Web3Modal excels at developer experience and rapid integration due to its opinionated, all-in-one design. It bundles wallet connection, network switching, and transaction handling into a single, pre-styled component, drastically reducing frontend code. For example, a basic integration can be live in under 30 minutes using its React hooks and pre-built themes, making it the default choice for projects like Aave and Uniswap that prioritize speed to market.
LABS
Comparisons
Web3Modal vs Web3Onboard: Wallet Connection UI
A technical analysis comparing the two leading libraries for implementing a unified wallet connection interface. We evaluate customization, wallet support, modularity, and developer experience to help CTOs and tech leads make an informed decision.
Chainscore © 2026
introduction
THE ANALYSIS
Introduction: The Battle for the Wallet Connection Layer
A data-driven comparison of Web3Modal and Web3Onboard, the leading SDKs for wallet connectivity, to guide infrastructure decisions.
Web3Onboard takes a different approach by prioritizing modularity and wallet-agnosticism. Its core library is a lightweight state machine, allowing developers to compose their own UI using headless React, Vue, or Vanilla JS adapters and selectively install wallet modules (like MetaMask, WalletConnect v2, Coinbase Wallet SDK). This results in a trade-off: greater initial setup complexity for unparalleled control over the user flow and bundle size, a critical factor for large-scale dApps.
The key trade-off: If your priority is developer velocity and a polished, consistent UX out-of-the-box, choose Web3Modal. If you prioritize architectural flexibility, minimal bundle impact, and custom UI/UX design, choose Web3Onboard. The decision often hinges on whether you view the wallet connector as a commodity feature or a core, customizable piece of your application's identity.
tldr-summary
Web3Modal vs Web3Onboard
TL;DR: Key Differentiators at a Glance
A direct comparison of the two leading wallet connection SDKs for web3 applications. Choose based on your project's core requirements.
01
Web3Modal: Unmatched Wallet Coverage
Aggregates 200+ wallet providers via WalletConnect v2, including MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, Rainbow, and Trust Wallet. This matters for public-facing dApps that need to support the broadest possible user base without managing individual integrations.
02
Web3Modal: Simpler Integration
Single React component with minimal configuration. Get a functional modal in minutes using @web3modal/react. This matters for teams prioritizing speed-to-market or those who don't need granular control over the connection flow and UI.
03
Web3Onboard: Unparalleled Customization
Framework-agnostic core with dedicated React, Vue, and Svelte libraries. Offers deep control over UI/UX, wallet ordering, and connection logic. This matters for brand-sensitive applications or complex flows requiring custom transaction modals and state management.
04
Web3Onboard: Modular & Extensible Architecture
Plugin-based system for wallets, blockchains, and app APIs. Add features like notifications (Notify), transaction preview (Transaction Preview), and gas estimation (Gas). This matters for enterprise-grade dApps building sophisticated, multi-chain experiences beyond simple connections.
05
Web3Modal: WalletConnect Dependency
Relies on WalletConnect's infrastructure for most connections. This introduces a third-party dependency and potential single point of failure. This matters for applications requiring maximum decentralization or direct wallet communication without intermediaries.
06
Web3Onboard: Higher Integration Overhead
Requires more initial configuration for wallets, chains, and modules. The steeper learning curve matters for smaller teams or MVPs where developer time is the primary constraint, not feature depth.
HEAD-TO-HEAD COMPARISON
Web3Modal vs Web3Onboard: Wallet Connection UI Comparison
Direct comparison of key technical and ecosystem metrics for leading wallet connection libraries.
| Metric | Web3Modal | Web3Onboard |
|---|---|---|
Supported Wallets | 200+ | 100+ |
Default UI Customization | ||
Built-in Multi-Chain Support | ||
Framework Integrations | React, Vue, Svelte, Vanilla JS | React, Vue, Angular, Svelte |
Bundle Size (gzipped) | ~150 KB | ~50 KB |
Native WalletConnect v2 | ||
Official Solana Support | ||
Active GitHub Contributors (6 mo.) | ~15 | ~25 |
pros-cons-a
PROS AND CONS
Web3Modal vs Web3Onboard: Wallet Connection UI
A data-driven comparison of the leading wallet connection SDKs. Choose based on integration complexity, wallet support, and custom control.
01
Web3Modal: Developer Velocity
Plug-and-play integration: Single React component with built-in theming and responsive design. Supports 150+ wallets via WalletConnect v2, including MetaMask, Coinbase Wallet, and Rainbow. This matters for teams needing a production-ready UI in hours, not days.
150+
Wallets
02
Web3Modal: Ecosystem & Chain Support
First-class EVM multi-chain support via Wagmi integration. Automatic network switching and state synchronization. This matters for dApps targeting Ethereum L2s (Arbitrum, Optimism, Polygon) and needing seamless chain-agnostic user experiences.
03
Web3Onboard: Modular Architecture
Framework-agnostic core with optional React, Vue, Svelte, and Angular UI packages. Granular control over wallet modules, transaction notifications, and state management. This matters for complex applications requiring bespoke flows or integration with non-EVM chains like Solana or Cosmos.
04
Web3Onboard: Enterprise-Grade Control
Advanced configuration for wallet whitelisting, custom RPC providers, and gas management. Detailed analytics on wallet connections and user sessions. This matters for regulated DeFi protocols or institutions needing audit trails and strict compliance controls.
05
Web3Modal: The Trade-off
Limited customization depth. Theming is surface-level; altering core UI/UX logic requires forking the library. Vendor lock-in to WalletConnect for many wallet connections. This can be a constraint for projects needing deep UI modifications or direct wallet integrations.
06
Web3Onboard: The Trade-off
Higher integration complexity. Requires assembling and configuring multiple modules (wallets, UI, chains). Larger initial bundle size if importing many wallet adapters. This matters for lean teams or projects where fast iteration and minimal footprint are priorities.
pros-cons-b
WALLET CONNECTION UI COMPARISON
Web3Onboard: Pros and Cons
A balanced look at the key architectural and operational differences between Web3Modal and Web3Onboard to inform your SDK selection.
01
Web3Onboard: Key Strength
Unified Multi-Chain State Management: A single web3-onboard instance natively manages connections, accounts, and balances across EVM, Solana, and Cosmos chains. This drastically simplifies state synchronization for multi-chain dApps compared to managing separate provider instances.
02
Web3Onboard: Key Strength
Modular & Extensible Architecture: Its plugin-based design allows for deep customization. You can inject custom wallets, transaction preview UIs (like Blocknative), and gas estimation modules. This is critical for enterprise apps needing bespoke wallet behaviors or compliance features.
03
Web3Onboard: Consideration
Higher Bundle Size & Complexity: The powerful feature set comes at a cost. The core library is larger (~150KB) than simpler alternatives. For a lightweight, single-chain dApp, this overhead may be unnecessary and impact initial load performance.
04
Web3Modal: Key Strength
Lightweight & WAGMI-First Integration: Built as the official UI layer for the WAGMI hooks library. Offers a minimal, fast connection modal with a tiny footprint. Ideal for Next.js/React apps already using WAGMI for state management, ensuring perfect compatibility.
05
Web3Modal: Key Strength
Simplified Developer Experience: Abstracted configuration with sensible defaults. Getting a basic, clean wallet connector for EVM chains live takes minutes. Lower cognitive load for teams prioritizing speed and maintainability over deep customization.
06
Web3Modal: Consideration
EVM-Centric & Less Customizable: Primarily focused on Ethereum and EVM chains (L2s, Polygon). While it supports WalletConnect v2 for broader reach, its native multi-chain state management isn't as robust as Web3Onboard's. The UI and flow are also harder to modify fundamentally.
CHOOSE YOUR PRIORITY
When to Choose Which: A Scenario-Based Guide
Web3Modal for Developers
Verdict: The streamlined, opinionated choice for rapid deployment. Strengths:
- Zero-Config Setup: Pre-built, customizable UI components (ConnectButton, AccountModal) get you live in minutes. Ideal for hackathons or MVPs.
- Strong Ecosystem: Deep, native integration with Wagmi and Viem, making it the de facto standard for Next.js and React-based EVM dApps.
- Simplified State: Manages connection state, network switching, and account abstraction (via Ethers v6 or Viem) out-of-the-box. Considerations: Less flexibility for non-EVM chains or highly custom UI flows. You work within its provided component paradigm.
Web3Onboard for Developers
Verdict: The powerful, unopinionated toolkit for complex, multi-chain applications. Strengths:
- Unparalleled Chain & Wallet Support: Agnostic core with dedicated packages for EVM, Solana, Cosmos, etc. Perfect for cross-chain dashboards.
- Headless by Design: Provides primitives (modules, state, actions) to build your own UI from scratch, offering full design control.
- Advanced Feature Modules: Plug in gas estimation, transaction previews (Blocknative), or custom wallet checks seamlessly. Considerations: Higher initial integration complexity. You are responsible for building and managing the UI layer.
verdict
THE ANALYSIS
Final Verdict and Decision Framework
A data-driven breakdown to help technical leaders choose the right wallet connection layer for their specific protocol needs.
Web3Modal excels at developer velocity and broad wallet coverage due to its opinionated, all-in-one SDK. For teams needing to deploy a polished, multi-chain connection UI quickly, its integration with WalletConnect v2 and support for over 150+ wallets is a decisive advantage. Its high npm weekly download count (~500k) reflects its popularity for rapid prototyping and mainstream dApps where user choice is paramount.
Web3Onboard takes a different approach by offering a modular, framework-agnostic library with unparalleled customization. This results in a trade-off: greater initial configuration complexity for ultimate control over UI/UX, state management, and wallet behavior. Its architecture allows for deep integration with complex state systems like Redux or Zustand, making it a favorite for large-scale applications like Aave and GMX that require bespoke wallet interactions.
The key architectural divergence: Web3Modal provides a batteries-included solution that gets you live fast, while Web3Onboard offers a lego-like toolkit for building a custom connection experience. The former's strength in coverage can sometimes lead to a larger final bundle size, whereas the latter's modularity allows for more optimized bundles through selective imports.
Consider Web3Modal if your priority is minimizing time-to-market, supporting the widest range of user wallets by default, and maintaining a low cognitive load for your development team. It's the default choice for consumer-facing dApps and MVPs.
Choose Web3Onboard when your application demands a fully customized wallet UX, deep integration with an existing application state manager, or you are building a complex DeFi protocol where you need fine-grained control over connection logic and chain management.
ENQUIRY
Get In Touch
today.
Our experts will offer a free quote and a 30min call to discuss your project.
NDA Protected
Confidentiality24h Response
Time to ValueDirectly to Engineering Team
No Sales Fluff10+
Protocols Shipped
$20M+
TVL Overall