Apps built with the Stacks blockchain give users control over their digital identities, assets and data.
Unlike most cloud-based apps, they are "decentralized" since they don't depend on any centralized platform, server or database to function. Rather, they use the Stacks blockchain to authenticate users and facilitate read and write transactions for them without any single point of failure or trust.
Unlike most cloud-based apps, they are "decentralized" since they don't depend on any centralized platform, server or database to function. Rather, they use the Stacks blockchain to authenticate users and facilitate read and write requests for them without any single point of failure or trust.
This page provides information on how to build such apps using [Stacks.js](https://github.com/blockstack/stacks.js) and other libraries that make integration of the Stacks blockchain easy for front-end developers.
Three main types of integration are available:
Three main integrations are available:
- **Authentication**: Register and sign in users with identities with the Stacks blockchain
- **Authentication**: Register and sign users in with identities on the Stacks blockchain
- **Transaction signing**: Prompt users to sign and broadcast transactions to the Stacks blockchain
- **Data storage**: Save and retrieve data for users with Gaia
- **Data storage**: Save and retrieve data for users with [Gaia](/build-apps/references/gaia)
All three of these types can be used together to create powerful new user experiences that rival or exceed those of traditional apps – all while protecting your users' digital rights.
All three of these integrations can be used together to create powerful new user experiences that rival or exceed those of traditional apps – all while protecting your users' digital rights.
While integration is possible for any type of app, most of the resources available here are for web developers experienced with JavaScript.
Mark Hendrickson
4 years ago