dApp, short for decentralized application, is a software application that runs on a blockchain network. It is powered by smart contracts and can offer various services on the blockchain, including finance, gaming, social networking, and more. Unlike traditional applications on a single computer or device, dApps are decentralized and run on a blockchain supporting multiple computing devices.
This decentralization feature offers lower levels of control and censorship of data handled by dApps. In addition, dApps are more flexible and scalable, providing users with greater privacy than traditional apps. Their distributed nature also ensures greater protection from hacks which can compromise their security or take down the dApp itself - a critical concern that affects centralized apps.