pusher vs socket.io
Side-by-side comparison of pusher and socket.io
- Weekly Downloads
- 403.2K
- Stars
- 289
- Gzip Size
- 293.5 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 15d ago
- Open Issues
- 14
- Forks
- 72
- Unpacked Size
- 139.1 kB
- Dependencies
- 10
- Weekly Downloads
- 10.2M
- Stars
- 62.9K
- Gzip Size
- 75.3 kB
- License
- MIT
- Last Updated
- 16d ago
- Open Issues
- 203
- Forks
- 10.1K
- Unpacked Size
- 1.4 MB
- Dependencies
- 20
Download Trends
Verdict
Pusher is a focused solution for developing real-time applications using the Pusher Channels REST API, making it ideal for projects that require a streamlined integration with Pusher's services. It offers a more straightforward API for event-driven architectures but has a smaller community and fewer features compared to Socket.io.
Socket.io serves as a comprehensive real-time framework, well-suited for larger applications or projects requiring more complex real-time interactions, such as chat applications or live data feeds. With significantly higher usage and community support, it provides extensive features, including fallback options for environments that do not support WebSockets.
When considering migration, developers familiar with a REST-based API may find Pusher easier to adopt initially. In contrast, Socket.io may present a steeper learning curve but offers richer capabilities for larger scale applications, which could justify the investment in time and resources.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | pusher | socket.io |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Unpacked size at 139.1 kB with a gzip bundle of 293.5 kB, relatively lightweight for its feature set. | ✓Unpacked size of 1.4 MB, with a smaller gzip bundle of 75.3 kB, indicating efficiency in delivery. |
| Open Issues | ✓14 open issues suggest a relatively stable project with ongoing maintenance. | 203 open issues may indicate more active development challenges but also a larger scope of ongoing development. |
| GitHub Stars | Moderate interest with 289 stars, reflecting scalability within specific use cases. | ✓High interest at 62.9K stars, indicating a robust developer community. |
| Last Updated | Last updated in January 2026 indicating regular maintenance. | Also regularly updated in January 2026, suggesting active development. |
| Learning Curve | ✓Simple documentation facilitates a quick learning process for new developers. | More comprehensive features may lead to a steeper learning curve, especially for beginners. |
| Overall Purpose | Best for applications needing integration with Pusher's REST API. | ✓Ideal for complex real-time frameworks and interactions. |
| Project Size Fit | best suited for smaller projects or microservices requiring event-based communication. | ✓recommended for larger applications needing extensive real-time capabilities. |
| Weekly Downloads | Mid-range usage with 401.5K downloads, indicating a niche user base. | ✓High popularity with 10.1M downloads, showcasing strong community adoption. |