Pros of ClosedXML/ClosedXML

• Simplicity: ClosedXML provides a more straightforward and user-friendly API compared to EPPlus, making it easier for developers to work with.
• Performance: ClosedXML is generally faster and more efficient than EPPlus, especially when working with large Excel files.
• Open-Source: ClosedXML is an open-source project, allowing for community contributions and a more transparent development process.

Cons of ClosedXML/ClosedXML

• Limited Functionality: ClosedXML has a more limited set of features compared to EPPlus, which offers a wider range of functionality for working with Excel files.
• Fewer Supported Formats: ClosedXML primarily focuses on the XLSX format, while EPPlus supports a broader range of Excel file formats, including the older XLS format.
• Fewer Customization Options: ClosedXML may not provide as many customization options as EPPlus, which offers more flexibility in terms of styling and formatting.

Code Comparison

Here's a brief code comparison for creating a simple Excel file using both EPPlus and ClosedXML:

EPPlusSoftware/EPPlus:

using (var package = new ExcelPackage())
{
    var worksheet = package.Workbook.Worksheets.Add("Sheet1");
    worksheet.Cells["A1"].Value = "Hello, World!";
    package.SaveAs(new FileInfo("example.xlsx"));
}

ClosedXML/ClosedXML:

using (var workbook = new XLWorkbook())
{
    var worksheet = workbook.AddWorksheet("Sheet1");
    worksheet.Cell("A1").Value = "Hello, World!";
    workbook.SaveAs("example.xlsx");
}

As you can see, both libraries provide a similar API for creating and saving Excel files, but ClosedXML's syntax is slightly more concise and straightforward.

Pros of EPPlus

• Actively maintained and regularly updated by the EPPlusSoftware team
• Supports a wide range of Excel features and functionality
• Provides a well-documented and easy-to-use API

Cons of EPPlus

• Requires a commercial license for commercial use
• May have a steeper learning curve compared to some other Excel libraries

Code Comparison

EPPlusSoftware/EPPlus

using (var package = new ExcelPackage())
{
    var worksheet = package.Workbook.Worksheets.Add("Sheet1");
    worksheet.Cells["A1"].Value = "Hello, World!";
    package.Save("output.xlsx");
}

JanKallman/EPPlus

using (var package = new ExcelPackage())
{
    var worksheet = package.Workbook.Worksheets.Add("Sheet1");
    worksheet.Cells["A1"].Value = "Hello, World!";
    package.SaveAs(new FileInfo("output.xlsx"));
}

The main difference in the code is the way the file is saved. In the EPPlusSoftware/EPPlus version, the package.Save() method is used, while in the JanKallman/EPPlus version, the package.SaveAs() method is used with a FileInfo object.

Pros of ExcelDataReader/ExcelDataReader

• Simplicity: ExcelDataReader provides a straightforward and lightweight API for reading Excel files, making it a good choice for simple use cases.
• Cross-platform: ExcelDataReader is a .NET Standard library, allowing it to be used on a variety of platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
• Performance: ExcelDataReader is generally faster than EPPlus for reading large Excel files, as it uses a more efficient streaming-based approach.

Cons of ExcelDataReader/ExcelDataReader

• Limited Functionality: ExcelDataReader is primarily focused on reading Excel files and lacks the extensive feature set of EPPlus, which includes the ability to create, modify, and write Excel files.
• No Write Support: ExcelDataReader does not provide any functionality for writing or modifying Excel files, which may be a limitation for some use cases.
• Fewer Customization Options: EPPlus offers more customization options and control over the Excel file format, which may be important for more complex use cases.

Code Comparison

EPPlus:

using (var package = new ExcelPackage(new FileInfo("example.xlsx")))
{
    var worksheet = package.Workbook.Worksheets[0];
    var value = worksheet.Cells[1, 1].Value;
    Console.WriteLine(value);
}

ExcelDataReader:

using (var stream = File.Open("example.xlsx", FileMode.Open, FileAccess.Read))
{
    using (var reader = ExcelReaderFactory.CreateReader(stream))
    {
        var dataSet = reader.AsDataSet();
        var value = dataSet.Tables[0].Rows[0][0];
        Console.WriteLine(value);
    }
}