The Rise of Mini apps: Why Builders Should Start Now with Base MiniKit

Looking at the analytics for FarVille, it's clear that mini apps on Farcaster are gaining significant traction. With over 15,000 unique users, 3.5 million opens, and more than 1,200 transactions in just 28 days, this farming game demonstrates the potential of well-designed mini apps in the Farcaster ecosystem.

FarVille

What Are Mini Apps?

Mini apps are lightweight web applications that run directly inside Farcaster Frames without requiring users to open a browser or download anything. They launch instantly from posts, creating a seamless experience that feels native to the Farcaster platform.


MiniApps

I have been building mini-apps since they launched and also helped a few people vibe-code their ideas. In this article, I am going to go through what makes a mini-app viral and explore creating a quick mini-app with MiniKit.

Why You Should Build Mini Apps Now

The emergence of mini apps on Farcaster represents an opportunity similar to the early days of Facebook's app platform. Here's why you should consider building mini apps:

  • Low Discovery Friction - Users are just one click away from your app
  • Built-in Social Graph - Leverage Farcaster's existing user connections
  • Native Payments - Integrated Ethereum wallet provides seamless transaction capabilities
  • User Retention - Mobile notifications can re-engage users effectively
  • Early Mover Advantage - Get established before the ecosystem becomes crowded