DApps and web3 apps are built using smart contracts. You can connect to dApps and web3 apps with a crypto wallet.
Need a crypto wallet that gives you full control of your assets? You can download Exodus here.
Never enter your 12-word secret key or private keys into a web3 app. If a web3 app requests this information, it is trying to steal your crypto.
In this article:
What are dApps and web3 apps?
Web3 is like the World Wide Web for blockchain technology. It's a decentralized internet where core parts of the apps run on blockchains instead of company servers. You can connect to a web3 app with a crypto wallet. There are many different kinds of web3 apps, from games to DeFi to NFT platforms.
A dApp, short for decentralized application, is a type of web3 app that runs on a blockchain.
All dApps are web3 apps, but not all web3 apps are fully decentralized. For a web3 app to be considered a true dApp, the power to make changes to the application must be distributed among several parties, often through a DAOs.
You can connect to both dApps and web3 apps using your crypto wallet.
Exodus is a self-custody wallet that provides the interface for you to connect to the world of DeFi and web3. Web3 apps are platforms that are external to Exodus, so you connect to them at your own risk. For more information, you can read our guide: Safety and security for DeFi and web3.
Video tutorial: What are dApps and web3 apps?
Where can I find web3 apps on different networks?
You can find information on web3 apps on specific networks here:
Avalanche: Explore the Avalanche ecosystem with Exodus
BNB Smart Chain: Explore the BNB Smart Chain ecosystem with Exodus
Rootstock: Explore the Rootstock ecosystem with Exodus
What are the benefits of web3 apps?
Web3 apps have a number of benefits over traditional apps.
Ownership of personal data
Many traditional apps collect, use, and monetize your data, often for targeted advertising or third-party research.
Because web3 apps connect directly with your crypto wallet through the blockchain, they don’t have access to your personal information. They can only access the info that's already on the blockchain. However, the websites hosting the apps may still collect limited information, like cookies or usage data.
Pseudonymity
With web3, your transactions are linked to your crypto address, not your personal information. This means your on-chain activity is visible, but it isn’t directly tied to your real-world identity.
No single point of failure
Traditional apps rely on centralized servers. If those servers go down, the app becomes unavailable, which impacts both users and businesses.
Web3 operates on decentralized blockchains supported by many nodes. If one node goes offline, others keep the app running on the blockchain. This makes web3 apps more resilient to outages and attacks.
Censorship-resistant
Web3 apps are designed to be more resistant to censorship than traditional platforms. Because information is stored on a decentralized blockchain that is public, pseudonymous, and difficult to change, users can publish and interact freely without relying on a central authority to approve or remove content.
This gives creators and communities greater control over what they share and how it’s accessed, promoting open participation and transparency across decentralized networks.
Wider distribution of value
In traditional apps, most of the value created goes to the company or its investors, even though users generate the activity and content that make the platform valuable.
Web3 apps can distribute value more fairly among participants. Many reward users directly for contributing, curating, or engaging with content. For example, users might earn tokens for posting, voting, or interacting within a decentralized community.
This model empowers both creators and users, allowing them to share in the value they help create.