using IronPdf; // Disable local disk access or cross-origin requests Installation.EnableWebSecurity = true; // Instantiate Renderer var renderer = new ChromePdfRenderer(); // Create a PDF from a HTML string using C# var pdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<h1>Hello World</h1>"); // Export to a file or Stream pdf.SaveAs("output.pdf"); // Advanced Example with HTML Assets // Load external html assets: Images, CSS and JavaScript. // An optional BasePath 'C:\site\assets\' is set as the file location to load assets from var myAdvancedPdf = renderer.RenderHtmlAsPdf("<img src='icons/iron.png'>", @"C:\site\assets\"); myAdvancedPdf.SaveAs("html-with-assets.pdf");

.NET HELP

.NET Core vs .NET Framework

Chipego Kalinda

Updated:June 22, 2025

As a developer, choosing the right framework can be critical for the success of your project. In this article, we'll dive deep into the differences between .NET Core and .NET Framework, two popular frameworks from Microsoft. In addition, we'll explore how IronPDF, a leading PDF library, is compatible with the latest .NET technologies. Finally, we'll briefly introduce two other remarkable libraries, IronXL and IronOCR.

Understanding .NET Core and .NET Framework

1.1. .NET Framework

.NET Framework, released in 2002, is a software framework developed by Microsoft. It provides a runtime environment, allowing developers to create Windows-based applications using various programming languages, such as C# and VB.NET. The .NET Framework's extensive library of pre-coded solutions and reusable components simplifies development and improves application performance.

1.2. .NET Core

.NET Core is an open-source, cross-platform, and modular framework launched in 2016. It is a lightweight and high-performance alternative to the .NET Framework, designed to support microservices and cloud-native applications. .NET Core enables developers to build applications that run on Windows, Linux, and macOS, using the same codebase.

.NET Core vs .NET Framework: Key Differences

2.1. Platform Compatibility

The most significant difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework is their platform compatibility. While .NET Framework is restricted to Windows, .NET Core is cross-platform, enabling developers to build applications for Windows, Linux, and macOS.

2.2. Performance

.NET Core has been optimized for better performance, making it a faster and more efficient framework than .NET Framework. The modular design of .NET Core ensures that applications only include necessary components, reducing the overall size and improving load times.

2.3. Library and API Support

.NET Core offers a smaller set of libraries and APIs compared to the .NET Framework. However, .NET Core's libraries are more modular and are updated more frequently. The .NET Standard, a common set of APIs for both frameworks, helps bridge the gap, allowing developers to create libraries that work across .NET Core and .NET Framework.

2.4. Development and Deployment

Developing and deploying applications with .NET Core is more straightforward than with .NET Framework. .NET Core's command-line interface (CLI) offers a consistent experience across platforms, simplifying the development process. Additionally, .NET Core's side-by-side deployment allows for multiple application versions to coexist without conflicts.

IronPDF: Compatibility with the Latest .NET Technologies

IronPDF Compatibility

Explore IronPDF PDF Library is a powerful PDF library that enables developers to create PDFs from HTML using IronPDF, read, edit, and extract content from PDF files within their .NET applications. It is fully compatible with both .NET Core and .NET Framework, ensuring that developers can leverage its powerful features regardless of their chosen framework. IronPDF's support for HTML to PDF conversion, PDF manipulation, and seamless integration with .NET technologies makes it an essential tool for modern developers.

IronPDF Functionality

Introducing IronXL and IronOCR

Discover IronXL Excel Library Capabilities is a versatile Excel library that enables developers to read Excel files with IronXL, write, and manipulate Excel files in .NET applications. It offers an intuitive API and supports various file formats, including XLS, XLSX, CSV, and TSV.

Learn More About IronOCR's Text Recognition is an advanced Optical Character Recognition (OCR) library designed for .NET developers. It can read text from images and PDFs, supports multiple languages, and offers superior accuracy and performance.

Conclusion

When comparing .NET Core and .NET Framework, it is essential to consider factors such as platform compatibility, performance, library support, and development and deployment processes. While .NET Core is more suitable for modern, cross-platform applications and offers better performance, .NET Framework remains a viable choice for traditional Windows-based applications with extensive library support.

Incorporating powerful libraries like IronPDF, IronXL, and IronOCR into your .NET applications can significantly enhance their functionality. IronPDF's compatibility with both .NET Core and .NET Framework ensures developers can leverage its comprehensive PDF capabilities in their projects, regardless of the chosen framework.

As the world of .NET continues to evolve, staying informed about the latest technologies and libraries is crucial for developers. By understanding the differences between .NET Core and .NET Framework and utilizing cutting-edge tools like IronPDF, IronXL, and IronOCR, developers can build robust, efficient, and feature-rich applications to meet the demands of the modern software landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main difference between .NET Core and .NET Framework?

.NET Core is a cross-platform, open-source framework designed for modern cloud-based applications, while .NET Framework is a Windows-only framework with extensive library support for traditional applications.

Which framework offers better performance: .NET Core or .NET Framework?

.NET Core provides better performance compared to .NET Framework due to its modular design and optimized components, which reduce application size and improve load times.

Can .NET Core applications run on Windows, Linux, and macOS?

Yes, .NET Core is cross-platform, allowing applications to run on Windows, Linux, and macOS using the same codebase.

How does a PDF library support .NET Core and .NET Framework?

IronPDF is fully compatible with both .NET Core and .NET Framework, enabling developers to create, read, edit, and extract content from PDF files in their .NET applications.

What are some key features of a PDF library used with .NET?

IronPDF offers features such as HTML to PDF conversion, PDF manipulation, and seamless integration with .NET technologies, making it a powerful tool for developers.

What is the .NET Standard?

.NET Standard is a set of APIs that are common to both .NET Core and .NET Framework, allowing developers to create libraries that work across both frameworks.

How does the development process differ between .NET Core and .NET Framework?

.NET Core offers a consistent development experience across platforms with its command-line interface (CLI) and supports side-by-side deployment, making development and deployment more straightforward compared to .NET Framework.

What other libraries are introduced in the article?

The article also introduces IronXL, a versatile Excel library, and IronOCR, an advanced Optical Character Recognition library, both designed for .NET developers.

Why might a developer choose .NET Framework over .NET Core?

A developer might choose .NET Framework over .NET Core if their application is Windows-only and requires extensive library support that .NET Framework offers.

How does a PDF library enhance .NET applications?

IronPDF enhances .NET applications by providing comprehensive PDF capabilities, including creating, reading, and editing PDFs, which can significantly enhance application functionality.

Chipego Kalinda

Chat with engineering team now

Software Engineer

Chipego has a natural skill for listening that helps him to comprehend customer issues, and offer intelligent solutions. He joined the Iron Software team in 2023, after studying a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. IronPDF and IronOCR are the two products Chipego has been focusing on, but his knowledge of all products is growing daily, as he finds new ways to support customers. He enjoys how collaborative life is at Iron Software, with team members from across the company bringing their varied experience to contribute to effective, innovative solutions. When Chipego is away from his desk, he can often be found enjoying a good book or playing football.