Lapps are another name for Lightning apps and are kinda like Dapps. The Lightning network(LN) is kinda like a giant smart contracts for payments but utilizing that feature-apps can be built on the LN. LN nodes connect to these apps and maintain the payment in a decentralized structure. Every user can connect to the apps in a cheap manner. You in theory can run a LN node on your phone!
Is it better than Dapps yes and no. For one LN uses bitcoin so the apps can't make its own token well....unless Counterparty/RGB truly can use the LN for its token. That a story for another time. :)
And second, in a way LN apps need people to run it. In Dapps the apps are in the chain so now need of finding its own node-it shares it with others. LN apps are more scaleable than Dapp ie the Lapps don't store the data. Lapps are also more basic.
Or as a Redditor says in a defense for Lapps over Dapps:
You mean like the people that want to use the actual apps? By either running them locally (peer to peer) or through some service hosting providers. You mean by not externalizing that cost by dumping their garbage on a blockchain?
You mean one group of people that prefer App1 can use that and pay for that, while another group is free to use alternative App2 and use that, without getting fucked when App1 turns out to be dog shit insecure, blowing up the whole blockchain?
So know you what Lapps are!
So how many Lapps are being tested?
Alot!
Here a list of Lapps for you to read:
Satoshi place: The most famous Lapp. The Lapp that proved LN can do micro tx.
Y’alls: Read and write articles, with Lightning Network micropayments
Basically a prototype answer to Bcash's yours.org
Hammercoin: A role-playing game using Lightning for in-game payment
A cool concept. Never tried it
Sarutobi: A game with Bitcoin and blockchain-based game items. Release announcement
Bitquest: The first Minecraft server denominated in cryptocurrency.
Bard: Simple paywall for watching a music visualizer
I hate paywalls.....but now you know you can pay in a second now :(
Block & Jerry’s: Ice cream shop- this is a demo apps of how Lapps could work for online shops
CoinTippy: Custodial tip bot available on multiple platforms, including Reddit, Twitter, and Telegram
Lightning Charge: A drop-in solution for accepting lightning payments.
Lightning Charge is a micropayment processing system
WooCommerce Plugin: Gateway plugin to accept Lightning payments at WooCommerce stores
Yeah now you can sell stuff and use the LN :)
Strike: Stripe-like Lightning payment aggregator API (custodial)
Yeah take that Stripe we don't need to use you anymore.
FileBazaar: micropayments for content creators that produce digital files like photos, videos, or docs
A pay-per-view application- can be modified to be a be a file share system.
Lightning Publisher: accept bitcoin payments for content on WordPress blogs (demo, github, discussion)
Nanotip: a simple web server for accepting lightning donations (a lightning tip jar) The more decentralized tipping version
Nanopos: a simple point-of-sale system for physical stores (demo, github, discussion)
So BCH how do you like that fact that the LN has a Point of sale as well. :)
ifpaytt: create Lightning-powered services that leverage the IFTTT infrastructure
Another fun thing to talks about Lapps is that complex smartcontracts can be made on top of LN which Lapps can use. Read it here: ____________Will edit it in here once it posted :)
Lightning Network is unlocking way more than just scaling.
Just got to say something...
Is gambling the ultimate app for blockchains? Many of the most popular D/Lapps are gambling platforms lol
