Top 5 Frameworks for Web3: Rust, Solana, Solidity, Move, EVM

Web3 is the next generation of the internet, where users control their data, identity, and digital assets. Unlike Web2, where most logic runs on centralized servers, Web3 applications (dApps) interact with blockchains - decentralized networks where trust is enforced by code, not intermediaries.

To build dApps, developers use specialized languages and frameworks. These tools enable the creation of smart contracts, the management of transactions, the assurance of data security, and the interaction with blockchain networks. In Web3 development, architectural decisions are just as important as safety guarantees, access control, and predictable code behavior.

Why the language and framework matter

The choice of technology directly affects:

• Security - Smart contracts cannot be changed after deployment, so the language and framework must minimize the risk of critical errors.

• Scalability - Some networks and frameworks offer significantly higher throughput, which is essential for real-world usage.

• Development efficiency - Well-designed tools help accelerate product delivery and reduce technical overhead.

• Ecosystem maturity - A strong community, good documentation, and a wide range of libraries simplify development and long-term maintenance.

Key criteria for comparing Web3 frameworks:

• Security - Protection against common vulnerabilities like reentrance, overflows, and logic flaws

• Scalability - The ability to handle a high volume of transactions

• Performance - Transaction processing speed and confirmation latency

• Ecosystem - Availability of tools, libraries, documentation, and developer community activity

These criteria help objectively evaluate Web3 frameworks and choose the right one for a given use case, whether it's DeFi, NFT platforms, GameFi, or a custom blockchain.

Solidity + EVM

What is EVM, and why did Solidity become the standard

EVM (Ethereum Virtual Machine) is a universal smart contract execution environment designed for the Ethereum blockchain. Thanks to EVM's architecture, contracts written in Solidity can run not only on Ethereum but also on many compatible networks - including BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Avalanche.

Solidity is an object-oriented programming language created specifically for writing smart contracts on the EVM. It was the first of its kind and remains the most widely used language in the Web3 ecosystem. With its simplicity, abundance of learning materials, and active community, Solidity has become the de facto standard for building decentralized applications.

Key strengths of Solidity and EVM

• Large community and documentation
  Solidity is used by millions of developers worldwide. There is an extensive range of guides, tutorials, courses, and community forums. Most common issues have already been solved and documented.

• Multi-network support
  Solidity code can be deployed across dozens of EVM-compatible chains - Ethereum, BNB Chain, Polygon, Arbitrum, Avalanche, and more. This offers flexibility and broad interoperability.

• Rich ecosystem of libraries and open-source tools
  Widely adopted standards like ERC-20 and ERC-721, along with libraries such as OpenZeppelin, allow developers to build secure and efficient contracts without reinventing the wheel.

• Low entry barrier
  The language is relatively easy to learn for those familiar with JavaScript or Python. Development tools like Hardhat, Remix, and Foundry streamline the entire process from prototyping to deployment.

Common use cases

• DeFi applications: tokens, lending, DEXs

• NFTs: collections, marketplaces, in-game assets

• DAOs: governance, fund management

• Layer 2: zk-rollups and optimistic rollups (zkSync, StarkNet, Arbitrum, etc.)

When to use

• Compatibility with Ethereum or EVM-based networks is required

• Rapid MVP development is a priority

• Small teams with limited time and resources

• A preference for rich documentation and reusable libraries

• High throughput or custom blockchain logic is not a critical requirement

Solidity remains the most mature and accessible language in the Web3 space. It is well-suited for most standard use cases - from DeFi to NFTs - and enables fast development thanks to its established infrastructure, open-source components, and compatibility with a wide range of networks.

Rust + Solana

Solana is a high-performance Layer 1

Solana is a high-performance Layer 1 blockchain designed for scalability and low latency. Unlike most networks, Solana uses a unique Proof of History algorithm, which enables extremely high throughput without the need for sharding.

The key feature of Solana is its ability to process tens of thousands of transactions per second while keeping fees very low. This architecture makes it especially attractive for real-time, highly interactive applications, such as gaming platforms, decentralized marketplaces, and complex dApps.

The primary language for developing smart contracts on Solana is Rust. It is a systems programming language focused on safety, performance, and strict memory control. Rust contracts compile to BPF (Berkeley Packet Filter) bytecode, which is executed by Solana's virtual machine.

Key strengths of Solana and Rust

• High throughput (50,000+ TPS)
  Solana handles significantly more transactions per second than EVM-based chains, making it suitable for high-volume user interactions.

• Instant finality and low fees
  Transactions are confirmed within 400-600 milliseconds, with average fees under one cent. This is critical for user-facing apps that require responsive interfaces.

• Rust provides compile-time safety
  Rust prevents many classes of bugs at compile time. This increases code reliability and helps avoid critical issues in production.

• Anchor - a convenient development framework
  Anchor is a higher-level framework built on Solana SDK. It simplifies smart contract development with macros, declarative interfaces, and automatic state management.

Common use cases

• GameFi - projects requiring high-frequency transactions and real-time responsiveness

• Scalable dApps - social platforms, messaging, streaming, voting systems

• NFT marketplaces - collections, dynamic NFTs, auctions, and trading platforms with low fees

When to use

• High-speed processing and low latency are a priority

• The project expects a large transaction volume (e.g. real-time user interaction)

• Cost-effective execution of many on-chain operations is required

• The team is comfortable with Rust or has systems programming experience

• Custom logic, security, and performance optimization are critical

Solana combined with Rust is a powerful stack for building scalable and high-load Web3 applications. While the entry threshold is higher compared to EVM-based stacks, it offers unmatched performance and is ideal for projects where traditional solutions like Solidity/EVM become a bottleneck.

Layer 2 Scaling Solutions for EVM-Based Blockchains: a Look at Plasma, Rollups, Sidechains Read

Move (Aptos / Sui)

Brief overview of the Move language

Move is a programming language originally developed as part of the Libra project (by Meta) and later adapted for new blockchain platforms such as Aptos and Sui. Unlike Solidity or Rust, Move was specifically designed for working with digital assets and smart contracts in a security-critical environment.

The key feature of Move is its resource-oriented model, where digital objects (such as tokens and NFTs) are treated as unique resources that cannot be copied or destroyed without explicit permission. This reduces the risk of asset leakage and makes contract behavior more predictable.

The language also features strict typing, deterministic execution, and built-in access control mechanisms, making it especially suitable for financial and infrastructure-level applications.

Key strengths of Move

• Unique resource ownership model
  Move treats each digital asset as an individual resource, eliminating accidental duplication, loss, or double-spending. This is especially valuable in financial applications and token systems.

• Language-level security
  Move includes built-in safeguards against common errors such as reentrance, state leakage, and uncontrolled data mutation. Contracts are easier to audit and formally verify.

• Efficient scalability
  Move-based chains like Aptos and Sui implement parallel transaction execution and optimized virtual machines, enabling high performance under heavy workloads.

Common use cases

• New L1 blockchains - Aptos and Sui are built on Move and focus on speed, safety, and scalability

• DeFi - liquidity pools, stablecoins, derivatives

• Payment systems - due to deterministic behavior and fast execution, Move is well-suited for settlement and micropayments

When to use

• The project targets modern L1 networks with strong scalability requirements

• High security and predictable asset control are a priority

• The goal is to build long-term infrastructure or future-ready platforms

• The team is open to learning a new development paradigm, different from EVM or Rust

• Formal verification of smart contracts is required

Move is a language built for those designing Web3 applications with a future-oriented mindset. While it is not as widespread as Solidity or Rust, it offers strong safety guarantees, fine-grained control over resources, and excellent alignment with the evolving demands of blockchain infrastructure.

Rust + Substrate (Polkadot / Near)

Substrate as a framework for building custom blockchains

Substrate is a modular framework for creating custom blockchains, developed by Parity Technologies and forming the foundation of the Polkadot ecosystem. Written in Rust, it allows developers to build decentralized networks from the ground up - from networking and consensus to business logic.

Unlike traditional smart contract platforms, Substrate provides full control over every layer of the blockchain stack. Developers can define their own rules, consensus mechanisms, governance models, and tokenomics. This makes it an ideal choice for use cases that go beyond the limitations of standard virtual machines.

Although Substrate is closely tied to Polkadot (via parachains), it can also be used independently. Similarly, the Near network, also built with Rust, offers a high-performance platform with horizontal scalability, developer-friendly tools, and efficient contract execution.

Key strengths of Substrate and Rust

• Full control over logic and consensus
  Developers have low-level access to the entire blockchain architecture and can implement any business logic, from custom tokens to advanced governance and unique consensus algorithms.

• Cross-chain communication support
  Polkadot and Substrate support the XCM (Cross-Consensus Messaging) protocol, enabling secure and atomic interactions between multiple chains without compromising decentralization or consistency.

• High flexibility
  Substrate uses a plug-and-play architecture where every module (consensus, runtime, governance, etc.) can be replaced, extended, or removed. This allows the blockchain to evolve without being constrained by a fixed protocol design.

Common use cases

• Custom blockchains - vertical solutions with non-standard logic or architecture

• Enterprise Web3 systems - private networks, internal registries, and integrations with existing IT infrastructure

• Multichain platforms - use cases that require fine-grained logic control and native cross-chain interaction

When to use

• Maximum customization is required

• Control is needed not just over smart contracts, but the entire blockchain runtime

• The project targets enterprise or institutional-grade applications

• The team is experienced with Rust and low-level development

• Scalability, security, and cross-chain operability are top priorities

Substrate, combined with Rust, is a powerful solution for building complex blockchain systems from scratch. It is suited for scenarios where standard Web3 frameworks become a bottleneck, and full control over architecture, security, and performance is essential.

Deploying Polkadot Smart Contracts: A Step-by-Step Guide for Addressing Business Need Read

Solidity + Layer 2 (zk-rollups, optimistic rollups)

Why Layer 2 matters in 2025

As of 2025, scalability remains one of the biggest challenges for Layer 1 blockchains, especially Ethereum. High gas fees, limited throughput, and frequent network congestion make Ethereum inefficient for large-scale applications.

Layer 2 solutions are technologies built on top of base blockchains that allow for faster and cheaper transactions without compromising the security of Layer 1. Among these, zk-rollups and optimistic rollups have gained the most adoption.

What makes these solutions unique is that they maintain full compatibility with the Ethereum ecosystem. This means Solidity code written for L1 can be migrated to L2 platforms with minimal changes, making Layer 2 an attractive option for developers seeking better performance without changing their technology stack.

Key strengths of Layer 2

• Scalability without switching stacks
  Developers can continue using familiar tools like Solidity, Hardhat, Foundry, and OpenZeppelin. The codebase can be reused on Layer 2 with minimal adjustments, while performance improves significantly.

• Reduced transaction costs
  L2 transactions are batched and submitted to Ethereum as a single hash. This drastically lowers transaction fees compared to executing the same logic directly on Layer 1.

• Support from major platforms
  As of 2025, the most mature and developer-ready Layer 2 platforms include zkSync, StarkNet, Optimism, and Arbitrum, all offering SDKs and infrastructure to support production-ready dApps.

Common use cases

• High-volume dApps that require frequent interactions (web clients, DeFi, NFT marketplaces)

• Web3 gaming and social platforms

• Mobile-first applications, where cost and speed are critical

• Existing EVM-based products that need scalability without full migration

When to use

• High performance and low fees are required

• Full compatibility with Ethereum and Solidity code is a priority

• The application targets a large user base (1,000+ daily transactions)

• Switching to another stack like Rust or Move is impractical

• The project depends on existing Ethereum infrastructure (wallets, libraries, oracles)

Layer 2 is a natural evolution of the Ethereum ecosystem. For projects that have outgrown Layer 1 limitations but want to retain the benefits of Solidity and EVM, rollup solutions offer the ideal balance between scale, security, and development efficiency.

Conclusion

Choosing a Web3 development framework is a strategic decision that depends not only on the team’s technical preferences but also on the goals of the project itself. There’s no universal answer - what works perfectly for a DeFi protocol might be excessive or ineffective for an NFT marketplace or a GameFi app.

How to choose a framework

1. By project type:

• DeFi - security and wallet compatibility are critical. Solidity + EVM or Move (for stronger safety guarantees) are solid options.

• GameFi - high performance, low latency, and minimal fees are key. Solana + Rust or Layer 2 solutions built with Solidity are strong candidates.

• NFT - compatibility with popular marketplaces is important. EVM platforms offer the most liquidity and adoption.

• Payment systems - low fees, speed, and reliability are essential. Consider Move (Aptos, Sui) or Ethereum Layer 2 solutions.

2. By priorities:

• Scalability - Solana, Layer 2, Sui

• Security - Move, Rust (Substrate), Solidity with trusted libraries

• Ecosystem maturity - Ethereum (Solidity), Polkadot (Substrate), Solana

• Low entry barrier - Solidity + EVM or Layer 2

• Flexibility and control - Substrate (Rust)

Quick recommendations summary

• Solidity + EVM - a universal choice with massive community support and rich tooling

• Rust + Solana - maximum performance and minimal fees, with a steeper learning curve

• Move (Aptos / Sui) - strong safety model and resource-oriented logic

• Rust + Substrate - ideal for building full-fledged custom blockchains

• Solidity + Layer 2 - a smart compromise between performance and Ethereum compatibility

Tips for beginner Web3 engineers

• Start with Solidity and EVM - it provides a solid foundation for understanding smart contracts, wallets, tokens, and the broader ecosystem

• Once you’re comfortable with the basics, explore Layer 2 and rollup technologies

• Then - consider diving into Rust, Move, and Substrate architecture if you're interested in building custom networks or more advanced logic

• Don’t just learn syntax - understand token economics, security models, and blockchain limitations

• Participate in hackathons and open-source projects - it's the best way to grow in Web3

Web3 technologies are evolving rapidly, but the principles remain the same: security, transparency, decentralization, and user control. Choosing the right framework is not just about code - it's about the problems you're solving and the environment in which your solution will operate. The right tool is half the success.