VB.NET vs C# in 2026, the actual practical breakdown
or anyone stuck in a "which language should we use" meeting.
the thing everyone skips: VB.NET and C# compile to the exact same runtime (same CIL, same CLR). zero performance difference between them. if someone says VB.NET is slower, they're probably thinking of VB6, a completely different language retired back in 2008.
the real differences:
syntax → C# uses curly braces/semicolons, closer to Java. VB.NET reads more like plain English (If, Then, End If). easier for juniors to pick up, slower to type once files get long.
feature timing → new stuff usually ships in C# first, VB.NET catches up later or sometimes never. microsoft's explicitly built VB.NET's roadmap around stability, not new features.
hiring → this is the part that actually matters most. C# job postings are in the tens of thousands, VB.NET listings drop off a cliff and skew toward 15+ year veterans.
when to stick with VB.NET: existing codebase already works fine, team already knows it, or you're bolting one feature onto legacy WinForms.
when to go C#: starting from zero, need Blazor/MAUI, or hiring at scale is the actual priority.
worth noting: automated VB.NET → C# converters get you ~80% there. the last 20% is where bugs hide (integer overflow, late binding especially). don't migrate working code just because someone has a language preference.
full breakdown here: link
