What is maui?

MAUI stands for .NET Multi‑Platform App UI. It is a framework from Microsoft that lets developers write a single codebase in C# and XAML and then run the app on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. Think of it as one set of building blocks that can create native‑looking apps for many devices.

Let's break it down

  • .NET: The programming platform that runs the code.
  • Multi‑Platform: One project can target several operating systems.
  • App UI: The visual part of the app - buttons, lists, pages, etc.
  • XAML: A markup language used to describe the UI layout, similar to HTML for web pages.
  • C#: The language you write the logic in (like JavaScript for web). MAUI takes the UI description (XAML) and the logic (C#), compiles them, and produces native binaries for each platform.

Why does it matter?

  • Save time: Write once, run everywhere, instead of building separate Android, iOS, and Windows projects.
  • Consistent experience: Users get a look and feel that matches their device while you keep the core code shared.
  • Leverage .NET ecosystem: Reuse libraries, tools, and skills you already have in .NET.
  • Future‑proof: Microsoft is investing in MAUI as the evolution of Xamarin.Forms, so it will get updates and community support.

Where is it used?

  • Business apps that need to run on employee phones, tablets, and desktops.
  • Consumer apps that want a single development team for all major platforms.
  • Prototyping tools where quick cross‑platform UI testing is required.
  • Educational projects teaching C# and UI design without juggling multiple SDKs. Many startups and enterprises have adopted MAUI for internal tools, field service apps, and even public‑facing products.

Good things about it

  • Single project structure - one solution file, one set of resources.
  • Native performance - the UI controls map to the real native controls on each OS.
  • Hot Reload - see UI changes instantly while coding, speeding up development.
  • Strong tooling - Visual Studio integration, debugging, and designers are built‑in.
  • Open source - the framework is on GitHub, allowing community contributions and transparency.

Not-so-good things

  • Learning curve - beginners must grasp both C# and XAML, plus platform‑specific quirks.
  • App size - the compiled binaries can be larger than pure native apps because of the shared runtime.
  • Limited third‑party libraries - not all Android or iOS libraries have MAUI bindings yet.
  • Early‑stage bugs - as a relatively new framework, some edge‑case issues still surface.
  • Platform differences - despite “write once,” you may still need small tweaks for each OS to get a perfect look and feel.