Blockchain platforms fall into two families: public chains that anyone can use, such as Ethereum, and permissioned ledgers run by a known group of businesses, such as Hyperledger Fabric and Corda. Which one fits depends on whether your users need to trust you, whether data must stay private, and whether a token is part of the design. This short overview compares the most widely used platforms in 2026.
For public apps and tokens, Ethereum and its Layer 2 networks are the default choice, with Solana for high-throughput consumer apps and Cosmos or Polkadot for teams building their own connected chain. For private business networks, Hyperledger Fabric and Corda remain the main options. Tezos is a smaller public chain known for on-chain governance. Choose by who runs the network and who may see the data, not by hype.
This page is a quick comparison. For languages, frameworks, tools that are now retired, and how to host each part, read exploring the tech stacks for building blockchain applications.
1. Public or permissioned?
- Public chains are open to anyone. Every transaction pays a fee, data is visible to everyone, and no single company controls the network. They suit tokens, digital ownership and apps where users should not have to trust the operator.
- Permissioned ledgers are run by known, identified organisations. There is usually no cryptocurrency, and data is shared only with the parties who need it. They suit supply chains, trade finance and records shared between companies.
2. The main platforms at a glance
| Platform | Type | Smart contract languages | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethereum and Layer 2s | Public | Solidity, Vyper | The largest developer community; most apps now deploy to Layer 2 networks |
| Solana | Public | Rust (Anchor) | High throughput and low fees for consumer and payment apps |
| Cosmos SDK | Public, app-specific chains | Go, Rust (CosmWasm) | Building your own chain connected to others through IBC |
| Polkadot | Public, multi-chain | Rust (Polkadot SDK) | Specialised chains secured by a shared relay chain |
| Tezos | Public | Michelson, SmartPy, LIGO | On-chain governance and formal verification |
| Hyperledger Fabric | Permissioned | Go, Java, JavaScript/TypeScript | Private channels between known organisations |
| Corda | Permissioned | Kotlin, Java | Regulated finance; data shared only with the parties to a deal |
3. Ethereum
Ethereum launched in 2015 and introduced general-purpose smart contracts running on the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). It moved from mining to proof of stake in 2022. Transactions on Ethereum itself are relatively expensive, so most applications now deploy to Layer 2 networks that settle to Ethereum at lower cost. Many other chains are EVM-compatible, so the same code and tools work across them.
4. Hyperledger Fabric and Corda
Hyperledger Fabric is a modular, permissioned framework: members run nodes, and private channels keep data visible only to the organisations on each channel. Its smart contracts are called chaincode. The Hyperledger projects are now part of the Linux Foundation's LF Decentralized Trust.
Corda, created by R3, was designed for financial institutions. There is no global broadcast of transactions; each one is shared only with its parties and a notary service. Corda has no native cryptocurrency.
5. Polkadot, Cosmos and Tezos
Polkadot and Cosmos both address interoperability, letting separate blockchains exchange data and assets. Polkadot connects specialised chains to a central relay chain that provides shared security. Cosmos lets each chain secure itself and connects them through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol.
Tezos is a proof-of-stake chain that upgrades itself through on-chain votes by its stakeholders, which avoids the chain splitting over upgrades. Its contract language, Michelson, was designed to support formal verification.
6. How to choose
- Decide who runs the network.Anyone (public) or a known group of companies (permissioned).
- Decide who may see the data.Public chains show everything; Fabric and Corda share data only with members.
- Decide whether you need a token.If not, a permissioned ledger or even a normal database may be simpler.
- Check the ecosystem.Wallets, audit firms, libraries and developers matter more than benchmark numbers.
- Prototype small.Build on a public testnet or a local development network before committing.
If one organisation controls the data and users already trust it, a normal database is faster, cheaper and easier to change. Blockchains earn their cost when several parties who don't trust each other must share one record.
7. Running this on Domain India
- Front ends: a built, static dApp front end can be uploaded to any Domain India shared hosting plan like any other website, with free SSL.
- Back ends: Node.js services run on the App Platform, where Node.js is detected automatically; other stacks deploy from a Dockerfile.
- Nodes and Fabric networks: these need your own server. A Domain India VPS is self-managed: you install, secure, update and back up the software yourself. Check the platform's published hardware requirements before you order.
Shared hosting is not suitable for blockchain nodes or other long-running processes, and our Acceptable Use Policy prohibits cryptocurrency mining without explicit permission.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular blockchain platform for developers?
Ethereum and the EVM-compatible chains around it have the largest developer community, the most tools and the most tutorials. Most new applications deploy to an Ethereum Layer 2 network rather than to Ethereum itself.
What is the difference between Ethereum and Hyperledger Fabric?
Ethereum is a public chain anyone can use, with transaction fees and public data. Hyperledger Fabric is a permissioned ledger run by known organisations, with private channels and no cryptocurrency.
Does Corda have a cryptocurrency?
No. Corda is a permissioned platform for businesses and has no native cryptocurrency. Transactions are shared only with the parties involved and a notary service.
What is the difference between Polkadot and Cosmos?
Both connect separate blockchains. Polkadot's connected chains share security from a central relay chain, while each Cosmos chain secures itself and connects to others through the IBC protocol.
Can I run a blockchain node on shared hosting?
No. Nodes are long-running processes with large storage needs, which shared hosting does not allow. Use a self-managed VPS, or connect to an RPC provider instead of running your own node.
Ready to build? Host your dApp front end on cPanel hosting, run your API on the App Platform, or compare VPS plans for a node. Questions? Open a support ticket.
Run Node.js back ends automatically, or any other stack from a Dockerfile, with SSL included.
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