10 Overrated .NET Packages (And What to Use Instead)
Better Choices for Smarter Development
Published in
5 min read2 days ago
When developing in .NET, the sheer number of packages available can be overwhelming. Some packages are widely popular but often fail to deliver the efficiency, performance, or simplicity they promise.
Developers tend to gravitate toward these “big-name” tools, only to find they’re bulky, outdated, or outperformed by better alternatives.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at seven overrated .NET packages, why they might not be the best choice, and explore smarter alternatives to streamline your development process.
1. Entity Framework (EF)
Why It’s Overrated:
While EF is great for rapid prototyping, it often struggles with large datasets, complex queries, and high-performance requirements. Developers frequently encounter inefficient SQL and performance bottlenecks.
What to Use Instead:
- Dapper: A lightweight ORM with complete control over SQL.
- RepoDb: Balances simplicity and performance, ideal for enterprise-scale projects.
// Using Dapper for a simple query
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))…
