Software Alternatives & Startups

uWebSockets VS Ably

Compare uWebSockets VS Ably and see what are their differences

uWebSockets

Simple, secure & standards compliant web I/O for the most demanding of applications - uNetworking/uWebSockets

Rating
0 reviews
Ably

The realtime platform that just works. We power more WebSocket connections than any other pub/sub platform, serving over 2 billion devices monthly.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Freemium Free trial

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Ably seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 26 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 26
App Development popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
7 vs 226

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

uWebSockets
Ably
Website github.com ably.com
Pricing
Freemium Free trial Official pricing
Company Startup from the United Kingdom · 50 - 99 employees · 2016
Listed in

About uWebSockets and Ably

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

uWebSockets
Ably

No description of uWebSockets yet.

We help teams deliver resilient AI UX and high-performance live experiences that stay fast and in sync worldwide. We provide the global realtime layer for AI agents, chat, notifications, live dashboards, and collaboration - engineered to handle peak demand without self-managed infrastructure....

Read more about Ably

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

uWebSockets 5 features
Ably 8 features
  • Performance
    uWebSockets is highly optimized for performance, offering high throughput and low latency compared to other WebSocket libraries. Its design enables efficient handling of large numbers of concurrent connections.
  • Scalability
    Built to efficiently manage thousands of connections, uWebSockets is suitable for large-scale, real-time applications. Its architecture supports both horizontal and vertical scaling.
  • Lightweight
    The library is lightweight and focuses specifically on being an efficient WebSocket server implementation, reducing memory usage and overhead.
  • Robustness
    The library is mature and has been battle-tested in production environments, offering a reliable foundation for building real-time applications.
  • C++ Core
    Written in C++, it allows deep integrations and optimizations specific to performance-critical scenarios, offering more control over the application's behavior at a lower level.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    Due to its focus on performance and scalability, uWebSockets may be more complex to set up and use effectively compared to simpler WebSocket solutions.
  • Limited Documentation
    Some users may find the documentation lacking in detail, especially when compared to more widely used WebSocket libraries with extensive educational resources.
  • C++ Dependency
    As a C++ library, integrating uWebSockets into environments that primarily use other languages may require additional work, potentially complicating the build process.
  • Platform Specific
    Being a C++ library, it might have platform-specific issues or require platform-specific configurations that aren’t as easily addressed as in more language-agnostic solutions.
  • Limited Ecosystem
    While it excels at WebSocket handling, uWebSockets may have fewer third-party plugins or extensions compared to wider ecosystems like Node.js or .NET for broader application needs.
  • Scalability
    Ably is designed to handle a massive number of concurrent connections and messages, making it scalable for both small and large applications.
  • Real-time Messaging
    Ably provides robust real-time messaging capabilities with low latency, supporting use-cases like live chat, gaming, and real-time data streaming.
  • Global Presence
    Ably has a globally distributed network, ensuring low latency and high availability for users around the world.
  • Advanced Features
    It offers advanced features such as message history, presence, and push notifications, which can enhance the functionality of real-time applications.
  • Security
    Ably includes built-in security features such as TLS encryption, token-based authentication, and private channels to ensure secure communication.
  • Extensive Documentation
    The service provides extensive and well-organized documentation, making it easier for developers to integrate and utilize its features.
  • SDKs and Libraries
    Ably offers a wide range of SDKs and libraries for different programming languages and platforms, easing the development process.
  • Reliable Delivery
    It ensures reliable message delivery with features like message queuing and message de-duplication.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complexity
    Due to its wide range of advanced features, the initial learning curve can be steep for new users.
  • Cost
    For large-scale applications or extensive use of advanced features, the costs can add up, making it potentially expensive.
  • Vendor Lock-in
    Relying heavily on Ably’s platform-specific features may result in vendor lock-in, making it challenging to switch to other services in the future.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    As a cloud-based service, Ably’s performance is highly dependent on the quality and reliability of the internet connection.
  • Third-party Integration
    While Ably offers various integration options, integrating certain third-party services may require additional custom development or may not be as seamless.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

uWebSockets
Ably

No analysis of uWebSockets yet.

Overall verdict

  • Ably is a reliable and efficient real-time messaging platform, well-suited for applications requiring high performance and scalability. It is generally well-regarded within the developer community for its ease of use and robust feature set.

Why this product is good

  • Features
    Ably provides a comprehensive suite of features such as pub/sub messaging, presence, and history.
  • Security
    It implements robust security practices including TLS encryption, token-based authentication, and private channels.
  • Integration
    Supports numerous protocols and provides SDKs for various programming languages, making it easy to integrate with different systems.
  • Reliability
    Ably offers high availability and low latency, ensuring messages are delivered in real-time.
  • Scalability
    The platform can handle millions of active connections and is designed for horizontal scaling.

Recommended for

  • developers building real-time applications like chat apps, dashboards, or multiplayer games
  • businesses in need of a scalable solution for live updates and notifications
  • teams looking for a platform with strong security and compliance credentials
  • organizations requiring integration with existing development workflows and tools

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

uWebSockets 0 videos + Add
Ably 3 videos + Add

No uWebSockets videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

How to build a collaborative environment around your product

More videos

  • - How to build an avatar stack with Ably Spaces
  • - Ably 101: Serverless WebSockets at scale

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
uWebSockets
Ably
100% 100%
0% 0%
10% 10%
90% 90%
0% 0%
100% 100%
13% 13%
87% 87%

User comments

Share your experience with using uWebSockets and Ably. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

uWebSockets 0 mentions
Ably 26 mentions

Tracking uWebSockets since Mar 2021.

  • AWS us-east-1 outage: How Ably’s multi-region architecture held up
    During this week’s AWS us-east-1 outage, Ably maintained full service continuity with no customer impact. This was our multi-region architecture working exactly as designed; error rates were negligibly low and unchanged throughout. Any... - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • Real-Time Sync Alternatives: Vaultrice vs. localStorage, DIY, Firebase, Pusher
    Services like Pusher and Ably are experts in real-time messaging. They provide robust APIs for pub/sub channels, allowing you to broadcast events to clients reliably. - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago
  • CometChat Alternatives – Comparing the Top 10 Competitors
    Ably is a real-time infrastructure platform that focuses on delivering low-latency, reliable messaging across global distributed systems. It's designed for developers building event-driven applications, including chat, but also supports... - Source: dev.to / about 1 year ago

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Alternatives to uWebSockets and Ably

When comparing uWebSockets and Ably, you can also consider the following products.