WebSocket API vs Long Polling
Developers should use the WebSocket API when building applications that require real-time, two-way communication, such as collaborative editing tools, live notifications, or multiplayer games, as it reduces latency and overhead compared to polling with HTTP 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.
WebSocket API
Developers should use the WebSocket API when building applications that require real-time, two-way communication, such as collaborative editing tools, live notifications, or multiplayer games, as it reduces latency and overhead compared to polling with HTTP
WebSocket API
Nice PickDevelopers should use the WebSocket API when building applications that require real-time, two-way communication, such as collaborative editing tools, live notifications, or multiplayer games, as it reduces latency and overhead compared to polling with HTTP
Pros
- +It is particularly valuable in scenarios where frequent, fast updates are critical, like stock trading platforms or IoT device monitoring, as it avoids the inefficiencies of repeated HTTP requests
- +Related to: javascript, node-js
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 WebSocket API if: You want it is particularly valuable in scenarios where frequent, fast updates are critical, like stock trading platforms or iot device monitoring, as it avoids the inefficiencies of repeated http requests 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 WebSocket API offers.
Developers should use the WebSocket API when building applications that require real-time, two-way communication, such as collaborative editing tools, live notifications, or multiplayer games, as it reduces latency and overhead compared to polling with HTTP
Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev