In this article I will explain, what are the difference between Dapper and Entity Framework in .Net.
Entity Framework and Dapper are two popular Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) tools used in .NET applications.
While both serve the purpose of simplifying data access and mapping between objects and the database, they have different approaches and features.
 
 

Difference between Entity Framework and Dapper

Dapper

1. Dapper is a lightweight micro-ORM.
2. It focuses on simplicity and performance.
3. It allows developers to write raw SQL queries and map the results to objects.
4. It provides faster data access by minimizing abstraction and executing queries directly.
5. It requires more manual effort for mapping and handling relationships.
6. It is suitable for projects, where performance is critical and when you prefer more control over SQL queries.
For more details on how to use Dapper, please refer my article How to use Dapper in ASP.Net.
 

Benefits

1. Performance – Dapper is known for its excellent performance due to its lightweight nature and direct mapping of query results to objects.
2. Control – Dapper provides developers with fine-grained control over SQL queries, which can be beneficial for companies that prefer to optimize their database interactions and have specific requirements that go beyond the capabilities of an ORM framework.
3. Existing databases – Dapper works well with existing database schemas and allows for seamless integration with legacy systems or complex data structures.
To learn more about Dapper, please visit our Dapper Articles.
 

Entity Framework

1. Entity Framework is a full-featured ORM framework.
2. It offers a higher-level abstraction over the database.
3. It supports approaches like Code First, Database First, and Model First.
4. It automates many aspects of data access, including change tracking and query translation.
5. It provides a wide range of features for handling complex scenarios.
6. It introduces some overhead and has a learning curve due to its extensive features.
7. It is suitable for projects that benefit from high-level abstractions and when you prefer a more feature-rich ORM solution.
For more details on how to use Entity Framework, please refer my article Simple Entity Framework Tutorial in ASP.Net Web Forms with example.
 

Benefits

1. Abstraction and productivity – Entity Framework offers a higher level of abstraction, allowing developers to work with database entities as regular objects and write queries using LINQ.
This abstraction simplifies data access tasks and increases developer productivity, especially for projects with complex relationships and database interactions.
2. Rapid development – The extensive features provided by Entity Framework, such as automatic change tracking and migrations, enable developers to quickly build applications and handle database-related tasks without having to write extensive boilerplate code.
3. Object-oriented approach – Entity Framework aligns well with the object oriented paradigm, making it easier for developers to reason about their data model and work in a more familiar programming paradigm.
To learn more about Entity Framework, please visit our Entity Framework Articles.
Note: By Comparing both the ORM reveals that Entity Framework is a feature-rich ORM framework emphasizing productivity and abstraction, while Dapper is a lightweight micro-ORM focused on performance and control.