Difference between Web3 and Web 3.0

In the latest tech trends, the ‘Web’ has been given a new definition, Web3 or Web 3.0. It is the successor of Web 2, which we use today. Even though the name suggests that it is an upgrade to the current internet, it is not. Instead, Web3 focuses on bringing the power back to the users by decentralizing data and applications.

The biggest difference between Web3 and Web 2 is that, in Web3, there are no middlemen. For example, blockchain technology does not need a bank to act as a third party to facilitate transactions. This could potentially revolutionize the way we interact with the internet and change many industries as we know them.

But while Web3 and Web 3.0 are used interchangeably, they are different. This article provides a detailed explanation.

Web3

Web3 is considered the future of the internet, where data is decentralized. It describes a World Wide Web composed of interconnected nodes with no central server. With Web3, you would be able to own your data, and there would be no need for intermediaries.

The main aim of Web3 is to give power back to the user. It bases its principle on the read-write-own web. This means that you should be able to read, write and own the data on the web.

The key features of Web3 are:

• Data Ownership — With Web3, you would be the owner of your data. This contrasts with Web 2.0, where companies like Facebook and Google own your data.
• Decentralized Applications — These are also known as dapps. They are programs that run on a decentralized network. Dapps would be resistant to censorship and downtime.
• Permissionless — This means that anyone would be able to build applications on Web3 without the need for permission from a central authority.
• Trustless — In a trustless system, you would not need to rely on a third party to facilitate transactions. This would be made possible by the use of blockchain technology. Web3 is still in its early stages of development.

Web 3.0

Web 3.0 is described as a read-write-execute web. In other words, it is a web that can not only be viewed and interacted with but also programmed. It is a semantic web version that handles information with human-like intelligence. The goal of Web 3.0 is to make the web smarter so that we can do more with less.

Web 3.0 is driven by Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the World Wide Web’s desire to unlock the full potential of the web by connecting everything at the data level. Currently, information gets stored in silos on the internet. For instance, if you update your job status on LinkedIn, it does not get updated on Facebook automatically. This is a gap that Web 3.0 aims to overcome. Berners-Lee wants to connect all that info so that one needs to update information just once. Accordingly, there would be higher accuracy since the same information will appear everywhere. Web 3.0 will also bring in more intelligence.

While Web3 and Web 3.0 are used interchangeably, a few differences exist between the two.

Differences Between Web3 and Web 3.0

The major differences between the two are as follows:

Semantic Vs Decentralized Web

The main difference between Web3 and Web 3.0 is that Web3 is decentralized while Web 3.0 supports decentralization while still having data controlled in solid pods. In other words, Web3 focuses on giving power back to the user while Web 3.0 focuses on making the web smarter. Web3 is a read-write-own model while Web 3.0 is a read-write-execute model. While the decentralized web or Web3 focuses on empowering users by giving them control over their data, the semantic web or Web 3.0 focuses on efficiency and intelligence, by enabling the reuse and linkage of data across websites/applications.

Ownership Control

Another difference is that with Web3, individuals have full control over their data. This is because it focuses on giving users ownership of their data. On the other hand, Web 3.0 does not focus on data ownership. Instead, there’s still a centralized entity that controls the data. However, users can have control over third parties who have access to their data.

Applications

Web3 comprises decentralized applications, while Web 3.0 has a mix of centralized and decentralized applications. Decentralized applications, also known as dapps, are programs that run on a decentralized network. Dapps would be resistant to censorship a downtime.

Data Modification

Another difference between Web3 and Web 3.0 is the issue of data change. In Web3, data is immutable. This means that the data cannot be changed or deleted. This is because the data is spread across different blockchain nodes.

On the other hand, data in Web 3.0 data can be changed. The solid pods where the data is stored allow companies and users to make changes to the data easily.

Technology Used

The technology used between Web3 and Web 3.0 is also different. Web3 is majorly built on blockchain technology. Blockchain technology is what supports the immutability and spreading of user data across different nodes.

On the other hand, Web 3.0 uses several data interchange technology such as JSON-LD, RDF, and SPARQL. These technologies help to make the web smarter by making it easier for data to be linked.

Data Access

As data in Web 3.0 is stored in solid pods, users are assigned a specific WebID that they can use to access their data. The data can also be accessed through different applications connected to the solid network.

On the other hand, on Web3, users can access their data through a decentralized application or dapp. The user’s data is stored on the blockchain, and they would need to use a private key to access it.

Conclusion

While many similarities exist between Web3 and Web 3.0, a few differences are there too. These include their focus (decentralization for Web3 and semantic for Web 3.0), ownership control, data modification, the technology used, and data access methodology. Though according to popular opinion, the future of the web will be an integration of important Web3 elements like blockchain and elements of Web 3.0 like machine readability, currently Web3 is gaining the spotlight.