10 Best ASP.NET Boilerplate Alternatives in 2026: Complete Comparison Guide

10 Best ASP.NET Boilerplate Alternatives in 2026 Compared

Developers and enterprises are increasingly searching for the best .NET boilerplate, ASP.NET Core starter kit, and modern .NET boilerplate options as ASP.NET Boilerplate approaches end-of-life and the demand for modernization grows. Selecting the right enterprise ASP.NET boilerplate can accelerate development, ensure compliance, and support advanced architectures like multi-tenancy and microservices. This guide compares the top alternatives available in 2026, evaluating each on architecture, enterprise features, pricing, migration ease, and community support.

How We Evaluated These Alternatives

Our comparison is based on several key criteria:

• Architecture and code quality
• Multi-tenancy support
• Documentation and community
• Enterprise features (authentication, audit, localization)
• Pricing and licensing
• Migration ease from ASP.NET Boilerplate
• Performance and scalability
• Security and compliance readiness

1. Brick .NET Starter Kit

Best For: Enterprise migrations from ASP.NET Boilerplate.

Brick .NET Starter Kit is a leading choice for teams needing a fast migration path and enterprise-grade features. It offers built-in multi-tenancy, modern authentication, HIPAA-ready compliance, and commercial support with SLAs. The kit is designed for rapid deployment and comes with extensive documentation.

Key Features:

• Multi-tenancy
• Modern authentication (OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect)
• Commercial support and SLA

Pros:

• Fast migration from ASP.NET Boilerplate
• Comprehensive enterprise features
• Strong documentation and support

Cons:

• Commercial licensing required

Pricing: One Time Per Project 

Rating: 9.5/10

Migration Ease: High (4–8 weeks from ASP.NET Boilerplate)

2. ABP Framework (Official Successor)

Best For: Teams already in the ABP ecosystem

ABP Framework is the official successor to ASP.NET Boilerplate, evolving with modular architecture and microservices support. It has a large community and extensive documentation, making it a popular migration path for existing ABP users.

Key Features:

• Modular architecture
• Microservices support
• Extensive documentation

Pros:

• Official migration path
• Large community
• Free open-source version available

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Commercial features require a license

Pricing: Free open source; commercial license available

Rating: 8.5/10

Migration Ease: Medium (8–12 weeks)

3. Clean Architecture Solution Template

Website :
Best For: Teams wanting full control and customization

Popularized by Jason Taylor, this template emphasizes clean patterns and separation of concerns using CQRS and MediatR. It’s highly customizable and free, but requires manual implementation of enterprise features.

Key Features:

• CQRS, MediatR
• Separation of concerns

Pros:

• Clean patterns, highly customizable
• Free and open source

Cons:

• No multi-tenancy out-of-the-box
• Manual implementation for enterprise features

Pricing: Free open source

Rating: 8.0/10

Migration Ease: Medium (12–16 weeks)

4. .NET Boxed Templates

Best For: API-first projects, microservices

Created by Muhammad Rehan Saeed, .NET Boxed Templates offer production-ready solutions with API templates, GraphQL support, and performance optimization.

Key Features:

• API templates
• GraphQL support
• Performance optimized

Pros:

• Modern best practices
• Well-documented
• Free

Cons:

• Fewer enterprise features
• No built-in multi-tenancy

Pricing: Free open source

Rating: 7.5/10

Migration Ease: Medium

5. Equinox Project

Best For: Learning DDD and CQRS patterns

Equinox is an educational boilerplate showcasing Domain-Driven Design (DDD), CQRS, and Event Sourcing. It’s ideal for learning modern architecture patterns but may be complex for simple apps.

Key Features:

• DDD, CQRS, Event Sourcing
• Microservices

Pros:

• Great for learning
• Modern patterns
• Comprehensive

Cons:

• More educational than production-ready

Pricing: Free open source

Rating: 7.5/10

6. NorthwindTraders Clean Architecture

Best For: Learning Clean Architecture with real examples

This reference implementation demonstrates clean separation, testing examples, and Entity Framework Core. It’s well-structured but requires significant extension for enterprise use.

Key Features:

• Clean separation
• Testing examples
• Entity Framework Core

Pros:

• Good documentation
• Simple to understand

Cons:

• Basic feature set

Pricing: Free open source

Rating: 7.0/10

7. eShopOnWeb (Microsoft Reference)

Best For: E-commerce and catalog applications

Microsoft’s official reference application provides monolithic and microservices versions, Azure integration, and real-world patterns.

Key Features:

• Monolithic and microservices versions
• Azure integration

Pros:

• Microsoft backing
• Well-maintained

Cons:

• E-commerce specific

Pricing: Free open source

Rating: 7.0/10

8. IdentityServer Templates

Best For: Identity and authentication-focused applications

These templates are built around Duende IdentityServer and provide enterprise-grade authentication with OAuth 2.0 and OpenID Connect.

Key Features:

• OAuth 2.0, OpenID Connect
• Enterprise identity

Pros:

• Security-first
• Standards compliant

Cons:

• Identity-focused, requires additional layers

Pricing: Free open source; commercial license for production

Rating: 7.5/10

9. Blazor Boilerplate

Best For: Blazor WebAssembly applications

This starter kit is tailored for Blazor WebAssembly, featuring a full-stack solution with identity and admin panel.

Key Features:

• Blazor client API
• Identity, admin panel

Pros:

• Blazor-specific
• Good UI components

Cons:

• Blazor-only, not general ASP.NET Core

Pricing: Free open source

Rating: 6.5/10

10. Custom In-House Development

Best For: Large enterprises with specific requirements

Building a custom boilerplate offers complete control and team ownership but comes with high initial costs and ongoing maintenance.

Key Features:

• Complete customization
• Full control

Pros:

• Tailored to needs
• No licensing concerns

Cons:

• High initial cost
• Long development time

Pricing: Development cost (50K–200K)

Rating: Varies (6.0–9.0)

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

How to Choose the Right Alternative

• Brick .NET Starter Kit: Best for enterprises needing HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance and fast migration.
• ABP Framework: Ideal for teams already using ABP or needing microservices.
• Clean Architecture: Choose if you want maximum control and customization.
• Open Source Templates: Opt for learning, side projects, or budget constraints.

Migration Path from ASP.NET Boilerplate

Migration complexity and timeline vary by alternative:

• Brick .NET Starter Kit: 4–8 weeks
• ABP Framework: 8–12 weeks
• Clean Architecture: 12–16 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Why look for ASP.NET Boilerplate alternatives?

ASP.NET Boilerplate is approaching end-of-life, with official support ending in May 2026. Developers and enterprises seek modern .NET boilerplate alternatives to ensure compliance, accelerate development, and support advanced architectures like multi-tenancy and microservices.

What's the best free alternative?

The ABP Framework's Community Version is one of the top free options for building multi-tenant business applications with .NET. Other free alternatives include Clean Architecture Solution Template, .NET Boxed Templates, and NorthwindTraders Clean Architecture.

Which alternative is best for healthcare applications?

Brick .NET Starter Kit is best for healthcare applications due to its built-in HIPAA/SOC 2 compliance, enterprise features, and commercial support SLA.

How long does migration typically take?

Migration timelines vary: Brick .NET Starter Kit typically takes 4–8 weeks, ABP Framework takes 8–12 weeks, and Clean Architecture Solution Template takes 12–16 weeks, depending on complexity.

Do I need commercial support?

Commercial support is recommended for enterprises needing compliance, SLAs, and dedicated assistance. Free open-source options are suitable for startups and projects with less stringent requirements.

Can I use multiple boilerplates together?

Yes, it is possible to use multiple boilerplates together with careful planning, especially when integrating features from different kits for specific requirements.

What about microservices support?

ABP Framework, .NET Boxed Templates, and Brick .NET Starter Kit all provide strong support for microservices architecture, making them ideal for scalable and distributed applications.

Which has the best documentation?

ABP Framework and Brick .NET Starter Kit are recognized for their excellent documentation and large communities, making onboarding and troubleshooting easier for teams.