What is WebSocket?

WebSocket is a communication protocol that enables real-time, two-way interaction between a web browser and a server over a single, persistent connection. Unlike traditional HTTP requests where the client must initiate each exchange, WebSockets allow both the client and server to send messages to each other at any time. This makes WebSockets ideal for applications requiring instant updates, such as live chat, real-time notifications, multiplayer games, and collaborative tools.

Tool description

This WebSocket client tool provides a simple interface for testing and debugging WebSocket connections. Connect to any WebSocket server using ws:// or wss:// protocols, send custom messages, and view all incoming and outgoing communications in real-time. The tool displays connection status, maintains a complete message log, and helps developers verify WebSocket implementations without writing code.

Features

  • Real-time connection management - Connect and disconnect from WebSocket servers with visual status indicators
  • Message logging - View complete history of sent, received, system messages, and errors with timestamps
  • Connection status tracking - Monitor WebSocket states (connecting, open, closing, closed, uninstantiated)
  • Auto-scroll option - Automatically scroll to latest messages or manually review message history
  • Secure and insecure protocols - Support for both ws:// (unencrypted) and wss:// (encrypted) connections

Use cases

  • API testing - Test WebSocket endpoints during development to verify message handling and connection behavior
  • Debugging real-time features - Troubleshoot chat applications, live notifications, or streaming data implementations
  • Server monitoring - Check WebSocket server availability and response patterns without custom client code
  • Protocol exploration - Learn how WebSocket communication works by observing connection lifecycle and message flow
  • Integration validation - Verify third-party WebSocket services before integrating them into your application