The world of cross-platform mobile app development has been revolutionized with the introduction of .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI). As a successor to Xamarin.Forms, .NET MAUI promises to simplify and unify the development process for mobile apps across Android, iOS, and other platforms. But how does it differ from its predecessor, Xamarin? In this blog post, we'll explore the key differences between .NET MAUI and Xamarin.
Architecture
One of the most significant differences between .NET MAUI and Xamarin is their architecture. Xamarin.Forms uses a layered architecture, with a common UI layer on top of platform-specific layers for Android, iOS, and UWP (Universal Windows Platform). This approach requires developers to write platform-specific code for each target platform.
In contrast, .NET MAUI uses a single, unified architecture that allows developers to write platform-agnostic code. This means that developers can write a single set of code that can be deployed across multiple platforms without modification.
UI Components
Another key difference between .NET MAUI and Xamarin is the UI component model. Xamarin.Forms uses a render-less UI component model, where the UI components are rendered using platform-specific renderers. This approach can lead to inconsistencies in UI behavior and appearance across different platforms.
.NET MAUI, on the other hand, uses a handler-based UI component model, where UI components are rendered using a single, unified handler. This approach ensures consistent UI behavior and appearance across all platforms.
Performance
Performance is a critical aspect of any mobile app, and .NET MAUI promises to deliver better performance than Xamarin. This is achieved through the use of a new, high-performance rendering engine that takes advantage of modern graphics hardware. Additionally, .NET MAUI uses a more efficient binding engine that reduces the overhead of data binding. (3)
Development Experience
The development experience is also improved in .NET MAUI compared to Xamarin. With .NET MAUI, developers can use a single, unified project structure that makes it easier to manage and maintain their codebase. Additionally, .NET MAUI provides better integration with Visual Studio, making it easier to develop, debug, and deploy mobile apps. (4)
Rownd is ready
.NET MAUI offers several key advantages over Xamarin, including a unified architecture, a handler-based UI component model, better performance, and an improved development experience. With Xamarin sunsetting in the coming months, moving to MAUI will be your only choice, and Rownd is ready to help! Contact us at support@rownd.io and take a tour of our .NET MAUI SDKs!
