C# Desktop Frameworks
Desktop application development using C# is an ideal choice for building enterprise-grade applications, leveraging the powerful features of the .NET ecosystem and excellent development tools.
Key Features
1. Integrated Development Environment
Deep integration with Visual Studio provides a development environment that maximizes productivity with IntelliSense, debugger, and designer tools.
2. UI Development with XAML
Declarative XAML markup facilitates collaboration between designers and developers, enabling efficient construction of sophisticated user interfaces.
3. Powerful .NET Foundation
Latest features of .NET 8 enable development utilizing high performance, memory efficiency, and modern C# language features.
Use Cases
- Enterprise Business Systems: Core business applications like ERP, CRM, and inventory management systems
- Financial Applications: Trading tools, risk management systems, and accounting software
- Healthcare Systems: Electronic medical records, diagnostic imaging tools, and patient management systems
- Creative Tools: Image editing, CAD, and 3D modeling software
Technology Trends (2025)
- Cross-Platform Expansion: Full-scale Linux/macOS support through Avalonia and MAUI
- Cloud Integration: Increased development of distributed applications with Azure integration
- AI/ML Integration: Embedding intelligent features using ML.NET
- Modern UI: Adoption of Fluent Design through WinUI 3 and Windows 11 optimization
C# desktop frameworks enjoy overwhelming support for their reliability and productivity, particularly in enterprise application development.
GitHub Star Comparison
| No | Name | GitHub Stars | Description | Trend | License | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avalonia | ⭐ 28.2k | WPF-style cross-platform .NET desktop framework. Supports XAML, data binding, and MVVM patterns, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Low learning cost for WPF developers with modern UI development capabilities. | Rapidly growing as mainstream choice for .NET cross-platform development in 2025. Plays important role in enterprise Windows-exit strategies due to Microsoft-independent Linux support. Achieved 25,000+ GitHub Stars with significant performance improvements in .NET 8 support. | MIT | Official |
| 2 | .NET MAUI | ⭐ 22.8k | Microsoft's native cross-platform development framework. Enables development of Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps from single codebase. Positioned as Xamarin.Forms successor, achieving native performance. | Established as cross-platform development standard within Microsoft ecosystem in 2025. Increasing adoption especially for business applications, selected for enterprise system development leveraging Azure integration strengths. Desktop feature enhancements drive migration from traditional WPF. | MIT | Official |
| 3 | WPF (Windows Presentation Foundation) | ⭐ 7.4k | Microsoft's native desktop application framework for Windows. Provides XAML, data binding, rich controls, and animation features. Enables maintainable application design through MVVM pattern. | Continues as mainstay for Windows enterprise application development in 2025. Maintains modern development experience with .NET 8 support. While migration to Avalonia is seen due to increasing cross-platform demand, remains optimal solution for Windows-exclusive apps. | Microsoft | Official |
| 4 | WinUI 3 | ⭐ 6.8k | Latest Windows app development framework supporting Windows 11. Enables modern UI through Fluent Design system, high performance, and full utilization of Windows 11's latest features. Unified solution for UWP and Win32. | Established important position in Windows 11-specific application development in 2025. Increasing adoption for consumer applications prioritizing Microsoft Store distribution and Windows 11 new feature utilization. However, enterprise adoption limited due to backward compatibility constraints. | Microsoft | Official |