Logo Codebridge

Xamarin vs .NET MAUI: What You Need to Know in 2025

March 14, 2025
|
3
min read
Share
text
Link copied icon
table of content
photo of Myroslav Budzanivskyi Co-Founder & CTO of Codebridge
Myroslav Budzanivskyi
Co-Founder & CTO

Get your project estimation!

Creating cross-platform mobile applications can be complex. Developers must master various programming languages and frameworks while managing distinct codebases for each operating system. Xamarin was the go-to framework for building cross-platform mobile apps for many years. But with Microsoft's strategic shift toward unification under .NET MAUI, the ecosystem is changing dramatically. Understanding this transition is vital, especially if your business is invested in long-term custom software development services. In this article, we break down the differences between Xamarin and .NET MAUI, assess the state of both platforms in 2025, and offer insights on whether it's time to migrate.

What is Xamarin and Why Was It Popular?

Xamarin emerged as a revolutionary framework for cross-platform development in the early 2010s. It allowed developers to write mobile applications using C# and share up to 90% of their codebase between iOS and Android. Built on the Mono runtime and later acquired by Microsoft, Xamarin quickly became a favorite for mobile app development among enterprises and startups alike.

Key Advantages of Xamarin:

  • Single Language (C#): Unified development experience for both platforms.
  • Access to Native APIs: Full bindings to iOS and Android SDKs.
  • Xamarin.Forms: UI abstraction layer for creating shared user interfaces.
  • Strong IDE Support: Seamless integration with Visual Studio.
  • Enterprise-Grade Performance: Trusted by major corporations for its stability.
According to Statista, Xamarin remained one of the top mobile SDKs in 2017, favored for its code-sharing capabilities and native performance.

Why Microsoft Ended Xamarin Support?

Despite its initial success, Xamarin's architecture began showing its age. The need to maintain separate toolchains, limitations in UI flexibility, and growing competition from frameworks like Flutter and React Native pushed Microsoft toward change.

Microsoft’s goal was to streamline its development ecosystem under one unified platform — .NET MAUI (Multi-platform App UI) — which eliminates Xamarin’s fragmentation while enhancing capabilities.

What is .NET MAUI and How Is It Better?

.NET MAUI is the next evolution of Xamarin, built on the .NET 6/7+ecosystem. It enables developers to create apps for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows with a single codebase and project structure, using C# and XAML.

Unified Project Structure

Top Advantages of .NET MAUI over Xamarin:

1. Unified Project Structure: A single project for all platforms, making it easier to manage and deploy.

2. Modern UI Toolkit: Simplified layout system, better performance, and enhanced controls.

3. Deeper .NET Integration: Built directly into .NET, ensuring long-term support and ecosystem compatibility.

4. Hot Reload Support: Real-time code changes for faster development and testing.

5. Improved DevOps: Enhanced tooling for CI/CD with GitHub Actions and Azure DevOps.

In short, .NET MAUI is not just an upgrade — it’s a full reinvention, offering a more seamless and powerful experience for building cross-platformapps.

When It Still Makes Sense to Maintain Xamarin Projects?

While .NET MAUI is the future, there are valid reasons some businesses continue to maintain Xamarin apps in 2025:

Large-Scale Enterprise Systems
  • Large-Scale Enterprise Systems: Migrating thousands of lines of code isn’t trivial.
  • Mission-Critical Applications: Stability and compliance requirements may delay transitions.
  • Long Maintenance Cycles: Organizations with extended product roadmaps may prioritize new features over platform migration.

However, there are risks associated with sticking with Xamarin:

  • Security Vulnerabilities: Reduced updates mean delayed patches.
  • Tooling Compatibility: Visual Studio and third-party libraries will stop supporting Xamarin soon.
  • Talent Availability: Fewer developers are choosing Xamarin, making hiring more difficult.

Tips for Migrating to .NET MAUI

Tips for Migrating to .NETMAUI

Migrating from Xamarin to .NET MAUI can be complex but manageable with the right strategy.

1. Assess Codebase Compatibility

  • Identify shared logic, platform-specific code, and dependencies.

2. Prepare for New Architecture

  • .NET MAUI uses a single project structure — refactor your solution accordingly.

3. Leverage Microsoft’s Upgrade Assistants

  • Use tools like Upgrade Assistant CLI to automate parts of the process.

4. RebuildUI with MAUI Toolkit

  • Xamarin.Forms UI elements may need replacement or adaptation.

5. Validate All Third-Party Libraries

  • Ensure plugins and SDKs are .NET MAUI-compatible.

6. Plan for Performance Testing

  • Benchmark both versions to verify improvements and address regressions.

Migration Planning Checklist:

  • Audit Xamarin codebase
  • Identify mission-critical components
  • Test migration in a sandbox environment
  • Train dev teams on MAUI practices
  • Plan parallel development (if needed)

Need help migrating? Our .NET development experts can help ensure a smooth, low-risk transition. Book a free consultation for additional information.

Conclusion: Is Now the Right Time to Migrate?

In 2025, .NET MAUI is no longer just the successor to Xamarin — it’s the standard for modern. .NET-based cross-platform development. If you're maintaining Xamarin apps, now is the time to start planning your migration. The longer you delay, the higher the risks related to security, support, and future scalability.

For new projects or existing Xamarin users looking to extend their app lifecycle, adopting .NET MAUI delivers better performance, broader platform coverage, and tighter integration with the evolving .NET ecosystem. Whether you're a startup or an enterprise, investing in this transition will future-proof your custom software development stack for years to come.

Heading 1

Heading 2

Heading 3

Heading 4

Heading 5
Heading 6

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Block quote

Ordered list

  1. Item 1
  2. Item 2
  3. Item 3

Unordered list

  • Item A
  • Item B
  • Item C

Text link

Bold text

Emphasis

Superscript

Subscript

Rate this article!
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
21
ratings, average
4.5
out of 5
March 14, 2025
Share
text
Link copied icon

LATEST ARTICLES

Person condicting UX research analysis for website
May 12, 2025
|
5
min read

Top UX Design Metrics to Measure Business Success

Discover the top UX design metrics to track and apply — improve usability, retention, and business performance with actionable, data-driven UX strategies.

by Ananga Thapaliya
UI/UX
Read more
Read more
A person working at a computer at a desk
May 12, 2025
|
4
min read

Progressive Web Apps vs Native: Which Is Right for You?

Compare progressive web apps vs native apps to find out which type is right for your business goals and strategy. Explore performance, cost, pros, and cons.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Read more
Read more
Team implementing DevOps practices
May 12, 2025
|
4
min read

Top Best Practices for DevOps Success

Explore the best practices for DevOps, including CI/CD, automation, and deployment strategies. Learn how to build scalable, secure, and efficient pipelines.

by Myroslav Budzanivskyi
DevOps
Read more
Read more
How Much Does It Cost to Develop an Android App?
May 16, 2025
|
3
min read

How Much Does It Cost to Develop an Android App

Discover real Android app development costs and see how cross-platform tools like Flutter can cut your budget by up to 40% without sacrificing quality in 2025.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Android
Read more
Read more
Person Booking Online via APIs Travel App
May 14, 2025
|
3
min read

Top 5 Flights APIs for Travel Apps in 2025

Looking for the best flights API for your travel app? Explore the top 5 travel apps in 2025 for booking, tracking, and pricing to find your perfect integration.

by Dmytro Maloroshvylo
Travel & Hospitality
Read more
Read more
How to Make a Social Network App in 2025
May 12, 2025
|
4
min read

How to Make a Social Network App: Steps, Features, and Cost

Thinking of building a social networking app? Explore essential features, tech stack options, cost estimates, and real case studies of successful projects.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Social Network
Read more
Read more
How Emergency Management Software Helps Cities Stay Safer
May 9, 2025
|
6
min read

How Emergency Management Software Helps Cities Stay Safer

Discover how emergency management software empowers city governments to respond to crises efficiently, enhance public safety, and protect human lives in 2025.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Public Safety
Read more
Read more
The person is rating custom retail software solutions
May 7, 2025
|
3
min read

Custom Retail Software Solutions: Enhancing Customer Experience

Discover how custom retail software solutions are transforming customer experience in 2025. Explore trends, benefits, and a real case study from Codebridge.

by Myroslav Budzanivskyi
Retail
Read more
Read more
Person discovering top 10 Flutter app development companies for startups
May 2, 2025
|
4
min read

Top 10 Flutter App Development Companies in USA for Startups in 2025

Discover the USA's top 10 Flutter app development companies for startups in 2025. Learn what makes them ideal for MVPs and why Codebridge is your go-to partner.

by Myroslav Budzanivskyi
Flutter
Read more
Read more
IT team working together
April 23, 2025
|
4
min read

The Benefits of Outsourcing IT Services for Business Growth

Discover the key benefits of outsourcing IT services — cut costs, boost efficiency, and drive business growth with expert support and scalable tech solutions.

by Konstantin Karpushin
Read more
Read more
Logo Codebridge

Let’s collaborate

Have a project in mind?
Tell us everything about your project or product, we’ll be glad to help.
call icon
+1 302 688 70 80
email icon
business@codebridge.tech
Attach file
By submitting this form, you consent to the processing of your personal data uploaded through the contact form above, in accordance with the terms of Codebridge Technology, Inc.'s  Privacy Policy.

Thank you!

Your submission has been received!

What’s next?

1
Our experts will analyse your requirements and contact you within 1-2 business days.
2
Out team will collect all requirements for your project, and if needed, we will sign an NDA to ensure the highest level of privacy.
3
We will develop a comprehensive proposal and an action plan for your project with estimates, timelines, CVs, etc.
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.