PieSocket
PieSocket: Pub/sub tools for real-time apps, with managed cloud and self-hosted deployment. Ranked #19 of 55 in WebSocket Tools by our editors (6.8/10); pricing: Free plan; best for teams needing managed or self-hosted pub/sub.
At a glance
- Editor score6.8 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forTeams needing managed or self-hosted pub/sub
- Free planYes
- Founded2018
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Room messaging, presence, and channel membership tracking
- REST publishing, JWT authentication, and per-channel access controls
- Cloud or self-hosted deployment with analytics and message logs
Where it doesn't
- The Free Plan is a managed WebSocket service, not a self-hosted plan
- Free access includes 200 connections
- Self-hosting requires teams to run their own infrastructure
Our verdict on PieSocket
PieSocket provides WebSocket infrastructure for applications that need real-time, bidirectional messaging. Its pub/sub channels support client-to-client and server-to-client communication, with room-based messaging, optional presence, and channel membership tracking. Teams can choose a managed cloud service or a self-hosted server, making it relevant to developers who want a hosted service as well as organizations that need to run the service on their own infrastructure. It is aimed at teams building real-time application features rather than buyers looking for a general-purpose communications suite.
The feature set extends beyond sending messages. Developers can publish server-side messages through a REST API, secure channels with JWT-based authentication and per-channel access controls, and receive message-event webhooks. Usage analytics and message logs with CSV export provide ways to review activity. Autoscaling and regional clusters are available in the managed offering. The published platform options include web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, API, and self-hosted deployment; official client SDKs cover JavaScript, Android, iOS, Flutter, and React Native, alongside server libraries and standard WebSocket clients. That breadth suits teams with varied client platforms, though self-hosting shifts infrastructure operation to the team.
PieSocket has a Free Plan described as a managed WebSocket service, with 200 free connections. Production Essentials lists 2,000 concurrent connections and 1 million messages per day. Published paid connection tiers are priced at $99, $199, $299, $499, $699, $999, and $1,999 per month; enterprise is contact-sales. Choose PieSocket if pub/sub, presence, authentication, and a cloud or self-hosted option matter together. Teams needing only a small free deployment should account for the 200-connection limit, while teams that do not want to operate infrastructure should favor its managed service over self-hosting.
PieSocket pricing
All 3 PieSocket plans and prices →
PieSocket fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Not verified |
| Free concurrent connections | 200 |
| Pub/sub messaging | Yes |
| Self-hosting available | Yes |
| Client SDKs | JavaScript, Android (Java/Kotlin), iOS (Swift), Flutter (Dart), React Native, Python, Node.js |
| Protocol support | WebSocket; PieSocket Protocol V3; PieSocket Protocol V4 |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Compliance & security | 2FA |
| Support | Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | piehost.com |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to PieSocket
- 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 PieSocket alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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