What Are Decentralized Applications (dApps)?
Decentralized applications (dApps) are digital applications or programs that exist and run on a blockchain or peer-to-peer (P2P) network of computers instead of a single computer. DApps (also called "dapps") are thus outside the purview and control of a single authority.
DApps—which are often built on the Ethereum platform—can be developed for a variety of purposes including gaming, finance, and social media.
Key Takeaways
Understanding Decentralized Applications (dApps)
A standard web app, such as Uber or Twitter, runs on a computer system that is owned and operated by an organization, giving it full authority over the app and its workings. There may be multiple users on one side, but the backend is controlled by a single organization.
DApps can run on a P2P network or a blockchain network. For example, BitTorrent, Tor, and Popcorn Time are applications that run on computers that are part of a P2P network, whereby multiple participants are consuming content, feeding or seeding content, or simultaneously performing both functions.
In the context of cryptocurrencies, dApps run on a blockchain network in a public, open-source, decentralized environment and are free from control and interference by any single authority. For example, a developer can create a Twitter-like dApp and put it on a blockchain where any user can publish messages. Once posted, no one—including the app creators—can delete the messages.
dApp Uses
dApps have been developed to decentralize and disintermediate a range of functions and applications. These include things from self-executing financial contracts to multi-user games and social media platforms. DApps have also been developed to facilitate secure, blockchain-based voting and governance, DApps can also be integrated into web browsers to function as plugins that can help serve ads, track user behavior, and solicit crypto donations.
Some examples of practical uses for dApps include:
dApp Scams
There are several types of scams that have been perpetrated through decentralized applications (dApps). Ponzi schemes, in which earlier investors are paid using the investments of more recent investors, have been known to occur on dApps. Fake initial coin offerings (ICOs) have also been used to raise funds for the development of a new cryptocurrency or dApp, but in reality are designed to steal investors' money without actually developing a viable product.
Phishing attacks, which use fake websites or emails to trick people into revealing sensitive information, have also been seen on dApps. In addition, some dApps have been used to distribute malware or viruses, which can compromise users' devices and steal sensitive information. It is important for users to be cautious and do their due diligence when interacting with dApps, as the decentralized nature of these applications can make it difficult to track or hold perpetrators accountable.
Industry analytics group DappRadar found that there were a record 312 hacks and vulnerabilities affecting dApps in 2022, leading to losses of around $48 billion.1
Advantages and Disadvantages of dApps
Advantages
Many of the advantages of dAppscenteraround the program's ability to safeguard user privacy. With decentralized apps, users do not need to submit their personal information to use the function the app provides. DApps use smart contracts to complete the transaction between two anonymous parties without the need to rely on a central authority.
Proponents interested in free speech point out that dApps can be developed as alternative social media platforms. A decentralized social media platform would be resistant to censorship because no single participant on the blockchain can delete messages or block messages from being posted.
Ethereum is a flexible platform for creating new dApps, providing the infrastructure needed for developers to focus their efforts on finding innovative uses for digital applications. This could enable rapid deployment of dApps in a variety of industries including banking and finance, gaming, social media, and online shopping.
American cryptographer and computer scientist Nick Szabo introduced the term "smart contract" in 1996 as a graduate student at the University of Washington.2
Disadvantages
The use of dApps is still in the early stages, and thus it is experimental and prone to certain problems and unknowns. There are questions as to whether the applications will be able to scale effectively, particularly in the event that an app requires significant computations and overloads a network, causing network congestion.
The ability to develop a user-friendly interface is another concern. Most users of apps developed by traditional centralized institutions have an ease-of-use expectation that encourages them to use and interact with the app. Getting people to transition to dApps will require developers to create an end-user experience and level of performance that rivals already popular and established programs.
The challenge of doing code modifications is another limitation of dApps. Once deployed, a dApp will likely need ongoing changes for the purposes of making enhancements or to correct bugs or security risks. According to Ethereum, it can be challenging for developers to make needed updates to dApps because the data and code published to the blockchain are hard to modify.3
Pros
Cons
What Are EthereumdApps?
These are decentralized applications that are powered and developed using the Ethereum platform. EthereumdApps use smart contracts for their logic. They are deployed on the Ethereum network and use the platform's blockchain for data storage.
What Is the Difference Between a Centralized and Decentralized App?
A centralized app is owned by a single company. The application software for a centralized app resides on one or more servers controlled by the company. As a user, you'll interact with the app by downloading a copy of the app and then sending and receiving data back and forth from the company's server.
A decentralized app (also known as a dApp or dapp) operates on a blockchain or peer-to-peer network of computers. It enables users to engage in transactions directly with one another as opposed to relying on a central authority. The user of a dApp will pay the developer an amount of cryptocurrency to download and use the program's source code. The source code is known as a smart contract, which allows users to complete transactions without revealing personal information.
What Are Examples of Centralized and Decentralized Apps?
Well-known examples of centralized apps are Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Netflix. Banks and other financial institutions use centralized apps to allow their customers online access to their accounts.
Peepeth, a social network alternative to Twitter, is an example of a decentralized app. Cryptokitties is a dApp game that allows users to buy and sell virtual cats. MakerDAO is a decentralized credit service supporting the stablecoin Dai and allows users to open a collateralized debt position (CDP).
The Bottom Line
Decentralized applications (dApps) are digital applications or programs that run on a decentralized network, rather than a single computer or server. They are built on blockchain technology and use cryptocurrency as a means of exchange. dApps are designed to be open-source, transparent, and resistant to censorship, allowing users to interact directly with the application without the need for intermediaries. They have the potential to disrupt traditional industries by allowing for peer-to-peer interactions and transactions without the need for central authority.