websockets
websockets: A self-hosted Python library with multiple WebSocket implementation styles. Ranked #17 of 55 in WebSocket Tools by our editors (7.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for python developers needing a WebSocket library.
At a glance
- Editor score7.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forPython developers needing a WebSocket library
- Free planYes
- Paid fromNone
- Deployment modelLibrary
- Founded2013
- Facts checked28 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Offers asyncio, threading, Trio, and Sans-I/O implementations
- Includes server and client APIs plus broadcasting guidance
- Covers authentication, origin controls, TLS, and compression
Where it doesn't
- Requires developers to implement and self-host their application
- Python is the only client SDK listed
- Documentation is the listed support channel
Our verdict on websockets
websockets is an open-source Python library for developers building real-time applications with WebSocket servers and clients. It is intended for teams that want to implement the protocol in their own applications rather than adopt a hosted WebSocket service. The library is self-hosted, runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and supports the WebSocket protocol specified by RFC 6455. Its range of implementation styles makes it relevant to Python projects with different concurrency approaches, from asyncio to synchronous code.
The implementation choices are a central strength. Asyncio is the default, while threading and Trio implementations provide other server and client APIs; a Sans-I/O layer is also available for projects that need to handle I/O separately. The documentation covers broadcasting messages, routing, authentication and origin controls, TLS, deployment, and custom extensions. A built-in per-message Deflate extension addresses compression. This is a broad toolkit for building WebSocket behavior, though it remains a Python library: the listed client SDK is Python, so projects seeking client libraries across multiple languages should look elsewhere.
The open-source model and pip installation make websockets suitable when a team wants to incorporate and operate a library directly. There are no hosted-service tiers to compare; developers take responsibility for deployment and operating the application. Documentation is the listed support channel, so teams seeking vendor-provided support channels beyond documentation may prefer a different option. Choose websockets for a self-hosted Python implementation with several concurrency models and protocol controls; avoid it if you need a managed service or broader client-language coverage.
websockets pricing
websockets fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | None |
| Deployment model | Library |
| Free concurrent connections | Not verified |
| Pub/sub messaging | Not verified |
| Self-hosting available | Yes |
| Client SDKs | Python |
| Protocol support | WebSocket; RFC 6455 |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | websockets.readthedocs.io |
| Facts checked | 28 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to websockets
- 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 websockets alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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