You see, Microsoft has had a bit of a rocky road with its user interface frameworks over the years. After WPF, which some might say was praised more than it was truly adopted, there hasn't been a clear, resounding success. So, people naturally feel a little cautious when a new offering comes along, and that's just how it is with MAUI, too. We've seen a pattern, and it's something that makes folks pause.

This article will explore the various viewpoints and experiences shared by developers regarding .NET MAUI. We'll look at the concerns, the hopes, and what the future might hold for this particular framework. It's a conversation that touches on performance, tool support, and even the broader ecosystem, so there's a lot to talk about.

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Table of Contents

• Microsoft's UI History: A Look Back
• Where .NET MAUI Stands Right Now
• The Question of MAUI's "Arrogance" and Platform Support
• MAUI Compared to Other Frameworks
• The MAUI + Blazor Vision for Tomorrow
• Challenges and Quirks Developers Face
• Getting Started with .NET MAUI

Microsoft's UI History: A Look Back

When you consider Microsoft's history with user interface frameworks, it's a mixed bag, to be honest. Some developers, especially those who've been around for a while, tend to feel that after WPF, things just haven't quite clicked into place. There's a sentiment that one framework after another has, in a way, fallen short of widespread adoption, even if they were technically good.

WPF itself, for instance, was very much "called good" by many, but it didn't really "sell" in terms of massive market penetration. It's a bit like a critically acclaimed movie that doesn't quite make it big at the box office. In fact, it's quite telling that even in 2021, job postings for WPF were still fewer than those for the much older WinForms. That, in itself, speaks volumes about its real-world impact, you know.

For someone who earns their living working with C#, this history is more than just an interesting tidbit; it's a practical concern. Investing time and effort into learning a new framework means betting on its longevity and its ability to land you future projects. So, when a new framework like MAUI comes along, there's a natural hesitance, a kind of "wait and see" attitude, which is understandable.

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This background shapes how many in the community view .NET MAUI. It's not just about the technical merits of the framework itself, but also about the broader pattern of Microsoft's UI offerings. There's a lingering question of whether MAUI will break this pattern or, perhaps, follow a similar path, and that's a big part of why people ask, "is MAUI dead?"

Where .NET MAUI Stands Right Now

Looking ahead to 2025, there's a hopeful outlook for .NET MAUI. It's envisioned as a rather mature cross-platform framework by then, especially well-suited for projects that need quick development cycles and want to keep maintenance costs low. That's a pretty appealing prospect for many businesses, you see, because time and money are always on everyone's minds.

It's expected to have made significant strides in several key areas. Think about performance, for example; that's always a big one. Also, the tool support should be much better, making the developer experience smoother. And, of course, platform coverage is a major point, ensuring your apps can reach a wider audience. So, there's a lot of good stuff happening there, potentially.

However, even with these anticipated improvements, there's still a recognition that MAUI will need to continue growing. The ecosystem around it, meaning all the libraries, community contributions, and third-party tools, will need to mature further. Plus, better adaptation to different platforms is always something to work on. It's an ongoing process, and that's just how it goes with these big frameworks.

So, while there's a positive vision for its future, it's not without its caveats. The journey of a framework like MAUI is a continuous one, requiring constant refinement and community involvement. This blend of progress and areas for improvement is what defines its current standing and its path forward, in some respects.

The Question of MAUI's "Arrogance" and Platform Support

Some people feel that MAUI, in a way, carries a bit of Microsoft's old "arrogance," and that's a strong sentiment. The core of this feeling often comes from the fact that it's touted as a cross-platform GUI framework, yet it doesn't officially support Linux. This is a sticking point for many, especially when you compare it to other options out there, you know.

Consider Google's Flutter, for instance. That's a GUI framework that very much prioritizes mobile development, but it still offers official Linux support. So, when MAUI, which is supposed to be for "multi-platform" applications, skips Linux, it can feel like a missed opportunity or, some might say, a bit of an oversight. It's a contrast that doesn't go unnoticed in the developer community.

Now, for some users, the lack of Linux support isn't a deal-breaker. If you're building applications primarily for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, then Linux might not even be on your radar. So, in that specific context, it's not a huge issue for everyone. It really just depends on your project's target audience and your own personal needs.

However, there's another platform that MAUI's lack of support for can be more of a concern: Windows 7. Even though Linux might not be for the majority, there are still quite a few people who use Windows 7. For those developers or their target users, this limitation can be a real turn-off. It's a detail that, for some, makes them think twice about choosing MAUI, and that's pretty understandable.

MAUI Compared to Other Frameworks

When developers are trying to pick the right tools for their projects, they often weigh up different options. For those creating AI products, for example, they might have tried many technical combinations. So, it's natural to compare MAUI with other frameworks like SwiftUI, and there are some interesting points to consider, you know.

Some developers, when they put MAUI and SwiftUI side-by-side, actually lean towards MAUI. A big reason for this preference often comes down to the development environment itself. Xcode, which is what you use for SwiftUI, can be quite challenging to work with. Many find it difficult, and that can certainly influence a choice, as a matter of fact.

Beyond the tools, there's also the question of advantage. SwiftUI, apparently, doesn't really have a crushing advantage over MAUI in terms of features or capabilities. If you're building something and it turns out to be very successful, and then you realize you need it to work on more than one platform, having to completely rewrite your application is a huge headache. MAUI, with its cross-platform promise, aims to avoid that kind of situation, which is a pretty big selling point.

Then there's the comparison with Flutter. Some people feel that MAUI is, perhaps, a bit larger or more expansive than Flutter. This can make it less suitable for situations where you just want to embed a small piece of UI into an application that already exists. Flutter, in some respects, might be a better fit for those lighter, more integrated scenarios. It just depends on what you're trying to achieve.

The MAUI + Blazor Vision for Tomorrow

There's a growing idea that combining MAUI with Blazor could really be the way forward, the future, so to speak. Native development platforms, like those for iOS or Android, have their own strongholds, their own "moats," you could say. It's very difficult for any single framework to completely take over every single one of them. That's just how it is, in a way.

However, a hybrid approach, where you blend native capabilities with web technologies, could capture a really big portion of the application market. This is where the MAUI + Blazor combination truly shines. It offers a natural ease of learning, which is a huge plus for developers, and the toolchain that comes with it is quite approachable. That's a pretty compelling package, honestly.

If Microsoft puts more effort into optimizing things like hot reload, which lets developers see their code changes instantly without restarting the app, this combination could be very powerful. Imagine how much faster development could be! This kind of improvement would make MAUI + Blazor a very strong contender in the cross-platform space. It really could be a game-changer for many.

This vision suggests that instead of trying to be everything to everyone, MAUI, especially when paired with Blazor, can focus on what it does best. It's about taking advantage of the strengths of both worlds: the native reach of MAUI and the web-friendly development of Blazor. This could be the sweet spot for many types of applications, and that's something to think about.

Challenges and Quirks Developers Face

Even with all the positive outlooks and future possibilities, developers sometimes run into little quirks and challenges when working with MAUI. For instance, someone using a recent version of Visual Studio 2022, specifically 17.4 Professional, to create a new MAUI app based on .NET 6.0, might find something missing. They might look for properties like `WindowStyle` or `ResizeMode`, which are common in WPF, and just not find them in MAUI. That can be a bit surprising, to say the least.

This kind of detail can be a point of frustration. If you're used to a certain way of doing things in a previous Microsoft framework, expecting those same options to be readily available in a newer one is pretty natural. When they're not there, it forces you to find new ways to achieve the same results, which can slow down development a little. It's just one of those things that developers notice, you know.

Another point that comes up is MAUI's relative size. Compared to something like Flutter, some feel that MAUI is somewhat larger. This might mean it's not the best fit for every single scenario, especially if you're trying to embed a small piece of UI into an application that's already up and running. The architecture, while comprehensive, might be a bit much for very lightweight integrations. So, you have to consider your project's specific needs.

Despite these points, the fact that MAUI is an evolution of Xamarin.Forms means that if you already have experience with Xamarin.Forms development, you can transition pretty smoothly. That's a big advantage for many existing developers. It's not a complete re-learning experience, which is always a relief when a new framework comes out. So, there's a definite benefit there, too.

Getting Started with .NET MAUI

For those who are curious and want to give it a try, getting started with .NET MAUI is made easier through various resources. There are video series available, for example, that walk you through the basics. These are designed to help you learn how to build multi-platform applications using a shared C# codebase. It's a pretty straightforward way to get acquainted with the framework, honestly.

These introductory materials often cover how to create applications that run on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, all from that single, shared code. This is the core promise of MAUI, after all: write once, deploy to many. Learning these fundamentals is a great first step for anyone looking to understand what MAUI can do and how it operates. It's a very practical approach to learning.

The announcement of MAUI itself came in May 2020, as an evolution from Xamarin.Forms. This lineage is quite important because it means that the framework isn't starting from scratch. It builds upon years of cross-platform mobile development experience. So, if you've been in that space, you'll find familiar concepts and patterns, which makes the learning curve a little less steep, in some respects.

To really get a feel for it, you can explore resources like the official documentation or community tutorials. For instance, you could check out the Microsoft Learn documentation for a deeper look at the framework. Also, to see how MAUI fits into the broader .NET ecosystem, you might want to learn more about .NET MAUI on our site, and perhaps even explore other discussions on cross-platform development that we have available. It's all about finding the right information to help you make your own decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions about .NET MAUI

Is .NET MAUI still being developed?

Yes, it appears .NET MAUI is still very much in active development. The vision for 2025, for instance, points to it becoming a more mature framework with ongoing improvements in performance, tool support, and platform coverage. There's also talk of continued work on its ecosystem and platform adaptation, which suggests a commitment to its growth, you know.

What are the main advantages of using .NET MAUI?

One of the big advantages of .NET MAUI is its ability to build multi-platform applications from a single, shared C# codebase. This can lead to quicker development and lower maintenance costs for projects. Also, for those with Xamarin.Forms experience, the transition to MAUI is relatively smooth. The potential future merge with Blazor is also seen as a major plus for hybrid app development, which is pretty compelling.

What are some common criticisms or limitations of .NET MAUI?

Some common criticisms include its lack of official Linux support, which can be a point of contention for a "cross-platform" framework. There's also the observation that it doesn't support older operating systems like Windows 7, which can deter some users. Additionally, some developers have noted that certain properties found in older frameworks like WPF might not be readily available in MAUI, and it can be seen as relatively larger than some competitors like Flutter, potentially making it less ideal for embedding in existing apps.