Blazor vs Razor - A Comprehensive Comparison in 2026

Blazor and Razor are two of the most popular frameworks used for developing web apps. Although both are part of the .NET ecosystem, they differ in many ways. Don’t be fooled by the similar names. Both of these frameworks serve very distinct purposes. This blog post is a direct comparison between the two frameworks, along with their pros, cons, and more. Ready for the Blazor vs. Razor clash? Let’s begin.

What Is Blazor?

Most developers use JavaScript to build the frontend for web apps. They use another language/framework to build the backend. Blazor is a Microsoft-powered framework that developers use to build interactive web pages using C#. When using Blazor, there is no need for developers to use different types of backend development frameworks. Developers can code using the same logic in C# for backend development. Below are two ways in which Blazor runs.

Blazor Server

The app logic runs on the server. A live connection sends UI changes to the browser in real-time.

Blazor WebAssembly

The C# code runs within browsers via WebAssembly. This means that the app can respond in real-time without waiting for the server.

8 Key Features of Blazor

Below are the key features of Blazor

• Single-Page Application (SPA) - Helps build interactive web apps using C# in place of JavaScript.
• Component-Based Architecture - Reusable UI components enabling modular development.
• Full-Stack C# - Write client-side and server-side logic in C#.
• WebAssembly Support - Run C# directly in the browser via WebAssembly.
• Server-Side Hosting - Blazor Server enables real-time UI updates over SignalR.
• Dependency Injection - Built-in support for DI for effectively managing services.
• Routing - Built-in URL routing for navigation between components.
• Interop with JavaScript - Blazor allows C# and JavaScript to talk to each other while using its functions. The opposite also becomes possible, thanks to Blazor.

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What Is Razor?

Blazor provides a complete toolkit to build web apps. In contrast, Razor is a tool that developers use to combine C# and HTML. It helps them create dynamic web pages. For building older pages using ASP.NET MVC, developers can use Razor to insert data into the HTML file.

After this data insertion, the page turns into a regular, static HTML page. Then, the HTML page reaches the user’s browser. Every time the user refreshes the page, this process is repeated. The server runs the Razor code again, followed by rebuilding the HTML. The finished HTML file reaches the web browser.

8 Key Features of Razor

Below are 8 key features of Razor.

• Incline Code Support - Embeds server-side code directly within HTML.
• Lightweight Syntax - Uses @ to switch between markup and code.
• C# and VB.NET Integration - Works seamlessly with .NET languages.
• Layout Support - Provides consistent page structures using layouts.
• Sections - Defines optional or required content blocks in views.
• HTML Helpers - Offers in-built methods to generate HTML elements.
• Partial Views - Supports reusable view components.
• IntelliSense Support - Enables editor assistance in Visual Studio.

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12 Points of Differences Between Blazor and Razor in 2026

Below are the key points of difference between Razor and Blazor.

1) Where It Operates

• Razor - Runs on the server. Builds the HTML on the server and sends it to the browser.
• Blazor - Runs on client-side and server-side. This ensures interactive and real-time web apps.

2) Purpose

• Razor - Allows developers to combine C# with HTML to build interactive webpages. The server creates them and sends them to the browser.
• Blazor - Builds complete web pages in C# that run in the browser. These pages can be updated in real-time without reloading.

3) Interactivity

• Razor - Each time someone clicks or submits something, the entire page reloads from the server.
• Blazor - Users can click and interact without the page having to reload. The changes happen in real-time.

4) Data Binding

• Razor - Only renders data into HTML. If the data changes, the page must reload to display the updates.
• Blazor - Data and UI will sync automatically. This ensures that the changes appear in real-time without reloading.

5) Performance

• Razor - Slower, as every change requires a full page reload from the server.
• Blazor WebAssembly - Slow at the beginning, but becomes faster and interactive after loading in the browser.
• Blazor Server - Light on the browser. It may lag when internet connections are slow.

6) Development Experience

• Razor - Makes it easy to generate dynamic HTML on the server.
• Blazor - More advanced, uses components, events, and state to build interactive applications.

7) Technology Type

• Razor - Has a templating engine that allows users to combine C# code with HTML to build web pages on the server.
• Blazor - Allows developers to build fully interactive web apps in the browser using C#.

8) Application Scope

• Razor - Best for traditional websites where pages are built on the server and sent to the browser.
• Blazor - Best for modern web pages that run in the browser and update in real-time without full page reloads.

9) Tooling Libraries

• Razor - Allows you to combine C# with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to build web pages.
• Blazor - Provides built-in components, navigation, event handling, and app-wide services. It also provides the ability to call JavaScript when required.

10) Hosting and Deployment

• Razor - Runs only under ASP.NET Core on the server.
• Blazor - Can run in two ways.
• Blazor Server (hosted on ASP.NET Core).
• Blazor WebAssembly (only client-side). Does not require a .NET server once loaded.

11) State Management

• Razor - Doesn’t remember data between page reloads unless it’s stored manually. For example, during sessions or saved cookies.
• Blazor - Remembers data within components as users react with it. All this happens without the page reloading.

12) Learning Curve

• Razor - Easier to learn for developers who are familiar with ASP.NET MVC/Razor Pages.
• Blazor - Harder to learn as it requires developers to understand complex SPA concepts such as components and lifecycles. Also, the data on the user’s browser must match the data and state on the server.

The Razor vs. Blazor debate will go on for eternity. However, companies must understand when to use them. We will discuss the same in the next section.

When to Use Blazor and Razor

When Using Blazor is Ideal

• When the client wants full-stack C# (frontend and backend) instead of JavaScript.
• Perfect for building interactive, single-page apps (SPAs). Examples include dashboards and complex web apps.
• Can run client-side within the browser (WebAssembly) or server-side.

When Using Razor is Ideal

• Ideal when the client requires server-rendered HTML pages with dynamic content.
• Excellent for traditional web apps, forms, or multi-page apps.
• Builds web pages quickly when most of the work happens on the server and not in the browser.

Wrapping Up

In the above sections, we covered the basics of Blazor Vs. Razor. We also covered their main features plus their pros and cons. We also mentioned when companies should consider using them. These insights should help them make the right choice for web app development and other projects.

Using Razor is best for companies that want to create web pages on the server before sending them to the server. Such websites generally don’t display much content or require interactive features. In contrast, Blazor enables companies to build dynamic and interactive websites. Developers can run C# directly within the browser and also on the servers. This reduces dependence on JavaScript.

Choosing between Blazor and Razor is easy once companies know what they want. The choice must consider the type of website, how fast it should load, and the preferred development style. Proper clarity related to the project ensures the results. Are you confused about which one to choose and how to use them to achieve your specific business goals? Consider hiring a reputable .NET development company to ensure that the project follows best practices while minimizing risks and costs.