In today's fast-paced app development landscape, choosing the right framework can make or break your project's success. If you're looking to build mobile apps that work seamlessly on both Android and iOS without writing separate codebases, you've likely come across Xamarin or .NET MAUI. Both are powerful tools from Microsoft designed to simplify cross-platform development, but they're not identical twins. Understanding the differences between them can be crucial for your next app project.

Xamarin has been around for a while, helping many developers build robust mobile apps using C#. However, with the introduction of .NET MAUI, Microsoft is offering a more unified way to create apps for both mobile and desktop platforms from a single codebase. But what sets MAUI apart from Xamarin? Which one should you choose for your business or development needs in 2026 and beyond?

In this article, we'll delve into the world of cross-platform app development, exploring what each framework offers, how they compare in real-world scenarios, and which might be the better choice based on your goals. Whether you're a seasoned Xamarin developer or just starting out with cross-platform app development, this comprehensive comparison will help you make an informed decision.

What is Swift App Development?

Swift app development refers to the process of building mobile apps using Microsoft's .NET framework. Two popular options for swift app development are Xamarin and .NET MAUI. Both frameworks allow developers to share code across platforms like Android and iOS, making it easier to maintain and update their apps.

Xamarin: The Original Cross-Platform Framework

Xamarin is an open-source app development framework designed to help mobile app developers create cross-platform mobile apps using a single shared codebase. Built on top of the .NET platform, Xamarin allows you to write apps in C# and run them on both Android and iOS with near-native performance.

Introduced in 2011 and later acquired by Microsoft in 2016, Xamarin quickly gained popularity for making cross-platform development faster, more affordable, and easier to manage. Instead of maintaining two separate codebases, one for Android and another for iOS, developers could write one set of logic and reuse most of it across both platforms.

Xamarin includes tools like:

  • Xamarin.Forms – A UI toolkit for building interfaces that look and feel native on both platforms.
  • Xamarin.Android & Xamarin.iOS – Allow for deeper platform-specific customization when needed.
  • Xamarin.Essentials – A library offering APIs for accessing device features like GPS, battery info, and sensors.

.NET MAUI: The Evolution of Cross-Platform Development

.NET MAUI, short for .NET Multi-platform App UI, is Microsoft's next-generation cross-platform app development framework designed to simplify application development using a single codebase. It's essentially the evolution of Xamarin.Forms, redesigned to offer more flexibility, better performance, and a unified development experience across mobile and desktop platforms.

With .NET MAUI, you can build apps that run on Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS all from one project using C# and .NET. Unlike Xamarin, which often required developers to juggle different projects for each platform, MAUI simplifies this by letting you manage everything in one place.

Some standout features of .NET MAUI include:

  • Single Project Architecture – One codebase, one project file, and shared resources across platforms.
  • Native Performance – Access to native UI controls and platform APIs for a more polished and responsive app experience.
  • Modern UI Toolkit – Updated controls, layouts, and styling options that make it easier to create visually consistent apps across devices.
  • Hot Reload – Speeds up development by letting you see code changes in real-time without restarting the app.

MAUI vs Xamarin: A Detailed Comparison

Microsoft's evolution from Xamarin to .NET MAUI marks a major shift in how to build cross-platform apps. While both frameworks aim to help developers share code across platforms like Android and iOS, the way they approach this goal is quite different. To make an informed decision about which one suits your needs, let's dive deep into a point-by-point comparison between Xamarin and .NET MAUI.

Architecture & Project Structure

Xamarin: Traditionally, Xamarin uses separate projects for each platform (e.g., Android and iOS), with a shared project for business logic. While this approach works, it adds complexity when managing assets, platform-specific code, or even build settings. Developers often find themselves jumping between folders and adjusting platform settings individually.

.NET MAUI: One of MAUI's biggest improvements is its Single Project architecture. Instead of juggling multiple platform-specific folders, MAUI combines everything into one streamlined project. All platform code, assets, images, and configuration files live together, making it easier to manage and scale.

UI Development & Customization

Xamarin: Uses Xamarin.Forms, which relies on a rendering system. Each UI element is abstracted and translated into its platform-specific counterpart via renderers. This often leads to inconsistencies across platforms and can make deep UI customization a bit tedious.

.NET MAUI: Ditches the old renderer model and adopts a Handler-based system, which is lighter and faster. Handlers provide more flexibility, better performance, and simpler customization for native controls. Additionally, MAUI supports Blazor Hybrid apps, allowing you to build cross-platform apps using web technologies inside a native shell.

Performance

Xamarin: While Xamarin apps perform well in many scenarios, the renderer model and older tooling can introduce delays in UI rendering and larger app sizes. Cold startup time is often longer compared to newer frameworks.

.NET MAUI: Built on top of the latest .NET 6/7/8 runtime, MAUI delivers improved performance out-of-the-box. It offers faster startup times, better rendering, and overall a more responsive user experience.

In conclusion, both Xamarin and .NET MAUI are powerful tools for swift app development, but they cater to different needs and preferences. Xamarin is still a popular choice for those familiar with the framework or who require deeper platform-specific customization. On the other hand, .NET MAUI offers a more streamlined, unified development experience that simplifies cross-platform development and improves performance.

Ultimately, the choice between Xamarin and .NET MAUI depends on your specific project requirements, your team's expertise, and your goals for the app. By understanding the differences between these two frameworks, you can make an informed decision about which one is best suited for your needs.