ably vs ws
Side-by-side comparison of ably and ws
- Weekly Downloads
- 550.1K
- Stars
- 355
- Gzip Size
- 98.0 kB
- License
- Apache-2.0
- Last Updated
- 2d ago
- Open Issues
- 202
- Forks
- 61
- Unpacked Size
- 8.5 MB
- Dependencies
- 28
- Weekly Downloads
- 147.8M
- Stars
- 22.7K
- Gzip Size
- 17.5 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 1mo ago
- Open Issues
- 5
- Forks
- 2.5K
- Unpacked Size
- 147.8 kB
- Dependencies
- 4
Download Trends
Verdict
Ably is tailored for developers looking for a robust real-time messaging solution, offering high-level abstractions that simplify interactions with the Ably service. It is particularly suited for applications utilizing various frameworks, including React Native, and provides extensive documentation and SDK support for TypeScript.
In contrast, ws is a minimalistic and lightweight solution aimed at developers seeking a fast WebSocket implementation for Node.js. Its large community support, indicated by the significant number of stars and forks, enhances its responsiveness to issues and improvements, making it a solid choice for server-side applications requiring websocket capabilities.
When selecting between the two, consider your project scale and requirements. For smaller, straightforward websocket needs, ws may be more favorable due to its simplicity and lower bundle size. However, if your project demands comprehensive real-time messaging features and robust integration with a messaging service, then ably is the appropriate choice.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | ably | ws |
|---|---|---|
| License | Apache-2.0 is permissive and business-friendly. | MIT is also permissive, with broad usage flexibility. |
| Ease of Use | Requires understanding of Ably service for full utilization. | ✓Simple API makes it easy to get started with WebSocket features. |
| Open Issues | 202 open issues could indicate ongoing challenges or a high volume of feature requests. | ✓5 open issues point to a well-maintained project with few outstanding problems. |
| GitHub Forks | 61 forks, suggesting limited collaborative development. | ✓2.5K forks, indicating a vibrant development community. |
| GitHub Stars | 355 stars signify a smaller yet dedicated user base. | ✓22.7K stars reflect significant community interest and support. |
| Last Updated | ✓Last updated on 2026-02-06, indicating relative recency. | Last updated on 2026-01-09, indicating more frequent updates. |
| Unpacked Size | 8.5 MB is relatively large, possibly due to comprehensive features. | ✓147.8 kB is minimal, favoring efficient resource usage. |
| Weekly Downloads | 550.5K downloads, indicating moderate usage. | ✓147.6M downloads, demonstrating widespread adoption. |
| Community Support | Smaller community may yield slower response times to issues. | ✓Large community likely offers rapid support and issue resolution. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | 98.0 kB offers a richer feature set but with larger footprint. | ✓17.5 kB is minimal and ideal for performance-sensitive applications. |
| TypeScript Support | ✓Excellent TypeScript support, enhancing developer experience. | Basic TypeScript support, primarily aimed at JavaScript users. |
| Overall Positioning | Focuses on comprehensive real-time messaging solutions with robust SDK support. | ✓Designed for fast and straightforward WebSocket implementation in Node.js. |