ApexStream
ApexStream: A hosted WebSocket gateway with a free entry plan and replay on higher tiers. Ranked #29 of 55 in WebSocket Tools by our editors (5.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams wanting a basic hosted WebSocket gateway.
At a glance
- Editor score5.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams wanting a basic hosted WebSocket gateway
- Free planYes
- Deployment modelManaged
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes 100 concurrent connections and 1M messages monthly
- Channel-based pub/sub with API-key authentication
- Higher plans add replay, delivery guarantees and usage metrics
Where it doesn't
- Free plan is limited to one project and 100 concurrent connections
- Client support is described around the JavaScript SDK
- Self-hosting is marked as coming soon
Our verdict on ApexStream
ApexStream provides a managed WebSocket gateway for applications that need realtime communication, including chat, live dashboards, notifications and collaboration. Developers create projects and applications, generate API keys, then connect through the gateway using the ApexStream JavaScript SDK. Its channel-based publish/subscribe model makes it a fit for teams seeking a focused realtime messaging layer rather than a broader application platform.
The free plan includes up to 100 concurrent connections, 1M messages per month, one project, WebSocket pub/sub and community support. Pro raises the limits to 2,000 concurrent connections and 10M messages per month, allows unlimited projects, and adds webhooks, short-window event replay and email support. Scale lists up to 10,000 concurrent connections and 100M messages per month, along with advanced replay, guaranteed delivery, analytics and priority support. Enterprise lists unlimited scale, RBAC, audit logs, private networking, an SLA and dedicated engineering support. The published plans display $29 and $199, but do not specify a billing period; the plan names associated with those prices are therefore not clear.
Operationally, ApexStream lists connection, throughput and authentication-failure metrics, horizontal gateway scaling, and optional NATS fan-out. Cloud is the primary deployment model. Docker/Kubernetes deployment is described for private infrastructure, but self-hosting is marked as coming soon, so teams requiring an available self-hosted deployment should not treat it as ready. Choose ApexStream if a hosted WebSocket gateway and a path to replay and delivery guarantees fit your needs. Teams needing self-hosting now or broader client support than the JavaScript SDK description should compare alternatives.
ApexStream pricing
All 4 ApexStream plans and prices →
ApexStream fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Managed |
| Free concurrent connections | 100 |
| Pub/sub messaging | Yes |
| Self-hosting available | No |
| Client SDKs | JavaScript, Node.js |
| Protocol support | WebSocket |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Email, Community |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | apexstream.org |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to ApexStream
- Socket.IOAn open-source library for real-time apps, with transport fallback and reconnection built in.9.3
- Ably Pub/SubFeature-rich managed pub/sub, with a free tier and paid plans from $29/month.8.8
- Azure Web PubSubA managed Azure service for real-time apps that need WebSockets, pub-sub, and scale.8.7
See all ApexStream alternatives →
Used ApexStream? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used ApexStream for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
ApexStream is listed in our WebSocket Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/apexstream-websocket-tool/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/apexstream-websocket-tool.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Guides on WebSocket tools
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update