.NET application examples for web, mobile, desktop, and cloud  

When it comes to software development, .NET offers the breadth and flexibility that can hardly be compared to other frameworks. It powers enterprise web platforms and runs healthcare systems, mobile apps, cloud services, and even IoT devices. .NET’s ability to support multiple programming languages and run across Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS makes it a popular choice for developers and businesses alike from year to year. 

In this article, we explore how .NET finds applications across industries, covering the different types of apps you can build, real-world examples of .NET applications from business, healthcare, education, and IoT, and why this framework continues to be one of the most trusted in the industry. Let’s start by understanding what is .NET used for and what distinguishes it among other technologies. 

.NET application development in a nutshell 

Under the .NET application development, we understand building software using Microsoft’s .NET platform, a unified, open-source framework that supports multiple programming languages, most commonly C#, F#, and Visual Basic. The strength of .NET lies in its versatility — it can power everything from lightweight console applications to large-scale enterprise systems, web platforms, mobile solutions, and even cloud-native microservices. 

Since its introduction in 2002 and its later reinvention with .NET Core in 2016, the framework has evolved into what we know today — a set of modern tools for building reliable, cross-platform applications. Companies across industries, from healthcare to education to finance, rely on .NET to deliver scalable, secure, and user-friendly solutions. 

Let’s look closer at the examples of .NET applications, in general, and for specific industries. 

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Different types of .NET applications 

Type 1: Console applications 

Console applications are the simplest form of .NET programs. They run in a command-line environment without a graphical interface. Those applications are widely used for automation scripts, batch processing, utilities, and developer tools. Console apps are easy to build and fast to run, and, therefore, ideal for back-end tasks or system-level operations. 

Type 2: Windows Forms (WinForms)  

WinForms was one of the first frameworks in .NET for creating graphical desktop applications on Windows. It uses a drag-and-drop interface for designing forms, buttons, and other UI elements. While modern frameworks like WPF and .NET MAUI have surpassed WinForms in flexibility, it remains a reliable choice for maintaining legacy enterprise applications. 

Type 3: Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF)  

WPF provides a more modern and flexible way to build Windows desktop apps with rich user interfaces. It uses XAML for UI design, supports data binding, and can handle advanced graphics, animations, and media. Businesses often choose WPF for applications that require intuitive, visually appealing interfaces, such as data visualization tools or desktop dashboards. 

Type 4: ASP.NET Web Forms  

ASP.NET Web Forms was Microsoft’s early web framework, designed to make web development more accessible by abstracting HTML, CSS, and JavaScript into server-side controls. While still supported, it has largely been replaced by MVC and ASP.NET Core, which provide better performance and clearer separation of concerns. Many legacy enterprise web apps, however, still rely on Web Forms. 

Type 5: ASP.NET MVC  

ASP.NET MVC brought a shift toward cleaner architecture by separating applications into Model, View, and Controller layers. It allowed greater control over HTML and client-side interactions, making it easier to build maintainable and testable web apps. Though ASP.NET Core has since unified MVC and Web API, the MVC pattern continues to influence modern .NET web development. 

Type 6: ASP.NET Core  

ASP.NET Core is the modern web framework built for cross-platform performance. It can run on Windows, Linux, and macOS, supports cloud-native deployment, and integrates seamlessly with Docker and Kubernetes. With built-in dependency injection, minimal APIs, and high-speed processing via the Kestrel server, ASP.NET Core is now the go-to framework for modern web apps, REST APIs, and enterprise-scale solutions. 

Type 7: Windows Communication Foundation (WCF)  

WCF was designed for building service-oriented applications that communicate over SOAP, HTTP, or TCP. It powered many enterprise systems that required secure, reliable messaging between distributed components. While newer technologies like gRPC and ASP.NET Core Web APIs have gained popularity, many large organizations still maintain WCF applications in mission-critical systems. 

Type 8: Windows Services 

Windows Services are long-running background processes that start automatically when Windows boots. They are often used for monitoring, logging, scheduled tasks, or system-level integrations. Built in .NET, these services can run silently in the background, ensuring essential business processes remain uninterrupted. 

Type 9: Xamarin apps 

Xamarin extended .NET into the mobile world, allowing developers to build Android and iOS apps using C# and share logic across platforms. Xamarin applications offered native performance and access to platform APIs. Although Xamarin has been replaced by .NET MAUI, it played a key role in helping businesses embrace mobile development with the .NET ecosystem. 

Type 10: Universal Windows Platform (UWP)  

UWP was Microsoft’s attempt to unify Windows application development across PCs, tablets, Xbox, and HoloLens. UWP apps are distributed through the Microsoft Store and provide a consistent experience across devices. While .NET MAUI and WinUI are shaping the future of Windows app development, UWP remains in use for device-specific applications. 

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Best examples: Business 

Example 1: Microsoft Office Suite 

The Microsoft Office Suite, which includes Word, Excel, and Outlook, is deeply connected to the .NET ecosystem. Beyond being productivity tools, these applications rely on .NET technologies for extensibility and automation. For example, Office add-ins and macros often use .NET libraries to integrate with business systems, streamline workflows, or connect to cloud services. This flexibility allows organizations to customize Office applications to fit their needs, from automating reporting in Excel to building Outlook integrations that simplify communication and scheduling. 

Example 2: SharePoint 

SharePoint has become a cornerstone of enterprise collaboration and document management. Built on .NET, it enables businesses to create secure intranet portals, manage document workflows, and facilitate collaboration across departments. With its integration into Microsoft 365, SharePoint offers seamless access to tools like Teams, OneDrive, and Office applications. Organizations often extend SharePoint using .NET to create custom solutions, dashboards, or approval workflows, making it one of the most adaptable platforms for managing knowledge and processes at scale. 

Example 3: ASP.NET-based e-commerce platforms 

Many e-commerce platforms are powered by ASP.NET MVC or ASP.NET Core, giving businesses the performance and flexibility required for modern online retail. These platforms offer scalability to handle spikes in traffic, robust security for processing payments, and integration with third-party services such as shipping providers and customer management systems. Global retailers and enterprise e-commerce sites rely on ASP.NET because it can be customized extensively while providing the speed and reliability needed for high-volume operations. 

Example 4: Trello 

While the core of Trello was originally developed in JavaScript, its Windows desktop application leverages .NET to integrate with the Windows ecosystem. This shows how cross-platform frameworks can extend existing web-based tools into desktop environments, offering users offline access and native performance. For Trello, .NET provides the stability and integration needed to support enterprise users who depend on the tool for project management and collaboration. 

Example 5: Tableau 

Tableau, a leading platform for data visualization and business intelligence, incorporates .NET components to power its dashboards and reporting capabilities. Its integration with Windows-based enterprise systems is one of the reasons for its widespread adoption across industries. By using .NET, Tableau delivers a user-friendly interface that can handle complex visualizations and large datasets, while ensuring compatibility with the IT infrastructure businesses already rely on. 

Example 6: ADP Workforce Now 

ADP Workforce Now is a widely used HR and payroll management platform that relies on .NET to process sensitive employee data securely and at scale. From payroll calculations to compliance reporting and workforce analytics, ADP requires a framework that combines stability with the ability to handle massive volumes of data. .NET’s robust security model and scalability make it a natural fit for this type of mission-critical application, where accuracy and reliability are non-negotiable. 

Best examples: Healthcare 

Example 1: Epic Systems 

Epic Systems is one of the largest providers of electronic health record (EHR) software in the United States, used by major hospital networks and clinics nationwide. Built on .NET, Epic’s platform supports everything from patient data management and scheduling to billing and regulatory compliance. The framework’s scalability allows Epic to serve institutions ranging from small practices to large hospital systems with thousands of users. Its reliance on .NET ensures the platform can integrate securely with third-party systems while maintaining strict compliance with healthcare regulations such as HIPAA. 

Example 2: Cerner Millennium 

Cerner Millennium, another leading EHR platform, leverages .NET to deliver secure, reliable healthcare applications that manage clinical workflows and patient records. One of its strengths is interoperability — the ability to connect different healthcare systems and share patient data safely. By using .NET, Cerner offers healthcare providers scalable solutions that handle everything from electronic prescribing to advanced analytics. This makes it easier for organizations to improve efficiency while delivering better patient outcomes. 

Example 3: Allscripts 

Allscripts uses .NET technologies to deliver healthcare management solutions designed with openness in mind. Its platform emphasizes interoperability and open APIs, allowing providers to connect patient data across multiple systems and devices. This focus enables healthcare organizations to break down silos, share information more effectively, and adapt quickly to new technologies. By leveraging .NET, Allscripts ensures its applications remain flexible enough to meet the needs of diverse healthcare environments while offering the security and performance required for sensitive data. 

Example 4: Meditech 

Meditech integrates .NET components into its EHR solutions to streamline workflows and create more intuitive user experiences for clinicians and administrators. Hospitals rely on Meditech’s software for patient management, charting, scheduling, and billing. By adopting .NET, Meditech improves the stability and performance of its systems, helping healthcare providers deliver efficient care without unnecessary administrative complexity. For hospitals, this translates into smoother operations and better support for staff on the frontlines of patient care. 

Example 5: eClinicalWorks 

eClinicalWorks is another major EHR provider that leverages .NET for its web-based healthcare applications. Its platform supports medical practices of all sizes with charting, scheduling, patient communication, and telehealth services. By building on .NET, eClinicalWorks offers a reliable, scalable foundation that can handle the growing demand for digital healthcare solutions, especially in telemedicine. The framework enables secure remote access to patient data while maintaining compliance with strict healthcare standards. 

Best examples: Education 

Example 1: Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) 

Blackboard is one of the most established learning management systems in higher education and corporate training. Its platform, built with .NET technologies, provides robust tools for course management, virtual classrooms, student assessments, and collaboration. By leveraging .NET, Blackboard provides universities with scalability to serve tens of thousands of students, while ensuring seamless integration with existing enterprise systems, such as Microsoft Office 365. This stability makes it a trusted choice for institutions that need reliability in online and hybrid learning environments. 

Example 2: Canvas 

The Canvas LMS, widely adopted in schools and universities, uses .NET-based services to support its cloud-first approach. With millions of global users, Canvas benefits from .NET’s ability to scale efficiently, ensuring smooth performance even during peak usage periods such as exam seasons. Canvas is one of the .NET website examples that integrates with external apps and provides APIs that extend functionality, allowing schools to customize the learning experience.  

Example 3: PowerSchool 

PowerSchool is a leading student information system (SIS) used primarily in K–12 education. Built on .NET, it enables administrators and educators to manage core functions such as attendance, grading, scheduling, and parent communication. The framework’s robustness allows PowerSchool to handle sensitive student data securely while offering integration with third-party education tools. For school districts, this means a centralized platform that streamlines operations, reduces manual work, and improves engagement with parents and students alike. 

Example 4: Moodle 

While the core of Moodle is written in PHP, many institutions extend it with .NET integrations to enhance its functionality. These extensions are particularly valuable for tasks like advanced reporting, authentication through Active Directory, or connecting Moodle with Windows-based enterprise systems. By combining Moodle’s open-source flexibility with .NET’s enterprise-grade capabilities, schools can create hybrid solutions that fit into existing IT infrastructures without sacrificing scalability or security. 

Best examples: Internet of Things (IoT) 

Example 1: Azure IoT Suite: 

Microsoft’s Azure IoT Suite is a cloud-native platform that combines .NET with Azure services to help businesses build, deploy, and manage IoT solutions at scale. With built-in tools for device connectivity, real-time monitoring, and predictive analytics, Azure IoT Suite is widely used in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and energy. Developers can use .NET to write applications that process sensor data, trigger automated responses, and feed insights into dashboards, all while integrating with existing enterprise systems. 

Example 2: Windows 10 IoT Core 

Windows 10 IoT Core, running on devices like Raspberry Pi, gives developers a cost-effective way to experiment with and deploy IoT projects using .NET. This setup is popular in education, prototyping, and small-scale production, as it allows developers to create everything from smart home gadgets to industrial monitoring tools without heavy infrastructure costs. With .NET, developers can reuse familiar languages like C# to build apps that interact directly with sensors and hardware components, lowering the barrier to entry for IoT development. 

Example 3: Philips Hue Lighting System 

The Philips Hue smart lighting ecosystem integrates with .NET APIs, allowing developers and businesses to extend its functionality. Beyond controlling lights with a mobile app, .NET enables the automation of entire environments, syncing lights with schedules, sensors, or even entertainment systems. Businesses have also used .NET to integrate Hue with building management systems, creating smarter, energy-efficient offices. This shows how .NET enables custom solutions on top of popular IoT devices. 

Example 4:  Nest Thermostat 

The Nest Thermostat by Google is a well-known consumer IoT device that demonstrates how .NET can serve as a bridge between smart devices and enterprise systems. Through cloud APIs, developers can build .NET applications that integrate Nest data, such as energy usage or temperature control, into larger building automation or energy management platforms. This makes it possible to combine consumer-grade IoT devices with enterprise-level analytics and reporting, providing value both at home and in the workplace. 

Example 5:  Bosch IoT Suite 

The Bosch IoT Suite is a comprehensive platform for managing connected devices across industries, from smart homes to large-scale industrial systems. Built with support for .NET, it enables developers to write applications that handle device connectivity, data integration, and process automation. For example, manufacturers use Bosch IoT Suite with .NET to connect production line sensors, track equipment health, and optimize operations in real time.  

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In conclusion 

.NET has proven to be one of the most versatile frameworks in modern software development. From simple console utilities to enterprise web apps, mobile platforms, healthcare systems, education tools, and IoT devices, it supports nearly every type of application. Its longevity, strong performance, and cross-platform capabilities make it a safe, future-ready choice for businesses and developers alike. 

Whether an organization is building a new SaaS product, managing sensitive healthcare data, or connecting IoT devices at scale, .NET provides the tools to do it securely and efficiently. Want to learn more about web-based application development on .NET, or maybe you are considering .NET development for your next project — contact us!