Gorilla WebSocket review
A free, self-hosted Go library for building WebSocket clients and servers.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Gorilla WebSocket is an open-source Go package for implementing WebSocket clients and servers. It is intended for developers building Go applications that need WebSocket protocol support, whether for a client connection or a server endpoint. The package is a library incorporated into an application, not a hosted real-time messaging service, so teams looking for a managed service or a standalone messaging platform should consider a different type of product. Its scope is focused on the core client and server APIs rather than a wider set of real-time services.
The published project description emphasizes a stable package API and reports passing the server tests in the Autobahn Test Suite, a protocol compliance test suite. Those signals matter to developers evaluating whether the implementation fits a protocol-based application, though the description does not turn them into a guarantee for any particular deployment. Examples cover chat, commands, client and server connections, and file watching. They give developers concrete starting points for exploring common usage patterns, while the underlying package remains something to integrate into their own Go code and operate within their application environment.
Gorilla WebSocket is open source and free, with self-hosted use across Linux, macOS, and Windows. Because it is installed as a Go dependency, the key fit question is whether a project is already being built in Go and needs WebSocket client or server functionality. Developers seeking that focused building block can evaluate its API documentation, examples, and compliance-test result as part of their implementation decisions. Those who want a hosted service, or broader features beyond the client/server library described here, are better served by evaluating products designed for those needs.
Gorilla WebSocket pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Includes both WebSocket client and server implementations.
- Provides a stable package API for Go applications.
- Reports passing Autobahn server tests and includes example apps.
- Where it doesn't
- It is a library, not a hosted real-time messaging service.
- Its focus is WebSocket client and server APIs rather than broader tooling.
- Using it requires incorporating a Go dependency into an application.
Gorilla WebSocket 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. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update