Microsoft .NET Framework Reviews

Name: Microsoft .NET Framework
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.2 (55 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

55 reviews
93% willing to recommend

What is Microsoft .NET Framework?

Microsoft .NET Framework is a software development framework for building and running applications for Windows, Windows Phone, Windows servers, XML Web services, and Microsoft Azure. The software is made up of two major components: Common Language Runtime (CLR) and the .NET Framework Class Library. The CLR is the execution engine that handles running apps and the Class Library is a library of tested, reusable code that developers can call from their own apps.

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Microsoft .NET Framework is the #2 ranked solution in top Application Infrastructure solutions. PeerSpot users give Microsoft .NET Framework an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Microsoft .NET Framework is most commonly compared to IBM BPM: Microsoft .NET Framework vs IBM BPM. Microsoft .NET Framework is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 56% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a construction company, accounting for 13% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Microsoft .NET Framework

August 2025

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Featured Microsoft .NET Framework reviews

David Shlingbaum

IT Development Manager, Architect, Developer at Miltel Communications LTD

I don't know much about it as it's a development framework. We use it as it's a good language, a good environment with fairly good performance. It's part of the Microsoft .NET Framework environment. Microsoft .NET Framework runs under the CLR, the same as Java runs under the Java virtual machine. It's a rich library that helps with development. It's a good environment with many features and many libraries that help developers work quickly and efficiently. Since I'm using a very old version, there isn't much to add. It's flexible, but since it's an old version of Microsoft .NET Framework, there are some limitations. As long as it can run on Windows, it's acceptable. The limitations are due to its very old version. Some cloud features will not run in an old version of Microsoft .NET Framework easily or at all. Running on the cloud is complex. The support for a cloud environment, not as a virtual machine but, for example, in Azure App Services, proved challenging. I tried running a web application but couldn't make it work, although technically it should be possible. To run an older version, I had to make adjustments in the running environment, but ultimately couldn't get it to work. There's no support out of the box for older or very old versions. The new Microsoft .NET Framework runs perfectly in the cloud without problems. This review concerns a very, very old version.

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Alberto Carioni

Head Of Product Owner at Fresenius Medical Care

I use Azure DevOps because we have everything implemented in .NET by Microsoft, and we are integrated with the collection of the requirements, the .NET pipeline, and directing Azure DevOps for Azure Plus. I am more of a developer, so from an infrastructure point of view, I do not have feedback or…

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GhulamMustafa

Head of IT Department at Indus Sugar Mills Limited

We use Microsoft .NET Framework to develop Windows applications. It is utilized for Windows form solutions to create Windows-based applications. Our team uses it in our software development process for data connectivity, user input form validation, user management, authentication, and…

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Microsoft .NET Framework mindshare

As of August 2025, the mindshare of Microsoft .NET Framework in the Application Infrastructure category stands at 5.9%, down from 6.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Infrastructure

PeerResearch reports based on Microsoft .NET Framework reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Application Infrastructure	Aug 17, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Aug 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft .NET Framework vs IIS	Aug 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft .NET Framework vs IBM WebSphere Application Server	Aug 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Microsoft .NET Framework vs NGINX Plus	Aug 17, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
IBM BPM	3.9	3.4%	90%	112 interviews Add to research
IBM DataPower Gateway	4.2	4.6%	96%	29 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Microsoft .NET Framework offers dynamic web content handling, integration with Microsoft technologies, and cross-platform development. It provides extensive libraries and enterprise-grade capabilities. Its customization, ease of use, and support for multiple programming languages make it appealing for developers. Features like ADO.NET, debugging, and middleware enhance performance. Mobile and web application development, along with extensive documentation and support, add further value. Robust integration and a user-friendly environment boost productivity.

"Microsoft is better in backward compatibility compared to others."
"The structure that can be created is beneficial because once you have the structure, you can be more productive and faster to create and interact with different clouds and implementations."
"For us, it is better to remain under the umbrella of Microsoft."

Room for Improvement

Improvements needed for Microsoft .NET Framework include stronger security features, better cross-platform compatibility, and enhanced cloud integration. Many users express a desire for a more user-friendly experience, increased flexibility, and faster performance. Pricing is a concern, with calls for more affordable options. Integration with other tools and more robust technical support are also mentioned. Additionally, there's interest in improved learning resources, AI integration, and better interoperability with platforms like Linux and Mac.

"Some cloud features will not run in an old version of Microsoft .NET Framework easily or at all. Running on the cloud is complex."
"The significant challenge is that you need an enterprise-level company to maintain software in Microsoft .NET Framework with a proper structure."
"They do provide the .NET library, however, for me, the most important capability we want to investigate in the future is the integration with Copilot. This would help speed up the development of the code and also the testing and documentation of the requirement."

ROI

Many entities report a positive ROI from Microsoft .NET Framework. Approximately 30% annually is noted by some, while others mention a 40% ROI when comparing in-house development to outsourcing. The tool adds value and aids in efficient operations, saving significant time. Some express difficulty measuring ROI due to lack of alternative experience, yet overall, the framework is seen as worth the money. Companies prioritize it within their technology stack.

Pricing

Microsoft .NET Framework offers a mix of free and paid options. The framework itself is free, but enterprise versions and associated tools like Visual Studio may incur significant costs, with prices reaching up to $1,000 per user. While some elements are open source, hosting and additional licensing can be expensive. Visual Studio's Community Edition is free, but professional versions require payment. Microsoft provides cost-effective solutions for corporate users, yet some consider the expenses high compared to open-source alternatives.

"Microsoft .NET Framework is very cost-effective for corporate users."
"It's an expensive solution"
"The product is not expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Microsoft .NET Framework primarily for building custom business applications, developing web and mobile solutions, and creating enterprise-grade systems. It's popular for point-of-sale, finance, and integration tasks with tools like WCF/Web API. Companies leverage .NET for development, infrastructure work, and automation, often deploying applications on Azure or AWS. It serves a wide range of functions, including web services, data processing, and backend development for diverse industries like telecommunications and education.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for Microsoft .NET Framework receive praise for their helpfulness and responsiveness. Many users find technical support satisfactory, highlighting quick responses and effective solutions. Some mention delays due to lengthy questioning and regional shifts. Community support and online resources often help resolve issues independently. Some users are content with internal management, occasionally contacting support for complex cases. Extended support and resources like instructional videos are appreciated.

Deployment

Microsoft .NET Framework's initial setup is generally easy and straightforward. Users appreciate the availability of required components and resources, making installation responsive and efficient. Those with technical expertise find it less challenging, although some express that training could enhance usability. Time for deployment varies, ranging from minutes to a few hours, depending on environment complexity and project needs. Certain users mention complexities on on-premises setups, but cloud-based deployments run more smoothly.

Scalability

Microsoft .NET Framework has flexible scalability, contingent on proper architecture and deployment. It can accommodate both small and large-scale projects. Some users note limitations with operating systems and cross-platform capabilities. Cloud integration, especially with Azure, enhances scalability, but on-premises versions are harder to expand. The transition to .NET Core offers better upgrades. Success depends on effective programming and architecture, with the ability to handle a wide range of users in different environments.

Stability

Microsoft .NET Framework is widely viewed as a stable platform. Users note significant improvements in newer versions, with some mentioning past issues in older versions. Stability is highly rated, with most feedback emphasizing its reliability, especially after version 4. Some report challenges with specific environments or configurations, but frequent updates contribute to overall stability. Those using it for enterprise development appreciate its consistent performance and integration with Microsoft platforms. However, rapid changes in technology occasionally introduce bugs.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Construction Company

13%

Real Estate/Law Firm

12%

Government

Computer Software Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

University

Insurance Company

Performing Arts

Healthcare Company

Non Profit

Energy/Utilities Company

Media Company

Legal Firm

Hospitality Company

Outsourcing Company

Retailer

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Logistics Company

Compare Microsoft .NET Framework with alternative products

Learn more about Microsoft .NET Framework

Microsoft .NET Framework Features

Microsoft .NET Framework has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:

Memory management: With Microsoft .NET Framework apps, the CLR allocates and releases memory and handles object lifetimes in many programming languages, so programmers are not responsible to do it.

Multitargeting: Microsoft .NET Framework targets .NET Standard, allowing developers to create class libraries that work on multiple Microsoft .NET Framework platforms.

A common type system: When using Microsoft .NET Framework, basic types are defined by the .NET Framework type system and are common to all languages that target Microsoft .NET Framework as opposed to traditional programming languages where basic types are defined by the compiler.

Side-by-side execution: By allowing multiple versions of the common language runtime to exist on the same computer, Microsoft .NET Framework helps resolve version conflicts. In addition, an app can run on the version of Microsoft .NET Framework with which it was built and multiple versions of apps can coexist.

Development frameworks and technologies: Microsoft .NET Framework provides libraries for specific areas of app development, such as ASP.NET for web apps, ADO.NET for data access, Windows Communication Foundation for service-oriented apps, and Windows Presentation Foundation for Windows desktop apps.

Microsoft .NET Framework Benefits

There are many benefits to implementing Microsoft .NET Framework. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:

Language interoperability: With this Microsoft .NET Framework feature, routines written in one language are accessible to other languages, enabling programmers to focus on creating apps in their preferred languages.

Version compatibility: Microsoft .NET Framework offers version compatibility for rare occasions when apps that are developed by using a particular version of Microsoft .NET Framework happen to run without modification on a later version.

Extensive class library: With Microsoft .NET Framework, programmers have the ability to use a readily accessible Microsoft .NET Framework class library instead of having to write vast amounts of code to handle common low-level programming operations.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by PeerSpot users currently using the Microsoft .NET Framework solution.

PeerSpot user, Syed A., Principal System Developer at a government, says the solution is a “Great all in one framework with extensive stack for web applications, windows applications and mobile applications.”

A QA Supervisor at a manufacturing company mentions, “It comes with many features that you can interact with and has all of the libraries readily available, which is not available in the RPA platforms. You can create your own SSIS package. You can integrate with all of the Windows objects, which is not available in Automation Anywhere, and you need to rely on their Object Cloning technologies to interact with them.”

Brennan G., IS Technical Architect at Avara Foods Holdings Limited, comments, “It is easy to use, and it runs on a Windows platform. The .NET Framework is a very good framework. It does what I need it to do.”

Microsoft .NET Framework was previously known as MS .NET Framework.

Microsoft .NET Framework customers

Curtin University, Rockwell Automation, Aruba Networks, Insurity Inc., City of Barcelona, Pennsylvania DCNR, University of Petroleum and Energy Studies, A1 Telekom Austria AG, Eastman Chemical Company