๐ Razor Pages vs MVC vs Blazor: How to Choose the Right ASP.NET Core Web Framework for Your Project
As a .NET developer, you're spoiled for choice when it comes to building modern web applications. The ASP.NET Core ecosystem offers Razor Pages, MVC, and Blazor โ all excellent options, but each with its own sweet spot.
So how do you choose?
This post will break down:
- What each framework is
- Pros and cons
- When to use each one (with real-world scenarios)
- Decision matrix to help you choose confidently
๐งญ Quick Overview
Framework UI Style Hosting Model Ideal For Razor Pages Server-rendered ASP.NET Core backend Simpler apps, forms, admin UIs MVC Server-rendered ASP.NET Core backend Complex, layered web apps Blazor Interactive SPA WebAssembly or Server Rich UIs, SPA-like experiences
๐ 1. Razor Pages: Simple, Page-Based Web Apps
What is it? Razor Pages is a page-focused programming model for building web UI. Each page is self-contained and handles its own routing, logic, and markup.
Folder Example:
/Pages โโโ Index.cshtml โโโ Contact.cshtml
โ Pros
- Clean, minimal boilerplate
- Great for simple apps and CRUD
- Tight integration with Razor syntax
- Easier learning curve than MVC
โ Cons
- Less control over advanced patterns
- Not ideal for large-scale apps
๐ Best Use Cases
- Internal tools and admin panels
- Forms-based websites
- Apps with a clear "page-by-page" flow
๐ก Code Example
// Pages/Contact.cshtml.cs public class ContactModel : PageModel { [BindProperty] public string Message { get; set; } public void OnPost() { // Process form submission } }
๐ 2. ASP.NET Core MVC: Mature, Scalable Web Architecture
What is it? MVC (Model-View-Controller) is a battle-tested architectural pattern. It separates concerns into three layers, ideal for larger apps where maintainability is key.
โ Pros
- Excellent for complex applications
- Great separation of concerns
- Mature ecosystem with many extensions
- Clear routing and RESTful conventions
โ Cons
- More boilerplate than Razor Pages
- Slightly steeper learning curve
๐ Best Use Cases
- E-commerce platforms
- Content-driven websites (blogs, news sites)
- REST API + HTML combo apps
๐ก Code Example
// Controllers/HomeController.cs public class HomeController : Controller { public IActionResult Index() { return View(); } } // Views/Home/Index.cshtml <h1>Welcome to MVC!</h1>
๐งช 3. Blazor: Modern, Component-Based Web UI (SPA)
What is it? Blazor lets you build rich, interactive web UIs using C# instead of JavaScript. You can choose between Blazor Server and Blazor WebAssembly (WASM) hosting models.
โ Pros
- Full-stack C# (no JS required)
- Component-based, like React/Vue
- Real-time UI updates with SignalR (Server model)
- Great for modern, SPA-style apps
โ Cons
- WASM payloads can be large
- SEO can be tricky
- Steeper learning curve for Razor components
- Server model may not scale as well under heavy traffic
๐ Best Use Cases
- Internal dashboards with live updates
- SaaS apps with rich client-side interactions
- Desktop-like web apps
๐ก Code Example
<!-- Counter.razor --> <h3>Counter</h3> <p>Current count: @count</p> <button @onclick="IncrementCount">Click me</button> @code { private int count = 0; void IncrementCount() => count++; }
โ๏ธ When to Choose What? (Decision Matrix)
Question Go With Razor Pages Go With MVC Go With Blazor Is the app simple or form-based? โ โ โ Are you building a large or layered app? โ โ โ Do you want SPA-like interactivity? โ โ โ Do you want server-side rendering & SEO? โ โ โ (WASM) Do you want to write UI in C# only? โ โ โ Is developer onboarding speed important? โ โ โ Is JavaScript integration a priority? โ โ โ (JS interop)
๐ง Final Thoughts
If you're building... Use... An internal admin panel or CRUD app Razor Pages A content-heavy or layered web app MVC A rich, desktop-like web UI Blazor (WASM or Server) And remember โ these aren't exclusive choices. You can mix Blazor components into Razor Pages or MVC apps for hybrid experiences!
๐ Want to Dive Deeper?
If you want a follow-up post comparing Blazor Server vs WASM, or a deep-dive into Blazor hybrid apps, let me know!