What is the difference between WCF and Web API in .NET web services?

What is the difference between WCF and Web API in .NET web services?

WCF (Windows Communication Foundation) and Web API are both popular frameworks for building web services in the .NET ecosystem. While they serve similar purposes, there are some key differences between the two:

• Technology: WCF is a comprehensive communication framework that supports different protocols and message formats, making it suitable for complex enterprise applications. Web API, on the other hand, is a lightweight framework specifically designed for building HTTP services that can be consumed by a variety of clients.
• Communication Style: WCF primarily follows the SOAP protocol for communication, which is based on XML. Web API, on the other hand, is based on RESTful principles and primarily uses JSON for data exchange.
• Hosting: WCF services can be hosted in IIS, Windows services, or self-hosted in custom applications. Web API services are typically hosted in IIS or self-hosted in custom applications.
• Compatibility: WCF is compatible with all versions of .NET Framework, whereas Web API is specifically designed to work with ASP.NET framework.
• Usage: WCF is commonly used in scenarios where high reliability, security, and interoperability are required, such as enterprise systems. Web API is often used for building lightweight, RESTful services that can be easily consumed by web and mobile clients.

In conclusion, the choice between WCF and Web API depends on the specific requirements of the project, with WCF being more suitable for complex enterprise applications and Web API being ideal for building lightweight, HTTP-based services.