Viem vs ethers vs web3 frameworks

As blockchain technology advances, developers are constantly searching for better tools to streamline the process of building decentralized applications (dApps). Over time, frameworks like Ethers.js and Web3.js have risen to prominence, each offering their own approach to interacting with the Ethereum blockchain. But as the ecosystem matures, new players emerge—and Viem is one of those that has been gaining momentum.

In this post, I’ll compare Viem to other popular frameworks and explain why Viem has become a major competitor in blockchain development.

What is Viem?

Viem is a relatively new, modular web3 library that focuses on providing a fast and type-safe environment for blockchain interactions. Built with TypeScript at its core, it aims to address some of the limitations present in other, more established frameworks. Viem shines in environments where performance and safety are paramount, such as large-scale decentralized applications or highly interactive systems.

Why Viem Excels

1. Performance and Speed

One of the most immediate benefits of Viem is its superior performance. When I transitioned from using Ethers.js, the difference was noticeable—Viem offers faster execution times, especially for large-scale contract interactions or batch operations. This makes it ideal for projects where performance directly impacts user experience, such as games or financial dApps.

2. Type Safety with TypeScript

Type safety is something many developers love, especially when it helps reduce runtime errors. Viem’s tight TypeScript integration was a game-changer, as it allows developers to confidently build without worrying about type errors sneaking through. This is something Ethers.js offers too, but Viem pushes it even further by making type safety feel more inherent in the development experience.

3. Modular and Lightweight

While other frameworks like Web3.js often come with bloated packages, Viem is built to be modular. You can choose exactly which parts of the library you need, which keeps your application lightweight and reduces bundle size. This is particularly useful in performance-sensitive applications where every millisecond counts.

4. Gas Optimization

With Viem, optimizing gas usage has never been easier. The framework provides fine-tuned control over transaction creation and management, which helps save on gas fees. Ethers.js and Web3.js offer basic gas estimation tools, but Viem provides more accurate estimations and better optimization options.

5. Simple, Intuitive API

One of the things that initially drew developers to Viem is its modern API design. It feels simpler and more intuitive than Web3.js, which can feel clunky or outdated. Ethers.js also has a clean API, but Viem’s approach to error handling and async functions felt more seamless in practice.

Viem vs Ethers.js and Web3.js

While Web3.js has long been Ethers.js’s main competitor, the landscape has shifted. As of April 2024, Viem has surpassed Web3.js in downloads according to npm trends, solidifying its position as a major player in the Ethereum ecosystem. Viem’s rise has made it the primary competitor to Ethers.js.

Viem vs Ethers.js

• Performance: Viem is faster, especially when interacting with multiple contracts or processing a high number of transactions.
• TypeScript: Both support TypeScript well, but Viem’s type safety felt more robust.
• API Design: Ethers.js has a simple API, but Viem offers an even more streamlined approach with additional advanced features.
• Ecosystem: Ethers.js currently has a larger community and plugin ecosystem, but Viem is catching up fast.

Viem vs Web3.js

• Performance: Viem is significantly faster. Web3.js is known for its slower performance, which is especially noticeable in large dApps.
• TypeScript: Web3.js lacks strong TypeScript support, whereas Viem was built with TypeScript in mind from the start.
• Community and Adoption: Web3.js has a long history and larger ecosystem, but Viem’s rapid growth has made it a strong contender, overtaking Web3.js in popularity.

Feature Comparison Table

Conclusion

Viem has rapidly become a standout tool in the web3 development ecosystem. Its performance, type safety, and modular design offer distinct advantages over older frameworks like Web3.js, and it is quickly gaining ground on Ethers.js.

While Web3.js was Ethers.js’s primary competitor for years, Viem is now the clear challenger, overtaking Web3.js in downloads as of April 2024. With its modern, streamlined API, enhanced performance, and superior TypeScript support, Viem is poised to become a dominant force in the blockchain development space.

If you’re working on dApps where performance and security are key, Viem should definitely be on your radar. For developers looking to optimize gas costs, improve type safety, and keep their codebase lean, Viem is an excellent choice.