Nchan
Nchan: A self-hosted Nginx module for WebSocket and HTTP-based pub/sub, with optional Redis scaling. Ranked #26 of 55 in WebSocket Tools by our editors (6.1/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams already operating Nginx and Redis.
At a glance
- Editor score6.1 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams already operating Nginx and Redis
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Deployment modelSelf-hosted
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Publish via HTTP POST or WebSockets and subscribe over several transports
- Redis-backed storage can scale across Nginx servers, including Redis Cluster
- Per-channel buffers and channel-event monitoring support operational control
Where it doesn't
- Requires a self-hosted Nginx deployment rather than a hosted service
- Redis-backed scaling adds a dependency for multi-server deployments
- Its Nginx-centered approach is less general-purpose than standalone tools
Our verdict on Nchan
Nchan is an open-source Nginx module for web applications that need publish/subscribe messaging. Publishers send messages through HTTP POST requests or WebSockets; subscribers can receive them through WebSockets, Server-Sent Events, long-polling, and other HTTP transports. It is aimed at teams comfortable configuring Nginx, especially those already operating Redis and wanting messaging within that environment.
Its transport and scaling options are the main distinction. Clients can subscribe to multiple channels over one connection, and per-channel message buffers can be configured. Messages can use local shared-memory storage or persistent Redis storage; Redis also enables scaling across Nginx servers, with Redis Cluster high availability. A JavaScript wrapper supports resumable WebSockets, EventSource, and long-polling. This breadth is useful when clients need more than WebSockets, but the Nginx module design makes it a closer fit for an existing Nginx stack than for teams seeking a general-purpose messaging service.
Nchan is self-hosted open-source software, not a hosted service. The published product details describe it as free, while professional support is offered separately; support channels include email and documentation. That model suits teams able to handle deployment and operations themselves, and lets them choose local storage or add Redis for persistence and multi-server scaling. Choose Nchan if Nginx-based publishing and subscriptions, HTTP transports, and Redis integration match your architecture. Look elsewhere if you need a managed service or a deployment model that is not centered on Nginx.
Nchan pricing
Nchan fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Deployment model | Self-hosted |
| Free concurrent connections | Not verified |
| Pub/sub messaging | Yes |
| Self-hosting available | Yes |
| Client SDKs | JavaScript |
| Protocol support | WebSocket, Server-Sent Events (SSE), long-polling, interval-polling, HTTP chunked transfer, HTTP multipart/mixed, HTTP raw stream |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS |
| Support | Email, Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 3 integrations: Nginx, Redis, Redis Cluster |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | nchan.io |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Nchan integrations
Nchan lists 3 integrations on its own site.
- Nginx
- Redis
- Redis Cluster
Alternatives to Nchan
- 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
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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