---
title: "Choose between ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core | Microsoft Docs"
author: rick-anderson
description: "How to choose between ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core."
ms.author: aspnetcontent
manager: wpickett
ms.date: 06/07/2017
ms.topic: article
ms.assetid: f0d17abf-3c69-413e-87fc-30780805e33f
ms.technology: aspnet
ms.prod: asp.net-core
msc.legacyurl: /learn
msc.type: content
---

# Choose between ASP.NET and ASP.NET Core 

No matter the web application you are creating, ASP.NET has a solution for you: from enterprise web applications targeting Windows Server, to small microservices targeting Linux containers, and everything in between.

## ASP.NET Core

ASP.NET Core is a new open-source and cross-platform .NET framework for building modern cloud-based web applications on Windows, Mac, or Linux.

## ASP.NET

ASP.NET is a mature web platform that provides all the services that you require to build enterprise-class, server-based web applications using .NET on Windows.

## Which one is right for me?

| ASP.NET Core | ASP.NET |
|---|---|
|Build for Windows, Mac, or Linux|Build for Windows|
|Use [MVC](mvc/overview.md) or [Web API](tutorials/first-web-api.md)|Use [Web Forms](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/web-forms), [SignalR](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/signalr), [MVC](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/mvc), [Web API](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/web-api/), or [Web Pages](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/web-pages)|
|Multiple versions per machine|One version per machine|
|Develop with Visual Studio or Visual Studio Code using C#|Develop with Visual Studio using C#, VB or F#|
|New platform|Mature platform|
|Ultra performance|High performance|
|[Choose .NET Framework or .NET Core runtime](https://docs.microsoft.com/dotnet/articles/standard/choosing-core-framework-server)|Use .NET Framework runtime|

## ASP.NET Core scenarios

* [Websites](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/core/tutorials/first-mvc-app/)
* [APIs](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/core/tutorials/first-web-api)

## ASP.NET scenarios

* [Websites](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/mvc)
* [APIs](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/web-api)
* [Real-time](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/signalr)

## Resources

* [Introduction to ASP.NET](https://docs.microsoft.com/aspnet/overview)
* [Introduction to ASP.NET Core](index.md)