> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://cosmos-docs-cosmjs-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Stargate vs CosmWasm

> Comparing the two CosmJS client families and when to use each

The two client families are **parallel implementations**, not a parent-child
relationship. They share the same patterns and reuse types from `@cosmjs/stargate`,
but `CosmWasmClient` does not extend `StargateClient`.

|                                 | Stargate                                  | CosmWasm                                            |
| ------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
| **Read-only client**            | `StargateClient`                          | `CosmWasmClient`                                    |
| **Signing client**              | `SigningStargateClient`                   | `SigningCosmWasmClient`                             |
| **Package**                     | `@cosmjs/stargate`                        | `@cosmjs/cosmwasm`                                  |
| **Query extensions**            | Auth, Bank, Staking, Tx                   | Auth, Bank, Wasm, Tx                                |
| **Staking queries**             | Yes (`getBalanceStaked`, `getDelegation`) | No                                                  |
| **Smart contract queries**      | No                                        | Yes (`queryContractSmart`, `getContract`, etc.)     |
| **Smart contract transactions** | No                                        | Yes (`upload`, `instantiate`, `execute`, `migrate`) |
| **Default registry**            | Standard Cosmos SDK types                 | Cosmos SDK + CosmWasm types                         |
| **Default amino types**         | Standard converters                       | Standard + CosmWasm converters                      |

## Which Should I Use?

* **Standard Cosmos SDK chain** (Cosmos Hub, etc.) — use `@cosmjs/stargate`
* **CosmWasm-enabled chain** (Osmosis, Neutron, etc.) — use `@cosmjs/cosmwasm`

`SigningCosmWasmClient` is a superset in terms of transaction types: it can
send tokens, delegate, and do everything `SigningStargateClient` can, plus
interact with smart contracts. If your chain supports CosmWasm and you need
contract interaction, use the CosmWasm client for everything.

## Custom Messages

Both signing clients support custom message types through the `Registry`:

```typescript theme={"system"}
import { DirectSecp256k1HdWallet, Registry } from "@cosmjs/proto-signing";
import { defaultRegistryTypes, GasPrice, SigningStargateClient } from "@cosmjs/stargate";
// Generated message type from your own chain's protos:
import { MsgDoSomething } from "./generated/my/custom/v1/tx";

const endpoint = "https://rpc.my-chain.network";
const wallet = await DirectSecp256k1HdWallet.fromMnemonic("your mnemonic ...", {
  prefix: "cosmos",
});
const [{ address }] = await wallet.getAccounts();

const registry = new Registry(defaultRegistryTypes);
registry.register("/my.custom.v1.MsgDoSomething", MsgDoSomething);

const client = await SigningStargateClient.connectWithSigner(endpoint, wallet, {
  registry,
  gasPrice: GasPrice.fromString("0.025uatom"),
});

await client.signAndBroadcast(address, [
  {
    typeUrl: "/my.custom.v1.MsgDoSomething",
    value: MsgDoSomething.fromPartial({ sender: address, data: "hello" }),
  },
], "auto");
```