Solang is a free, open source compiler for developers who write Web3 smart contracts and want to build for more than one blockchain runtime. It takes contract source code and produces output for WebAssembly (WASM) and BPF targets, which means the same project can be prepared for different networks without rewriting the whole toolchain.
The compiler itself is written in Rust and released under the Apache 2.0 license, so you can read the code, modify it, and use it in commercial work under the license terms. The project's documentation names Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT) and Stellar (XLM) among its target networks. Official builds are published on GitHub, and the project documents macOS and Docker as platforms, so check the Releases page for a Windows build before you install.
What a Smart Contract Compiler Actually Does
A compiler translates human-readable contract code into the low-level instructions a blockchain virtual machine can execute. Without it, a developer would have to write bytecode by hand, which is slow and error-prone.
In a typical pipeline, the compiler checks syntax and types, applies optimizations, and emits a binary artifact. That artifact is then deployed to a network, where it runs under that network's rules. Solang fills the compilation step in this pipeline, leaving testing and deployment to other tools.
Who Solang Is For
Solang suits developers who already know Solidity-style contract syntax and want to target networks beyond the Ethereum Virtual Machine. Blockchain engineers evaluating cross-chain projects are a natural audience, as are research teams comparing how the same logic behaves on different runtimes.
Beginners may find it more useful to start with an editor or IDE and move to a command-line compiler later. Solang rewards people who are comfortable with build scripts and terminal workflows.
Why Multi-Target Compilation Has Limits
Compiling one codebase for several networks sounds simple, but each runtime has its own storage model, fee logic and account rules. Output that compiles successfully for one target can still behave differently on another.
For this reason, treat each target as a separate deployment. Write tests for every network you plan to use, and do not assume that a successful build means the contract is ready for production on all of them.
Key features
Dual compilation targets
Rust-based codebase
Permissive open source license
Supported coins
The project's documentation names Solana (SOL), Polkadot (DOT) and Stellar (XLM) as target networks. Each one has its own runtime, so a contract compiled for one of them is not automatically portable to the others.
How to install Solang Solidity Compiler on Windows
- 1
Get the official build
Open the project's GitHub Releases page at github.com/hyperledger-labs/solang and download only from the official website or that page. Look for a Windows package in the latest release; if none is listed, you will need to build from source.
- 2
Verify the file
Compare the SHA-256 checksum of the downloaded file with the value published on the release page. If a signature is provided, verify it as well before running anything.
-
Install and confirm
Extract the binary to a folder of your choice and add that folder to your PATH. Open a new terminal and run the help command to confirm the compiler starts. Building from source requires the Rust toolchain, but that is only needed for the build, not for running the finished program.
How to use Solang Solidity Compiler
Solang works from the command line, so the workflow is simple once the compiler is installed. You write contract source files, choose a target, and let the compiler produce the output.
- Create a project folder and place your Solidity-style source file inside it.
- Open a terminal in that folder so the compiler can find your source file.
- Choose the target network using the compiler's target option; run the help command to confirm the exact flag names in your version.
- Run the compile command with your source file and target.
- Check the output artifact and any warnings the compiler prints before moving on.
- Test the output on a local or test network for the target you selected.
- Repeat the process for each additional target, keeping separate test results for each.
Pros & cons
- Free and open source under Apache 2.0
- Written in Rust, with the code available for review
- Produces output for both WASM and BPF targets
- Documentation names Solana, Polkadot and Stellar as targets
- Windows support is not guaranteed; check the latest release before installing
- Command-line focus may not suit developers who prefer graphical tools
- Output for one target does not guarantee correct behavior on another
- Smaller ecosystem of tutorials than some mainstream Solidity tools
Is Solang Solidity Compiler safe?
Solang is a compiler, so it does not handle wallets or private keys directly, but the contracts it produces are deployed to networks where mistakes can cost real money. Download the compiler only from the official GitHub Releases page, and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature against the value the project publishes. If the checksum does not match, do not run the file.
Build the code from source if you want the strongest assurance, since you can inspect exactly what you are running. Never enter a seed phrase on a third-party website, and be cautious of unofficial copies of the compiler. Check the releases page for the latest version before you start a new project.
- Official source only. Download from github.com/hyperledger-labs/solang. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
Solang is a compiler, so it sits in a different place from the tools in the similar programs list. Remix Desktop is an IDE for Solidity, offering an editor, compiler and deployment interface in one application. Visual Studio Code with a Solidity extension gives you a flexible editor that you can connect to your own build commands.
Anchor is a framework for building Solana programs, so it is focused on one network. Stellar CLI is aimed at Stellar developers. Solang's distinguishing feature is that it targets several networks from one compiler, so it is the better pick when portability across runtimes matters more than a polished graphical workflow.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Open source
- License
- Apache 2.0
- Latest version
- llvm13.0-1
- Last update
- 1 Oct 2026
- Windows support
- Likely (builds for Windows; check releases)
- Source code
- github.com/hyperledger-labs/solang
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Solang is free and open source under the Apache 2.0 license. You can download it, use it commercially under the license terms, and review the source code on GitHub.
It may, but Windows support is not guaranteed. Check the latest release on GitHub for a Windows package, and if none exists, you can try building from source with the Rust toolchain.
It is safe when you download it from the official GitHub Releases page and verify the SHA-256 checksum or signature. Avoid unofficial mirrors and never run a file whose checksum does not match.
The project's documentation names Solana, Polkadot and Stellar as target networks. Each network requires its own testing, because runtime rules differ even when the source code compiles.
Solang is a command-line compiler, while Remix Desktop is an IDE that bundles editing, compiling and deployment. Many developers use an IDE for daily work and a standalone compiler for scripted builds.
No, a ready-made binary does not require Rust. Rust is only needed if you build the compiler from source, which is the route to take when no Windows package is available.
Verdict
Solang is a good fit for developers who want a free, open source compiler that targets several blockchain runtimes from one codebase. It rewards people who are comfortable with the command line and who will test each target separately. If you need a graphical environment, an IDE may serve you better. Check the official releases page before installing, since Windows availability can change between versions.