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Head-to-head · Smart Contracts Software

Hardhat vs Ape Framework

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Hardhat #3 in Smart Contracts Software 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Hardhat
Ape Framework #4 in Smart Contracts Software 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Ape Framework

Hardhat leads on 0 checks, Ape Framework 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 scoreHardhat · 8.8/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresHardhat · 2 of 4

Hardhat scores higher on our rubric for smart contracts software: 8.8 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.

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

Hardhat is the better fit for solidity teams using a plugin-based development workflow. Ape Framework is the better fit for python-oriented teams building across multiple chains.

  • Hardhat fits best

    Solidity teams using a plugin-based development workflow

  • Ape Framework fits best

    Python-oriented teams building across multiple chains

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 Hardhat 8.8/10 Visit ↗ Ape Framework 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.7
Ranking #3 in Smart Contracts Software #4 in Smart Contracts Software
Best for Solidity teams using a plugin-based development workflow Python-oriented teams building across multiple chains
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Self-hosted
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Hardhat 2/4 · Ape Framework 1/4
Security analysis — Not checked yet
Visual contract builder — Not checked yet
API or SDK access ✓ ✓
Contract templates ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Chain coverage Multi-chain Multi-chain
Contract languages Solidity Multiple
Deployment targets Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Covers compilation, pytest-based testing, deployment, and contract interaction.
  • Supports multiple ecosystems, networks, and extensible plugins.
  • Includes transaction tracing, gas profiling, and account-management options.
Cons
  • 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
  • Requires a Python- and CLI-oriented development workflow.
  • Community and documentation are the listed support channels.
  • Its broad toolset may be more than teams need for a narrow contract task.
Our verdict

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 →

Ape Framework is open-source tooling for developers working with smart contracts through a command-line interface and Python. It brings compilation, pytest-based tests and fixtures, deployment scripts, and interaction with deployed…

Read the review →
  1. HardhatSmart Contracts Software 8.8Free plan
  2. Ape FrameworkSmart Contracts Software 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Ape Framework — where it wins

    • Covers compilation, pytest-based testing, deployment, and contract interaction.
    • Supports multiple ecosystems, networks, and extensible plugins.
    • Includes transaction tracing, gas profiling, and account-management options.

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires a Python- and CLI-oriented development workflow.
    • Community and documentation are the listed support channels.
    • Its broad toolset may be more than teams need for a narrow contract task.

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