Bogus
github.com
What it is
Bogus is a fake data generator for C#, F#, and VB.NET, adapted from faker.js. It creates synthetic data for loading databases, user interfaces, and applications during testing. Its documented data generators cover addresses, commerce, companies, databases, dates, finance, names, and internet data; JSON is listed as a supported format. Multiple locales are available, with English used when a locale-specific data set is missing. Developers can seed the randomizer for repeatable output and define object-generation rules with `Faker`, including strict mode, custom instantiation, and completion callbacks. The project also documents a Faker facade and direct use of DataSets. Bogus is distributed as a NuGet package, installed with `Install-Package Bogus`. Minimum requirements are .NET Standard 1.3, .NET Standard 2.0, or .NET Framework 4.0. The package is free, and deployment is self-hosted. Its page offers a Premium license as a way to support the project but gives no price for it.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Bogus is a fake data generator for C#, F#, and VB.NET, ported from faker.js.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The repository includes a license file for the project.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Founded
- 2015Read 28 Sep 2026 · github.com
- Configuration
- The README demonstrates defining object-generation rules with `Faker<T>`, strict mode, custom instantiation, and completion callbacks.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Data categories
- Its documented generators cover areas including addresses, commerce, companies, databases, dates, finance, names, and internet data.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Ecosystem
- The project lists Bitwarden Passwordless Server, Elasticsearch .NET Client, FluentValidation, and Microsoft sample projects among projects using Bogus.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Installation
- The project provides a NuGet package installable with `Install-Package Bogus`.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Locales
- Bogus supports multiple locales and defaults to English when a locale-specific data set is missing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Minimum requirements
- The package lists .NET Standard 1.3, .NET Standard 2.0, or .NET Framework 4.0 as minimum requirements.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Premium support
- The README says users can support the project by purchasing a Bogus Premium license, but it does not state a price on the page.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Repeatable data
- The README shows setting a randomizer seed to generate repeatable data sets.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Usage styles
- The README describes using Bogus through a Faker facade, DataSets directly, or `Faker<T>` inheritance.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Use cases
- It generates fake data to load databases, user interfaces, and apps for testing.Read 7 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free NuGet package.
- Generates data across numerous documented categories.
- Supports multiple locales and repeatable data sets.
- Offers several object-generation approaches.
- JSON is listed as a supported format.
Limits
- Minimum requirements specify .NET Standard or .NET Framework versions.
- Deployment is self-hosted.
- The Premium license has no listed price.
Who it suits
Bogus suits .NET developers who need synthetic test data for databases, interfaces, or applications. Its locale support and randomizer seeding help teams working with localized or repeatable data sets.
Verdict
Bogus provides configurable synthetic data generation for .NET projects, including locale handling and repeatable output.
Where Specifiction places it
- Test Data Generation Tools#4 of 288.1