Best LINQPad Alternatives in 2025: Top Tools for .NET Developers and Coders
If you’re a .NET developer, you’ve likely heard of or used LINQPad – the ultimate scratchpad for C#, F#, and VB.NET. LINQPad is a powerful rapid application development tool that’s compatible with all major .NET versions, from .NET Framework to the latest .NET 8, 9, and 10. As installable software for Windows and macOS, it excels in building GUIs within scripts using WinForms, WPF, and Avalonia, offers AI coding assistance, and seamlessly connects to databases with auto code generation via LINQ to SQL and Entity Framework Core. But what if you’re looking for LINQPad alternatives? Whether you need cross-platform options, free open-source tools, or web-based solutions, there are several strong contenders that can serve as LINQPad replacements for prototyping, testing, and .NET coding.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the top alternatives to LINQPad, comparing their features, compatibility, and how they stack up for .NET developers. This post is designed to help you find the best LINQPad alternative for your workflow.
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1. RoslynPad: The Open-Source LINQPad Alternative for Simple .NET Scripting
RoslynPad is a popular free and open-source alternative to LINQPad, built on the Roslyn compiler platform. It’s ideal for developers who want a lightweight C# scratchpad without the bells and whistles of full IDEs. Key features include code execution for C#, F#, and VB.NET expressions, NuGet package support, and a clean interface for quick testing.
Compatibility and Platforms: RoslynPad supports modern .NET versions and runs primarily on Windows, though its open-source nature allows for potential cross-platform adaptations. Unlike LINQPad’s macOS support, it’s more Windows-focused but offers similar rapid prototyping.
GUI, Database, and AI Capabilities: It lacks advanced GUI building like WinForms or WPF integration found in LINQPad. Database connections and auto code generation are not built-in, and there’s no native AI coding assistance. However, it’s great for basic LINQ queries and code snippets.
Pros and Cons vs. LINQPad: RoslynPad is completely free, making it a budget-friendly LINQPad substitute for simple tasks. Users praise its polish but note it doesn’t match LINQPad’s UI or feature depth. If you’re seeking an open-source LINQPad alternative for learning .NET, RoslynPad is a solid choice. Download it from roslynpad.net.
2. NetPad: Cross-Platform LINQPad Replacement with Database Support
NetPad stands out as a cross-platform, open-source alternative to LINQPad, designed for C# editing and playground experimentation. It’s web-enabled and aims to cover commonly used LINQPad features while adding unique ones like Vim keybindings and a Syntax Tree Visualizer.
Compatibility and Platforms: NetPad allows per-script .NET SDK selection, supporting multiple .NET versions. It’s truly cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux via Electron.js or a native Rust shell. You can use it as a desktop app or browser-based tool.
GUI, Database, and AI Capabilities: It hosts a web UI via ASP.NET for interactive scripting. Database connections are supported with LINQ or T-SQL querying, and future updates plan more providers like Oracle and Mongo. GUI building isn’t as robust as LINQPad’s WinForms/WPF/Avalonia, and AI features aren’t mentioned.
Pros and Cons vs. LINQPad: As a free LINQPad alternative for non-Windows users, NetPad excels in portability and database querying. It doesn’t aim for 100% feature parity but is actively updated. Check it out on GitHub at github.com/tareqimbasher/NetPad.
3. DotNetFiddle: Web-Based Online Alternative to LINQPad
DotNetFiddle is an online .NET code editor and runner, serving as a convenient web-based LINQPad alternative for quick testing without installation. It’s perfect for sharing snippets or experimenting on the go.
Compatibility and Platforms: Supports various .NET Framework and Core versions, including console, ASP.NET, and more. Being web-based, it’s platform-agnostic – works on any browser across Windows, macOS, Linux, or mobile.
GUI, Database, and AI Capabilities: Focused on console output, it doesn’t support GUI building like WinForms or WPF. Database connections and AI are absent, keeping it simple for code fiddling.
Pros and Cons vs. LINQPad: DotNetFiddle is free and requires no setup, making it a great LINQPad substitute for collaborative or temporary work. However, it lacks LINQPad’s advanced features like database auto-generation. Try it at dotnetfiddle.net.
4. Visual Studio: Full-Featured IDE as a LINQPad Alternative
Microsoft Visual Studio is a comprehensive IDE that can act as a LINQPad alternative for .NET developers who require more than just a simple scratchpad. While it includes tools like the Immediate Window and REPL-like features for .NET prototyping, it notably lacks the rapid application development capabilities that make LINQPad so useful for quick scripting and experimentation.
Compatibility and Platforms: Fully compatible with all major .NET versions, including .NET Framework, .NET Core, and the latest .NET 8, 9, and 10. Primarily available on Windows, with Visual Studio for Mac providing comparable features for macOS users.
GUI, Database, and AI Capabilities: Visual Studio excels in building sophisticated GUIs using WinForms, WPF, and additional frameworks. It offers robust database connectivity with Entity Framework integration and auto code generation tools. AI-powered features like IntelliCode enhance coding assistance for professional workflows.
Pros and Cons vs. LINQPad: Although Visual Studio can handle GUI development and database connections, it’s designed for professional coders creating more complex and scalable applications, rather than the lightweight, rapid prototyping LINQPad is known for. This makes it heavier and less agile for quick tasks, but the free Community edition positions it as a powerful LINQPad substitute when building advanced .NET projects.
5. JetBrains Rider: Cross-Platform IDE Alternative to LINQPad
JetBrains Rider is a robust cross-platform IDE that can function as a LINQPad alternative for .NET developers seeking advanced tools beyond a basic scratchpad. It offers scratch files for quick code testing akin to LINQPad’s playground, but it notably excludes the rapid application development capabilities that make LINQPad ideal for swift scripting and prototyping.
Compatibility and Platforms: Rider supports all active .NET versions, including .NET Framework and the latest .NET 8, 9, and 10, and runs seamlessly on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
GUI, Database, and AI Capabilities: It provides strong support for building GUIs with WinForms, WPF, Avalonia, and other frameworks. Database tools include LINQ integration and auto code generation, while the AI Assistant offers intelligent coding help.
Pros and Cons vs. LINQPad: While Rider can be used to build GUIs and connect to databases, the tool is aimed at professional coders developing more sophisticated and capable applications, making it less suited for the lightweight, rapid experimentation LINQPad excels at. Rider’s superior refactoring and debugging surpass LINQPad, but as a paid tool (with free trials), it’s best as a LINQPad substitute for complex professional workflows.
6. Polyglot Notebooks with .NET Interactive in VS Code: Modern Notebook-Style LINQPad Alternative
Polyglot Notebooks, powered by .NET Interactive in Visual Studio Code, offer a notebook-style alternative to LINQPad. Combine code, Markdown, and visuals in one file.
Compatibility and Platforms: Supports .NET 8 and newer. Cross-platform via VS Code on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
GUI, Database, and AI Capabilities: Limited GUI building; focuses on interactive code. Database querying via LINQ/Entity Framework possible, but no auto-generation like LINQPad. VS Code extensions add AI.
Pros and Cons vs. LINQPad: Great for data science or multi-language work, but execution can lag. Only for newer .NET, making it a forward-looking LINQPad replacement.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right LINQPad Alternative for Your .NET Needs
LINQPad remains a top choice for rapid .NET development, but these alternatives – from free options like RoslynPad and NetPad to full IDEs like Visual Studio and Rider – provide flexibility for different scenarios. For cross-platform needs, NetPad or Rider shine; for quick online tests, DotNetFiddle is unbeatable. Consider your priorities like database support, GUI building, or AI when picking a LINQPad substitute.
Want to practice these concepts hands-on? Try LINQPad—it’s the fastest way to experiment with code, test database queries, and build your confidence for interviews. For more in-depth learning, check out our LINQPad Fundamentals course.