Best Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime Alternatives in 2025
Looking for alternatives to Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime? In this comparison, we take a closer look at Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime alongside similar software solutions including Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime, Visual Studio Build Tools 2017, Docker Desktop and Microsoft .NET SDK (x64).
Our detailed comparison table highlights key features, pricing, and performance of these leading solutions, empowering you to make an informed decision. Whether you're seeking robust functionality, user-friendly design, or cost-effective alternatives, explore how Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime, Visual Studio Build Tools 2017, Docker Desktop and Microsoft .NET SDK (x64) stack up to find the perfect software for your goals.
Platform Compatibility
 Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime
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Cross-platform support including Windows, Linux, and macOS for developing .NET Core applications. |
 Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
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Supports Windows platforms, including Windows 7 SP1 and later, mainly for building Windows desktop and Universal Windows Platform apps. |
 Docker Desktop
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Compatible with macOS (10.14 or later) and Windows 10 64-bit, supporting containerized applications. |
 Microsoft .NET SDK (x64)
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Supports 64-bit Windows operating systems (Windows 10 and later), Linux, and macOS platforms for .NET development. |
Primary Use Case
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Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime
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Provides a runtime and SDK for developing high-performance, modular .NET Core applications with cross-platform capabilities. |
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Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
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Offers a comprehensive set of build tools and compilers primarily for C++, Visual Basic, and .NET Framework applications on Windows. |
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Docker Desktop
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Enables creation, deployment, and management of containerized applications using Docker technology with integrated tools like Docker CLI and Kubernetes support. |
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Microsoft .NET SDK (x64)
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Delivers the official .NET Software Development Kit (SDK) including tools, libraries, and APIs for building .NET applications across multiple platforms. |
Open Source and Community Support
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Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime
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Open-source with a growing community contributing to updates, bug fixes, and modular features. |
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Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
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Supported by community and official Microsoft resources with extensive documentation but is not fully open-source. |
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Docker Desktop
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Open-source components available; supported by Docker Inc. with community contributions and enterprise options. |
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Microsoft .NET SDK (x64)
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Official Microsoft SDK with strong community support, extensive documentation, and active GitHub repositories. |
Choosing the right software isn’t just about features. Size, license type, user ratings, and popularity also matter.
This quick comparison shows how Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime stacks up against Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime, Visual Studio Build Tools 2017, Docker Desktop and Microsoft .NET SDK (x64) in these key areas—helping you find the best alternative for your needs.
Size
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Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime
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24.1MB |
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Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
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3.8MB |
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Docker Desktop
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16.3MB |
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Microsoft .NET SDK (x64)
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212.8MB |
License
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Microsoft .NET Core - Runtime
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Shareware |
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Visual Studio Build Tools 2017
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Shareware |
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Docker Desktop
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Shareware |
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Microsoft .NET SDK (x64)
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Shareware |