MonoDevelop as a Linux alternative to JetBrains Rider
Updated
Our verdict
MonoDevelop can replace JetBrains Rider for developers who need a lightweight, open‑source IDE that runs natively on Linux and works with .NET Core projects. It offers C# code completion, refactoring, debugging, and a built‑in Git client, making it suitable for small to medium‑sized solutions. However, it lacks Rider’s advanced refactoring depth, live unit test runner, and extensive plugin ecosystem, so users who rely on Rider’s deep analysis and performance on very large solutions may find MonoDevelop insufficient.
- License
- GPL-3.0
- Price
- Free
- Latest version
- 8.4.3.12
- Rating
- —
What works the same
- Both support C# and .NET Core project types
- Both provide code completion and basic refactoring
- Both include an integrated debugger
- Both can build and run projects cross‑platform
- Both offer Git integration
What is different
- MonoDevelop does not support Rider’s advanced refactoring and code analysis features
- It lacks Rider’s live unit test runner and test explorer
- MonoDevelop’s plugin ecosystem is smaller and less mature
- Performance on very large solutions is typically slower in MonoDevelop
- MonoDevelop does not support some of Rider’s newer .NET 6/7 features out of the box
Opening your JetBrains Rider files
MonoDevelop can open .csproj and .sln files directly, but it does not understand Rider’s .idea project configuration files. Exporting a Rider project to MonoDevelop is usually a manual process: copy the .csproj files, adjust any Rider‑specific settings, and rebuild the solution in MonoDevelop. Unknowns remain regarding automatic conversion of Rider’s run configurations.
Switching from JetBrains Rider to MonoDevelop, step by step
- 1. Install MonoDevelop from your distro’s package manager (e.g., dnf install monodevelop on Fedora).
- 2. Open the existing .sln or .csproj file in MonoDevelop.
- 3. Verify that all referenced NuGet packages are restored; run 'dotnet restore' if needed.
- 4. Recreate any Rider‑specific run/debug configurations manually in MonoDevelop.
- 5. Run the project to ensure the build succeeds.
- 6. Install any missing plugins (e.g., Git, NUnit) from the MonoDevelop plugin manager.
Key features of MonoDevelop
- C# / .NET Core support
- Xamarin mobile project templates
- Integrated debugger
- Git integration
- Project templates for ASP.NET, Console, and Xamarin
- Code completion and refactoring
- Cross‑platform build system
How to install MonoDevelop on Linux
sudo dnf install monodevelopFrequently asked questions
Does MonoDevelop support .NET 6/7 projects?
Yes, MonoDevelop supports .NET Core 3.1 and later, including .NET 6 and .NET 7, as long as the project files are compatible with the SDK style format.
Can I use Rider plugins in MonoDevelop?
No. Rider plugins are built for the IntelliJ platform and are not compatible with MonoDevelop’s plugin system.
Will my existing Rider code run on MonoDevelop without changes?
Most of the code will run unchanged, but you may need to adjust project references or build configurations if Rider used any Rider‑specific build scripts or settings.
