A Comprehensive Comparison of WPF and .NET MAUI

Introduction

Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) and .NET MAUI are two powerful frameworks within the .NET ecosystem that enable developers to create applications with rich user interfaces. While they share some similarities, they differ significantly in terms of architecture, platform support, UI development paradigms, and more. In this document, we'll take an in-depth look at the major differences between WPF and .NET MAUI, providing extensive code examples to illustrate key points.

Architecture

WPF

WPF is a mature desktop-oriented framework developed by Microsoft primarily for Windows applications. It is based on the Windows Presentation Foundation technology and follows the Model-View-ViewModel (MVVM) architectural pattern. In WPF, the UI is defined using XAML, and developers can create a clear separation between the UI (View), the application logic (ViewModel), and the underlying data (Model).

// WPF ViewModel
public class MyViewModel : INotifyPropertyChanged
{
    public ICommand MyCommand { get; }

    public MyViewModel()
    {
        MyCommand = new RelayCommand(ExecuteMyCommand);
    }

    private void ExecuteMyCommand()
    {
        // Command logic here
    }
}
    

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI is a modern cross-platform framework built on top of .NET 6. It supports building applications for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more. .NET MAUI follows the Model-View-Update (MVU) architectural pattern, which simplifies the UI development process by creating a single source of truth for UI components.

// .NET MAUI MVU
public class MainPage : ContentPage
{
    public MainPage()
    {
        Content = new Label("Welcome to .NET MAUI!")
            .Center()
            .BindTapGesture(ViewModel.DoSomething);
    }
}
    

Platform Support

WPF

WPF is primarily designed for Windows desktop applications. While it's possible to run WPF applications on Windows 10 and later, it does not natively support other platforms. Therefore, WPF applications are inherently limited to the Windows ecosystem.

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI is designed from the ground up for cross-platform development. It allows developers to create a single codebase that runs on various platforms. .NET MAUI leverages platform-specific rendering to adapt the user interface for each target platform, providing a truly cross-platform experience.

 
if (Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.iOS)
{
    // iOS-specific code
}
else if (Device.RuntimePlatform == Device.Android)
{
    // Android-specific code
}

UI Markup and Styling

WPF

WPF uses XAML (Extensible Application Markup Language) for defining the user interface and styling. Developers can use XAML to create rich, declarative UIs, making it easy to design visually appealing applications.

 

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI also uses XAML for defining the UI, but it supports a more unified XAML syntax across platforms. Additionally, .NET MAUI introduces a new way to define UIs using a fluent API called the "Maui Markup," which provides a concise and platform-agnostic way to create UI components.

new Button
{
    Text = "Click me",
    BackgroundColor = Color.Blue,
    TextColor = Color.White
}
    

Cross-Platform Development

WPF

WPF applications are platform-specific and require separate codebases for different platforms. If you want to target multiple platforms, you'll need to rewrite or refactor your code for each one, which can be time-consuming and error-prone.

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI promotes a "write once, run anywhere" philosophy. It allows you to create a single codebase that adapts to different platforms, significantly reducing development effort. While .NET MAUI does offer the ability to write platform-specific code when necessary, it encourages sharing most of your code across platforms.

// Platform-specific code examples here
    

Controls and Components

WPF

WPF offers a rich set of controls and components specifically designed for Windows applications. These controls include buttons, text boxes, data grids, and more. WPF also supports custom control development, allowing you to create tailored user interface elements.

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI provides a cross-platform set of controls and components that can be used across different platforms. While it may not offer the same breadth of controls as WPF initially, it provides a growing ecosystem of community-driven libraries and extensions, and it's continually expanding its control offerings.

// .NET MAUI control examples here
    

Data Binding

WPF

WPF has robust data binding capabilities, allowing developers to easily connect UI elements to data sources using XAML or code-behind. Data binding simplifies the synchronization of data between the view and view model.

// Data binding examples for WPF here
    

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI also supports data binding, but it uses a different syntax. Data binding in .NET MAUI is based on the MVU pattern, and it involves updating the state and having the UI automatically reflect those changes.

// Data binding examples for .NET MAUI here
    

Deployment

WPF

WPF applications are typically distributed as Windows executable files (EXE). Deployment can be complex if you need to manage updates and dependencies. ClickOnce deployment and Windows Installer (MSI) are common methods for deploying WPF applications.

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI applications can be distributed through various app stores or as platform-specific executables. Xamarin.Essentials and .NET MAUI Essentials simplify cross-platform functionality and device-specific APIs. Deployment can also be managed using platform-specific tools such as the App Store for iOS or Google Play for Android.

Development Tools

WPF

WPF development is primarily done using Visual Studio, which provides excellent support for XAML editing and debugging. Visual Studio also offers designers like the XAML Designer for WPF, making it easy to create and modify user interfaces visually.

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI development also takes place in Visual Studio, offering a unified development experience. Additionally, .NET MAUI benefits from the broader .NET ecosystem and tooling, including code analysis, debugging, and performance profiling tools.

Community and Ecosystem

WPF

WPF has a mature ecosystem with a large number of libraries, controls, and third-party extensions available. The Microsoft ecosystem offers extensive documentation and support for WPF development. However, it is limited to the Windows platform.

.NET MAUI

.NET MAUI is part of the broader .NET ecosystem, benefiting from cross-platform libraries, community contributions, and the extensive knowledge base of the .NET community. Its ecosystem is growing rapidly, with increasing support for cross-platform development. Libraries like Xamarin.Essentials provide access to device-specific features, enhancing the cross-platform experience.

Conclusion

In conclusion, WPF and .NET MAUI are two distinct frameworks with different architectural approaches and target platforms. While WPF excels at building Windows desktop applications with a rich set of controls and a mature ecosystem, .NET MAUI offers a truly cross-platform development experience with a modern MVU architecture. The choice between the two depends on your specific application requirements, target platforms, and development preferences.

Ultimately, both WPF and .NET MAUI have their strengths and are valuable tools in the developer's toolkit. The .NET ecosystem provides flexibility for developers to choose the right tool for the job, allowing them to leverage existing skills and libraries while targeting a broad range of platforms.

 

Welcome to Xceed's Advanced Toolkit for .NET MAUI

At Xceed, we are proud to unveil our innovative Toolkit for .NET MAUI. This open-source and complimentary toolkit is not just an addition but a significant enhancement to the existing "basic controls" provided by .NET MAUI. Our primary aim is to empower developers with a comprehensive set of tools, ensuring the creation of unparalleled user experiences.

Recognizing the power of .NET MAUI's cross-platform capabilities, we have meticulously designed our toolkit to ensure seamless application development across Windows, Android, Mac, and iOS. With Xceed's Toolkit, developers no longer need to maintain separate code bases for different platforms. We guarantee compatibility with all MAUI-supported platforms, ensuring a consistent and high-quality user experience.

Transitioning to MAUI with Xceed's Toolkit

Transitioning to a new framework can be daunting. However, with Xceed's Toolkit for .NET MAUI, this transition becomes smoother and more intuitive. Here's how our toolkit can assist you:

• Familiarity: For developers acquainted with WPF, our toolkit will feel like home. We've ensured that the controls and features align with what WPF developers are used to, making the transition effortless.

• Enhanced Controls: Our toolkit boasts a range of advanced controls, from improved Borders to custom Buttons, ToggleButtons, and more. These controls are designed to offer more functionality and customization options than the standard MAUI controls.

• Integration: Our controls and features are not just advanced but also easy to integrate. Whether you're migrating an existing project or starting a new one, our toolkit fits right in.

• Cross-Platform Consistency: One of the challenges of cross-platform development is ensuring a consistent look and feel across platforms. With our toolkit, you can be confident that your application will offer a uniform experience, irrespective of the platform.

• Continuous Support: Transitioning is not just about the initial move but also about continuous support. At Xceed, we are committed to regularly updating our toolkit, addressing the evolving needs of developers and ensuring you always have the best tools at your disposal.

In essence, Xceed's Toolkit for .NET MAUI is not just a set of controls but a complete package designed to make your transition to MAUI as seamless as possible.

For a deeper dive into our toolkit and to explore its capabilities, visit Xceed's MAUI Toolkit on GitHub. We are excited to be a part of your .NET MAUI journey and look forward to seeing the incredible applications you'll create with our toolkit.