WebSocket Client vs Long Polling

Developers should use a WebSocket client when building applications that require low-latency, real-time communication, such as live dashboards, multiplayer games, or collaborative editing tools 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 Client

Nice Pick

Developers should use a WebSocket client when building applications that require low-latency, real-time communication, such as live dashboards, multiplayer games, or collaborative editing tools

Pros

• It is essential for scenarios where frequent, immediate data updates are needed, as it avoids the inefficiency of repeated HTTP requests and enables server-push capabilities
• Related to: websocket-server, real-time-communication

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

These tools serve different purposes. WebSocket Client is a tool while Long Polling is a concept. We picked WebSocket Client based on overall popularity, but your choice depends on what you're building.

The Bottom Line

WebSocket Client wins

Based on overall popularity. WebSocket Client is more widely used, but Long Polling excels in its own space.