ADO.NET vs Dapper

Developers should learn ADO meets developers should use dapper when they need fast database access with minimal abstraction, such as in high-performance web applications, microservices, or scenarios where raw sql control is preferred. Here's our take.

ADO.NET

Nice Pick

Developers should learn ADO

Pros

• NET when building
• Related to: c-sharp, sql-server

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Dapper

Developers should use Dapper when they need fast database access with minimal abstraction, such as in high-performance web applications, microservices, or scenarios where raw SQL control is preferred

Pros

• It's ideal for projects requiring simple CRUD operations, complex queries, or when integrating with existing SQL-heavy codebases, as it reduces boilerplate while maintaining SQL transparency
• Related to: c-sharp, sql-server

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. ADO.NET is a framework while Dapper is a library. We picked ADO.NET based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

ADO.NET wins

Based on overall popularity. ADO.NET is more widely used, but Dapper excels in its own space.