Overview
Choosing between Blazor Server and Blazor WebAssembly affects performance, scalability, and hosting requirements on our Plesk Windows platform. This guide helps you make the right decision.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Blazor Server | Blazor WebAssembly |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Load | Fast (small download) | Slower (2-5MB framework) |
| Runs On | Server | Browser |
| Offline Support | No | Yes (with PWA) |
| Server Resources | Higher (per connection) | Lower (static files) |
| Network Required | Constant connection | Only for API calls |
| Code Security | Code stays on server | Code downloads to client |
Choose Blazor Server When:
- Fast initial load is critical - Only ~100KB initial download
- Sensitive business logic - Code never leaves the server
- Database access - Direct database connections without API layer
- Limited client devices - Works on older browsers/devices
- Real-time features - Built-in SignalR for live updates
- SEO requirements - Server-rendered content
Choose Blazor WebAssembly When:
- Offline capability needed - Works without network after load
- Scale to many users - No server resources per user
- Static hosting possible - Can use CDN for deployment
- Client-side processing - Heavy calculations in browser
- Reduced hosting costs - Less server load
- API-first architecture - Already have backend APIs
Choose Blazor Web App (Hybrid, .NET 8+) When:
- Best of both worlds - Mix render modes per component
- Progressive enhancement - Start with Server, enhance with WASM
- Complex applications - Different needs for different pages
Hosting Considerations for Plesk Windows
Blazor Server Requirements:
- Sufficient Application Pool memory (1GB+ recommended for production)
- WebSocket support (enabled by default)
- Consider idle timeout settings for persistent connections
- Monitor memory usage - each user consumes server resources
Blazor WebAssembly Requirements:
- MIME types configured for .wasm, .br, .gz files
- Separate backend API (can be on same or different domain)
- CORS configuration if API is on different domain
- Consider compression for faster downloads
Memory Planning
Blazor Server: Plan for ~1-5MB per concurrent user connection
Blazor WebAssembly: Server memory only needed for API calls
Recommendation for Most Users
For typical business applications on Plesk Windows hosting:
- Small team apps (<50 concurrent users): Blazor Server - simpler deployment
- Public-facing apps: Blazor WebAssembly or Hybrid - better scalability
- Internal tools: Blazor Server - faster development, code security
Need Help Deciding?
Contact our support team with details about your application's expected user count, features, and requirements for personalized guidance.
