Data security is an issue that can’t be emphasized enough, particularly when it’s financial data that’s almost always a preferred high value target.

To safeguard their interests and those of their stakeholders, financial institutions aim to adopt the very best technologies available, which undeniably encompasses blockchain technology and frameworks that can build blockchain solutions.

Therein lies the need for frameworks that ease and speed up blockchain app development i.e., frameworks enable the creation of decentralized apps (the short forms for decentralized apps include DApps, dApps, Dapps, or dapps).

Frameworks designed to build decentralized apps have gained popularity slowly and steadily over the past decade, as they continue to be the key focus of aspiring and pioneering entrepreneurs and company owners worldwide.

DApp frameworks, like front-end frameworks for front-end developers, are sections of code created to develop tools that make it easier to build blockchain apps. Consequently, using these framework helps you build your desired applications quickly and effectively.

This blog post will compare a few popular Dapp development frameworks used by blockchain development companies while looking at their features, benefits, and shortcomings.

What are DApps?

Decentralized applications, or DApps, are open-source applications that run on a peer-to-peer server network and can be accessed with smart contracts (crypto/tokens).

The blockchain systems on which these apps may be built include Ethereum, EOS, Hyper Ledger, Polkadot, etc. As they don't operate on centralized servers, DApps are far more stable and secure than conventional apps.

DApps provide more flexibility, accessibility, and disclosure by removing the intermediary between consumers and merchants while minimizing the concerns concerned with managing customer data.

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Why are DApp Development Frameworks Important?

A functional dApp encompasses a series of technological components. Several necessary functions and features already comprise DApp frameworks, or they offer simple module mechanisms that allow you to select tools you would like to have. In addition, a multitude of pre-built features are included with frameworks, such as:

• Components for launching a local blockchain server.
• Tools for building and testing your smart contracts.
• Add-ons for client development, letting you create your consumer application in the same location or directory.
• Mechanism to upload contracts to an Ethereum network, whether a local instance or one of Ethereum's open channels.
• Synchronizations with decentralized storage systems like IPFS for the distribution of apps.

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What kinds of apps can be developed using DApp frameworks?

Several blockchain-based DApp models address diverse functional challenges. First, we'll review the DApps covering DeFi, DAO, and merchandise management.

DeFi Apps:

Apps that are classified as blockchain-based decentralized finance (DeFi) allow investors to carry out financial transactions without an intermediary. Several decentralized applications enable DeFi investment.

Bitcoin and Ethereum are cryptocurrencies that work as decentralized digital money. They can easily be sent to anybody from anywhere without an intermediary. However, they have their worth based on the platform that accommodates them. And so, Bitcoin itself is a token with unit value on its own, but is secured and has higher value through a blockchain decentralized ledger; it operates independent of intermediaries with high security levels and superb traceability i.e., it is a DeFi app that gives Bitcoin its value.

Soon, decentralized currencies will be programmed to conduct autonomous functions. Exchanges, lending services, insurance firms, and other decentralized institutions can be developed with the help of this technology, as DeFi apps eliminate mediators and promote the idea of complete decentralization and transparency.

Note: while we have discussed Bitcoin as a cryptocurrency operating on a blockchain platform, it’s noteworthy to mention that Ethereum is a cryptocurrency too, but it also owns the blockchain platform it operates on. Hence, the Ethereum platform can be used for other solutions too.

Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs):

A decentralized autonomous organization (DAO) is a group controlled by a set of Ethereum-based smart contracts. Smart contracts are capable of anything if you program them to do what you want. A DAO is an organization that operates via a set of blockchain-based smart contracts. DAO members possess tokens from the organizations, and they can vote according to the organization’s initiatives.

A smart contract will hire employees, pay them, and manage payments for them. It renders the entire business autonomous. The only difference between a DAO and Google or Meta is DAO's decentralization. It runs openly and autonomously without external interference.

Merchandise Management:

A merchandise management DApp is frequently related to supply chain operations and platforms. Since we generally are unaware of the true composition and origin of items, the conventional supply chain lacks insight and openness. But with a supply chain on a blockchain, you can track where items are made since the data recorded on the blockchain is decentralized.

List of Top DApp Development Frameworks

We've compiled a list of the top 05 frameworks for DApp development:

• Hardhat
• Truffle
• Brownie
• Embark
• OpenZeppelin

Hardhat

Hardhat is a JavaScript framework that allows developers to assemble, test, execute, and troubleshoot decentralized applications built on the Ethereum blockchain (ethers.js).

Hardhat assists developers in managing the commitments associated with creating a decentralized application and smart contracts. Hardhat comes with an integrated Ethereum network for development. The platform specialization is sufficient for high-end debugging if a decentralized application transaction fails, giving developers the means to identify the root cause of the program's failure.

Features:

• The Hardhat design is extremely adaptable and versatile.
• Hardhat's standard library is ether.
• Hardhat can seamlessly host our contracts, run tests, and inspect solidity programs.
• Hardhat is used for Solidity troubleshooting, and we receive frame traces, terminal logs, and warning messages.
• Hardhat is intended for technical experts.

Merits:

• Hardhat is among the most prominent frameworks, with over 81k users on GitHub; thus, public participation and a "console.log" script to help troubleshoot are readily available
• Hardhat is constantly updated since it is one of the most popular frameworks for developing decentralized apps.
• With Hardhat, we may develop custom scripts and extensions to create the desired environment.
• Hardhat is capable of executing typescript.

Drawbacks:

One major drawback of Hardhat is that it is specifically designed for experts rather than beginners. Its instructions on how to get started are limited. As a result, beginners developing DApps may switch to alternative frameworks before plunging into Hardhat.

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Truffle

Truffle is yet another widely used decentralized application development framework for the Ethereum network. It assists developers with composition, deployment, and debugging. Most other frameworks followed Truffle's lead, and if you are new to DApp development, you will almost certainly come across Truffle due to its user-friendly setup.

It can be utilized with other EVM-compatible blockchains such as Binance Smart Chain, Hyperledger, Polygon, and others. In addition, it works with the Solidity and Vyper programming languages, and if you are familiar with Node.js, you will have an advantage because Truffle is built on JavaScript.

Features:

• There is a pre-built functionality for compiling, executing, and generating smart contracts.
• Contract testing is automated.
• Truffle terminal interacts straight with smart contracts.
• Swift transition available.
• Truffle assists with network administration for open and private networks.

Merits:

• Truffle has a wider audience and is more common than competing frameworks.
• Truffle includes migration capabilities that are equivalent to deployment.
• Truffle makes use of web3.js, the first JS API.
• It has a user-friendly setup.

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Drawbacks:

• Truffle moves a little slowly compared to Hardhat.
• Troubleshooting and testing with Truffle tend to be more complex than with the Hardhat framework.

Brownie

Brownie is built on Python and used for smart contract creation, debugging, deployment, and testing on Ethereum Virtual Machines. Moreover, it supports Vyper, a Python smart contract language akin to Solidity for creating smart contracts, and it is the second most widely practiced language by developers.

Features:

• Brownie includes an integrated console for project management.
• For contract testing, it employs pytest.
• Brownie supports the ethPM, a package manager for administering any smart contract system.
• Brownie is a Python package that can be installed and used in standard Python programs.

Merits:

• Brownie provides excellent support for the smart contract languages, Solidity and Vyper.
• Local blockchain deployment is simpler.
• When an issue occurs, it freezes and displays the error on the console, alerting the client.
• Brownie includes a built-in terminal for project interactivity that other frameworks lack. For example, creating a network using the terminal allows you to run a command rather than putting it in your source code.

Drawbacks:

• The Brownie framework only supports the Python programming language and does not facilitate JavaScript.

Embark

In addition to being a preferred framework for creating decentralized applications, Embark also offers several services and tools that help speed up and simplify development. Embark is used for front-end and end-to-end tool sets for testing and deploying smart contracts.

Features:

• With the assistance of Embark, you may create a highly advanced decentralized application.
• It provides a Web interface that displays the status of every operation that Embark manages.
• Using Cockpit's explorer in Embark, any smart contract can be seen or examined.
• Embark provides service surveillance as well as real-time deployment.

Merits:

• We can easily handle several networks with Embark, such as private nets, testnets, etc.
• The framework can be reviewed using Embark's interface. On GitHub, it has roughly 3.7k stars.
• Embark provides a display that will track information such as contract expiration.

Drawbacks:

• We may encounter problems when installing Embark.

OpenZeppelin

With built-in upgradeable smart contracts, OpenZeppelin is a robust platform that offers tools to create and deploy decentralized applications.

OpenZeppelin uses the Solidity programming language to create smart contracts. In OpenZeppelin, the ERC20 library is easily accessible, while secure smart contracts for the Ethereum Blockchain are created using the modular contracts library developed in Solidity.

Features:

• The most crucial aspect that OpenZeppelin emphasizes is confidentiality; they have sharp-end contract protection.
• As OpenZeppelin is an open-source platform, they adopt a procedural approach with active group engagement that industry giants leverage.
• It can easily develop standards, a token contract that maintains a record of fungible tokens, and ERC20.
• Contracts can be revised or improved.

Merits:

• A contract can be upgraded.
• High-level security and risk mitigation.
• Based on a user's command, it conducts a security assessment and implements security procedures to determine whether your decentralized application is protected.
• After identifying potential code issues, it provides execution and solutions.

Drawbacks:

• The downside of upgradeable contracts is that certain features lose their real identity after revision, which causes programming flaws.

Also Read: What are Web3 Contracts? Exploring Smart Contracts

How to Decide a DApp Development Framework for your DApp

Knowing what you want to do and what tools you need will help you choose the right framework for your project. Perhaps, if you prefer something Python-based, your only choice can be the Brownie framework.

Evaluating the community's support for the framework you've chosen helps with your selection. What if there's a noteworthy glitch? Could you overcome it with your team? Or is the community capable enough to make things better?

Cubix as your DApp Development Partner

Clients are extremely interested in DApps since they provide more features and perks than centralized applications. However, as DApps are created using frameworks, it would be best if you first determined what you need to do to develop your application and what resources you'll need when opting for an ideal framework for your project.

If you're indecisive about how to develop a DApp, Cubix will provide you with thorough yet convenient directions. We'll also demonstrate how to monetize these applications and the markets where they work wonders.

As one of the leading DApp development service firms, we are more than capable of taking the opportunity to enlighten you on this intriguing domain with significant financial openings.

The Cubix DApp development team has a strong track record of developing tailored DApps from the ground up for various industries. Over the past several years, we have consistently produced high-quality custom solutions for startups and organizations in E-learning, logistics management, entertainment, and many other industries. So contact us right now for a consultation.