Like your regular apps... but way cooler and way less bossy.

Ever used WhatsApp? Netflix? Instagram? Those are apps — short for “applications.” But they’re all controlled by a company that owns your data, decides the rules, and can ban you with the flick of a finger.

Now imagine an app that runs on a blockchain, has no central boss, and gives you control over your data, identity, and money.
That’s a dApp, short for decentralised app.

💡 So what is a dApp?

A dApp (decentralised application) is an app that’s powered by smart contracts and runs on a blockchain, instead of a central server.

Think of it like this:

Your normal apps = Controlled by companies

dApps = Controlled by code + community

🧱 How dApps work (in plain English)

The logic (how the app behaves) lives in smart contracts on a blockchain.

The front-end (what you see on your screen) is often just like a normal app.

The data is stored across a network of computers — not in some secret server.

No CEO. No data tracking. No random policy changes.

🎯 Popular Types of dApps

Finance: Uniswap (swap tokens), Aave (lending), Compound (interest)

Gaming: Axie Infinity, Decentraland, The Sandbox

Social: Lens Protocol, Farcaster (Twitter without Elon)

Marketplaces: OpenSea (NFTs), LooksRare

Tools: ENS (your .eth name), Chainlink oracles

🛠️ Features of dApps (why they matter)

Decentralised: No single point of control

Transparent: Everyone can see how they work

Permissionless: Anyone can use them — no account needed

Incentivised: Some reward users with tokens

⚠️ The Flip Side

They can be a bit clunky or slow, especially for beginners. You’ll often need:

A crypto wallet (like MetaMask)

Some ETH (or other gas token) to pay for transactions

A bit of patience 😅

Let's look at DeFi next.