Web3 is redefining how we build and interact with digital systems—offering a decentralized, trustless, and permissionless internet powered by blockchain technology. For developers, this shift presents both immense opportunity and unique technical complexity. Understanding the Web3 stack is essential for anyone looking to build robust, scalable decentralized applications (dApps).
This guide breaks down the foundational layers of Web3 development, from blockchain networks to frontend interfaces, while highlighting key tools, trade-offs, and best practices.
Understanding the Web3 Technology Stack
At its core, building a Web3 application involves mastering four critical layers:
- Network Layer – The underlying blockchain infrastructure
- Interaction Layer – How developers and users read/write data
- Presentation Layer – Frontend frameworks and libraries
- Application Layer – End-user dApps and services
Each layer builds upon the previous one, forming a cohesive development environment that enables true decentralization.
Web3 Network Layer: Foundations of Decentralization
The network layer forms the bedrock of any Web3 application. Unlike Web2’s reliance on centralized servers and databases, Web3 uses blockchain networks to ensure transparency, immutability, and censorship resistance.
Developers typically choose between two major categories: EVM-compatible and non-EVM blockchains.
What Are EVM-Compatible Blockchains?
The Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) is a runtime environment that executes smart contracts on Ethereum and compatible chains. Its widespread adoption has made it the de facto standard for Web3 development.
EVM-compatible blockchains share the same execution environment and programming language—Solidity—allowing developers to reuse tools, libraries, and knowledge across multiple chains.
Popular EVM-Compatible Chains
- Ethereum – The original smart contract platform
- Polygon – Scalable Ethereum sidechain
- Arbitrum & Optimism – Layer 2 solutions using optimistic rollups
- ZKSync & Starknet – ZK-rollup based Layer 2 networks
- Avalanche & Cronos – High-performance EVM-compatible Layer 1s
👉 Discover how seamless cross-chain development can accelerate your dApp’s growth.
This interoperability reduces friction in deployment, testing, and maintenance—making EVM chains ideal for new developers entering the space.
Non-EVM Blockchains: Innovation Beyond Ethereum
While EVM chains dominate, non-EVM blockchains offer alternative architectures designed for speed, scalability, and novel programming models.
These networks often prioritize high throughput and low latency, making them suitable for gaming, social platforms, and real-time applications.
Leading Non-EVM Platforms
- Solana – Built for speed using Rust, C, and C++
- NEAR – Developer-friendly with Rust and AssemblyScript support
- Flow – Designed for NFTs and digital assets with Cadence language
- Terra (legacy) – Formerly used Rust for DeFi-focused smart contracts
Non-EVM ecosystems are still maturing but show strong potential for specialized use cases where performance outweighs ecosystem familiarity.
Choosing the Right Blockchain Network
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice should align with your project’s goals:
- Need broad tooling and community support? Start with an EVM chain.
- Prioritizing speed and scalability? Explore non-EVM options.
The future of Web3 is multichain, meaning interoperability across networks will become increasingly important.
Blockchain Interaction Layer: Connecting to the Chain
Once you’ve selected a blockchain, you need a reliable way to interact with it—reading transaction data, writing smart contract calls, or monitoring events.
This is where the blockchain interaction layer comes in.
The Challenge of Node Management
Traditionally, interacting with a blockchain required running your own node—a resource-intensive task. Hosting an Ethereum node can cost over $86,000 annually in hardware, bandwidth, and maintenance.
Most developers don’t want to manage infrastructure; they want to build.
That’s why node service providers have emerged as essential components of the Web3 stack. These platforms abstract away node complexity through APIs, giving developers instant access to blockchain data without operational overhead.
👉 See how API-driven infrastructure simplifies blockchain connectivity.
Why Use a Web3 Infrastructure Provider?
A robust infrastructure provider offers:
- Multi-network API access (Layer 1s, Layer 2s, sidechains)
- Real-time event streaming via WebSockets
- Enhanced reliability with automatic retries and failover
- Developer tools like block explorers and debug consoles
These capabilities ensure your dApp stays responsive and resilient—even during network congestion.
Web3 Presentation Layer: Building User-Friendly Interfaces
The presentation layer is where users experience your dApp. It includes frontend frameworks, UI components, and libraries that connect the interface to blockchain data.
Frontend Development in Web3
Most Web3 developers use React.js, thanks to its component-based architecture and strong ecosystem. However, the key difference from Web2 lies in how data is fetched.
Instead of REST APIs or GraphQL endpoints, Web3 apps use Ethers.js or Web3.js to make remote procedure calls (RPCs) directly to blockchain nodes.
Ethers.js vs Web3.js: Which Should You Choose?
| Consideration | Ethers.js | Web3.js |
|---|---|---|
| Size & Simplicity | Lightweight, modular | Larger bundle size |
| Documentation | Comprehensive and beginner-friendly | Less structured |
| Community Support | Smaller team maintaining | Large open-source contributor base |
| Advanced Features | Limited | Rich feature set |
For newcomers, Ethers.js is often recommended due to its clean API and excellent documentation. More experienced teams may prefer Web3.js for its maturity and extensibility.
An emerging alternative is enhanced SDKs that improve reliability—such as those offering built-in retry logic and WebSocket reconnection.
Decentralized Storage Solutions
Blockchains aren’t efficient for storing large files like images or videos. That’s where decentralized storage systems come in.
IPFS: The InterPlanetary File System
IPFS is a peer-to-peer network for storing and sharing content. Files are broken into chunks, distributed across nodes, and accessed via cryptographic hashes.
It’s widely used in NFT projects to store metadata and media assets off-chain while maintaining verifiable links on-chain.
Arweave: Permanent Data Storage
Arweave takes a different approach—offering "permaweb" storage where data is stored forever after a one-time fee. It uses a novel consensus mechanism called Proof of Access to incentivize long-term data retention.
Both solutions complement blockchain-based state management by handling static content efficiently.
Web3 Application Layer: Where Innovation Happens
The topmost layer hosts real-world applications that users interact with daily. These include:
- DeFi platforms (e.g., lending, swaps)
- NFT marketplaces
- Decentralized identity systems
- DAO tooling and governance platforms
These dApps combine primitives from lower layers into powerful user experiences—like programmable money, self-custodied wallets, and community-owned protocols.
As composability grows, developers can “plug and play” existing smart contracts—accelerating innovation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Web3 stack?
The Web3 stack refers to the layered architecture used to build decentralized applications, including blockchain networks, interaction tools, frontend frameworks, and end-user applications.
Is Solidity the only language for Web3 development?
No. While Solidity dominates EVM chains, other languages like Rust (Solana, NEAR), Cadence (Flow), and Vyper (Ethereum) are also used depending on the platform.
Do I need to run my own node to build a dApp?
Not anymore. Node service providers offer API access to blockchain data, eliminating the need for costly self-hosted nodes.
What are the main differences between Web2 and Web3 frontends?
Web2 frontends rely on HTTP clients (like Axios) to query centralized APIs. Web3 frontends use libraries like Ethers.js or Web3.js to communicate directly with blockchains via RPC calls.
Can I build a dApp without knowing blockchain internals?
Yes. Abstraction layers like SDKs, no-code tools, and managed infrastructure allow developers to build without deep blockchain expertise—though understanding fundamentals helps significantly.
Is the Web3 stack stable enough for production use?
While still evolving, core components like EVM, Solidity, IPFS, and major L2s are battle-tested and used by millions daily in production environments.
👉 Start building your next dApp with powerful tools designed for scalability and ease of use.
The Web3 landscape continues to evolve rapidly—but the foundational layers outlined here provide a stable framework for developers to innovate confidently. Whether you're coming from Web2 or starting fresh, now is the time to dive in.