Microsoft has been a key player in innovating and advancing cross-platform app development technologies, notably through its Xamarin framework (released in 2011). After almost a decade, as of 2023, it was among the top cross-platform mobile frameworks used by developers worldwide (more than 8% ). However, the growing demands of modern and agile development called for a more unified, organized, and scalable framework. That’s where .NET MAUI came into the picture.
It aligned the development process with today’s needs and emphasized scalability and efficiency by offering a unified project structure, better app performance, and seamless transition within the .NET ecosystem. In this write-up, we’ll examine what makes .NET MAUI an ideal cross-platform development framework. We will also compare it with other popular frameworks like Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin to help you understand how it stacks up in terms of features, business utility, and future-proofing your applications.
The Distinctive Edge of .NET MAUI in Hybrid App Development
Here are some standout .NET MAUI features that make it stand out:
Unified Project Structure
Simplified cross-platform development with consolidated platform-specific code, dependencies, and configurations into a single project. This reduces development time and cost by eliminating the need for multiple platform-specific projects.
Easy Integration with Blazor
Blazor’s unique integration allows developers to use web-based components within native apps, bridging web and native development. This reduces the learning curve and fastens the development process, as cross-platform apps can benefit from reusable web components.
Cross-Platform Graphics API
It enables consistent 2D drawing and animation across platforms, eliminating the need for third-party graphics libraries and reducing dependency on external tools.
Native API Access
Provides direct access to platform-specific APIs within the shared codebase. This allows for easy and secure integration of native features, giving your .NET app a native-like feel.
MVU (Model-View-Update) Architecture Support
Supports a declarative UI design approach, simplifying UI logic and state management compared to other .NET frameworks. With this architecture, you can save time on your debugging efforts, making identifying the source of issues easier through a clear and structured app architecture.
Hot Reload
Easy real-time updates to XAML and C# code while the app is running, accelerating the development process. This improves developer productivity by allowing instant feedback and iterative testing.
Improved Resource Management
Centralized management of assets like images and fonts, with automatic scaling for different platforms and screen sizes. This reduces maintenance efforts and makes it easier for you to maintain a consistent brand image across all platforms.
Comparing .NET MAUI with Other Cross-Platform App Development Frameworks
Besides .NET MAUI, several other frameworks are used for cross-platform app development. In this section, we’ll compare MAUI against Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin.
.NET MAUI vs. Flutter
| Aspect | .NET MAUI | Flutter |
| Programming Language | C# with .NET ecosystem | Dart |
| Target Platforms | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows | Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, Windows, Web |
| UI Framework | Native APIs for platform-specific rendering | Skia-based custom rendering engine |
| Development Paradigm | Utilizes MVU (Model-View-Update) and MVVM | Fully declarative UI with the widget-based approach |
| Integration | Seamlessly integrates with .NET tools like Azure, Entity Framework, and Blazor | Primarily integrates with Google Cloud and Firebase |
| Resource Management | Centralized resource handling for images, fonts, and layouts | Manual setup for multi-platform assets |
Comparing the Frameworks from a Business Perspective
- From a skill availability perspective, businesses can hire from a pool of seasoned C# and .NET developers. On the other hand, finding suitable Flutter developers will require you to assess their familiarity with Dart, an old programming language.
- Because .NET MAUI supports native APIs, it offers more flexibility when integrating with existing enterprise systems. Conversely, Flutter uses its Skia rendering engine to create a consistent UI across all platforms, but it lacks access to native APIs.
- Due to its reusable components, existing resources, and tools, .NET MAUI is more cost-effective for businesses already using .NET. However, Visual Studio licensing may increase costs for those new to the .NET ecosystem. While Flutter is open-source with no licensing fees, a relatively limited Dart talent pool may raise hiring costs.
Fact: Regardless, Flutter remains the leading cross-platform app development framework, having been in use since years, while .NET MAUI is a recently developed framework (released in May 2022).
.NET MAUI vs. React Native
| Aspect | .NET MAUI | React Native |
| Programming Language | C# with .NET ecosystem | JavaScript (or TypeScript) |
| Target Platforms | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Web (with limitations, such as those in web support, as it is primarily designed for mobile and desktop apps) |
| UI Framework | Native APIs for platform-specific rendering | Custom rendering engine (bridges native components) |
| Development Paradigm | Utilizes MVU (Model-View-Update) and MVVM | Fully declarative UI with component-based approach |
| Integration | Seamlessly integrates with .NET tools like Azure, Entity Framework, and Blazor | Works well with Node.js, React libraries, and third-party tools |
| Resource Management | Centralized resource handling for images, fonts, and layouts | Manual asset handling and platform-specific adjustments |
Comparing the Frameworks from a Business Perspective
- Both .NET MAUI and React Native benefit from an active developer community, making finding and hiring the right talent easier.
- .NET MAUI isideal for businesses looking to integrate their apps with Microsoft’s ecosystem. Similarly, React Native is preferred by those heavily invested in JavaScript or Node.js ecosystems.
- From a cost point-of-view, both frameworks are used for pocket-friendly hybrid apps. .NET MAUI benefits from reusable web components, while React Native is open-source.
- Working with .NET MAUI for app development is slightly faster due to direct access to native APIs, a unified project structure, and other platform-specific features. However, even React Native is known for feature-rich, timely development. Its component-based architecture and extensive library of pre-built UI components expedite the development process.
.NET MAUI vs. Xamarin
| Parameter | .NET MAUI | Xamarin |
| Programming Language | C# with the latest .NET ecosystem | C# with .NET Framework or .NET Core |
| Target Platforms | Android, iOS, macOS, Windows | Android, iOS, Windows |
| UI Framework | Handler-based architecture replacing Renderers for better performance | Renderer-based architecture with more overhead |
| Development Paradigm | Supports MVU (Model-View-Update) and MVVM | Primarily MVVM |
| Integration | Seamlessly integrates with .NET 6 and newer tools, including Blazor | Integrates with .NET but lacks modern features like Blazor |
| Resource Management | Centralized resource handling for images, fonts, and layouts | Requires separate resource management per platform |
Comparing the Frameworks from a Business Perspective
- .NET is still a widely used framework, so finding the right .NET developers for hire is much easier. On the other hand, Xamarin has stopped receiving Microsoft support as of May 1, 2024, making it a less popular choice for those relying on the Microsoft ecosystem.
- Developing an app with Xamarin may be more costly due to separate resource management and project structures.
- This separation of projects and reliance on older tools is slowing Xamarin-based app development.
End Note
With its unified project structure, direct access to native APIs, and easy integration with the .NET ecosystem, MAUI stands out as a versatile and reliable framework for cross-platform app development, particularly projects based on C# and XAML. Despite being a relatively new addition to the .NET ecosystem, it has gained enough developer trust to stand against others like Flutter, React Native, and Xamarin. In fact, it stands out as THE choice for those businesses that are heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, making it unmatched for enterprise-grade platform-specific integrations and scalability.
It does not matter if you’re a startup or an established business; selecting .NET MAUI can be a pocket-friendly approach to building a future-proof hybrid app. If you’re new to the .NET ecosystem or need help with MAUI in particular, you can also hire .NET developers or outsource your project to cross-platform app development service providers. With professional assistance, you won’t have to worry about the process.