WebSocket & Real-Time Features Guide: Chat, notifications, live updates
Real-time features are now common — live chat, notifications, collaborative editing. WebSocket is the core technology.
WebSocket vs SSE vs Polling
| Feature | Polling | SSE | WebSocket |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direction | Client→Server | Server→Client | Bidirectional |
| Real-time | Varies | Instant | Instant |
| Overhead | High | Low | Low |
| Best for | Simple refresh | Push notifications | Interactive apps |
16IDC Takeaway
For server-only push (new comments, order updates), SSE is simpler with better compatibility. For bidirectional interaction (live chat, collaborative editing), WebSocket is the only choice.