--- description: What is WCF? WCF stands for Windows Communication Foundation. It used to create a distributed and interoperable Applications. WCF is an effective platform for developing service-oriented applications. title: Difference between WCF and Web API image: https://www.guru99.com/images/1/052819_1010_Differenceb1.png --- [Skip to content](#main) ## What is WCF? WCF stands for Windows Communication Foundation. It is used to create a distributed and interoperable Applications. WCF is an effective platform for developing service-oriented applications. It allows developers to create secure, reliable, and high profile development solutions which can be integrated across platforms and interoperate with existing investments. ## What is Web API? ASP.NET Web API is a framework which allows you to build HTTP services for browsers and mobile devices. It is an ideal platform for developing [RESTful applications](https://www.guru99.com/restful-web-services.html) on the ASP .NET Framework. The ASP.NET Web API is an extensible framework for building HTTP based services that can be accessed in different applications on different platforms such a web, windows, mobile devices, etc. ## KEY DIFFERENCE * WCF offers request-reply, one-way, or duplex while Web API is by default request-reply only. * WCF is used for developing SOAP-based services whereas Web API is used for both SOAP-based and RESTful services. * WCF does not offer any support for MVC features whereas Web API supports MVC features. * WCF supports HTTP, UDP, and custom transport protocol whereas Web API supports only HTTP protocol. * WCF offers Text, MTOM, and Binary Encoding support whereas Web API supports the UTF-8 encoding format. * WCF supports message queues, message security, duplex communication, transaction whereas Web API doesn’t support. * WCF stands for Windows Communication Foundation whereas API stands for Application Program Interface. ## Why use WCF? [](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/052819%5F1010%5FDifferenceb1.png) Stack Overflow Questions ASP.net web API vs. WCF Here, are pros/benefits of using WCF: * WCF is an ideal option if you are planning to use [.NET Framework 3.5.](https://www.guru99.com/net-framework.html) * WCF support multiple protocols such as HTTP, TCP, Named pipe. * WCF service is useful if you want to build service with standards like Transactions Messaging security and Reliable Message Security. * You can use Request-Reply, One Way, and Duplex message exchange patterns with WCF. ## Why used Web API? [](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/052819%5F1010%5FDifferenceb2.png) Google Trends WCF vs. ASP.Net web API Here, are pros/benefits of using web API: * Web API provides supports for convention-based CRUD Actions since it works with HTTP verbs ( GET, PUT, POST, and DELETE) * It is easy to define, expose, and consume in a REST-ful way. * ASP.Net Web API allows you to showcase your data and services to various devices. * Web API is open source, so it is an ideal option for creating RESTful services over the .NET platform. * Allows you scalable, decoupled development of a Web Service which can be shared and used by other developers to access web services. * It is also helpful to build simple, non-SOAP-based HTTP Services. ## Characteristics of WCF * Highly configurable transports * Better options for serialization * Well-integrated with IIS * Easy for self-hosting * Very rich metadata * Complex model for publication * Rich data contracts ## Characteristics of Web API * Tightly coupled to HTTP * Easy to test * Offers support for content negotiation * Allows open-ended formatting * No reliance on a platform * Solid resource-orientation * Level 2 experience with nascent hypermedia support ## WCF Vs Web Service [](https://www.guru99.com/images/1/052819%5F1010%5FDifferenceb3.png) | Parameter | WCF | Web API | | ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Message Exchange Pattern | Request reply, one-way, or duplex. | By default request-reply only. However, additional message pattern can be supported with web sockets integration. | | Hosting | IIS hosting, Self-hosting & works activation services. | Self-hosting & IIS hosting. | | Open Source | It is not open source software. | It is shipped with.Net framework.It is also available as an independent download. | | Support for MVC features | WCF does not provide any support for MVC features like controllers, routing, filter, auction results, etc. | ASP.NET Web API supports MVC features like routing, controllers, results, filter, action, etc. | | Encoding support | Text, MTOM, and Binary. | Default support for UTF-8 encoding format. | | Support for | Support for HTTP, UDP, and custom transport protocol. | Supports only HTTP protocol | | Use of model | User attributed based programming model. | Maps HTTP verbs to methods | | Configuration | Uses web.config and attributes to configure a HttpConfiguration class but not on the web.config Service. | Web API can be configured using web.config service. | | RESTful services | It offers supports for RESTFUL service but with limitations. | Ideal for building RESTFUL services. | ## The deciding factor for WCF vs. Web API Following is a quick checklist to help to determine whether to use WCF or Web API | Scenario | WCF 4.5 | ASP.NET Web API | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------- | --------------- | | Requires support for scenarios like Message queues, end to end message security, duplex communication, distributed transactions, etc. | Select | Do NOT Select | | When you already have existing working WCF services and Wants to add HTTP support additionally. | Select | Do NOT Select | | One code base to provide support both SOAP and RESTful endpoints. | Select | Do NOT Select | | Wants to create a resource-oriented service over HTTP. | Do NOT Select | Select | | Your project is an MVC application and wants some functionality over HTTP. | Do NOT Select | Select | | You want to build only an HTTP / RESTful services | Do NOT Select | Select | #### Summarize this post with: ChatGPT Perplexity Grok Google AI **Stay Updated on AI** **Get Weekly AI Skills, Trends, Actionable Advice.** ##### Sign up for the newsletter Subscribe for Free You have successfully subscribed. 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