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Head-to-head · Smart Contracts Software

Foundry vs Hardhat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Foundry #2 in Smart Contracts Software 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Foundry
Hardhat #3 in Smart Contracts Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Hardhat

Foundry leads on 0 checks, Hardhat on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreFoundry · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresHardhat · 2 of 4

Foundry scores higher on our rubric for smart contracts software: 8.9 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

On contract languages, Foundry gives you Multiple where Hardhat offers Solidity.

Foundry is the better fit for solidity teams comfortable with command-line tools. Hardhat is the better fit for solidity teams using a plugin-based development workflow.

  • Foundry fits best

    Solidity teams comfortable with command-line tools

  • Hardhat fits best

    Solidity teams using a plugin-based development workflow

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Foundry 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Hardhat 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.8
Ranking #2 in Smart Contracts Software #3 in Smart Contracts Software
Best for Solidity teams comfortable with command-line tools Solidity teams using a plugin-based development workflow
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Support Community Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Foundry 1/4 · Hardhat 2/4
Security analysis — —
Visual contract builder — —
API or SDK access ✓ ✓
Contract templates Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Chain coverage Multi-chain Multi-chain
Contract languages Multiple Solidity
Deployment targets Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Includes build, test, debug, deploy and contract verification tools.
  • Supports fuzz and invariant tests, plus local chain forking.
  • Open-source and available at no charge on Windows, macOS and Linux.
  • Compiles Solidity and supports Solidity unit and TypeScript integration tests
  • Includes fuzzing, transaction debugging, and simulated development networks
  • Hardhat Ignition handles deployment; plugins extend tasks and contract verification
Cons
  • Command-line workflow is less accessible than an IDE.
  • Self-hosted deployment requires developers to manage their own environment.
  • No built-in security analysis or visual builder.
  • Self-hosted and command-line based rather than a visual builder
  • Security analysis is not a listed capability
  • Verification depends on a plugin, adding an extension to the workflow
Our verdict

Foundry is an open-source toolkit from Paradigm for developers building smart contracts for Ethereum and compatible networks. Its command-line tools cover contract development from prototype through deployment: Forge builds, tests, debugs,…

Read the review →

Hardhat is an open-source development environment for Ethereum smart contracts and decentralized applications. It is aimed at developers who want to work locally in a project through the command line, from solo prototyping to engineering…

Read the review →
  1. FoundrySmart Contracts Software 8.9Free plan
  2. HardhatSmart Contracts Software 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Foundry — where it wins

    • Includes build, test, debug, deploy and contract verification tools.
    • Supports fuzz and invariant tests, plus local chain forking.
    • Open-source and available at no charge on Windows, macOS and Linux.

    Where it doesn't

    • Command-line workflow is less accessible than an IDE.
    • Self-hosted deployment requires developers to manage their own environment.
    • No built-in security analysis or visual builder.

  • Hardhat — where it wins

    • Compiles Solidity and supports Solidity unit and TypeScript integration tests
    • Includes fuzzing, transaction debugging, and simulated development networks
    • Hardhat Ignition handles deployment; plugins extend tasks and contract verification

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted and command-line based rather than a visual builder
    • Security analysis is not a listed capability
    • Verification depends on a plugin, adding an extension to the workflow
  • Foundry8.9/10 · Free plan

    A free, open-source toolchain for building, testing, debugging and deploying contracts.

    Visit FoundryFull verdict →
  • Hardhat8.8/10 · Free plan

    An open-source, plugin-based Solidity toolkit for teams comfortable working from a local project.

    Visit HardhatFull verdict →

More comparisons

All smart contracts software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update