Why Are There So Few Open-Source .NET Projects? The Shocking Truth Behind Microsoft’s Ecosystem

Let’s talk about something that’s been bugging me—and probably you too if you’ve ever dipped your toes into the world of .NET. Why is it that when you look at open-source projects, .NET is like that one friend who never shows up to the party? You know, the one who’s always “busy” but you’re not really sure what they’re doing?

I was debating this with two of my friends who are hardcore .NET fans. Like, cult-level fans. They love it so much they’d probably get a .NET tattoo if you dared them. But when I threw the question at them—“Why are there so few open-source .NET projects compared to, say, Python or JavaScript?”—they froze. Crickets. Confusion. No clear answers.

So, let’s break it down. Why is .NET so underrepresented in the open-source world? And what does this mean for developers, companies, and the future of tech? Buckle up, because this is going to be a wild ride.

The Microsoft Effect: A Legacy of Closed Doors

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Microsoft. For years, Microsoft was the king of closed-source software. Windows, Office, and, of course, .NET were all tightly controlled ecosystems. If you were a developer in the early 2000s, you probably remember the “embrace, extend, extinguish” mantra that haunted Microsoft’s reputation.

Back then, open-source was like the rebel alliance fighting against the Microsoft empire. And .NET? It was the Death Star—powerful, but not exactly welcoming to outsiders.

Sure, Microsoft has made strides in recent years. They’ve open-sourced some big projects like Visual Studio Code (VS Code), TypeScript, and even parts of .NET itself. But here’s the thing: open-sourcing a few projects doesn’t automatically create an open-source culture.

It’s like if your strict, old-school dad suddenly decided to let you stay out past curfew once. Cool, but it doesn’t mean he’s suddenly your best friend.

The Chicken-and-Egg Problem: No Community, No Projects

One of the biggest reasons for the lack of open-source .NET projects is the lack of a strong open-source community. And this is a classic chicken-and-egg problem.

• No Projects → No Community: If there aren’t many open-source projects, developers don’t have a reason to gather around .NET.
• No Community → No Projects: If there’s no community, who’s going to build and maintain those projects?

Compare this to languages like Python or JavaScript, where open-source is baked into the culture. Python has Django, Flask, and thousands of libraries. JavaScript has React, Vue, Node.js, and an endless list of frameworks. These communities thrive because they’re built on collaboration and sharing.

Corporate Cages & "Don’t Rock the Boat" Devs

Let’s talk about the companies using .NET. Banks. Governments. Big Corp Inc. These aren’t exactly "let’s hack on weekends and share code" types. They want results . Deadlines. Stability. Open-source? Not exactly their jam.

And if you’re a dev at one of these places, are you gonna march into your boss’s office and say, "Hey, let’s open-source our internal tool"? Nope. You’re too busy fighting with legacy code from 2003. 🙃

The Porting Paradox: Windows First, Everything Else Second

Here’s something I find fascinating: most open-source projects are developed for Linux or macOS first, and then ported to Windows. Think about it—how many times have you downloaded a tool or library that had a “Windows version” as an afterthought?

But it’s rare to see the opposite. How many open-source .NET projects are developed for Windows first and then ported to Linux or macOS? Not many.

The AI Race: Is .NET Falling Behind?

Now, let’s talk about the future—specifically, AI. Look at the biggest players in AI right now: OpenAI, Google, Meta, and so on. What do they have in common? They’re all built on open-source technologies.

Python dominates the AI space because of its open-source libraries like TensorFlow, PyTorch, and scikit-learn. Even JavaScript is getting in on the action with tools like TensorFlow.js.

But where’s .NET in all of this? Sure, there’s ML.NET, but it’s not exactly setting the world on fire. And why? Because open-source is where the innovation happens. It’s where developers can experiment, share ideas, and build on each other’s work.

If .NET doesn’t embrace open-source more fully, it risks becoming irrelevant in the AI race. And that’s a scary thought for anyone invested in the ecosystem.

The Open-Source Mindset: Why It Matters

At the end of the day, open-source isn’t just about code. It’s about a mindset. It’s about collaboration, transparency, and sharing knowledge.

Companies, agencies, and developers who don’t embrace this mindset are going to fall behind. They’ll be stuck in their closed cages while the rest of the world moves forward together.

The Bottom Line: It’s Time for .NET to Step Up

So, what’s the solution? It’s simple: .NET needs to fully embrace open-source. Not just by open-sourcing a few projects here and there, but by building a culture of collaboration and sharing.

Microsoft has taken some steps in the right direction, but there’s still a long way to go. And it’s not just up to Microsoft—it’s up to the developers, the companies, and the community to push for change.

Because in a world where open-source is the norm, being closed off is no longer an option.

So, to my .NET-loving friends: I get it. You love the framework, and that’s great. But if you want to see it thrive in the future, it’s time to start thinking differently.

Because the future of tech is open. And if .NET doesn’t step up, it might just get left behind.

What do you think? Is .NET ready to embrace open-source fully? Or will it remain the odd one out in the open-source world? Let me know your thoughts!