What Is Web3? A Beginner’s Guide to the Onchain Internet
The internet is changing. Again. You’ve probably seen terms like “Web3,” “onchain,” or “decentralized” floating around. But what do they actually mean, and why should anyone care?
This guide breaks it down. No hype. No jargon. Just a clear look at what Web3 is, how it works, and what it means for users, builders, and the future of the internet.
What Is Web3?
Web3 (or what we at Reown call the onchain internet) refers to a new version of the internet where users have more control over their data, identity, and interactions. Instead of relying on centralized platforms like Facebook or Google, Web3 apps run on public blockchains, networks that are open, transparent, and accessible to anyone.
In short: Web3 is about digital ownership. You own your data, your assets, and your experience online.
Web1, Web2, Web3: A Quick Look
- Web1 (1990s–early 2000s): Read-only websites. Static content. No interaction.
- Web2 (2000s–present): Social platforms, cloud apps, user-generated content. But most of it is controlled by big tech companies.
- Web3 (emerging now): Peer-to-peer apps built on decentralized networks. You don’t just use the internet, you help own and shape it.
Why Web3 Matters
1. Digital Ownership
In Web2, platforms own your data. In Web3, you own your identity, assets, and activity, secured by your private keys, not a login form.
2. Permissionless Access
Anyone can build or use Web3 apps. No approval needed. This levels the playing field for creators, developers, and users everywhere.
3. Interoperability
Web3 apps don’t live in silos. They’re composable, meaning one app can build on top of another, unlocking endless possibilities for innovation.
4. Censorship Resistance
Because Web3 runs on decentralized infrastructure, no single party can shut down or censor the network. This matters for free expression and digital autonomy.
Web3 Is Powerful- but the UX Hasn’t Caught Up
Here’s the catch: Web3 has incredible potential, but most experiences today feel clunky. Wallets are confusing. Logins are inconsistent. Payments often require jumping between apps or chains.
That’s where Reown comes in.
How Reown Simplifies Onboarding for Web3 Projects
We’ve spent years building infrastructure that makes onchain UX usable for real people, not just early adopters.
Reown AppKit gives Web3 apps a plug-and-play solution for:
- Instant sign-ins with wallets, email, or social accounts
- Frictionless wallet connections across 500+ wallets
- Embedded payments from fiat or crypto, all in-app
- Built-in analytics to grow smarter, not just faster
From login to live in 5 minutes. That’s not a slogan. That’s the reality Reown enables.
What’s Next for Web3?
The next chapter is about access. As tools like Reown make it easier to build and onboard in Web3, more users will explore the benefits of a decentralized internet, whether they’re trading NFTs, building apps, or making payments without banks.
Web3 isn’t the future. It’s already here. We’re just making it usable.
