WebSocket vs SOAP

HTTP's chatty cousin meets the protocol that made xml feel like a heavyweight champion, but now it's mostly just heavy. Here's our take.

WebSocket

Nice Pick

HTTP's chatty cousin. Real-time without the constant handshakes.

Pros

• Full-duplex communication reduces latency for real-time apps
• Persistent connection eliminates HTTP overhead per message
• Widely supported in modern browsers and servers

Cons

• Requires explicit connection management and error handling
• Can be tricky with firewalls and proxies that block non-HTTP traffic

SOAP

The protocol that made XML feel like a heavyweight champion, but now it's mostly just heavy.

Pros

• Standardized and platform-agnostic, great for enterprise integration
• Built-in error handling and security features
• Works well with WSDL for clear service contracts

Cons

• Verbose XML bloat makes it slow and bandwidth-hungry
• Complex setup compared to modern REST or GraphQL alternatives

The Verdict

Use WebSocket if: You want full-duplex communication reduces latency for real-time apps and can live with requires explicit connection management and error handling.

Use SOAP if: You prioritize standardized and platform-agnostic, great for enterprise integration over what WebSocket offers.

The Bottom Line

WebSocket wins

HTTP's chatty cousin. Real-time without the constant handshakes.