A Guide To .Net Core Libraries – 20 Best Picks For Developers

Table of Contents

Introduction

As you know, the digital landscape is changing every day, driving businesses and developers alike to adopt cutting-edge technologies to stay competitive. In this rapidly evolving world of software development, having the right tools and libraries can make all the difference. .NET Core developers have the benefit of selecting the popular framework as it has a vast ecosystem of libraries. This extensive set of Microsoft .NET Core libraries has served as a treasure trove of solutions to many development hurdles, including but not limited to simplifying coding, improving performance, and adding advanced functionality to applications.

Whether you are a business owner seeking the right tools to build scalable enterprise software or if you are a developer trying to figure out the most suited .NET libraries, this blog post is the perfect piece of reading. This blog post highlights the curated list of 20 top .NET Core libraries every developer should know to achieve their development goals with greater efficiency. Let’s begin.

.NET Core

Whenever an entrepreneur wants to develop a strong, performant, and secure web application, the .NET framework is their first and foremost preference. Though it has been almost 20 years now since Microsoft first released this framework, the dotNET framework has still been intact in delivering its value.

In the last two years- 2018 and 2019, the dotNET core framework has seen an unexpected growth. Check out the following results from a Stackoverflow survey.

.NET core rose one position ahead of its previous year, and according to the developers’ choice, the stats show that they would prefer .net core libraries more than they did last year.

Looking at the fame and popularity of .net core framework, the Hall of Fame listing listed the framework on the first pedestal in the year 2018.

All such facets lead us to believe that your future is very bright if you choose .net core libraries list and framework for your business idea. Now, let me disclose the secret weapons of development .Net core libraries list- that enable you to attain success.

Introduction to .Net Core Libraries

What is Net Core? It is a cross-platform and light-weight DotNet framework for developing applications and software that ease your business processes. Net core is an amalgamation of GC, Runtime, AOT, Base Class Library, JIT, ASP.NET, ML.NET, C#, F#, WPF, WinForms, Entity Frameworks, and Xamarin.

I’ve curated the best and most-useful .NET core libraries list for you.

20 Most-Useful .Net Core Libraries List

1. Swashbuckle

The first one in our top .NET libraries list is Swashbuckle, a .net core library to build beautiful API documentation. It enables you to explore and test API operations along with the Swagger UI.

When it comes to Swashbuckle, the .NET Core library can be integrated seamlessly with .NET Core, which automatically generates interactive Swagger documentation directly from your code. Also, its intuitive user interface and powerful customization options make it a preferable choice among developers who are actually looking to enhance API usability and clarity.

Some of the core features provided by this library are as follows:

• Automatic generation of Swagger 2.0 and seamless integration with Swagger UI.
• As you describe your API types, you get reflection-based schema generation
• Swagger UI extensibility hooks
• Support for XML comments
• Support for authentication Implicit OAuth2 scheme and flow, APIKey, and basic authentication.

GitHub: https://github.com/domaindrivendev/Swashbuckle.AspNetCore

License: MIT License

Stars: 3.5k

2. Polly

Polly is one of the lightweight dotnet libraries that enable .net core developers to handle faults like retrying, timeout, circuit break, bulkhead isolation, and thread-safe fallback.

Polly stands out for its resilience and transient fault-handling capabilities, and that is what makes it favorable for developing robust and reliable apps. It supports advanced scenarios like handling HTTP retries and integrating seamlessly with ASP.NET Core middleware.

Few important features of Polly are:

• Navigation through an unreliable network.
• Provides resilient strategies.
• Enables zero-dependency.

GitHub: https://github.com/App-vNext/Polly

License: New BSD license

Stars: 8.2k

3. AutoMapper

As the name suggests, AutoMapper is a .net core library to manage object-to-object mapping. Developers are immensely relieved by using this library as they do not have to worry about the code while they are mapping values.

Automapper makes it easier for developers to configure automated object transformation from one type to another type. It follows the only rule and that is both objects must follow it defined convention. The library simplifies complex property mappings, saving time and reducing boilerplate code.

With AutoMapper, you can enable the following:

• EF6 Extensions
• IDataReader/Record Extensions
• Collection Extensions
• Microsoft DI Extensions
• Expression Mapping
• Enum Extensions

GitHub: https://github.com/AutoMapper/AutoMapper

License: MIT License

Stars: 7.6k

4. SaasKit

A net core library for developing software-as-a-service applications. Using this library you can easily build multitenant apps using the OWIN interface. When you need to add multitenancy in the most simple way, you can use the SaasKit library.

It allows a variety of users to access the web app and utilize its services through a single instance. The founder of this library, Ben Foster writes various informative blogs on how to use the SaasKit library. If you want, you can read them here.

GitHub: https://github.com/saaskit/saaskit

License: MIT License

Stars: 886

5. Diagnostics.HealthChecks

A net core library is used to check the UI port and the liveness of the Microsoft Health Checks. It also enables you to create exclusive APIs for the display of health checks.

This library supports customizable health checks for databases, storage, and messaging platforms, ensuring seamless application monitoring. The real-time health status visualization that Diagnostics.Healthchecks offers can simplify troubleshooting and system maintenance.

The Diagnostics.HealthChecks library monitors health checks for:

• Applications
• Databases
• APIs
• Azure services
• Servers, etc.

GitHub: https://github.com/Xabaril/AspNetCore.Diagnostics.HealthChecks

License: Apache-2.0 license

Stars: 1.8k

6. MailKit

MailKit is a dot net core library for client-server that is cross-platform. You can get robust support for SMTP, POP3, and IMAP protocols if you choose MailKit. It is indeed a wise choice for sending and receiving emails securely.

Additionally, MailKit’s high performance and extensive documentation enable smooth handling of email-related functionalities. You can send a large number of mails in a secure environment due to its TLS or SSL-based asymmetric cryptography mechanism.

Some of the core features of this library are:

• Simple Authentication and Security Layer (SASL) Authentication
• Proxy support for SOCKS4/4a, SOCKS, and HTTP
• SMTP client
• Pop3 client
• IMAP4 client
• Async API and API cancellation

GitHub: https://github.com/jstedfast/MailKit

License: MIT License

Stars: 3.6k

7. CacheManager

A .net core library for cache abstraction in C#. It intends to ease the life of developers during complex caching scenarios. It supports various caching providers like Redis, MemoryCache, and more, which further allows for seamless integration and flexibility.

Its advanced features, such as multi-level caching and expiration policies, are what make CacheManager your go-to library for efficient cache management. CacheManager provides various advanced cache providers as well.

GitHub: https://github.com/MichaCo/CacheManager

License: Apache-2.0 license

Stars: 1.9k

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8. Dapper

Another .net core library for object mapping is the Dapper library. It supports high-performance ORM support for SQL Server, MySQL, SQLite, SqICE, and more. You can extend your IDBconnection interface using this NuGen library.

Dapper is lightweight, easy to use, and provides excellent performance by focusing on raw SQL queries instead of abstracted models. Developers who are working on projects that require speed and simplicity in database operations can select this one from our .NET libraries list.

GitHub: https://github.com/StackExchange/Dapper

License: Apache-2.0 license

Stars: 12.9k

9. Ocelot

An open-source API gateway for running microservices or service-oriented architecture. This net core library is useful for routing, request aggregation, web sockets, rate limiting, authentication, authorization, caching, load balancing, configuration, etc.

Ocelot works seamlessly with ASP.NET Core and this library is also highly adaptable. This allows developers to easily customize routing and load balancing to their preferences. With the use of this .NET library, service collaboration becomes much simpler, security stronger, and user experience more intuitive.

GitHub: https://github.com/ThreeMammals/Ocelot

License: MIT license

Stars: 5.7k

10. NLog

A net core library that is used for logging, is open-source and cross-platform. NLog enables you to manage features and with excellent log routines. It is a powerful and flexible logging library for .NET Core.

The library provides easy configuration and integration with various log targets like files, databases, and cloud services. Its ability to manage log levels, outputs, and formats makes it an essential tool for developers looking to streamline debugging and monitor application performance effectively.

Some essential features of the NLog library are:

• Easy configuration
• Template formation
• Extensible
• Structured logging

GitHub: https://github.com/NLog/NLog

License: BSD- 3 clause license

Stars: 4.8k

11. LiteDB

LiteDB is a lightweight MongoDB like, NoSQL database for .NET core. It is an open-source library that enables anyone to download and use it freely.

Ideal for embedded applications, LiteDB provides a fast, file-based solution with zero configuration. So, developers who need a compact, in-process database for their projects, LiteDB is the perfect .NET Core library to use.

Some amazing features of this library are:

• Thread-safe cross collection transaction.
• Reader: no lock. Writer: per collection lock.
• Query support for index and loader.
• FileStorage and system collection.

GitHub: https://github.com/mbdavid/LiteDB

License: MIT license

Stars: 5.3k

12. Smidge

From our .NET libraries list, this .NET Core library helps in app development and is lightweight and extensible. The .NET Core library is designed to optimize static file serving in web applications. It efficiently bundles, minifies, and caches JavaScript and CSS files to improve app performance.

Smidge library also comprises smart caching and versioning strategies. Thus, users can get the latest assets and cached copies as soon as possible. Using this library can reduce load times, which makes the user experience even better.

Here are the compelling features of Smidge:

• Minification, compression, and combination for JSS/CSS files.
• Client-side and server-side caching.
• Debugging and production configuration for each bundle.
• Fluent syntax and cache-busting.

GitHub: https://github.com/Shazwazza/Smidge

License: MIT license

Stars: 257

13. Bcrypt.net

Damien Miller created the Bcrypt .net core library for encryption in the .net framework. It is compatible with both .NET and .NET core frameworks. It offers a secure way to hash passwords, ensuring data protection with advanced cryptographic algorithms.

With its easy integration and customizable options, Bcrypt.net can be a preferable choice to consider when you are prioritizing security in app development. The strength of the Bcrypt.NET library lies in its adaptive hashing techniques and random salts that provide protection against brute-force attacks.

GitHub: https://github.com/neoKushan/BCrypt.Net-Core

License: BSD-3 clause licence

Stars: 129

14. UnitConversion

It is a library for unit conversion for both .net and dotnet core frameworks. The library is designed for seamless unit conversions and supports a wide range of measurement units, from length and mass to temperature and time.

Using UnitConversion, developers can integrate conversions into their applications without any difficulties. With simple API usage, it enhances efficiency in apps that require accurate and dynamic unit transformations.

The library includes the following conversions:

• Time conversions
• Mass conversions
• Distance conversions
• Area conversions
• Volume conversions

GitHub: https://github.com/atulmish/UnitConversion

License: MIT license

Stars: 130

15. FastReport

It is an open source report generator library for the .NET core framework. FastReport allows developers to easily design, generate, and export reports in various formats, including PDF, Excel, and HTML.

With its intuitive interface and robust features, FastReport can indeed simplify the process of creating complex, data-driven reports for web and desktop apps. FastReport enables you to add data from the following:

• XML
• CSV
• JSON
• MySQL
• MongoDB
• Oracle
• CouchBase
• Postgres
• SQLite
• RavenDB

GitHub: https://github.com/FastReports/FastReport

License: MIT license

Stars: 1.2k

16. AppMetrics

AppMetrics is an open-source dotnet library that can record and report metrics in an application. It is one of the crucial .NET Core libraries that provides powerful tools for tracking application performance, including real-time monitoring of response times, request rates, and error counts.

With seamless integration into various .NET applications, this .NET library helps developers ensure their systems are performing optimally and offers valuable insights for improving overall reliability.

The various types of metrics that it can provide are:

• Counting login users
• Requests rate
• Free memory
• Time to run database queries
• Support for Meters, gauges, timers, histograms, and counters, etc.

GitHub: https://github.com/AppMetrics/AppMetrics

License: Apache 2.0 license

Stars: 1.7k

17. SharpCompress

SharpCompress is a powerful compression library for dot net core framework that helps you compress and decompress your files with ease. It supports a wide range of formats, including ZIP, TAR, and RAR, and offers features like password protection and multi-threaded decompression.

If you need higher performance, you can use the SharpCompress library for handling large datasets efficiently. It also supports non-seekable streams for larger files.

Additional features:

• Zip writing
• RAR 5 decryption support
• Zip64
• Multi-volume zip support

GitHub: https://github.com/adamhathcock/sharpcompress

License: MIT license

Stars: 1.3k

18. Cscore

Cscore is a .NET core library for audio utilizations like capturing, decoding, effects, encoding, and much more. It provides developers with powerful tools for working with audio data in real-time.

Developers can consider Cscore as a perfect library for developing apps like audio players, recorders, and sound processing systems. With support for a wide range of audio formats and features, Cscore can indeed simplify the complex process of integrating audio functionalities into .NET Core applications.

Useful Features:

• Optimized performance with CLI instructions.
• Easy to use for naive learners.
• Unit tests enable high code coverage.
• Give fast support on Stackoverflow and GitHub.

GitHub: https://github.com/filoe/cscore

License:Microsoft Public License (Ms- PL)

Stars: 1.5k

19. NetOffice

A net core library for Microsoft Office tools to automate and extend them. MS Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint, Access, Project, and Vision, all versions after 2000, get support from NetOffice in the .NET core framework.

With seamless integration into the .NET Core ecosystem, the NetOffice library is perfect for deling with tasks like creating reports, processing data, and automating workflows. By using this library, developers can easily work with Office-based solutions.

Additional features:

• Add-in developments.
• Version independent development.
• Can use with .NET Framework 4 or higher.
• No registration required.

GitHub: https://github.com/NetOfficeFw/NetOffice

License: MIT license

Stars: 353

20. SignalR

The SignalR .NET core library enables you to add real-time web functionalities to your .NET core apps. It helps the developers push data from the server to their applications. Most organizations use SignalR to develop high-performing software, such as games, GPS-based applications, and other performance-intensive apps.

SignalR supports features like live chat, notifications, and real-time updates, which are crucial for creating interactive and engaging apps. SignalR offers automatic reconnection and scaling capabilities, which is the reason for smooth app user experiences even in high-demand scenarios.

Some of the noteworthy features are:

• Automatic connection management.
• Simultaneous message-sending to all clients.
• Can handle increasing traffic by scaling.
• Allows you to send messages to a group of clients.

GitHub: https://github.com/SignalR/SignalR

License: Apache 2.0 license

Stars: 8.1k

Conclusion