.NET MAUI is a Microsoft framework that enables developers to build cross platform applications for mobile and desktop using a single, reusable code base. First released in May 2022, .NET MAUI supports development for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS, streamlining the process of creating applications that work across multiple platforms. It integrates with the broader .NET ecosystem and utilises technologies including Visual Studio and C#, offering developers a unified and efficient development environment.
Whilst .NET MAUI offers many of the same features and functionality as Xamarin which you can view here, there are some key differences. Here, we take a look at some of the core characteristics that make up .NET MAUI.
As alluded to above, .NET MAUI provides developers with the ability to create applications for multiple platforms including Android, iOS, Windows and macOS from a single code base. This single structure approach can greatly reduce the time of the development cycle which in turn, can provide organisations with both cost and time efficiencies.
.NET MAUI provides developers with access to native APIs and controls on each platform. This essentially means that developers are able to create legitimate native like experiences despite reusing the majority of the codebase rather than creating a new one for each platform. This means platform specific features can be accessed including location services, file access and device sensors making sure the app performs like a native app regardless of whether that's on Android, iOS, Windows or macOS.
There are a wide range of tools within .NET MAUI that can help improve productivity including .NET Hot Reload which allows developers to immediately see changes to their app’s UI and logic without the need to restart the application and integration with Visual Studios cross platform tooling — XAML IntelliSense, debugging and emulators making the .NET MAUI environment an ideal unified environment for testing across different platforms. Other tools that help with developer productivity include dependency injection support and the MVU pattern which leads to cleaner code and simplified management of complex application state and logic.
Resource management in .NET MAUI is relatively straight forward due to the centralisation of styles, themes, fonts, images and icons for cross-platform use. This means these resources only need to be defined once and can then be applied them across all target platforms which again, can save developers a lot of time. If needed, platform specific resources can also be added and .NET MAUI automatically optimises and scales assets including images and icons to fit each platform’s individual requirements.
As part of the Microsoft family and more specifically the .NET framework, in addition to integrating with Visual Studio as we have covered above, .NET MAUI also integrates with the wider .NET ecosystem which in turn, gives developers the ability to use of libraries like Entity Framework Core for data access and SignalR for real time communication.
Whilst still evolving, .NET MAUI offers several promising use cases, particularly for organisations seeking unified development across mobile and desktop platforms. It's cross platform capabilities and native integration with the wider .NET ecosystem position it as a practical option in the following scenarios:
Organisations developing internal applications for employees such as dashboards, operational tools or field service management applications which often require solutions that can run across both mobile and desktop devices. .NET MAUI’s ability to support Android, iOS, Windows and macOS from a single codebase makes it well suited to this context.
Because it sits within the .NET ecosystem, MAUI allows developers to reuse existing code, logic and integrations with back end systems such as Microsoft SQL Server, Azure or existing .NET Core APIs. This can streamline both development and maintenance, especially in environments where Microsoft technologies are already widely adopted.
For organisations that have legacy applications built with older versions of Xamarin.Forms or other .NET-based UI technologies, .NET MAUI represents a forward looking migration path. It allows developers to update the interface and user experience without a complete rewrite of the business logic or back end infrastructure.
This can be a cost effective way to extend the lifespan of legacy software whilst modernising its look, feel and compatibility with current devices and operating systems.
.NET MAUI offers built in support for Blazor Hybrid applications which enables developers to embed existing Blazor components within a native app shell. This is particularly appealing to organisations that have already invested in web development and are looking to reuse parts of their web codebase to deliver native like experiences on mobile or desktop platforms.
This hybrid model allows companies to retain the flexibility and rapid deployment advantages of web development whilst also providing better performance and access to native features including camera, notifications or offline storage.
For business's developing a proof of concept or minimum viable product (MVP) with limited resources, .NET MAUI’s single codebase approach should in theory offer a faster path to multi-platform deployment. The shared UI and business logic reduce the overheads associated with building and maintaining separate applications for each platform.
This makes it a practical option particularly for organisations who are focused on quick time to develop and implement.
In environments already using Visual Studio and .NET Core, introducing a separate stack or language to build mobile or desktop applications can drastically increase overheads. .NET MAUI allows developers to continue working within a familiar toolchain and language (C#), reducing the learning curve and promoting team consistency across web, desktop and mobile projects.
This makes it easier to integrate new applications into an existing DevOps pipeline and take advantage of tools like GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps and automated testing frameworks within the .NET family.
.NET MAUI is a major advancement in cross platform application development within the Microsoft ecosystem. It enables developers to build applications for Android, iOS, Windows and macOS using a single codebase, ultimately streamlining development and reducing the time and costs associated with the need for development duplication. With native access to platform specific features and solid integration with the broader .NET ecosystem, .NET MAUI supports modern development workflows and sustainable architecture. If you'd like to explore how .NET MAUI can replace your existing Xamarin.Forms project or be used as the foundation for a brand new cross platform application, we'd love to hear from you!
If you dont like filling in these forms, or you would prefer to speak on the phone or via email then please use one of the below:
0115 772 2751