---
title: Host in ASP.NET Core
author: guardrex
description: Learn about the ASP.NET Core Web Host and .NET Generic Host, which are responsible for app startup and lifetime management.
manager: wpickett
ms.author: riande
ms.custom: mvc
ms.date: 05/16/2018
ms.prod: asp.net-core
ms.technology: aspnet
ms.topic: article
uid: fundamentals/host/index
---
# Host in ASP.NET Core

.NET apps configure and launch a *host*. The host is responsible for app startup and lifetime management. Two host APIs are available for use:

* [Web Host](xref:fundamentals/host/web-host) – Suitable for hosting web apps.
* [Generic Host](xref:fundamentals/host/generic-host) (ASP.NET Core 2.1 or later) – Suitable for hosting non-web apps (for example, apps that run background tasks). In a future release, the Generic Host will be suitable for hosting any kind of app, including web apps. The Generic Host will eventually replace the Web Host.

At this time, developers should use the [Web Host](xref:fundamentals/host/web-host) based on [IWebHostBuilder](/dotnet/api/microsoft.aspnetcore.hosting.iwebhostbuilder) for hosting ASP.NET Core apps.