Internet Computer Basics
Take a dive down the rabbit hole and see how to engage with the ecosystem, how you can share the success of the apps that you use, and how to own your data.
Build real web3What makes the Internet Computer Unique?
Smart contracts serve webpages
You can open canister smart contracts directly in your browser just like regular websites.
How it worksUsers don’t need tokens and wallets
The reverse gas model enables free-to-use, truly user-friendly dapps, ready for mass adoption.
Explore Internet Computer Ecosystem
Internet Identity
Blockchain authentication system
1,000,000+ users
Sonic
Swap built end-to-end DeFi platform
30,000+ users
OpenChat
Decentralized alternative to WhatsApp
50,000+ users
Distrikt
Professional social media platform
70,000+ users
DSCVR
Decentralized social news aggregator
40,000+ usersDSCVR
Decentralized social news aggregator
40,000+ usersDistrikt
Professional social media platform
70,000+ usersOpenChat
Decentralized alternative to WhatsApp
50,000+ usersSonic
Swap built end-to-end DeFi platform
30,000+ usersInternet Identity
Blockchain authentication system
1,000,000+ usersTrue Scaling
By adding new subnets regularly, the IC scales to an unbounded number of dapps and allows storage of unlimited data.
Become a node provider
Current status
with hundreds more waiting config in DCs
indie node operators
combined into 1 platform
Internet Identity
The main innovation behind the Internet Computer, which includes numerous scientific breakthroughs and countless advances in cryptoengineering.
Create Your Internet IdentityNo usernames & passwords
Fingerprint or FaceID systems on mobile or portable HSM devices as YubiKey or Ledger wallet, to keep the anonymity without being tracked across.
No tracking
Using Internet Identity authentication system, users will not able being tracked across dapps and services.
Cryptographically secure
Giving access to open, decentralized network without compromising on speed, security, sovereignty.
Ecosystem
Go to Ecosystem showcase
Leverage unlimited scalability and supersonic transaction finality in DeFi
Explore more DeFi projects 
Scalability & utility at low carbon cost
Massive cost savings, environmental protection and high performance. The Internet Computer’s advanced architecture and cryptography runs smart contract software with breakthrough levels of efficiency. Even with conservative estimations, energy consumption is still substantially lower than competing blockchains.
ICP Sustainability reportGet the gist on Medium
A comparison of the energy consumption per transaction between blockchains