Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

MonoDevelop VS SharpDevelop

Compare MonoDevelop VS SharpDevelop and see what are their differences

MonoDevelop logo MonoDevelop

MonoDevelop enables developers to write desktop and web applications on Linux, Windows and Mac OS X.

SharpDevelop logo SharpDevelop

#develop (short for SharpDevelop) is a free IDE for C#, VB.NET and Boo projects on Microsoft's .
  • MonoDevelop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-07-19
  • SharpDevelop Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-27

MonoDevelop features and specs

  • Cross-platform Support
    MonoDevelop runs on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux, allowing developers to work in a consistent environment regardless of the operating system.
  • Integration with .NET Development
    MonoDevelop is tailored for .NET development, providing excellent support for C# and other .NET languages, which includes debugging, project management, and code completion features.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source IDE, MonoDevelop allows developers to contribute to its development and customize the environment to their specific needs.
  • Unity Development
    MonoDevelop is often used with Unity game development because of its strong support for C#, providing a seamless environment for game developers.
  • Built-in Version Control
    The IDE provides built-in support for version control systems, particularly Git, which facilitates easy tracking and management of code changes.

Possible disadvantages of MonoDevelop

  • Limited Language Support
    Compared to some other IDEs, MonoDevelop has limited support for languages outside of the .NET ecosystem, which can be a drawback for developers working with diverse languages.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users have reported that MonoDevelop can be slow or prone to crashing, particularly with larger projects, which can hinder productivity.
  • Less Modern UI
    The user interface of MonoDevelop is considered less modern or intuitive compared to some newer IDEs, which might affect the user experience.
  • Community Support
    While there is some community support due to its open-source nature, it is not as extensive or active as other mainstream IDEs, potentially making it harder to find solutions for issues.
  • Integration with Latest .NET Features
    MonoDevelop may not always support the latest .NET features or keep pace with the rapid development of the .NET ecosystem, which could be a limitation for developers looking to use the latest tools and frameworks.

SharpDevelop features and specs

  • Open Source
    SharpDevelop is open-source software, allowing developers to contribute to its development and customize it as needed.
  • Free of Charge
    It is available for free, which lowers the barrier for entry for individual developers and small teams who may not have the budget for commercial alternatives.
  • Lightweight
    SharpDevelop is lightweight compared to some other integrated development environments (IDEs), which can result in faster startup times and lower system resource consumption.
  • C# and .NET Support
    It provides good support for C# and .NET languages, catering to developers working within the Microsoft ecosystem.
  • Extensible
    The IDE is extensible, allowing developers to add features and customize it through a range of plugins and extensions.

Possible disadvantages of SharpDevelop

  • Limited Features
    Compared to larger IDEs like Visual Studio, SharpDevelop may have fewer features and tools available out of the box.
  • Discontinued Development
    Active development on SharpDevelop has been discontinued, meaning it may lack support for new technologies or bug fixes over time.
  • Community Size
    The user and developer community for SharpDevelop is relatively small, which can lead to limited support options and fewer third-party resources.
  • Compatibility
    SharpDevelop might not support all the latest features of C# and .NET, especially newer releases, due to its discontinued status.
  • Platform Limitations
    It's primarily designed for Windows, which may not be ideal for developers working in cross-platform environments.

Analysis of MonoDevelop

Overall verdict

  • MonoDevelop is a solid choice for developers who need a free and open-source IDE specifically for C# and .NET development, particularly on non-Windows platforms. While it may not have as large a community or range of features as some other IDEs like Visual Studio or JetBrains Rider, it remains a reliable and effective tool for many development needs.

Why this product is good

  • MonoDevelop is an open-source integrated development environment used primarily for C# and other .NET languages. It provides a feature-rich development environment with support for debugging, project management, and source control, making it popular among developers who work with .NET applications. Its cross-platform capabilities also allow developers to build applications for Linux, macOS, and Windows, enhancing its versatility.

Recommended for

  • Developers working with C# and .NET on Linux or macOS
  • Those looking for a free and open-source IDE
  • Cross-platform .NET development

MonoDevelop videos

C# programming with MonoDevelop on Ubuntu 16.04

SharpDevelop videos

Hello World App in C# with SharpDevelop IDE

More videos:

  • Review - SharpDevelop | Visual Studio Alternative For Weaker Devices | And Low Space Computers
  • Review - tuananhktmt- Hฦฐแป›ng dแบซn lแบญp trรฌnh C# trรชn SharpDevelop

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to MonoDevelop and SharpDevelop)
Text Editors
70 70%
30% 30
IDE
67 67%
33% 33
Software Development
67 67%
33% 33
Developer Tools
57 57%
43% 43

User comments

Share your experience with using MonoDevelop and SharpDevelop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

What are some alternatives?

When comparing MonoDevelop and SharpDevelop, you can also consider the following products

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

Eclipse - Eclipse is an open source community, whose projects are focused on building an open development platform comprised of extensible frameworks, tools and runtimes for building, deploying and managing software across the lifecycle.

Qt Creator - Qt Creator is a cross-platform C++, JavaScript and QML integrated development environment. It is the fastest, easiest and most fun experience a C++ developer could wish for.

Netbeans - NetBeans IDE 7.0. Develop desktop, mobile and web applications with Java, PHP, C/C++ and more. Runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X and Solaris. NetBeans IDE is open-source and free.

Rider - Rider is a cross-platform .NET IDE based on the IntelliJ platform and ReSharper.

PyCharm - Python & Django IDE with intelligent code completion, on-the-fly error checking, quick-fixes, and much more...