Which blockchain platform do developers use most? Currently, 54% of developers prefer working with the Ethereum blockchain. But does this platform offer the best tech?
Blockchain has seen significant transformations over the past decade. This means that developers find themselves surrounded by various ecosystems where they can build decentralized applications (dApps).
With so many options available, developers consider several factors when selecting a platform. While Solana price analysis can reflect investor sentiment, developers focus more on Solana’s technical strengths, such as high throughput and low fees, when choosing it for dApp development.
Developers tend to consider factors such as smart contracts, scalability, onboard developer tools, ecosystem support, and a consensus mechanism. This article will look at some of the most popular blockchain platforms for developers and assess which one is best for building the best applications.
Popular Blockchain Platforms for Developers
Ethereum
Ethereum is popular for pioneering the smart contract system. Through its robust innovations and constant upgrades, it’s still the leader in smart contracts and dApps. It transitioned to proof of stake, which made it even more scalable and energy efficient and made it an excellent DeFi landscape.
Undoubtedly, it has one of the most substantial developer communities, with the largest ecosystem possessing extensive documentation, libraries, and tutorials. Ethereum pioneered smart contracts in the past using Solidity, a well-supported programming language. It also uses technologies such as roll-ups (optimistic and ZK-roll-ups) to enhance its scalability further. Its robust ecosystem is home to DeFi, NFTs, DAOs, and other gaming applications.
The only issue that surfaced with Ethereum was its high gas fees due to network congestion, which makes it an expensive option. Also, Ethereum’s base layers have limitations, especially when it comes to large transaction volumes. Despite all this, Ethereum still remains the developers’ top choice due to its well-established ecosystem.
Solana
Solana is known for its high speed and low cost transactions. It has a high throughput and can achieve 65,000 transactions per second using the proof of history (PoH) consensus. Unlike Ethereum, Solana offers developers almost zero gas fees. Undoubtedly, Solana has become a go-to for many DeFi and NFT projects due to its rapid application speed. Solana supports Rust and C programming, which is a safer environment to develop in.
Solana is known to have network stability issues, as it has experienced multiple outages, which has raised concerns about how reliable it is. The system also has a small number of validators, making it less decentralised. Despite all this, developers still enjoy the high speed and low cost of transactions.
Polkadot
Polkadot is also known as the interoperability champion, which enables cross-chain communication through parachains. It possesses excellent scalability because multiple chains can operate in parallel, increasing transaction throughput. This framework allows developers to build custom blockchains easily.
At times, Polkadot may seem to be somewhat complex due to its relay change and para chains system. The parachain auctions can be costly, as projects need to secure a slot. Polkadot is, therefore, an excellent choice for developers who want to create an interoperable and scalable application.
Binance Smart Chain (BSC)
BSC is Ethereum’s cousin with lower costs. With BSC, developers can effortlessly port Ethereum-based dApps as the system is EVM-compatible. BSC also provides cheaper transaction fees compared to Ethereum. It also has shorter block times, leading to faster transactions and confirmations. It also has a strong support system from Binance and can access liquidity and a growing system.
With only 21 validators controlling the network, there has been concern about decentralisation. Developers also worry that it could have the highest risk as it’s susceptible to hacks and exploitations. BSC is, therefore, an excellent choice for developers who are looking for an Ethereum-compatible blockchain with low fees.
Avalanche
Avalanche is also known as the high-performance blockchain, where developers can create independent blockchains with specific rules, known as subnets. Through its consensus mechanism, Avalanche can handle thousands of TPS, while developers enjoy low fees. Just like BSC, it’s also EVM compatible, meaning developers can use existing Ethereum tools.
The Avalanche system is quite complex and may require additional learning. The Avalanche community is also much smaller with lower adoption.
Avalanche offers flexibility making it an excellent option for developers that require scalability and customisation.
Cardano
Cardano is a research-driven blockchain that uses a proof-of-stake (PoS) consensus mechanism to achieve efficiency. It also verifies smart contracts mathematically for extra security. It constantly aims to improve performance through ongoing upgrades. It also has a strong academic foundation through its peer-reviewed research support.
Although most developers feel Cardano’s development is slow, the gradual upgrade approach can be frustrating. It also has a limited app ecosystem. For developers who enjoy prioritized security and long-term system ability, Cardano is an excellent option.
Which Blockchain Offers the Best Tech?
At the end of the day, it all boils down to a developer’s specific needs. It all depends on what the project requires. For developers that seek interoperability Polkadot is the best solution whilst those that are looking at developing general dApps, Ethereum is the best.
With such a wide option in the cryptocurrency ecosystem, it’s essential for developers to look at factors such as ecosystem support, security, scalability and programming languages when choosing a blockchain. Although Ethereum still remains that dominant player with some alternatives for developers to pick from.
