Blazor is a web framework developed by Microsoft that allows developers to build interactive web applications using C# and .NET instead of JavaScript.
Key Features of Blazor:
- C# in the Browser: Use C# and Razor syntax to write both client-side and server-side logic.
- Component-Based: Build reusable UI components using Razor (a mix of HTML and C#).
- Runs in Two Modes:
- Blazor Server: The app runs on the server; the UI updates are sent over SignalR (WebSocket-like).
- Blazor WebAssembly: The app runs entirely in the browser via WebAssembly (WASM), with no server-side code execution required.
Advantages:
- Reuse of .NET code across front-end and back-end.
- Leverages existing .NET libraries and tooling.
- Strong typing and tooling support in Visual Studio.
Use Cases:
- Internal business apps.
- Admin dashboards.
- Web apps that benefit from .NET code sharing.
Can you compare Blazor and other web framework like React and Angular?
Here’s a comparison of Blazor vs React and Angular across key aspects:
| Feature | Blazor | React | Angular |
| Language | C#, Razor | JavaScript (or TypeScript) | TypeScript |
| Framework Type | Full-stack (Server & Client options) | UI Library (front-end only) | Full-fledged front-end framework |
| Rendering Modes | Server-side (SignalR) or WebAssembly | Client-side (DOM) | Client-side (DOM) |
| Performance | Slower startup with WebAssembly | Fast and optimized | Generally fast, but larger in size |
| Ecosystem | .NET ecosystem | JavaScript/Node ecosystem | JavaScript/Node ecosystem |
| Tooling Support | Excellent with Visual Studio | Excellent with VS Code, Webpack, etc. | Strong tooling with Angular CLI |
| Component Model | Razor Components | Functional or class-based components | Angular Components (decorators, modules) |
| Learning Curve | Easy for .NET devs | Moderate | Steep (many concepts to learn) |
| Maturity & Adoption | Growing, younger framework | Very mature and widely adopted | Mature, used in large-scale apps |
| Mobile Support | Experimental (via MAUI, hybrid) | React Native (strong) | NativeScript, Capacitor (limited) |
Summary:
- Blazor is ideal if you’re already invested in the .NET ecosystem, want to reuse C# code, or need tight integration with Microsoft services.
- React is great for building lightweight, scalable UIs with a vast community and ecosystem.
- Angular is suited for enterprise-grade apps needing a full framework with opinionated architecture.