Decentralized Applications (dApps) are arguably one of the most influential and promising technological breakthrough achievements. Choosing the right blockchain - or dApp platform - to run a decentralized application can make the entire process less tedious and more effective. While the number of dApp platforms is constantly growing, this article focuses on some of the most popular picks.
What is a dApp platform?
DApp platform is a type of software utilized for building, running and maintaining decentralized applications. DApps are built by using self-executing smart contracts (a backend) and a frontend user interface. Each dApp also employs a transparent code governed by autonomy and a specific consensus algorithm.
Find out more on dApps with this GetBlock’s guide
Why do we need dApp platforms and how to choose one?
Unlike traditional, or centralized, applications stored on a single server, dApps are maintained through a network of nodes, which operate independently. Moreover, dApp activity is recorded on the public ledger and is, therefore, visible to everyone. There are no intermediaries involved as the transactions are directly conducted between users - the so-called Peer-to-Peer transactions.
DApps are generally more trusted by users as they are the ones governing the software. In many ways, dApps are also more efficient than traditional applications where the data is controlled single-handedly.
When selecting the blockchain for building and storing a dApp, it is important to consider a few of the most cardinal points, including the type of solution offered by the platform.
Public
The go-to choice for many developers, public blockchains are permissionless, meaning they can be accessed with no decentralized control.
Private
These ‘permissioned’ blockchains are run with the help of a third party. Users must be accepted in order to access the platform.
Hybrid
Hybrid blockchains combine elements from the two previous types mentioned above.
Consortium
Unlike hybrid blockchains, consortium platforms can be run by multiple organizations.
Choosing a specific type of blockchain implies that it can be more or less suitable for a particular purpose. E.g. public platforms are commonly used for performing transactions and validating documents.
Some blockchains may require the knowledge of a programming language. For example, [Ethereum’s] Solidity uses the Ethereum Virtual Machine to develop smart contracts.
Top Blockchain Picks for dApp Development
We have looked into the latest data provided by the State of the dApp website to find out which platforms host the biggest number of dApps at the moment. They are as follows: Ethereum, Solana, BNB Chain, TRON, and Polygon.
Ethereum
Ethereum is a public blockchain, which remains the number one choice among dApp developers. It quickly became popular not long after its launch in 2014 due to introducing faster and cheaper transactions and smart contracts support. Ethereum has its own programming language Solidity which provides all the necessary tools for efficient dApp development.
Solana
Initially proposed in 2017, Solana is a next-generation high-performance public blockchain. Solana’s unique feature is utilizing its own Proof-of-History consensus to verify transactions on the network. It also provides SOL tokens staking. Developers working on Solana do not have to learn Ethereum-based Solidity programming language, as the blockchain is written in C++ and Rust.
BNB Chain
Formerly known as Binance Smart Chain, BNB is a public chain launched by Binance in 2019. The largest dApp created using BNB is, hands down, Binance DEX. BNB is a high-operability and throughput blockchain with smart contract support. It is also fully compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine and offers BNB staking.
Tron
Tron is a decentralized public blockchain. The platform supports Java, Scala, C++, Python & Go programming languages. A great option for content creators and artists, Tron allows digital content-sharing with security guarantees.
Polygon
Polygon, previously known as the Matic Network, is a sidechain scaling solution for Ethereum and Ethereum-compatible blockchains. Polygon seeks to provide high efficiency, scalability, and interoperability. The blockchain utilizes the Golang programming language, although users could be anticipating some additions to be released soon.
Bottom Line
As the number of dApp platforms is growing, committing to one particular solution might be much easier when such factors as functionality, programming language, public accessibility, etc., are taken into consideration.
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