Appwrite Realtime review
A broad open-source backend platform with permission-aware realtime subscriptions.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Appwrite Realtime is a WebSocket-based API for live updates across Appwrite services. It is intended for developers building interactive web, iOS, Android, API, and backend applications that need live data synchronization. Realtime supports channel-based resource subscriptions, callback event types for filtering, and permission-enforced access. It sits within the broader open-source Appwrite backend platform, which also includes authentication, managed databases, file storage, serverless functions, official client and server SDKs, and self-hosting options.
Pricing is platform-wide rather than specific to Realtime. The Free plan costs $0 per month and includes 5GB bandwidth, 2GB storage, 750K executions, 75K monthly active users, community support, and one database, one bucket, and two functions per project. The Pro plan adds 2TB bandwidth, 150GB storage, 3.5M executions, 200K monthly active users, email support, and unlimited databases, buckets, and functions. Enterprise adds uptime SLAs, a success manager, 24/7 support on Slack, SOC-2, HIPAA, and BAA, Single Sign-On, and bring-your-own-cloud options.
The main fit is for teams that want realtime behavior alongside a wider backend toolkit instead of adding a standalone live-update service. Realtime updates work across Appwrite services, while authentication supports email, phone, OAuth, magic URL, and email OTP. Databases include permissions, indexes, queries, and realtime, and serverless functions can respond to events or schedules. Self-hosting is available for teams that need that deployment model. Choose Appwrite Realtime when an open-source, integrated backend and permission-aware subscriptions match the project. Consider another option when realtime is needed without adopting the wider Appwrite platform or when the Free plan’s project limits do not fit the workload.
Appwrite Realtime pros and cons
- Where it wins
- WebSocket subscriptions with channels and event filtering
- Permissions control which realtime updates clients receive
- Includes databases, auth, storage, functions, SDKs, and self-hosting
- Where it doesn't
- Realtime is part of Appwrite rather than separately priced
- Free limits projects to one database, bucket, and two functions
- Enterprise features are reserved for the Enterprise plan
Appwrite Realtime fact sheet, pricing and score →
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. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update