socket.io vs ws
Side-by-side comparison of socket.io and ws
- 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
- 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
socket.io excels in real-time framework capabilities and provides a more comprehensive feature set for building interactive applications, making it ideal for teams looking to implement advanced real-time features. Its large community support and extensive documentation facilitate quicker onboarding for teams with varying experience levels.
On the other hand, ws is suited for developers who prioritize performance and simplicity. With significantly larger weekly downloads, it caters to projects that require a lightweight WebSocket implementation, making it a better choice for simpler applications or when performance is the primary concern.
Consider socket.io if your project demands built-in features like automatic reconnections or event handling, as it offers a richer framework out of the box. For a minimal setup or if you're already experienced with raw WebSocket APIs, ws is straightforward and has a smaller footprint, thus enhancing performance efficiency where it matters most.
Detailed Comparison
| Criteria | socket.io | ws |
|---|---|---|
| Complexity | Requires more learning due to its rich API. | ✓Simpler with less overhead, easier for quick implementations. |
| Open Issues | 203, a moderate number suggesting room for improvement. | ✓5, indicating strong stability and responsiveness. |
| GitHub Forks | ✓10.1K, suggesting active development and experimentation. | 2.5K, indicating less community-driven development. |
| GitHub Stars | ✓62.9K, reflecting community interest and support. | 22.7K, lower community engagement compared to socket.io. |
| Last Updated | 2026-01-23, indicating regular maintenance. | 2026-01-09, also well-maintained. |
| Unpacked Size | 1.4 MB, relatively large due to its extensive features. | ✓147.8 kB, significantly smaller and lighter. |
| Event Handling | ✓Built-in support for event-based programming. | Lacks extensive event features, focusing on raw WebSocket capabilities. |
| Target Use Cases | ✓Great for applications needing complex interactions. | Ideal for simple WebSocket scenarios with performance needs. |
| Weekly Downloads | 10.1M, indicating robust usage. | ✓147.6M, showing high popularity and demand. |
| Bundle Size (gzip) | 75.3 kB, larger due to more functionality. | ✓17.5 kB, minimal footprint for fast loading. |
| Community Activity | ✓High engagement with many contributors. | Active but with fewer contributors compared to socket.io. |
| Overall Positioning | ✓Comprehensive real-time framework with rich features. | Lightweight and fast WebSocket implementation. |