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Cosmos

Let's start with a quick overview of Cosmos, and then we will continue with comparing Cosmos to Chromia and also discuss the benefits and challenges of the two solutions.

Cosmos​

Tech and Architecture

  • Cosmos is structured as a network of independent blockchains, each called a zone, which is connected through the Cosmos Hub.
  • It employs a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism called Tendermint, where validators are chosen based on the amount of stake they hold.
  • Notable for its Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, allowing different blockchains to transfer tokens and other data among one another seamlessly.

Scalability

  • Cosmos scalability comes from its modular architecture using Hubs and Zones, allowing each zone to operate independently and process transactions concurrently with other zones.
  • This structure enables the network to handle a higher volume of transactions compared to a single-chain blockchain.

Development Tools

  • Cosmos offers the Cosmos SDK, a framework that simplifies blockchain development. It allows developers to build blockchains using pre-built modules or create their own.
  • Primarily supports the Go programming language through its Cosmos SDK, and Cosmos itself is built in Go. Cosmos can also support other languages like Solidity or Rust for smart contracts.

Fee Structure

  • Cosmos utilizes a dynamic fee system, where fees are determined based on network activity and transaction complexity.

Comparison​

Development​

Cosmos

  • Cosmos uses the Cosmos SDK, a framework for building blockchain applications, built-in Go. This allows for easier development of custom blockchains using ready-built components.
  • Supports multiple programming languages like Go, Rust, and Solidity
  • Cosmos also has Starport, an interface that helps build and launch Cosmos blockchains. It provides tools for scaffolding, testing, and deployment.

Chromia

  • Chromia uses Rell, a relational blockchain programming language. Rell can be a more user-friendly language than Go or Rust, making it easier for developers to build dapps on Chromia.
  • Development on Chromia using Rell is very similar to Web2 development. For more insights on this, check out our guide here.
  • Chromia provides tools and libraries to simplify authentication, transaction signing, and asset management, and new features are added to support rapid dapp development.
  • Chromia's development environment has support for testing using its own test framework and simple deployment using developer-friendly tools.

Scalability​

Cosmos

  • Cosmos scalability model is achieved through its architecture of zones and hubs.

    • Zones are individual blockchains that operate independently. Each zone can have its own governance consensus mechanism and can be tailored for specific use cases.
    • Hubs are blockchains that connect the zones together. The Cosmos Hub is the first and primary hub in the Cosmos network.

  • IBC protocol is used for different blockchains to communicate and transfer value and data among each other

  • Each zone in the Cosmos network processes transactions independently, allowing for parallel transaction processing. Zones can be optimized for specific tasks or applications, enhancing performance and efficiency.

Chromia

  • Chromia's approach is that every dapp on Chromia operates on a unique subchain. Each subchain can handle about 500 transactions every second. If a dapp witnesses growth, it can with ease be expanded by adding more chains. This structure guarantees sustained high throughput and a predictable way of scaling your dapp, much like in a traditional cloud environment.

    Since every subchain is isolated from other subchains, this means that you can process transactions in parallel. In essence, this means scaling horizontally and only your app architecture sets the limit for scalability.

    Chromia's sidechain architecture is built into the platform, making it a low effort for developers to utilize this approach of sidechains.

Operational Costs & Fees​

Cosmos

  • In Cosmos, gas is a special unit that is used to track the consumption of resources during execution, much like a traditional Gas or transaction fee. Gas is typically consumed whenever read and writes are made to the blockchain, but it can also be consumed if expensive computation needs to be done.

  • Users have some flexibility in choosing the fee they pay, which can influence the priority or speed of transaction processing. But it is still the end user that has to pay for actions on the Cosmos network.

Chromia

  • Chromia changes the game by allowing developers to host their decentralized app (dapp) in a container for a fixed, predictable fee. This transparency means developers know how much their operational costs are each month, and they can create their own end-user fee structures to cover these operational expenses.

    So, instead of being charged gas fees for every action, there's a single, more manageable cost to work with.

  • As a Chromia dapp grows in usage, the developer of the dapp can increase the resources of their container. Very similar to how you manage resources in a Cloud environment.

Revenue Models​

Cosmos

  • Cosmos uses transaction fees for operations carried out on its network. Developers of decentralized applications on Cosmos have the option to add additional fees on transactions as a means of generating income.
  • Validators in Cosmos can earn rewards through staking and participating in network security.

Chromia

  • Operational costs of dapps are fixed and predictable on Chromia. The dapp developer can choose which fee model they want to use for their end-users. With Chromia, you are not locked in by transactions and gas fees.

  • For your dapp, you can have a monthly subscription fee, charge for single features, or, if you want, per transaction. This opens up a more user-friendly experience since you can even let the user start for free and then open up for revenues later when the user has found the value of your dapp. This is a common practice in traditional web applications and should be no different for Web3.

Conclusion and Comparison Summary to Chromia​

In the evolving landscape of blockchain platforms, Cosmos and Chromia each present unique features and approaches. Let's summarize and discuss the benefits and challenges.

Architecture​

Cosmos uses its hub and zones model to enable an interconnected network of blockchains. Its Cosmos SDK framework provides tools and modules that simplify the process of creating secure and scalable blockchains. While zones are independent, their connection to the Cosmos Hub creates a certain level of dependency, which could be a point of failure.

Chromia offers simplicity with its development language Rell, extensive library and tool support, and its subchain architecture. This makes it very accessible for traditional developers and provides a smooth transition into blockchain development.

Scalability Considerations​

Cosmos achieves scalability through its network of independent zones, allowing for concurrent processing and efficient communication via the IBC protocol.

Zones in the Cosmos network can be specialized by tailoring their functionalities and governance models to suit specific use cases or industries. This means they can be optimized for specific use cases, thereby making them more efficient for the targeted applications.

Chromia has a similar approach and offers a straightforward scalability solution. Each dapp operates on its own subchain, capable of handling high transaction volumes. These subchains can be added as needed, which makes it scale very well.

Scalability can be easily managed through resource adjustments, which is very close to cloud services. Making the development and resource management effort more straightforward. The ability to add subchains enables parallel execution of transactions, which gives the developer full control of scaling.

Operational Costs & Fees​

Cosmos gas fee model might pose unpredictability in costs for developers and end-users. Since every transaction sent through the network comes with a fee, it will limit the way dapp developers can set their revenue models and user experience. It will, for example, make a freemium model difficult to implement since there will always be a transaction fee for the user.

Chromia, however, offers a fixed, predictable fee for hosting dapps. This model not only simplifies budgeting for developers but also allows them to craft unique fee structures for end users, enhancing the user experience.

Revenue Models​

Cosmos provides traditional blockchain revenue streams like staking and transaction fees, which are effective but may not offer the flexibility some developers seek.

Chromia, on the other hand, allows developers to choose their revenue models, from subscriptions to feature-based charges or even per-transaction fees. This flexibility opens up creative revenue strategies that are more aligned with today's web apps.

Final Words​

While Cosmos presents a powerful, scalable, and flexible blockchain ecosystem, Chromia distinguishes itself with its user-friendly approach, predictable cost model, and adaptable revenue strategies. These features make Chromia an appealing option, particularly for developers seeking an easy entry into the blockchain space.