> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mariadb.com/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mariadb.com/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-net.md).

# .NET Connector

.NET applications connect to MariaDB and MySQL through ADO.NET connectors. MariaDB recommends MySqlConnector, an open-source, third-party ADO.NET library.

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[MySqlConnector for ADO.NET](/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-net/mariadb-connector-net-guide.md)
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MySqlConnector is the recommended ADO.NET connector for MariaDB Server, offering high performance and MariaDB-specific features including zero-configuration SSL and GSSAPI authentication.
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[Other .NET Connectors](/docs/connectors/mariadb-connector-net/other-net-connectors.md)
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Alternative ADO.NET connectors for MariaDB include MySQL Connector/NET and dotConnect for MySQL, supporting .NET Framework, .NET Core, and optional Entity Framework ORM integration.
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