Learning web3 programming to become a smart contract and blockchain developer can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be!
Just set aside some time each week and get cracking on any of the tutorials and pieces of content below. Don’t be afraid to ask a ton of questions, and don’t feel imposter syndrome! Just by reading this article, you have taken the first step and are already a welcomed blockchain community member.
To make it easier for you, after the success of the smart contract auditor roadmap, we've put together the ultimate web3 development roadmap, with the top courses to kickstart your career.
Let’s dive in!
Cyfrin Updraft is the #1 web3, Solidity, Vyper, smart contract auditing, all-encompassing developer, and security-focused education platform on earth.
It offers a comprehensive progression of web3 development courses for aspiring blockchain developers. Learners start with Blockchain Basics, which covers fundamentals like wallets and gas concepts. They then advance to Solidity Smart Contract Development and Assembly and Formal Verification to master Solidity, gas optimization, and secure coding practices.
The web3 curriculum deepens with specialized courses like Smart Contract DevOps for post-deployment smart contract security and DeFi-focused modules like Uniswap V2 and Curve Stableswap.
For those interested in Python-based smart contract development, Introduction to Python and Vyper, Intermediate Python and Vyper, and Advanced Python and Vyper provide tools and techniques for deploying advanced DeFi solutions.
With 200,000+ community members completing over 1.5 million lessons, Updraft delivers a structured and in-depth path to learning web3 development. It also dives into advanced topics such as smart contract fuzzing, security, and auditing.
The courses are taught with love by some of the industry’s top experts. Unlike the mere data dumps you can find elsewhere, these comprehensive courses cover everything you need to know to become a web3 developer or security researcher.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll get:
Instructors
I’m a bit biased since I’m the lead instructor, but I have the #1 and #2 most watched web3 developer educational courses on YouTube, and have been doing security and development in web3 for over 4 years.
On top of that, the master smart contracts and DeFi development educator @ProgrammerSmart and cryptography expert @CiaraNightingal are now also teaching on the platform.
Sing up now and start learning for free!
For the longest time, Cryptozombies has been one of the go-to smart contract development courses for learning blockchain, Solidity, and web3 development in general. This gamified platform brings you step-by-step through Solidity programming as you build your zombie army!
It has a wonderful user interface that’s fun for people of any age and is one of the most approachable resources on this list.
The Cryptozombies team does a tremendous job of explaining NFTs, inheritance, and everything else you’d need in basic Solidity.
Offering a more minimalistic approach to becoming a web3 developer, Solidity by Example is for people who already have some familiarity with software engineering.
Developed by one of our leading educators, Programmer Smart, his website and YouTube channel have the fundamental information you need to jump into coding!
From creating your NFTs to mastering decentralized staking apps, Speed Run Ethereum offers a comprehensive and enjoyable learning experience for blockchain enthusiasts and developers alike.
It was created by Austin Griffith, one of the most respected web3 developer educators on the planet. His BuidlGuidl community, is a vibrant hub of Ethereum builders focused on crafting innovative products, prototypes, and tutorials that enrich the web3 ecosystem.
Use the platform to showcase your achievements by submitting your DEX, multisig, or SVG NFT builds, and collaborate with fellow builders to elevate your web3 portfolio. Embark on an exciting journey of learning and building with Speed Run Ethereum and become a proficient Ethereum Solidity developer ready to shape the future of decentralized technologies.
useWeb3 is an aggregator of the best smart contract development and web3 courses, resources, exercises, and platforms on the web. It's definitely one of the go-to places to kickstart your web3 development career.
Built by the Alchemy team, Alchemy University is a javascript-focused education site, created in partnership with some of the best educators I’ve ever interacted with.
I used to have a group called Chainshot on my list, as they have always been underrated, but Alchemy recently acquired them to make this amazing site!
RareSkills is an awesome program for anyone looking to level up their web3 and blockchain skills with a more personal touch. Instead of big classes, it pairs you with experienced pros who guide you through hands-on projects and give you personalized feedback every step of the way.
The focus is on small, selective cohorts and advanced topics like Solidity, DeFi, and smart contract security. Whether you’re tackling tough concepts or fine-tuning your skills, RareSkills makes sure you’re ready to land top roles in blockchain development—all in a laid-back, super supportive learning environment.
One of the harder pieces in this space is Ethernaut. You need a little bit of a javascript background, but trudging your way through this course will teach you a lot of the ins and outs and “gotchas” of Solidity. This makes it one of the quickest ways to become “advanced” in the ways of Solidity.
Ethernaut was created by OpenZeppelin, who are top auditors and security researchers in the blockchain space, and make smart contracts for people to fork into their projects. Anyone in the blockchain space worth their “salt” knows who OpenZeppelin is and how to work with their tools!
What better way to learn about web3 and Ethereum than from the community itself?
The Ethereum.org website is jam-packed with content, tutorials, and submissions from around the globe in exactly the manner you’d expect. You can find just about anything here to learn and grow.
On top of all the web3 development resources shared, you need to know about these three resources:
These are helpful for asking questions, for QA-ing contracts, and will make your life much easier when going through these resources.
Now that you have a list of the top courses and tutorials to learn web3 development, and kickstart your career as a smart contract developer, it is time to pick one and start practicing!
