Push API vs WebSockets

Developers should learn the Push API when building progressive web apps (PWAs) or any web application that requires real-time notifications to enhance user engagement and retention meets developers should learn and use websockets when building applications that require real-time features, such as live chat, online gaming, financial trading platforms, collaborative editing tools, or live sports updates, as it reduces latency and server load compared to polling techniques like http long-polling. Here's our take.

Push API

Nice Pick

Developers should learn the Push API when building progressive web apps (PWAs) or any web application that requires real-time notifications to enhance user engagement and retention

Pros

• It is particularly useful for news sites, social media platforms, e-commerce apps, and messaging services where timely updates are critical
• Related to: service-workers, progressive-web-apps

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

WebSockets

Developers should learn and use WebSockets when building applications that require real-time features, such as live chat, online gaming, financial trading platforms, collaborative editing tools, or live sports updates, as it reduces latency and server load compared to polling techniques like HTTP long-polling

Pros

• It is particularly valuable in scenarios where instant data synchronization between clients and servers is critical, such as in IoT device monitoring or interactive dashboards, because it maintains an open connection for continuous data flow
• Related to: http, real-time-communication

Cons

• Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

These tools serve different purposes. Push API is a platform while WebSockets is a protocol. We picked Push API based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

Push API wins

Based on overall popularity. Push API is more widely used, but WebSockets excels in its own space.