People prefer the speed and privacy that custom decentralized applications offer, which traditional or centralized mobile applications may lack. Therefore, they are making a shift to decentralized apps which results in their market expected to grow at a CAGR of 22.2% and reach $139.6 billion by 2032.
As the demand for decentralized apps is rising exponentially, entrepreneurs have started investing in developing custom dApps for various purposes. dApps can be used to perform specific tasks, like trading cryptos or simply storing documents safely, and can be used to streamline operations in different industries like healthcare, finance, or logistics.
If you are also curious to know more decentralized apps (dApps), then you are at the right place. In this blog, we have explained dApps, how they work, how to develop them, and in which industries they are used. So, let’s start.
What are Decentralized Apps and How Do They Work?
Decentralized apps, also known as dApps, are mobile applications that are built on a blockchain network, such as Ethereum, Solana, BNB Smart Chain, or others. Unlike other mobile apps that you commonly use, these apps are decentralized in nature, meaning there are no central servers that store and manage data.
Then how data is stored in dApps? Data in dApps is often stored on blockchain nodes for essential records and decentralized storage systems for larger assets.
When it comes to working on decentralized apps, they perform functions depending on the smart contracts. Smart contracts are digital rules and regulations that are deployed on the blockchain network, mentioning all the conditions to act. When these pre-defined conditions are met, a specific action is automatically executed.
To use decentralized applications and execute smart contracts and other actions, users need to pay for some cryptos, mostly blockchain’s native cryptocurrency, as a gas fee.
How to Build a Decentralized Mobile App
Here is the step-by-step process to develop a custom decentralized app (dApp).
- Define dApp’s Purpose and Features
The first step of developing a decentralized app is determining its purpose and features. You need to define what the is the purpose of the dApp you are planning to develop and for what problems it will solve.
Also, you need to figure out the core features and functionalities of your decentralized app. These functionalities must align with the dApps’ purpose.
- Choose the Blockchain Platform
The next step is choosing the blockchain platform. dApps are based on blockchain, hence it is crucial to select the right blockchain platform aligning with specific requirements. Some of the popular options for blockchain platforms are given below:
- Ethereum
- Solana
- BNB Smart Chain
- Polygon
- Avalanche, and others.
While choosing the blockchain platform for custom dApp development, you need to check various requirements and fees, such as network fees, transaction speed, developer tools, and more.
- Write the Smart Contracts
In this step, you need to develop the smart contracts. These digital contracts have pre-predefined conditions that define certain actions. When these conditions are met, the action automatically takes place.
You can choose a programming language to create smart contracts, depending on the blockchain platform you have chosen. For example, if you have selected Ethereum, then you can use Solidity or Vyper to create smart contracts.
Code the smart contracts that define your decentralized app’s logic, such as token creation, executing transactions, or voting mechanisms.
Also, you can develop smart contracts and test them on local blockchains to ensure that they are functioning properly under all conditions.
- Build the Frontend
After developing the smart contracts, build the frontend for your decentralized application (dApp). You can use leading frontend frameworks to build the user interfaces of your application. Some options are React, Vue.js, or Angular, but you can use other frameworks as per your requirements.
After dApp’s frontend is developed, connect it to the blockchain. Also, while developing the frontend for your dApp, be sure to give an option to users to connect their wallets with the decentralized application.
- Integrate the Smart Contracts
At this stage, integrate smart contracts on the blockchain network and ensure seamless communication between the smart contracts and the dApp.
You can use leading blockchain libraries like web3.js, ethers.js, or others, to integrate the smart contracts. Also, ensure proper error handling and confirmation prompts for transactions.
- Testing and Quality Assurance
Post smart contracts integrating, test your decentralized application and the functionalities of the smart contracts. Use the dApp to identify bugs and glitches. If found any, fix them, to ensure that your decentralized app is completely bug-free.
Also, you can release the dApp in a closed environment, where users will use the dApp and give you feedback on their experiences, bugs, functionalities, and more.
- Deployment
Now, it is time to deploy your decentralized application (dApp). You need to deploy the smart contracts to the mainnet of the blockchain you have chosen to build your decentralized application.
Moreover, you need to host the frontend on a decentralized platform, and with this, you will deploy your decentralized app for public use.
- Maintenance and Upgradations
After deployment, monitor the performance of your decentralized app and user feedback. You can use blockchain explorers and analytics tools to monitor transactions and user activity for your dApp.
Additionally, you need to upgrade the dApp with new features and functionalities to enhance user experiences and fix glitches that are reported by the users. This way, you can keep your decentralized app relevant in the market for a long time.
Top Features of a Custom Decentralized App
While the features of decentralized apps depend on their specific industry and use cases, here are some of the common features that can be found in all dApps.
- Decentralization
Decentralized apps (dApps) operate on a blockchain network, and transactions are recorded on a distributed ledger, eliminating the need for central authority.
- Smart Contract Integration
Smart contracts power decentralized applications, automating actions when pre-defined conditions are met, such as token transfers or executing agreements.
- Immutability
Decentralized apps are immutable, meaning that the transactions recorded on the blockchain cannot be changed or altered, ensuring data integrity.
- Wallet Integration
Decentralized applications allow users to connect their blockchain wallets so that they can manage cryptocurrencies and interact with the dApps.
- Interoperability
Decentralized apps, or dApps, often support interoperability, meaning that they can be operated on or interact with multiple blockchain networks.
- Tokenization
Many decentralized apps leverage non-fungible tokens (NFT) tokens to reward users. Also, dApps utilized tokens for other purposes like managing transactions or facilitating governance.
- High Security
Decentralized applications (dApps) are protected by the blockchain’s cryptographic mechanisms, saving them from fraud, unauthorized access, and data tampering.
- Customizability
Decentralized applications are highly customizable. You can tailor their user interfaces, features, and functionalities, to address your specific requirements.
Technology Stack for Building a dApp
The following is a technology stack you may require to develop a decentralized app tailored to your needs.
| Component | Technology/Tool | Description |
| Blockchain Platform | Ethereum, Solana, BNB Smart Chain, Polygon, Avalanche | Foundation for your dApp, defining transaction handling, smart contract execution, and scalability. |
| Smart Contract Language | Solidity, Vyper (Ethereum); Rust, Anchor (Solana); Cairo (StarkNet) | Programming languages to write and deploy smart contracts. |
| Wallet Integration | MetaMask, Trust Wallet, Phantom, WalletConnect | Tools for users to manage cryptocurrencies and interact with the dApp. |
| Development Frameworks | Truffle, Hardhat, Remix (Ethereum); Anchor (Solana); Brownie (Python) | Frameworks for smart contract development, testing, and deployment. |
| Front-End Framework | React, Vue.js, Angular | Frameworks for building the user interface of the dApp. |
| Blockchain Libraries | web3.js, ethers.js (Ethereum); Solana Web3.js, Anchor Client | Libraries to interact with the blockchain and smart contracts from the frontend. |
| Decentralized Storage | IPFS, Arweave, Filecoin | Solutions for storing large assets like images, videos, or metadata. |
| Node Providers | Infura, Alchemy, QuickNode, Ankr | Services to connect your dApp to blockchain networks without running a full node. |
| Testing Tools | Ganache, Hardhat Network, Solana Devnet, Ethereum Testnets (Goerli, Sepolia) | Local environments for testing smart contracts and dApps. |
| Token Standards | ERC-20, ERC-721, ERC-1155 (Ethereum); SPL (Solana) | Standards for creating fungible tokens, NFTs, or multi-token solutions. |
| Security Tools | MythX, Slither, OpenZeppelin (audit-ready libraries), Certik | Tools and libraries to secure smart contracts and conduct vulnerability analysis. |
| Analytics Tools | Dune Analytics, The Graph, Nansen | Tools for tracking and analyzing dApp activity and user engagement. |
| Deployment Platforms | IPFS, Fleek, AWS, Vercel, Netlify | Platforms for deploying the front-end and hosting dApps. |
Please note that the above technology stack is for recommendation purposely only. You can select other technologies and tools to build your decentralized app (dApp).
Benefits of Developing a Decentralized App
The benefits of developing a decentralized application are as follows:
- Increased Transparency
The benefit that you get from custom dApp development is that you can record all the transactions and activities publicly, enhancing transparency and trust among your users and stakeholders.
- Enhanced Security
You can hire blockchain developers to build dApps that leverage blockchain’s cryptographic features to enhance security and reduce the risk of fraud, data breaches, and unauthorized access.
- User Data Ownership and Privacy
Another benefit of building a decentralized app is that you can attract privacy-conscious users by allowing them to retain ownership of their data, building stronger trust and brand loyalty.
- Innovative Business Models
With decentralized app development, you can open unique business opportunities and revenue streams like token economies, decentralized finance (DeFi), decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), and peer-to-peer NFT marketplaces.
- Global Reach and Accessibility
As dApps (decentralized apps) operate on blockchain networks, you can reach out to global audiences without restrictions imposed by traditional platforms in particular geographical areas.
- Cost Savings
You can develop decentralized apps (dApps) to reduce operational costs, transaction fees, reliance on third parties, and other similar business expenses by eliminating intermediaries who often charge commissions or fees.
- Brand Differentiation
By developing a decentralized app, you can demonstrate a commitment to innovation that can help you stand out in the market. Also, dApps are more user-centric solutions, hence you can establish yourself as a people-centered business.
Conclusion
Decentralized applications, or dApps, are the blockchain-based apps that are operated on the smart contracts. When the pre-defined conditions in these smart contracts are met, an action is performed automatically.
dApps are gaining users’ attraction, especially those who prioritize data privacy and ownership. Moreover, businesses also get various benefits from developing custom dApps tailored to their specific requirements, such as increased transparency, security, global reach, cost savings, and more.
So, if you are also interested in developing a personalized decentralized app, feel free to reach out to Quytech. We are the top blockchain development company with 14+ years of experience in building dApps, smart contracts, DeFi applications, DAOs, tokens, and other blockchain-powered solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Decentralized apps are blockchain-based applications that are operated with the help of smart contracts, that perform actions automatically when pre-defined conditions are met. Unlike traditional apps, dApps lack central servers, so transactions are recorded on blockchain, and large amounts of files are stored on decentralized storage solutions.
Yes, the transactions and activities of the decentralized apps are stored on blockchain networks, which are nearly impossible to access unauthorizely and alter the data. Moreover, smart contracts ensure that operations in dApps take place according to pre-defined conditions only, making them safer than traditional apps.
Smart contracts interact with dApps and perform activities, such as processing transactions, managing assets, or triggering specific workflows, automatically when pre-defined conditions are met.
The development timeframe for dApps depends on the project’s complexity, functionalities, development team, and other factors. Hence, it may take around 4-6 months to build a simple dApp, 5-8 months to develop an advanced dApp, and around 10 months to more than a year to develop a high-end decentralized application.
Click here to get in touch with our team. Also, you can visit our website www.quytech.com, or mail us at info@quytech.com to start developing your custom dApp development.