What is the difference between .NET Core and Mono?

Differences Between .NET Core and Mono

Overview

Both .NET Core and Mono are open-source, cross-platform implementations of the .NET framework, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.

.NET Core

1. Modern and Officially Supported: .NET Core is the more modern and officially supported platform by Microsoft. It is designed to be a modular, high-performance, and cross-platform implementation of the .NET framework[1][2].
2. Focus and Compatibility: .NET Core primarily targets modern application development, including web development and cloud-based applications. It is highly compatible with the broader .NET ecosystem, making it easier to port existing .NET applications to .NET Core[1][2].
3. Performance: .NET Core places a strong emphasis on performance and is optimized for modern workloads. It benefits from various performance improvements and optimizations, making it faster in many scenarios, especially for web and cloud-based applications[1][2].
4. Platform Reach: .NET Core supports Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing a broader platform reach than Mono[1].
5. Community and Support: .NET Core has a larger and more active community, which means more support, documentation, and third-party libraries are available[2].
6. Long-Term Support (LTS): Microsoft provides Long-Term Support (LTS) versions for .NET Core, ensuring stability and support for extended periods, which is crucial for long-term projects[1].

Mono

1. Legacy and Compatibility: Mono is an older open-source implementation of the .NET framework, originally developed by Xamarin. It was created to enable .NET applications to run on non-Windows platforms, such as Linux and macOS[1][2][6].
2. Focus on Older Technologies: Mono is more focused on compatibility with older .NET technologies and is often used to run legacy .NET applications on non-Windows platforms. While it supports modern .NET features, it may not offer the same level of compatibility as .NET Core[1][2].
3. Performance: While Mono has made performance improvements over the years, it may not be as performant as .NET Core, especially for certain workloads[1][2].
4. Platform Reach: Mono supports a wide range of platforms, including iOS, Android, and various gaming consoles, making it suitable for mobile and gaming applications[1][6].
5. Community and Support: Mono has an...