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Django Channels

Free#13 of 55 in WebSocket Tools

Django Channels: A self-hosted Django library for WebSockets, ASGI routing, and background work. Ranked #13 of 55 in WebSocket Tools by our editors (7.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for django teams adding WebSockets and background work.

7.4/10Editor score
Try Django Channels
Django Channels7.4 Try Django Channels

At a glance

  • Editor score
    7.4 / 10
  • Pricing
    Free plan
  • Best for
    Django teams adding WebSockets and background work
  • Free plan
    Yes
  • Paid from
    None
  • Deployment model
    Library
  • Founded
    2016
  • Facts checked
    28 Sep 2026

  • Where it wins

    • Supports synchronous and asynchronous WebSocket consumers
    • Integrates with Django authentication and session middleware
    • Optional channel layers enable cross-process messaging and groups

  • Where it doesn't

    • Designed around Django rather than general-purpose application frameworks
    • Requires self-hosted deployment with Daphne or another ASGI server
    • Cross-process messaging depends on optional channel layers

Our verdict on Django Channels

Django Channels extends Django applications beyond ordinary HTTP request-and-response handling. Built on ASGI, it gives Django teams a way to route WebSockets and other long-lived protocols, define synchronous or asynchronous consumers, and offload work to background workers. It is a library to deploy and operate yourself, rather than a hosted WebSocket service, so it fits teams already building with Django that want these capabilities within that application environment.

Its protocol and ecosystem fit are the main draw. Channels provides ASGI protocol and URL routing for HTTP, WebSockets, MQTT, chat-oriented protocols, and custom protocols. Django authentication and session middleware can be integrated, while optional channel layers support messaging across processes, including groups. Redis support is available through channels_redis, and deployment can use Daphne or another ASGI protocol server. Testing utilities such as WebsocketCommunicator are also part of the offering. This combination makes Channels broader than a WebSocket-only component, while keeping its center of gravity in Django and ASGI.

The tradeoff is operational ownership and framework scope: teams deploy the library themselves and choose an ASGI server, and channel layers are optional rather than built into every setup. Background worker and task-offloading support may suit applications that need work outside request handling, but Channels is not a fit for teams seeking a managed service or a framework-neutral tool. Community resources and documentation are the listed support channels. Django teams that want to add real-time connections and background work should consider it; teams outside the Django ecosystem should look elsewhere.

Django Channels pricing

Plans Free planFree Free to use — no paid tier required for the core job.
See plans on channels.readthedocs.io

Django Channels fact sheet

Free planYes
Paid fromNone
Deployment modelLibrary
Free concurrent connectionsNot verified
Pub/sub messagingYes
Self-hosting availableYes
Client SDKsNot verified
Protocol supportHTTP, WebSocket, MQTT, chat protocols, amateur radio, custom ASGI protocols
DeploymentSelf-hosted
SupportCommunity, Docs
Built forSolo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate)
Integrations4 integrations: Django authentication, Django sessions, Redis via channels_redis, Daphne ASGI server
PricingFree plan
Websitechannels.readthedocs.io
Facts checked28 Sep 2026

Django Channels integrations

Django Channels lists 4 integrations on its own site.

  • Django authentication
  • Django sessions
  • Redis via channels_redis
  • Daphne ASGI server

Alternatives to Django Channels

See all Django Channels alternatives →

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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