Asp.net framework is a part of .net platform for building, deploying and running web applications. Now, we can develop a web application by using Asp.Net Web Form and Asp.Net MVC. In this article, I am going to expose the main difference between Asp.Net Web Form and Asp.Net MVC.
| Asp.Net Web Forms | Asp.Net MVC |
| Asp.Net Web Form follow a traditional event driven development model. | Asp.Net MVC is a lightweight and follow MVC (Model, View, Controller) pattern based development model. |
| Asp.Net Web Form has server controls. | Asp.Net MVC has html helpers. |
| Asp.Net Web Form has state management (like as view state, session) techniques. | Asp.Net MVC has no automatic state management techniques. |
| Asp.Net Web Form has file-based URLs means file name exist in the URLs must have its physically existence. | Asp.Net MVC has route-based URLs means URLs are divided into controllers and actions and moreover it is based on controller not on physical file. |
| Asp.Net Web Form follows Web Forms Syntax | Asp.Net MVC follow customizable syntax (Razor as default) |
| In Asp.Net Web Form, Web Forms(ASPX) i.e. views are tightly coupled to Code behind(ASPX.CS) i.e. logic. | In Asp.Net MVC, Views and logic are kept separately. |
| Asp.Net Web Form has Master Pages for consistent look and feels. | Asp.Net MVC has Layouts for consistent look and feels. |
| Asp.Net Web Form has User Controls for code re-usability. | Asp.Net MVC has Partial Views for code re-usability. |
| Asp.Net Web Form has built-in data controls and best for rapid development with powerful data access. | Asp.Net MVC is lightweight, provide full control over markup and support many features that allow fast & agile development. Hence it is best for developing interactive web application with latest web standards. |
| Asp.Net Web Form is not Open Source. | Asp.Net Web MVC is an Open Source. |