Blazor WebAssembly vs. Blazor Server: A Comparison

Introduction

Blazor is a .NET web framework used for building interactive web user interfaces. It enables developers to build single-page applications (SPA) using C# instead of JavaScript. Blazor offers two hosting models: WebAssembly and Server.

Blazor WebAssembly

Blazor WebAssembly allows developers to run client-side code directly in the browser. The application code is compiled into WebAssembly and executed on the client, providing a smooth and responsive user experience. This means that the entire application, including its dependencies, needs to be downloaded to the client’s machine.

Here’s a sample code demonstrating the use of a button in a Blazor WebAssembly application:

@page "/"

<h3>Welcome to Blazor WebAssembly!</h3>

<button @onclick="ButtonClick">Click Me!</button>

<p>
    <b>@message</b>
</p>

<script>
    var message = "";

    function ButtonClick() {
        message = "You clicked the button!";
    }
</script>

Blazor Server

Blazor Server runs the application logic on the server and sends UI updates to the client over a SignalR connection. As the server handles most of the processing, the initial download size is smaller compared to Blazor WebAssembly. However, it requires an active connection to the server for the application to work.

Take a look at this Blazor Server example that makes use of a button:

@page "/"

<h3>Welcome to Blazor Server!</h3>

<button @onclick="ButtonClick">Click Me!</button>

<p>
    <b>@message</b>
</p>

@code {
    private string message = "";

    private void ButtonClick()
    {
        message = "You clicked the button!";
    }
}

Conclusion

Choosing between Blazor WebAssembly and Blazor Server depends on your application’s requirements. If you need a fully client-side application that does not rely on constant communication with the server, then Blazor WebAssembly is the right choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a smaller initial download size and have real-time communication needs, Blazor Server is a better fit.

I hope this comparison helps you decide which hosting model is more suitable for your Blazor application. Happy coding!