C# Libraries (Updated List of .NET Projects in the Modern World)

C# is a versatile programming language developed by Microsoft, widely used for building a broad range of applications, including console, web, mobile, and desktop apps. Its flexibility and powerful features make it a go-to choice for developers.

One of its standout advantages is access to an extensive C# library ecosystem, such as IronPDF, which enhances the capabilities of the .NET framework. These C# libraries simplify tasks like PDF manipulation, optical character recognition, logging, and much more, enabling developers to focus on delivering innovative and unique functionality in their applications. Let’s dive into some of these essential libraries.

PDF Libraries

IronPDF

IronPDF is a comprehensive .NET PDF Library that specializes in the generation, editing, and extraction of PDF content for C# projects within the .NET Framework. IronPDF's most distinguishing feature is it's powerful Chromium-based rendering engine capable of producing pixel-perfect PDF documents from HTML, CSS, JavaScript, URL, and more file types. With IronPDF, you can make use of extension methods to extend the functionality of IronPDF objects like PdfDocument in a clean, reusable way. With full support for modern web standards, your PDF documents will maintain their original custom CSS styling and JavaScript interactivity. Edit your PDF documents with IronPDF's robust set of PDF editing tools, such as custom watermarks and PDF annotations.

Additionally, it offers advanced features like applying digital signatures, extracting PDF content, advanced PDF organization tools, metadata editing, and enhanced security options such as password protection and permissions. IronPDF’s flexibility, high performance, and cross-platform support make it ideal for modern .NET development. A free trial is available, and licenses start at $749 for the lite version, and can be downloaded using the NuGet Package manger, or straight from the website by downloading the dll file.

Example

To demonstrate IronPDF's powerful rendering capabilities, we will render a new PDF document from HTML content.

PDFSharp

PDFSharp is a well-maintained open-source library for creating and manipulating PDF files in .NET projects. It supports the creation of PDFs from scratch, editing existing documents, and advanced features such as merging and splitting files. PDFSharp’s latest updates include enhanced font support, improved transparency rendering, and better compatibility with modern PDF standards. While it may lack some advanced features compared to commercial options like IronPDF, it remains a reliable choice for many developers looking for a free solution.

Example

To demonstrate PDFSharp's PDF generation capabilities, we will use it to create a simple PDF document.

OCR Libraries

IronOCR

IronOCR is a powerful OCR C# Library designed to extract text from images and PDFs efficiently, and is capable of outputting the extracted data as something as simple as text strings, or as something more advanced such as structured data outputs like pages. It now supports .NET Core and .NET 6+ and offers improved accuracy for multi-language recognition. Beyond its basic tools for extracting data from images and PDFs, IronOCR provides powerful tools for working with more complicated and specialized formats such as passports, license plates, screenshots, and important documents.

Its latest updates include faster processing times, enhanced support for skewed and low-quality images, and the ability to export results in data structures such as searchable PDFs and HTML files. IronOCR is an excellent choice for projects requiring document digitization, automated data extraction, and text recognition workflows. A free trial is available, with licenses starting at $749 for the lite version.

Example

To demonstrate the powerful OCR capabilities of IronOCR, we will take this image and extract the text from within it:

Extracted content:

Tesseract

Tesseract is an open-source OCR engine widely used for text recognition in images and scanned documents. It supports multiple languages and can process various image formats. Recent updates have improved accuracy, introduced better text layout detection, and enhanced performance for large-scale OCR tasks. Tesseract is a solid choice for developers needing a free OCR solution, although it requires additional setup and fine-tuning to achieve optimal results in .NET applications.

Example

Let's look at a demonstration of Tesseract's OCR capabilities and compare them to IronOCR, by having it extract the text from the same image as before.

Barcode and QR Libraries

IronQR

IronQR is a C# library that simplifies generating and reading QR codes in .NET applications. IronQR boasts a robust set of features capable of creating new QR codes from URLs, text, any other information types, as well as being able to read QR codes with ease. With IronQR, you will have access to advanced customization options, allowing you to style your QR codes with logos, colors, and patterns.

The library’s robust error correction ensures high accuracy even in challenging scenarios, such as scanning damaged or partially obscured codes. IronQR’s straightforward API and performance improvements make it a reliable choice for integrating QR code functionality into web, desktop, and mobile applications. A free trial is available, with licenses starting at $749 for the lite version.

Example

To demonstrate IronQR's powerful features, we will create a new QR code with it, using a text string "Hello World".

IronBarcode

IronBarcode is a comprehensive library for barcode generation and reading in .NET projects. It supports an extensive range of 1D and 2D barcode formats, including QR codes. With consistent updates to give developers a leading C# barcode library, IronBarcode boasts considerable scanning speeds and accuracy, particularly for large datasets. With this library, it doesn't matter whether you're needing to read or create barcodes for inventory management, document tracking, personal libraries, or some other need, IronBarcode can manage any barcoding task you need to carry out. With a user-friendly API and easy integration within the .NET framework, IronBarcode is a handy tool to have in your developers toolkit.

The library also features enhanced styling options for custom barcodes and improved support for GS1-compliant barcodes. IronBarcode is a versatile tool for applications like inventory management, document tracking, and e-commerce. A free trial is available, with licenses starting at $749 for the lite version.

Example

To demonstrate the powerful features this library has to offer, we will first create a new barcode, then read from the created barcode.

ZXing.NET

ZXing (Zebra Crossing) is a popular open-source barcode image-processing library that provides robust barcode and QR code scanning capabilities for .NET applications. It supports a wide range of barcode formats, including QR codes, Data Matrix, and Code 128. Recent updates have improved scanning accuracy, speed, and compatibility with modern .NET versions. ZXing is an excellent choice for developers looking for a lightweight and flexible barcode scanning solution without licensing fees.

Example

To demonstrate ZXing's OCR capabilities, and compare them against IronBarcode's, we will have it extract content from the following QR that contains the string value "Hello World" (as unlike IronOCR, it can only handle barcodes and QR codes):

Output:z

Excel Libraries

IronXL

IronXL enables developers to read, write, and edit Excel files without requiring Microsoft Office installations. It supports .NET 6+ and provides seamless compatibility with XLSX, XLS, and CSV formats. Our team continues to work on regular updates to ensure IronXL is always ahead in the spreadsheet game, with improved performance for large datasets, enhanced formula support, and new features for working with charts and pivot tables. IronXL is ideal for applications involving dynamic Excel report generation, data analysis, and file conversion within .NET code. A free trial is available, with licenses starting at $749 for the lite version.

Example

To demonstrate IronXL's capabilities, we will use it to create and populate a new Excel file.

Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel

Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel remains a robust option for automating Excel tasks within .NET applications. It provides direct interaction with the Excel application, enabling advanced operations like dynamic data processing, custom report generation, and integration with other Microsoft Office tools. However, it requires Microsoft Excel to be installed on the host machine, and recent updates emphasize better integration with Office 365 and enhanced performance for large spreadsheets.

Example

Now we will create a basic workbook and worksheet using this program to demonstrate Microsoft.Office.Interop.Excel's capabilities.

Word Libraries

IronWord

IronWord is a .NET library that simplifies creating, reading, and editing Word documents programmatically within .NET projects. It eliminates the need for Microsoft Word installations, supporting .NET 6+ and offering features like text formatting, text editing, image embedding, and table management.

Beyond these basic features, IronWord supports advanced layout customization, the ability to create entire new DOCX files from just a few lines of code, and better handling of large documents. IronWord is perfect for automating document generation, dynamic content creation, and data-driven reporting. A free trial is available, with licenses starting at $749 for the lite version.

Example

Now to see IronWord in action! For this, we will create a new Word document from a simple line of styled text. For this, its as easy as creating a new project in Visual Studio, and then implementing IronWord's easy-to-use API in the console app.

Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word

Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word provides extensive capabilities for automating Word document tasks directly from .NET applications. It allows developers to create, edit, and format documents while leveraging the full power of the Word application. Recent updates focus on enhanced support for Office 365 and better performance with large documents. However, as it requires Microsoft Word to be installed, it’s best suited for environments where Office is already in use. Additionally, depending on the version of Microsoft Office you are running, you may need to fix your project references to fix the interop references if you run into any errors.

Example

Now to compare Microsoft.Office.Interop.Word to IronWord. Due to it requiring Microsoft Office Word to already be installed in the environment, and for certain requirements to be met this may not be as easy to implement for some developers.

Conclusion

Iron Suite

Iron Suite, which includes the C# libraries we explored today, remains an invaluable collection of tools for .NET developers. These libraries simplify handling PDFs, extracting text, generating barcodes and QR codes, and managing Excel and Word files, and they're easy to download, with robust .NET implementation. With consistent updates to support the latest .NET versions, these tools deliver high-quality results while reducing development time. If you want to try the libraries out for themselves individually, IronPDF, IronOCR, IronQR, IronBarcode, IronXL, and IronWord all offer a free trial to get you started.

The Iron Suite collection offers a free trial, allowing users to test the libraries and their features before committing. Additionally, the suite’s team license provides exceptional value, offering nine licenses for the price of two, making it a cost-effective choice for teams building modern .NET applications. By choosing Iron Suite, developers can streamline their workflow, reduce costs, and gain access to a robust set of tools that enhance productivity and efficiency.