websockets review
A self-hosted Python library with multiple WebSocket implementation styles.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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 pros and cons
- 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
websockets 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