.NET Framework Alternatives

.NET Framework is described as 'The .NET Framework is a software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a large library and provides language interoperability (each language can use code written in other languages) across several programming languages' and is an app in the development category. There are more than 10 alternatives to .NET Framework for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Mac, Web-based and BSD apps. The best .NET Framework alternative is Java. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try Mono or .NET Core. Other great apps like .NET Framework are Nevron Open Vision for .NET, .NET Micro Framework for Linux, Eiffel (programming language) and DotNet9x.

.NET Framework icon.NET Framework
  37
  • ...

The .NET Framework is a software framework developed by Microsoft that runs primarily on Microsoft Windows. It includes a...

More about .NET Framework
More about .NET Framework
.NET Framework alternatives page was last updated Jun 5, 2025
Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard
  1. Java icon

    Java

     658 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Java is a general-purpose computer programming language that is concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, and specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible.

    72 Java alternatives

    License model

    • Free Personal • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • Android
    • Java Mobile
    • Symbian S60
    • HP webOS
    • Blackberry
    • Android Tablet
    • BSD
    • Blackberry 10
    • Kindle Fire
    Java screenshot 1

    Java Features

    1.  Garbage Collection
    2.  Statically Typed Language
    3.  Object-oriented Language
    4.  Portable
    5.  Coding
    6.  X86/x64 Compatibility
    7.  Stringent Programming Language

    Java VS .NET Framework

     
    Comments about Java as an Alternative to .NET Framework
    Ola Johansson
    Positive Apr 6, 2021
    1

    If you looking to replace .net framework Java is one of the most similar replacement.

    Guest
    Negative Sep 18, 2019
    6

    .Net is a framework, Java is a programming language

    .NET Framework Icon
    Java icon

    • Most users think Java is a great .NET Framework alternative.

    • Java is the most popular Web-based, Windows, Android & Mac alternative to .NET Framework.

    • Java is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to .NET Framework.

    • Java is Free Personal and Open Source.NET Framework is Free and Open Source
  2. Mono icon

    Mono

     39 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Mono is a free and open source project led by Xamarin (formerly by Novell and originally by Ximian) to create an Ecma standard compliant .NET Framework-compatible set of tools including, among others, a C# compiler and a Common Language Runtime.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • International

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • BSD
    • Oracle Solaris
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Self-Hosted
    • Mono

    Mono VS .NET Framework

     
    Comments about Mono as an Alternative to .NET Framework
    Ola Johansson
    Positive Apr 6, 2021
    0

    Mono is an alternative version of .net framework that is cross platform.

    Guest
    Positive Mar 14, 2017
    -2

    it allows me to develop on my linux system in c#. .net framework is only supported on windows. and .net core is too limited.
    java is a good programming alternative but i dont consider it a .net platform alternative.

    .NET Framework Icon
    Mono icon

    • Most users think Mono is a great .NET Framework alternative.

    • Mono is the most popular iPhone & Self-Hosted alternative to .NET Framework.

    • Mono is Free and Open Source.NET Framework is also Free and Open Source
  4. .NET Core icon

    .NET Core

     16 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    .NET Core is a cross-platform free and open-source managed software framework similar to .NET Framework. It consists of CoreCLR, a complete cross-platform runtime implementation of CLR, the virtual machine that manages the execution of .NET programs.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux

    .NET Core Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Native application

    .NET Core VS .NET Framework

     
    Comments about .NET Core as an Alternative to .NET Framework
    Ola Johansson
    Positive Apr 6, 2021
    0

    The new version of .net framework that is cross platform and smaller.

    .NET Framework Icon
    .NET Core icon

    • Almost everyone thinks .NET Core is a great .NET Framework alternative.

    • .NET Core is Free and Open Source.NET Framework is also Free and Open Source
  5. Nevron Open Vision for .NET icon

    Nevron Open Vision for .NET

     3 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Nevron Open Vision for .NET is a suite of advanced UI components that helps you develop feature-rich Web (Blazor WebAssenbly) and Desktop (WinForms, WPF, Xamarin.Mac) applications from a single code base.

    License model

    • Freemium • Proprietary

    Country of Origin

    • BG flagBulgaria
    • European Union flagEU

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Online
    Nevron Open Vision for .NET screenshot 1

    Nevron Open Vision for .NET VS .NET Framework

     

  6. .NET Micro Framework for Linux

     Like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    .NET Micro Framework for Linux (NETMF Linux) is sample porting code including complete OS facility. We provide the code for Eddy, Embedded ARM architecture Linux board. The source codes can be ported to any other architectures and platforms, if the cross-toolchain is available.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • .NET Framework

    .NET Micro Framework for Linux Features

    1.  NET Framework

    .NET Micro Framework for Linux VS .NET Framework

     
  7. Eiffel (programming language) icon

    Eiffel (programming language)

     Like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Eiffel is an object-oriented programming language designed by Bertrand Meyer (an object-orientation proponent and author of Object-Oriented Software Construction) and Eiffel Software. Meyer conceived the language in 1985 with the goal of increasing the reliability of commercial...

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Country of Origin

    • US flagUnited States

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • Online
    • BSD
    • Solaris
    • FreeBSD
    • OpenSolaris
    • OpenBSD
    Eiffel (programming language) screenshot 1

    Eiffel (programming language) Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  Support for scripting
    3.  Object-oriented Language

    Eiffel (programming language) VS .NET Framework

     

  9. DotNet9x

     1 like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    This project is a work-in-progress backport of .NET Framework 2.0 - 3.5 to Windows 9x. Currently 2.0 is believed to be largely functional while work on 3.5 has just begun.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Self-Hosted

    DotNet9x Features

    1.  Windows XP Compatibility
    2.  NET Framework

    DotNet9x VS .NET Framework

     
  10. Ceylon icon

    Ceylon

     9 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Ceylon is a language designed specifically for writing large programs in teams.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • JavaScript
    • Hotspot JVM
    Eclipse welcome page

    Ceylon Features

    1.  Object-oriented Language
    2.  Functional Language
    3.  Static typing

    Ceylon VS .NET Framework

     
  11. Jabaco icon

    Jabaco

     4 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Jabaco is a simple programming language with a Visual Basic like syntax. Jabaco enables you to create powerful software for all Java supported operating systems.

    License model

    • Free • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Jabaco screenshot 1
    Discontinued

    Official Website Download page shows :Jabaco BETA 1.5.2 (Release: 2009-09-01)See http://www.jabaco.org/download.html

    Jabaco Features

    1.  Support for scripting

    Jabaco VS .NET Framework

     
  12. Dolphin Smalltalk icon

    Dolphin Smalltalk

     2 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    Dolphin is a complete development IDE for Smalltalk targeted specifically at Microsoft Windows. It is capable of creating standalone GUI and console executables that will run on any version of Windows from XP up to the current Windows 10.

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Country of Origin

    • AU flagAustralia

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Dolphin Smalltalk screenshot 1

    Dolphin Smalltalk VS .NET Framework

     
10 of 10 .NET Framework alternatives