Free and open first
Best WebSocket Tools in 2026
This WebSocket tools list covers real-time connections and pub/sub messaging across web, Linux, macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS projects. It includes hosted services, libraries, and open-source options.
- 55 apps
- Research read 9 Oct 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
Colyseus
Free plan Open source AndroidAPIiPhone+5Colyseus combines server-side game logic, state sync, and matchmaking in a Node.js framework. The free self-hosted plan and paid Cloud service offer different support and deployment paths.
- 2
Faye
Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+3Faye provides protocol-based messaging, multiple transport options, and extension points, with documented engines for distributed deployments.
- 3
Wren
Free plan Open source APIExtensionMacChoose Wren if you want a free, open-source research library with annotation, semantic search, and offline PDF processing.
- 4
BrowserGap
Free plan APILinuxMac+3BrowserGap separates page execution from the user's device by streaming pixels from a remote browser.
- 5
Lightstreamer
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5Lightstreamer offers real-time delivery controls, a range of integration options, and both on-premises and cloud deployment.
- 6
Mongoose Web Server
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5 - 7
PubNub Chat
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4 - 8
Scaledrone
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1 - 9
SocketCluster
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3SocketCluster combines real-time messaging, authentication, access controls and scaling in a self-hosted server environment.
- 10
AnyCable
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 11
Ably Pub/Sub
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb - 12
Apinator
Free plan iPhoneMacWeb - 13
Autobahn|Python
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 14
@fastify/websocket
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 15
PieSocket
Free plan AndroidiPhoneLinux+3 - 16
Channelstream
Free plan LinuxWeb - 17
fastwebsockets
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 18
Gorilla WebSocket
Free plan LinuxMacWindows - 19
Primus
Free plan AndroidLinuxMac+2 - 20
Action Cable
Free plan Web - 21
ApexStream
Free plan Web - 22
Azure Web PubSub
Free plan Web - 23
Pusher Channels
Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb - 24
Django Channels
Free plan - 25
Hotsock
Free plan Web
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
Use the listed free-plan limits, entry-level paid prices, deployment approaches, concurrent-connection allowances, messaging capabilities, self-hosting status, client SDKs, and protocol coverage to guide your comparison.
Questions
What are WebSocket tools used for?
They support WebSocket connections and can provide pub/sub messaging for applications running on web, desktop, or mobile platforms.
Are free WebSocket tools available?
Yes. The list includes free plans and free tools, including Action Cable, Apinator, Autobahn|Python, and Django Channels.
Can I self-host a WebSocket tool?
Self-hosting availability varies. Review each tool's deployment model and licence if you need to run or change its code yourself.
Do WebSocket tools offer free trials?
Some entries include a free trial. AnyCable shows a 60-day trial alongside its free plan.
How should I compare WebSocket tools?
Use free-plan limits, starting paid prices, deployment approach, concurrent connections, pub/sub messaging, self-hosting, client SDKs, and protocol support as comparison points.