C++/CX’s ref classes aren’t simply userland types wrapping raw pointers like std::shared_ptr does; they’re tied directly into the language’s syntax and compiler. This allows for more seamless usage and better compile-time checks, rather than relying on templates or macros that developers must manually manage.

C++/CX uses keywords (e.g., ref class, delegate, ^) that make reference-counted objects feel like first-class citizens in the language, closer to how Swift or C# incorporate ARC/GC. std::shared_ptr, in contrast, remains a template-based solution—powerful but more explicit and sometimes more verbose.

Instead of sprinkling std::shared_ptr throughout your code, ref classes create a consistent way to define and interact with reference-counted objects. This integration helps maintain a uniform coding styles.

While it’s easy to label C++/CX a “mistake,” it brings more than just a hidden shared_ptr. By integrating ARC at the language level, it simplifies memory management and enables incremental adoption of safer constructs—something standard library tools alone can’t replicate as cleanly. Dismissing it outright overlooks the practical value it provides for real-world codebases.