Ubiq is an Ethereum fork that aims to create a more stable smart contract platform for building DApps. Ubiq's protocol currently uses a Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus mechanism, but will switch to Proof-of-Stake in 2019. The network is powered by the UBQ coin.
Ubiq's goal is to create a reliable and stable platform for developing DApps by modifying Ethereum's code base with important changes that will make it more secure and reduce instability. Consensus is based on their Flux Difficulty Algorithm, which is designed to constantly adjust the hash rate to protect against network attacks.

ChainLink is developing the LINK Network, which will enable connected smart contracts. LINK will provide smart contracts with a variety of external data and access to APIs. ChainLink's goal is to solve the connectivity problem that plagues smart contract based systems, and discourages mass adoption. Many decentralized applications are unable to connect with important external data sources due to limitations involving their consensus protocols. The LINK network wants to connect their smart contracts with external systems and APIs by using secure middleware.