Web3 is revolutionizing how we interact with the internet, shifting control from centralized entities to users through blockchain technology. As decentralized applications (dApps) grow in popularity, so does the need for robust, community-driven tools that empower developers to build the future of the web. This article highlights 15 must-know open-source Web3 projects that are shaping the ecosystem — from development frameworks and wallet integrations to learning resources and social platforms.
Whether you're a beginner exploring blockchain or an experienced developer diving into decentralized finance (DeFi), these tools provide essential infrastructure and inspiration.
Lenster: Decentralized Social Media on Lens Protocol
Lenster is a decentralized, permissionless social media app built on the Lens Protocol. It allows users to connect their Web3 wallets and publish content, follow creators, explore trending posts, and search profiles — all without intermediaries.
Unlike traditional social networks, Lenster gives users full ownership of their data and content. Every post is stored on the blockchain, enabling true digital sovereignty.
👉 Discover powerful tools to power your next Web3 project.
Lenstube: Web3 Video Sharing Platform
Lenstube brings video content into the decentralized world. Built on Lens Protocol and powered by Livepeer and Vercel, it enables creators to upload videos with customizable monetization options.
You can set collection limits, charge fees for access, earn referral rewards, and even sync your videos directly to your Lens profile. This fusion of video and decentralization opens new possibilities for creator economies.
Embark: Framework for Serverless DApps
Embark simplifies the development and deployment of serverless decentralized applications. It seamlessly integrates EVM-compatible blockchains (like Ethereum), decentralized storage (IPFS), and communication protocols (Whisper/Orbit).
With built-in support for Swarm deployment, Embark reduces boilerplate code and accelerates time-to-market for dApps across multiple layers of Web3 infrastructure.
Web3UI Kit: Lightweight UI Components for Web3
Building intuitive user interfaces for dApps just got easier with Web3UI Kit, a lightweight collection of reusable React components tailored for Web3 applications.
From wallet connectors to NFT displays and transaction modals, this toolkit helps maintain consistency while speeding up frontend development — crucial for delivering smooth user experiences in decentralized apps.
Web3Modal: Seamless Wallet Integration
Web3Modal is a JavaScript library that streamlines user onboarding by offering a unified interface for connecting wallets like MetaMask, WalletConnect, Ledger, and Trezor.
Supporting multiple chains including Ethereum, BSC, and Polygon, it ensures cross-platform compatibility and consistent UX across devices. Its modular design makes customization simple without sacrificing security.
👉 Access next-gen blockchain tools that simplify development workflows.
web3.js: Official Ethereum JavaScript Library
As the official Ethereum library, web3.js provides comprehensive APIs to interact with the Ethereum blockchain. Developers use it to read account balances, deploy smart contracts, send transactions, and listen to blockchain events.
It works both in browser and Node.js environments and supports all JSON-RPC methods. With features like automatic gas estimation and ABI parsing, it remains a cornerstone of Ethereum development.
ethers.js: Secure & Lightweight Ethereum SDK
ethers.js offers a complete yet compact alternative to web3.js. Designed with security and simplicity in mind, it provides clean APIs for managing wallets, signing messages, interacting with contracts, and querying blockchain data.
Notable features include EIP-1193 compliance, advanced signing capabilities, batch requests, and strong TypeScript support — making it ideal for modern dApp development.
wagmi: React Hooks for Ethereum Interaction
Built on top of ethers.js, wagmi delivers over 20 custom React hooks for common Web3 tasks — connecting wallets, reading ENS names, signing messages, and calling smart contracts.
Key advantages:
- Built-in connectors for MetaMask, WalletConnect, Coinbase Wallet
- Automatic data caching and deduplication
- Network change detection with real-time updates
- Full TypeScript inference from ABIs
- Used by major projects like ENS and SushiSwap
This library significantly reduces boilerplate code in React-based dApps.
Web3-react: Modular Library for React DApps
Another powerful option for React developers is Web3-react, an extensible library that abstracts away complexity when managing Web3 providers.
It offers a standardized way to handle multiple wallets and networks, supports EIP-1193, and includes utilities for switching chains and clearing cached states — essential for building reliable multi-chain applications.
RainbowKit: Beautiful Wallet Connection UI
RainbowKit enhances user experience with a sleek, customizable wallet connection interface. Compatible with all EVM-compatible chains, it integrates effortlessly with wagmi to handle authentication flows.
Its responsive design works across desktop and mobile, supporting popular wallets out-of-the-box. For teams focused on UX, RainbowKit is a go-to solution.
Foundry: Rust-Based Ethereum Development Toolkit
Foundry is a blazing-fast, modular toolkit written in Rust for Ethereum development. It includes:
- Forge: A testing framework rivaling Hardhat and Truffle
- Cast: CLI tool to interact with smart contracts and query chain data
- Anvil: Local testnet node similar to Ganache
- Chisel: Interactive Solidity REPL for rapid prototyping
Developers praise Foundry for its speed, reliability, and seamless CI/CD integration — especially valuable for testing complex DeFi protocols.
DeFi Developer Road Map: Your Learning Guide
Navigating the DeFi space can be overwhelming. The DeFi Developer Road Map offers a structured path from blockchain basics to advanced concepts like flash loans, liquidity mining, and DEX mechanics.
It covers essential skills including Solidity programming, testing frameworks, security best practices, and integration with oracles — perfect for aspiring DeFi engineers.
FREE Web3 Resources: Curated Learning Materials
Looking for free educational content? The FREE Web3 Resources repository compiles courses, tutorials, documentation, videos, and open-source examples to help you master Web3 development at no cost.
Ideal for self-taught developers seeking hands-on knowledge in smart contracts, cryptography, and decentralized identity systems.
Awesome Web3 & Awesome Ethereum: Ultimate Resource Hubs
Two community-curated lists — Awesome Web3 and Awesome Ethereum — serve as treasure troves of high-quality tools, libraries, articles, and projects.
These repositories are regularly updated by contributors worldwide and cover everything from developer tools to DAO governance models and NFT standards.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What’s the difference between web3.js and ethers.js?
A: While both allow interaction with Ethereum, web3.js is more feature-rich but heavier. ethers.js focuses on minimalism, security, and modern JavaScript practices — making it better suited for lightweight or security-sensitive apps.
Q: Which project is best for beginners learning Web3?
A: Start with wagmi + RainbowKit if you're building React dApps. They offer excellent documentation and smooth integration. Pair them with the DeFi Developer Road Map for structured learning.
Q: Are these projects safe to use in production?
A: Yes — most listed projects (like wagmi, ethers.js, Foundry) are battle-tested and used by major protocols including Uniswap, Aave, and OpenSea.
Q: Can I build cross-chain dApps with these tools?
A: Absolutely. Libraries like wagmi and Web3Modal support multiple EVM-compatible chains (Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism), enabling true interoperability.
Q: Is there a preferred framework for testing smart contracts?
A: Foundry has gained massive traction due to its speed and Rust-based reliability. Many teams now prefer it over Hardhat for large-scale testing suites.
Q: How do I stay updated on new Web3 tools?
A: Follow curated lists like Awesome Web3 and Awesome Ethereum on GitHub. They’re frequently updated by active community members tracking emerging trends.
Whether you're building social platforms on Lens Protocol or engineering DeFi primitives with Foundry, these 15 open-source projects form the backbone of modern Web3 development. By leveraging them wisely, you can accelerate innovation while maintaining decentralization principles.
👉 Start building with cutting-edge blockchain development tools today.