So, what languages are used in blockchain development, and what is the best fit for your project? To help you decide, I’ve compiled a list of top programming languages for blockchain depending on the most common business needs.
For smart contract development
Solidity
Solidity is the go-to language for developing smart contracts on Ethereum and EVM-compatible chains like Binance Smart Chain and Avalanche. It’s widely used for DeFi projects, DAOs (decentralized autonomous organizations), and dApps (decentralized applications). While it offers extensive documentation and a large developer base, Solidity’s popularity also means it has known security vulnerabilities that must be addressed during development.
Our verdict: While Solidity is a good option for Ethereum-based projects, DAOs, and dApps, you should beware of its security vulnerabilities.
Rust
Now, Rust is gaining momentum and is often used to develop blockchain solutions on platforms like Polkadot, Solana, and Near. Known for its high security and memory safety, Rust is a good match for projects with a high emphasis on performance and reliability. However, there may be challenges when hiring development teams: the language has a steeper learning curve, hence a smaller developer base.
Our verdict: Rust is a great choice for security and performance-focused blockchain projects, but its steeper learning curve may make it harder to find experienced developers.
Vyper
Vyper is an alternative to Solidity for developing Ethereum-based blockchains. The language is designed to focus on simplicity and security: it intentionally omits some of Solidity’s more complex features, reducing the potential attack vectors. While Vyper isn't as popular, it offers a more secure development environment for those who need to create minimal, easy-to-audit smart contracts.
Our verdict: Vyper offers a simpler and more secure option for Ethereum smart contracts, but its smaller user base and limited features might make it less appealing for complex projects.
For enterprise & private blockchains
Go
Go is highly popular for enterprise and private blockchains based on frameworks like Hyperledger Fabric and Cosmos SDK. Its strong performance, simplicity, and support for concurrency make it ideal for high-throughput environments. Go’s modularity allows for flexible blockchain architecture, letting developers create scalable solutions tailored to enterprise needs.
Our verdict: Go is ideal for building scalable enterprise blockchain solutions with high performance.
Java & Kotlin
Java and Kotlin remain the go-to choices for private blockchains, particularly with platforms like Corda and Hedera. These languages are perfect for integrating blockchain technology with legacy enterprise systems due to strong support for object-oriented programming, an established ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, and a larger talent pool.
Our verdict: Java and Kotlin are excellent for integrating blockchain with existing enterprise systems, but may not be the best fit for cutting-edge blockchain solutions.
C++
C++ is a powerful coding language often used to build EOSIO-based blockchain solutions. It helps set up private blockchains and implement smart contracts that automate business processes. While C++ allows for deep control over system resources, it’s very complex and requires experienced developers. Yet, if you need maximum blockchain performance in highly efficient, resource-constrained environments, C++ is a solid choice.
Our verdict: C++ offers control over blockchain performance and resources, but it’s complex, so may be hard to find experienced engineers for development projects.
Rust
Besides being used for smart contract development, Rust is the primary language for building blockchain solutions using the Substrate framework, most notably powering Polkadot. Our team used Rust to develop blockchain-hosted AI compliance software for a fintech startup. The software leverages advanced algorithms to check whether documents fit the regulations, increasing document processing speed by an impressive 58%.
Our verdict: Rust is excellent for building fast, secure enterprise blockchain solutions using the Substrate framework.
For blockchain infrastructure & performance
Rust
Rust is an ideal language for building high-performance Layer 1 and Layer 2 blockchains if you prioritize speed and security. Rust’s memory safety features and concurrency support make it perfect for creating scalable, robust systems. Blockchains like Polkadot leverage Rust as the technology can handle complex transactions without compromising performance in fast-paced environments.
Our verdict: Rust is perfect for scalable blockchains, especially when security and speed are priorities, but it demands a deep understanding of the language from the development team.
C++
C++ remains a staple in the development of core blockchain systems. Used to build Bitcoin, EOSIO, NEO, and other platforms, C++ provides low-level capabilities that improve system resource control and performance. The language is well-suited for performance-critical blockchains, where fast transaction processing and network synchronization are essential.
Our verdict: C++ is a top choice for performance-driven blockchain systems with high resource control, though it requires a high level of expertise from developers.
Python
Python is easy to use and offers robust libraries, making it excellent for blockchain prototyping and analytics. It’s commonly used for scripting, testing, and experimenting with blockchain concepts but is less common in production environments due to performance constraints. Python’s strength lies in its ability to quickly build and iterate on ideas, making it a good choice for projects in the early stages or non-critical blockchain tasks.
Our verdict: Python is great for blockchain prototyping and analytics, but its performance limitations make it less suitable for high-volume, production-level applications.
Node.js
If you need to develop a backend infrastructure for your blockchain project, Node.js is a strong choice, especially for applications requiring fast, scalable, and real-time transaction processing. Its asynchronous, event-driven architecture makes Node.js well-suited for handling numerous simultaneous connections, like those seen in dApps. However, it’s not typically used for core blockchain logic.
Our verdict: Node.js is an excellent backend choice for blockchain applications that require fast, real-time processing, but it's not designed for blockchain core logic.
For Web3 & front-end development
JavaScript & TypeScript
JavaScript, often combined with TypeScript for added type safety, is the foundation of web3 front-end development. It powers dApp UIs and facilitates interactions with smart contracts via libraries like web3.js or ethers.js. Its flexibility, widespread adoption, and seamless integration with blockchain networks make it the top choice for developers building interactive, user-friendly interfaces for decentralized applications.
Our verdict: JavaScript and TypeScript are essential for developing interactive Web3 front ends, offering broad compatibility with decentralized applications and smart contracts.
Python
While not typically used for front-end development, Python plays a vital role in blockchain projects that require data analysis and machine learning integration. Python's rich ecosystem of data science libraries, like Pandas and TensorFlow, allows developers to analyze blockchain data, perform predictive analytics, and build machine learning models.
Our verdict: Python isn't typically used for front-end development, but its powerful data science tools make it a strong choice for blockchain projects involving analytics or machine learning.
