IronBarcode Advanced Installation & .NET Compatibility

Curtis Chau

Updated: August 2, 2026

Download IronBarcode

• NuGet Download
• DLL Download

• ---

• Start Free Trial

Copy for LLMs

• Copy for LLMs

  Copy page as Markdown for LLMs
  # IronBarcode Advanced Installation & .NET Compatibility IronBarcode is a powerful library, and we aim to support as many environments as possible. To achieve this, we package files separately for different platforms. A single, all-in-one package would lead to unnecessary downloads for most users. Instead, IronBarcode provides advanced tools to install the library specifically for your target environment. Instead of installing the `IronBarCode` NuGet Package, we can search for specific packages on NuGet. The functionality and API of all packages remain the same; however, the way they develop might be slightly different. This article aims to provide a clear comparison and acts as a recommended guide to suggest the most optimal `IronBarCode` that fits your needs! ## .NET Version Compatibility IronBarcode targets .NET Standard 2.0 and supports .NET 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, .NET Core 3.x and 2.x, and .NET Framework 4.6.2+. All platform-specific packages listed below share the same framework compatibility, so the .NET version you target does not affect which package you choose - that decision is based on your operating system and deployment environment. ## BarCode NuGet Package <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/windows-logo.png" style="display:inline"/> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/docker.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/fluency/72/000000/azure-1.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/amazon-web-services.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/ubuntu--v1.png" style="display:inline" /> Most commonly used. Configured to get you up and running in Visual Studio as quickly as possible. Suitable for most projects. [**PM > Install-Package BarCode**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode) - *Contains BarCode.Slim* - *Contains BarCode.Detection* - *Contains IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.Windows*, a Windows-specific dependency ## BarCode.Slim NuGet Package <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> Does not include the Machine Learning feature for detecting barcodes. [**PM > Install-Package BarCode.Slim**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.Slim) - All other packages reference this package. - Contains the actual IronBarCode.dll. - Does NOT include Windows, Linux, or macOS-specific dependencies. - Does NOT include `Barcode.Detection`. [[i:(This package contains the smallest footprint and doesn't reference other packages. However, if the input has a large amount of digital noise, please consider adding `Barcode.Detection` for better results.)]] ## BarCode.Detection NuGet Package <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> An advanced package that utilizes Machine Learning for more accurate barcode detection, allowing developers to freely customize the parameters to suit their needs. [**PM > Install-Package BarCode.Detection**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.Detection) - Supports all platforms. - Included in the base BarCode package. ## BarCode.Linux <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/linux--v1.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/debian.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/ubuntu.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/centos.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/fluency/72/000000/azure-1.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/amazon-web-services.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/docker.png" style="display:inline" /> Designed with cloud and Linux-based OS in mind, works particularly well for AWS & Lambda, Azure Functions, and WebApps in Linux mode. To set it up for Linux, check out this [guide](https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/barcode/get-started/linux/). [**`PM > Install-Package BarCode.Linux`**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.Linux) - *Contains `BarCode.Slim`* - *Contains `BarCode.Detection`* - *Contains `IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.Linux`*, a Linux-specific dependency ## BarCode.MacOs & BarCode.MacOs.ARM NuGet Packages <img src="https://img.icons8.com/color/72/000000/mac-client.png" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> These two packages are specifically tailored for macOS & macOS.ARM users to allow developers to utilize and integrate IronBarcode in their macOS-based applications. For more information, please refer to this [setup guide](https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/barcode/get-started/macos/) for macOS. [**`Install-Package BarCode.MacOs`**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.MacOs) [**`PM > Install-Package BarCode.MacOs.ARM`**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.MacOs.ARM) - *Contains `BarCode.Slim`* - *Contains `BarCode.Detection`* - *Contains `IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.iOS`* or *`IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.MacOs.ARM`*, a macOS-specific dependency ## BarCode.iOS NuGet Package <img src="https://img.icons8.com/?size=72&id=20822&format=png&color=000000" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> IronBarcode offers an iOS package that is designed specifically for mobile-based iOS applications. Easily integrate IronBarcode as a standalone barcode reader or integrate with existing applications. For more information on how to set up IronBarcode on iOS, please refer to this [setup guide](https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/barcode/get-started/ios/). [**`PM > Install-Package BarCode.iOS`**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.iOS) - *Contains `BarCode.Slim`* - *Contains `IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.iOS`*, an iOS-specific dependency ## BarCode.Android NuGet Package <img src="https://img.icons8.com/?size=72&id=P2AnGyiJxMpp&format=png&color=000000" style="display:inline" /> <img src="https://img.icons8.com/windows/72/000000/nuget.png" style="display:inline" /> Similarly, IronBarcode also offers an Android experience, allowing developers to develop on both platforms with no barriers. For more information on how to set up IronBarcode on Android, please refer to this [setup guide](https://ironsoftware.com/csharp/barcode/get-started/android/). [**`PM > Install-Package BarCode.Android`**](https://www.nuget.org/packages/BarCode.Android) - *Contains `BarCode.Slim`* - *Contains `IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.Android`*, an Android-specific dependency

• ---

• Open in ChatGPT

  Ask ChatGPT about this page
• Open in Gemini

  Ask Gemini about this page
• Open in Grok

  Ask Grok about this page
• Open in Perplexity

  Ask Perplexity about this page

Share

• Share on Facebook
• Share on X (Twitter)
• Share on LinkedIn

• ---

• Email article

IronBarcode is a powerful library, and we aim to support as many environments as possible. To achieve this, we package files separately for different platforms. A single, all-in-one package would lead to unnecessary downloads for most users. Instead, IronBarcode provides advanced tools to install the library specifically for your target environment.

Instead of installing the IronBarCode NuGet Package, we can search for specific packages on NuGet. The functionality and API of all packages remain the same; however, the way they develop might be slightly different.

This article aims to provide a clear comparison and acts as a recommended guide to suggest the most optimal IronBarCode that fits your needs!

.NET Version Compatibility

IronBarcode targets .NET Standard 2.0 and supports .NET 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, .NET Core 3.x and 2.x, and .NET Framework 4.6.2+. All platform-specific packages listed below share the same framework compatibility, so the .NET version you target does not affect which package you choose - that decision is based on your operating system and deployment environment.

BarCode NuGet Package

Most commonly used. Configured to get you up and running in Visual Studio as quickly as possible. Suitable for most projects.

PM > Install-Package BarCode

• Contains BarCode.Slim
• Contains BarCode.Detection
• Contains IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.Windows, a Windows-specific dependency

BarCode.Slim NuGet Package

Does not include the Machine Learning feature for detecting barcodes.

PM > Install-Package BarCode.Slim

• All other packages reference this package.
• Contains the actual IronBarCode.dll.
• Does NOT include Windows, Linux, or macOS-specific dependencies.
• Does NOT include Barcode.Detection.

BarCode.Detection NuGet Package

An advanced package that utilizes Machine Learning for more accurate barcode detection, allowing developers to freely customize the parameters to suit their needs.

PM > Install-Package BarCode.Detection

• Supports all platforms.
• Included in the base BarCode package.

BarCode.Linux

Designed with cloud and Linux-based OS in mind, works particularly well for AWS & Lambda, Azure Functions, and WebApps in Linux mode. To set it up for Linux, check out this guide.

PM > Install-Package BarCode.Linux

• Contains BarCode.Slim
• Contains BarCode.Detection
• Contains IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.Linux, a Linux-specific dependency

BarCode.MacOs & BarCode.MacOs.ARM NuGet Packages

These two packages are specifically tailored for macOS & macOS.ARM users to allow developers to utilize and integrate IronBarcode in their macOS-based applications. For more information, please refer to this setup guide for macOS.

Install-Package BarCode.MacOs PM > Install-Package BarCode.MacOs.ARM

• Contains BarCode.Slim
• Contains BarCode.Detection
• Contains IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.iOS or IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.MacOs.ARM, a macOS-specific dependency

BarCode.iOS NuGet Package

IronBarcode offers an iOS package that is designed specifically for mobile-based iOS applications. Easily integrate IronBarcode as a standalone barcode reader or integrate with existing applications. For more information on how to set up IronBarcode on iOS, please refer to this setup guide.

PM > Install-Package BarCode.iOS

• Contains BarCode.Slim
• Contains IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.iOS, an iOS-specific dependency

BarCode.Android NuGet Package

Similarly, IronBarcode also offers an Android experience, allowing developers to develop on both platforms with no barriers. For more information on how to set up IronBarcode on Android, please refer to this setup guide.

PM > Install-Package BarCode.Android

• Contains BarCode.Slim
• Contains IronSoftware.ReaderInternals.Android, an Android-specific dependency

Curtis Chau

Chat with engineering team now

Technical Writer

Curtis Chau holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science (Carleton University) and specializes in front-end development with expertise in Node.js, TypeScript, JavaScript, and React. Passionate about crafting intuitive and aesthetically pleasing user interfaces, Curtis enjoys working with modern frameworks and creating well-structured, visually appealing manuals.

...

Read More