> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://hedera-0c6e0218-fix-asset-tokenization-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Choose Your Path

> Two ways to build on Hedera — find the one that fits your background.

Hedera supports two development approaches. Pick the one that matches your background and goals.

## Quick Decision Guide

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="I know Solidity / EVM">
    You're an Ethereum or web3 developer familiar with Solidity, Hardhat, Foundry, or Remix. Hedera is fully EVM-compatible — deploy your existing contracts with minimal changes.

    **What you'll use:** MetaMask, Hardhat, Foundry, Remix, Ethers.js, Viem

    **What you'll build:** Solidity smart contracts, ERC-20/ERC-721 tokens, dApps with wallet integrations

    <Card title="Start the EVM path →" href="/evm/quickstart/setup-metamask" />
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="I want native SDK (JS / Java / Go)">
    You're a backend or enterprise developer, or new to web3. The Hiero SDKs give you direct access to all Hedera services without needing Solidity.

    **What you'll use:** Hiero JavaScript, Java, Go, or Python SDK

    **What you'll build:** HBAR transfers, native tokens via HTS, verifiable event streams via HCS

    <Card title="Start the Native SDK path →" href="/native/quickstart/javascript" />
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

***

## Path 1: EVM Developer

**For:** Ethereum and Solidity developers, web3 veterans

Deploy Solidity contracts to Hedera using the tools you already know. Hedera's JSON-RPC Relay makes it seamless — MetaMask, Hardhat, and Foundry all work out of the box.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Set up MetaMask">
    Add Hedera Testnet to MetaMask and fund your wallet.
    [Set Up MetaMask →](/evm/quickstart/setup-metamask)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get testnet HBAR">
    Fund your account from the testnet faucet to pay for transactions.
    [Get Test HBAR →](/learn/getting-started/testnet-faucet)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Deploy your first contract">
    Deploy a Solidity contract using Hardhat or Foundry.
    [Deploy with Hardhat →](/evm/quickstart/deploy-with-hardhat)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Card title="Start EVM path →" href="/evm/quickstart/setup-metamask" />

<Tip>
  Want to develop locally without testnet rate limits or faucet dependencies? [Solo](https://solo.hiero.org/docs/simple-solo-setup/quickstart/) runs a full Hedera network on your machine and works with MetaMask, Hardhat, and Foundry out of the box.
</Tip>

***

## Path 2: Native SDK Developer

**For:** Backend and enterprise developers, developers new to web3

Use the Hiero SDK in your preferred language to interact with Hedera services directly. No Solidity required — create accounts, transfer HBAR, mint tokens, and publish to HCS topics using familiar programming patterns.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Create a testnet account">
    Set up your Hedera developer portal account and testnet credentials.
    [Create Testnet Account →](/learn/getting-started/create-portal-account)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Get test HBAR">
    Fund your testnet account from the faucet.
    [Get Test HBAR →](/learn/getting-started/testnet-faucet)
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build with the SDK">
    Follow the quickstart for your language: JavaScript, Java, or Go.
    [Native SDK Quickstart →](/native/quickstart/javascript)
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Card title="Start Native SDK path →" href="/native/quickstart/javascript" />

<Tip>
  Want to develop locally without testnet rate limits or faucet dependencies? [Solo](https://solo.hiero.org/docs/simple-solo-setup/quickstart/) runs a full Hedera network on your machine and is compatible with all Hiero SDKs.
</Tip>

***

## Not Sure Which Path?

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I want to build a token or NFT">
    Both paths work. Use the **EVM path** if you want ERC-20/ERC-721 token standards and compatibility with existing Ethereum tooling. Use the **Native SDK path** if you want the full feature set of Hedera Token Service (HTS), including native fractional fees, royalty schedules, and token-level KYC.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want to build a dApp with a wallet">
    Use the **EVM path**. MetaMask and WalletConnect work natively with Hedera via the JSON-RPC Relay. Your existing frontend code (Ethers.js, Viem, Wagmi) requires minimal changes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I want enterprise-grade data integrity or messaging">
    Use the **Native SDK path**. Hedera Consensus Service (HCS) lets you publish ordered, timestamped, and verifiable messages to a topic — ideal for audit logs, supply chain events, and AI data provenance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm new to blockchain / web3 entirely">
    Start with the **Native SDK path**. The SDK abstracts away the complexity of key management and transactions, letting you focus on learning Hedera concepts with familiar language patterns (JS, Java, Go).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I use both paths in the same project?">
    Yes. Many production applications combine both: smart contracts deployed via the EVM path, with HCS or HTS operations performed via the Native SDK. They share the same account system and HBAR balance.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>