Type: Crypto Wallet & Web3 Gateway | Price: Free

Browser extension and mobile app serving as your gateway to blockchain applications. Manages private keys, connects to dApps, and makes Web3 development possible.

What It Does:

• Stores cryptocurrency and digital assets securely
• Connects to Ethereum and compatible blockchains
• Signs transactions for dApp interactions
• Switches between mainnet and test networks
• Essential for testing blockchain applications

For Developers:

• Test dApps with multiple accounts
• Connect to local blockchain (Ganache/Hardhat)
• Import custom tokens and networks
• Sign and send transactions programmatically

Install MetaMask →

Type: Ethereum Development Environment | Price: Free & Open Source

Modern development framework for Ethereum. Compile, deploy, test, and debug smart contracts with built-in local blockchain and testing tools.

Key Features:

• Built-in local Ethereum network for testing
• Console.log debugging in Solidity
• Fast compilation and deployment
• Extensive plugin ecosystem
• TypeScript support
• Gas cost reporting

Getting Started:

• Install: npm install --save-dev hardhat
• Initialize project: npx hardhat
• Write contracts in contracts/ directory
• Write tests in test/ directory
• Run tests: npx hardhat test

Get Started →

Type: Comprehensive Development Suite | Price: Free

Complete toolkit for smart contract development including Truffle (framework), Ganache (local blockchain), and Drizzle (front-end library).

Components:

• Truffle: Smart contract compilation, deployment, and testing
• Ganache: Personal blockchain with GUI for testing
• Drizzle: React library for connecting dApps

Best For:

• Teams wanting integrated toolset
• Visual blockchain inspection with Ganache GUI
• Established smart contract development patterns
• Deployment to multiple networks

Get Truffle →

Type: Browser-Based IDE | Price: Free

No-install Solidity development environment running entirely in browser. Perfect for learning and quick prototyping.

Features:

• Write Solidity code directly in browser
• Compile and deploy with clicks
• Built-in JavaScript VM for testing
• Connect to MetaMask for real deployments
• Syntax highlighting and error detection
• Static analysis and security auditing

Perfect For:

• Learning Solidity and smart contracts
• Quick prototyping without setup
• Testing contract logic
• Educational workshops

Open Remix →

Purpose: Ethereum Testing | Cost: Free Test ETH

Ethereum's primary test network for application developers. Most similar to mainnet Ethereum with active validator set.

How to Use:

• Add Sepolia network to MetaMask
• Get free test ETH from faucets
• Deploy and test smart contracts
• Test dApp interactions
• No real money risk

Faucets (Free Test ETH):

• Alchemy Sepolia Faucet
• Infura Faucet
• PoW Faucet (mine test ETH)

Add to MetaMask →

Purpose: Layer 2 Testing | Cost: Free Test MATIC

Test network for Polygon, a popular Ethereum layer 2 solution. Fast and cheap transactions ideal for testing.

Why Polygon:

• Much faster than Ethereum (2-second blocks)
• Extremely cheap transactions
• Popular for NFT and gaming projects
• Ethereum-compatible (same tools work)

Getting Test MATIC:

• Official Polygon Faucet
• Mumbai Faucet

Add Mumbai →

Purpose: Instant Testing | Cost: Free & Offline

Run your own blockchain locally for fast, free, private testing without internet connection.

Options:

• Hardhat Network: Built into Hardhat, instant blockchain
• Ganache: Personal blockchain with GUI, visual account management
• Anvil: Part of Foundry toolkit, ultra-fast

Advantages:

• Instant transactions (no waiting for blocks)
• Unlimited test ETH
• Full control over blockchain state
• Time travel for testing time-based contracts
• No internet required

Download Ganache →

Purpose: Inspect Transactions & Contracts | Cost: Free

Web interfaces to view blockchain data, verify contracts, and debug transactions on test networks.

Key Explorers:

• Etherscan: Sepolia Scanner
• PolygonScan: Mumbai Scanner

What You Can Do:

• View transaction details and gas costs
• Read and write to verified contracts via UI
• Verify your contracts for transparency
• Check account balances and history
• Debug failed transactions

Visit Etherscan →

Type: Smart Contract Library | Price: Free & Open Source

Battle-tested, secure smart contract components used by thousands of projects. Industry-standard implementations for tokens, access control, and more.

What's Included:

• ERC20: Standard cryptocurrency tokens
• ERC721: NFT (non-fungible token) contracts
• ERC1155: Multi-token standard
• Access Control: Ownable, AccessControl patterns
• Security: Pausable, ReentrancyGuard, more
• Utilities: Math, cryptography, arrays

Why Use It:

• Audited by security experts
• Gas-optimized implementations
• Well-documented with examples
• Used by major DeFi protocols
• Inherit from their contracts to extend functionality

Browse Contracts →

Type: Language Reference | Price: Free

Official documentation for Solidity, the primary language for writing Ethereum smart contracts.

Learning Path:

• Start with Solidity by Example for hands-on intro
• Read Introduction to Smart Contracts
• Work through Layout of a Solidity Source File
• Study Types, Functions, and Control Structures
• Learn Security Considerations chapter
• Reference Style Guide for clean code

Key Concepts:

• Contract structure and inheritance
• State variables and functions
• Modifiers and events
• Error handling
• Gas optimization techniques

Read Docs →

Type: Ready-to-Use Contracts | Price: Free

Pre-built contract templates for common use cases. Start from working code instead of blank file.

Popular Templates:

• ERC20 Token: Create your own cryptocurrency
• NFT Collection: Launch NFT project
• ICO/Token Sale: Crowdfunding contract
• DAO: Decentralized governance
• Staking: Lock tokens for rewards
• Marketplace: Buy/sell NFTs on-chain

Where to Find:

• OpenZeppelin Wizard - Interactive contract generator
• OpenZeppelin GitHub - Full library
• Ethereum.org Tutorials - Step-by-step guides

Open Wizard →

Type: Vulnerability Scanners | Price: Free Tiers Available

Tools to analyze smart contracts for security vulnerabilities before deployment. Essential for production code.

Key Tools:

• Slither: Static analyzer finding bugs and vulnerabilities
• Mythril: Security analysis tool using symbolic execution
• Echidna: Fuzzing tool for property testing
• Manticore: Symbolic execution for deep analysis

Common Vulnerabilities:

• Reentrancy attacks
• Integer overflow/underflow
• Access control issues
• Front-running vulnerabilities
• Gas limit problems

Get Slither →

Type: Web3 Development Platform | Price: Free tier available

Deploy smart contracts without code, build NFT drops, tokens, and marketplaces using pre-built contracts and SDKs.

What You Can Build:

• NFT collections and drops
• Token (ERC20) contracts
• NFT marketplaces
• Voting/governance systems
• All without writing Solidity

Developer Experience:

• Dashboard for deploying contracts via clicks
• SDKs for React, Python, Go, Unity
• Connect wallet functionality built-in
• Multi-chain support (Ethereum, Polygon, etc.)

Try Thirdweb →

Type: Web3 Backend Platform | Price: Free tier, paid plans

Backend infrastructure for Web3 apps. Get blockchain data via APIs without running your own nodes.

Key Features:

• NFT API for fetching NFT data
• Token API for prices and transfers
• Wallet authentication
• Real-time blockchain events
• IPFS integration for file storage

Perfect For:

• Building dApp front-ends
• NFT galleries and marketplaces
• Portfolio trackers
• Social tokens applications

Start Building →

Type: Blockchain Infrastructure | Price: Free tier, usage-based pricing

Powerful APIs and tools for reading/writing blockchain data. Industry-standard infrastructure provider.

Services:

• Enhanced APIs for blockchain data
• NFT API with metadata
• WebSocket support for real-time updates
• Transaction monitoring and analytics
• Multi-chain support

Developer Tools:

• Dashboard for monitoring apps
• Composer for building queries
• Notify for webhooks
• Extensive documentation and tutorials

Get Started →

Type: Learn-by-Building Platform | Price: Free

Project-based learning platform with guided tutorials for building Web3 applications. Learn by shipping real projects.

Available Projects:

• Build your first Web3 app
• Create an NFT collection
• Build a DAO
• Make an on-chain game
• All with step-by-step guidance

Why Buildspace:

• Cohort-based learning with community
• Ship real projects, not just tutorials
• Get NFT for completing projects
• Great for beginners

Join Buildspace →