Dynamic

Server-Sent Events vs Long Polling

Developers should learn SSE when building applications that require real-time, server-to-client updates, such as live dashboards, chat applications, or news feeds, as it offers a lightweight and easy-to-implement alternative to WebSockets for one-way data flow meets developers should learn long polling when building applications that need real-time features but cannot use websockets due to browser compatibility or infrastructure constraints. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

Server-Sent Events

Developers should learn SSE when building applications that require real-time, server-to-client updates, such as live dashboards, chat applications, or news feeds, as it offers a lightweight and easy-to-implement alternative to WebSockets for one-way data flow

Server-Sent Events

Nice Pick

Developers should learn SSE when building applications that require real-time, server-to-client updates, such as live dashboards, chat applications, or news feeds, as it offers a lightweight and easy-to-implement alternative to WebSockets for one-way data flow

Pros

  • +It is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to avoid the complexity of bidirectional communication or when working with HTTP/1
  • +Related to: websockets, http

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Long Polling

Developers should learn long polling when building applications that need real-time features but cannot use WebSockets due to browser compatibility or infrastructure constraints

Pros

  • +It is particularly useful for scenarios like live chat, stock tickers, or collaborative editing tools where immediate data updates are critical
  • +Related to: websockets, server-sent-events

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use Server-Sent Events if: You want it is particularly useful in scenarios where you need to avoid the complexity of bidirectional communication or when working with http/1 and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Long Polling if: You prioritize it is particularly useful for scenarios like live chat, stock tickers, or collaborative editing tools where immediate data updates are critical over what Server-Sent Events offers.

🧊
The Bottom Line
Server-Sent Events wins

Developers should learn SSE when building applications that require real-time, server-to-client updates, such as live dashboards, chat applications, or news feeds, as it offers a lightweight and easy-to-implement alternative to WebSockets for one-way data flow

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev