves configuring these setups according to our specific requirements—determining where we need to deliver and retrieve items, thus necessitating consideration for various concerns within the Azure pipeline.

Connecting components in building .NET applications becomes straightforward due to Azure's facilitation of these operations.

It doesn't require regular maintenance, but there may be instances where updates are necessary to address specific application issues or to ensure compatibility with certain updates. In the context of Azure, there is no need for additional maintenance tasks. Once a pipeline is created, the focus remains on managing that pipeline, addressing any configuration issues, or troubleshooting when necessary. There is no direct need for manual updates or upgrades for software-related updates, as Microsoft's internal IT manages these processes. There's no individual requirement for us to handle service upgrades or updates.

Microsoft Azure is highly efficient across server environments, including .NET and other frameworks like Java. It supports a wide array of servers available in the market today. Current technology seamlessly accommodates diverse server infrastructures, making it notably efficient and ideal for enterprise-level operations. I rate it a perfect five out of five for its performance in DevOps and delivering sophisticated solutions to complex challenges.

We've extensively utilized Azure in the logistics industry, implementing numerous solutions with a significant reliance on its services. Azure covers almost all data analytics, data science, and data engineering aspects. As a developer, I've been solely responsible for implementing and constructing nearly all pipelines within Azure DevOps to address these complex problems. This stands as a benchmark achievement.

Azure's user-friendly interface and productivity make it a standout solution within the Microsoft suite. I highly recommend enterprise resources consider migrating to Azure when contemplating a move to the cloud—it's the top choice.

Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
PeerSpot user
HimanshuTomar - PeerSpot reviewer
Solutions Architect at Shell
Real User
Scalable solution and real-time code changes during debugging enhance productivity
Pros and Cons
  • "When we talk about .NET development, we use Visual Studio IDE to create these things. In recent years, there have been a lot of improvements in Visual Studio 2022. It would be a daunting task to list all of the features that have benefited us, as it would require a lot of time and effort. However, there are definitely many improvements year after year in .NET development."
  • "The integration with DevOps tools, such as Azure DevOps, Jira, and GitLab, would be a valuable addition."

What is our primary use case?

We are creating a certain solution. There is a client, the desktop Windows application, that is used within the organization. And behind it, there are certain Windows services, and there are kinds of Windows services that run on a scheduled basis. And there's a logic behind which kind of receives data in the form of files or APIs from different endpoints. So, basically, we are working with multiple external entities, and those entities, in some cases, communicate with us via API. And in some cases, they send us files, which are huge files, via a file gate. 

So, .NET, in that sense, we are using after receiving those files, we process them as normal. Then, there is communication with multiple endpoints to actually update certain backend gate systems within the organization. It's a good, big implementation for business purposes of the .NET framework. And the team that I'm a part of is responsible for creating those new requirements that we get from business. We create the solutions for that within this application as part of that application. Also, we are maintaining that application in the production environment, which is being used for running the business.

What is most valuable?

When we talk about .NET development, we use Visual Studio IDE to create these things. In recent years, there have been a lot of improvements in Visual Studio 2022. It would be a daunting task to list all of the features that have benefited us, as it would require a lot of time and effort. However, there are definitely many improvements year after year in .NET development. 

One of the improvements is the ability to make changes to the code while debugging applications within the environment, and the changes will be reflected in real-time. There are also many other improvements, such as the integration of Git and Azure DevOps.

What needs improvement?

The integration with DevOps tools, such as Azure DevOps, Jira, and GitLab, would be a valuable addition. This would allow us to manage Azure DevOps work items and artifacts, as well as pull requests, within our Visual Studio environment. These features would make it easier to develop, deploy, and test applications.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for 18 years. I'm currently working on an application that uses .NET Framework 4.7.1. This is an older version of .NET Framework, and Microsoft has since released .NET Framework 4.8.1, which is the latest version. We are also using .NET 7 in the same solution, which is the latest version of .NET. The APIs that we have implemented using .NET 7 are hosted in a Service App cluster on Azure.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is definitely stable. If I compare it with previous versions, it is constantly improving.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It's completely scalable. We can use it in any way. If we are working on a PaaS platform, then whatever offerings of the PaaS platform tell us to scale. So, if we are working on an application using the .NET Framework, then whatever the best product that we would talk to is offering for scaling up the application in the .NET Framework is completely compatible.

I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten. We have around a thousand end users using this solution. We use it every day in our organization.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very easy. I would rate my experience with the initial setup a ten out of ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy to set up. 

.NET framework is a very small package that can be installed in a few minutes on development environment or on production environment.

What about the implementation team?

Just one person is enough for the deployment and maintenance of the solution. Any new updates are automatically pushed in if you configure it; that way, they are automatically pushed into your environment, and you will be notified that new updates are available, and you can easily install it.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Within my organization, we use tools from Microsoft. So we get a subscription from them. And for running that application in a production environment, we have their different tools' licenses from Microsoft, and we also have Azure subscriptions, like a couple of Azure subscriptions, one for the non-prod environment and one for prod environments.  

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have worked with Azure tools like Azure IaaS services, virtual machines, and SQL Server, and Azure PaaS services, like Azure SQL.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
David Shlingbaum - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Development Manager, Architect, Developer at Miltel Communications LTD
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Quick deployment, no maintenance required, and high availability
Pros and Cons
  • "The web development and Microsoft Windows service development capabilities are among the most valuable features offered by the Microsoft .NET Framework. This language platform is highly user-friendly, with plenty of online examples and information available, as well as a robust development environment."
  • "The integration could improve in Microsoft .NET Framework."

What is our primary use case?

Microsoft .NET Framework is a development platform.

What is most valuable?

The web development and Microsoft Windows service development capabilities are among the most valuable features offered by the Microsoft .NET Framework. This language platform is highly user-friendly, with plenty of online examples and information available, as well as a robust development environment.

What needs improvement?

The integration could improve in Microsoft .NET Framework.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for 13 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable.

I rate the stability of Microsoft .NET Framework a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable if it is set up correctly.

We have one person who uses this solution.

I rate the scalability of Microsoft .NET Framework an eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

I have not used the support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used a Java development environment. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Microsoft .NET Framework is straightforward. The process can take 10 to 30 minutes depending on the components installed.

What about the implementation team?

The solution can be implemented by one person. We did the deployment.

What was our ROI?

The solution is worth the money. We have received a return on investment. Approximately 30 percent annually.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The support is an extra cost when purchasing the license. The price of the solution is overall reasonable and paid annually or every three years. Additionally, they have a monthly license. The cost is approximately $1,000 per user.

There are other licenses that can be purchased and add-ons, such as enterprise licenses and third-party add-ons.

I rate the price of Microsoft .NET Framework a six out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

The solution does not require maintenance.

I would advise others to use the newest version of the solution. It is a good solution overall.

I rate Microsoft .NET Framework a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer2168790 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Solutions Architect, Enterprise Architect at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Top 10
A software development framework for building and running applications on Windows
Pros and Cons
  • "Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years. One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing."
  • "In the realm of Microsoft .NET Framework, particularly in the C# language, there have been significant developments that I find highly commendable. I am genuinely fascinated by the continuous evolution of the language, and staying abreast of the latest features in Azure is both challenging and enjoyable. Working with C# in Azure is particularly fantastic. I appreciate in .NET, as compared to Java, is the enforcement of types, providing a better experience in terms of technicalities. Additionally, the introduction of Roslyn in the past few years has brought about the concept of late .NET, which I find interesting and powerful. This allows for the transformation of symbolic code just before execution, eliminating the runtime decision-making process and enhancing efficiency. However, late .NET does come with a drawback – a delay in the last-minute computation when starting an executable. While some may find this less appealing in terms of instant responsiveness, especially in serverless cloud environments, the efficiency gained from executing strictly binary code is valuable. Despite potential drawbacks like the time required for activation, I view .NET favorably for its technical advancements and efficiency, especially in scenarios such as serverless cloud computing. It's essential to recognize the intricacies of how .NET processes code and the efficiency it brings, which some may overlook."

What is our primary use case?

I am currently working on the development of a new product using Microsoft .NET Framework. The project is currently in the analysis, architecture, and user acceptance phases. It is a comprehensive system similar to ERP, designed to manage internal resources for a sizable bank. The application focuses on handling IT resources for the bank, and it is being developed in-house.

How has it helped my organization?

Within each specific .NET product of ours, we currently have a robust portfolio with around a dozen products actively running for our customers. Based on the user databases, it's evident that each product is implemented using .NET. In fact, one of our products boasts slightly over one thousand users. This underscores the prevalent use of .NET across our product range.

What is most valuable?

Firstly, I appreciate the decision to use Microsoft .NET Framework. I find it to be an excellent language, with a history rooted in providing an alternative to Java, albeit with initial challenges. It is gaining popularity and may be voted the most desirable programming language. What I particularly like about .NET is its language efficiency. While C# is the primary language, the platform also supports others, catering to those inclined towards functional programming. Although I started with Shell, I'm still grasping the concept of functional programming. Despite initial reservations about object-oriented programming, I acknowledge its advantages. .NET is a safer option, and despite criticisms, it has evolved over the years.

One notable aspect is .NET's transition to an open platform in recent years, distancing itself from being exclusive to Microsoft engineers. I appreciate the versatility of .NET, enabling code production for a wide range of platforms, presenting a strong competition to Java. It allows targeting practically any physical platform, showcasing its flexibility. These qualities contribute to my positive view of .NET, totaling thirteen aspects that I find appealing.

What needs improvement?

In the realm of Microsoft .NET Framework, particularly in the C# language, there have been significant developments that I find highly commendable. I am genuinely fascinated by the continuous evolution of the language, and staying abreast of the latest features in Azure is both challenging and enjoyable. Working with C# in Azure is particularly fantastic.

I appreciate in .NET, as compared to Java, is the enforcement of types, providing a better experience in terms of technicalities. Additionally, the introduction of Roslyn in the past few years has brought about the concept of late .NET, which I find interesting and powerful. This allows for the transformation of symbolic code just before execution, eliminating the runtime decision-making process and enhancing efficiency. However, late .NET does come with a drawback – a delay in the last-minute computation when starting an executable. While some may find this less appealing in terms of instant responsiveness, especially in serverless cloud environments, the efficiency gained from executing strictly binary code is valuable.

Despite potential drawbacks like the time required for activation, I view .NET favorably for its technical advancements and efficiency, especially in scenarios such as serverless cloud computing. It's essential to recognize the intricacies of how .NET processes code and the efficiency it brings, which some may overlook.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft .NET Framework for many years, since 1992 or 1993. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I'm frequently questioned about the scalability of .NET products by the company owner. In response, I inquire about the specific aspect of scalability they are interested in. If the concern is about handling sudden surges in traffic, I affirm that .NET is indeed scalable, especially with the implementation of group health checks. This ensures automatic scaling without manual intervention, providing convenience.

Contrary to common misconceptions, I emphasize that the performance of .NET is typically not hindered by processing power but by factors such as disk I/O and database operations. Scaling the database differs significantly from scaling processing power, as it involves handling transactions, open transactions, and conflicting operations. If isolation is not well-implemented, issues may arise. For instance, a database like SQL Server, while appearing appealing a decade ago for its tools and affordability, presented challenges in terms of scaling compared to Oracle. Understanding these nuances is crucial for making informed decisions about scalability.

How are customer service and support?

Regarding customer support from Microsoft, I can say that when we documented issues and submitted tickets, Microsoft was responsive and open, even without direct contact. Working with Microsoft has generally been positive, and their strategic direction is something we have followed closely. Microsoft's commitment to evolving their product has been beneficial for us, even though the unpredictability of their decisions can sometimes pose challenges. In a small company like ours, adapting to changes becomes more complex, especially considering the project size.

As a company, we are also involved in software development for the European Commission, where the strong requirement is to use software from the .NET world. The challenge arises when dealing with Java in parallel, as its community processes add an element of unpredictability. Managing a team that can swiftly adapt to changing technologies is an advantage, but it requires time and effort. The unpredictability of Java's direction contrasts with the more foreseeable evolution of .NET.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have had experiences with Oracle as well as .NET, specifically with the Silverlight framework, though that was some years ago. Silverlight, while not inherently bad, tends to be criticized, and I often advise people to understand its origin as the Presentation Foundation Everywhere (PFE), indicating its intention to provide a unified UI across various platforms. However, due to various challenges, it was eventually phased out, and Silverlight became obsolete. We once had a product active on SolarWinds 3.5, transitioned to SolarWinds Sorin, but unfortunately did not survive beyond Silverlight 5.

How was the initial setup?

Yes, it is easy. .NET has expanded its scope significantly. It's worth noting that while many may mention .NET, not everyone truly comprehends its intricacies. Nowadays, people often focus on microseconds, assuming they grasp the technical aspects, which can be misleading.

Although Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CICD) may seem attractive for automated deployment, the allure of the cloud has somewhat overshadowed the significance of meticulous deployment, as it's often perceived as someone else's responsibility. This shift in perception, coupled with tools like CircleCI, requires a closer examination of their efficiency compared to more conventional platforms like Azure. Understanding the true speed and efficacy of these tools is imperative for making informed decisions.

What about the implementation team?

The shift in the deployment and maintenance is evident, as manual installations are no longer the norm. Intelligence is now directed towards automation, emphasizing the importance of testing. Once this process is completed, confidence in the system's functionality increases, alleviating concerns about manual loading and ensuring an automated and efficient workflow.

Everyone in our organization follows the mindset of having our proprietary tools. The majority of our internal tooling is developed in-house, making us predominantly a .NET-centric environment. While it's true that we also provide Java solutions, most of our confidence lies in .NET due to its reliability. Reflecting on past experiences, there were initial concerns about how autonomously and optimally .NET could run, especially in terms of memory management. However, over time, particularly with the introduction of .NET Core, those concerns have dissipated, and I am now completely confident in the reliability of .NET.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

In the interim, there's no need to purchase videos for viewing. Microsoft has made significant moves in the .NET space, starting with their response in Visual Studio Code and now providing Visual Studio entirely for free. This is a notable shift from the past when we used to pay substantial amounts for technical subscriptions. Previously, a group of ten developers could cost several thousand dollars annually for licensing. However, the current trend is to offer these tools for free to maintain their dominance in the developer market. The market dynamics have changed, and now developers can freely download Visual Studio, making it a preferred choice over other paid options. 

What other advice do I have?

It has been around for about three months, and I've had a chance to delve into the capabilities. As for the .NET Framework, it's advisable not to use it anymore. While there might be some exceptional cases, I don't consider myself an expert on .NET Framework. The trend is shifting away from Framework towards .NET Core and now .NET 5. I would anticipate platforms to adapt and run seamlessly on the newer versions. Transitioning from Framework to newer versions might not be straightforward, particularly in terms of setup and configuration. Working with .NET Core involves a different approach, especially when dealing with configurations and influencing the product's behavior externally.

Switching everything from Framework to .NET Core in a short span may not be feasible, and even if you plan to do so, existing products and customer preferences may necessitate keeping the older products alive. Users may inquire about their familiar products, and it's essential to maintain support for them. Despite these challenges, I find .NET Core, particularly version 8.5, to be highly commendable. It excels in various aspects and is a robust platform, rating it 8.5 out of 10.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
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Updated: September 2025
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft .NET Framework Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.