websockets
An implementation of the WebSocket Protocol (RFC 6455 & 7692)
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. websockets is a mature, actively maintained library with zero known vulnerabilities, low install friction, permissive licensing, and strong community adoption (top 100 PyPI). Install it if you need RFC 6455–compliant WebSocket servers or clients in Python; skip it only if you need mixed HTTP/WebSocket support in a single server or prefer callback-based APIs.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python 3.11 or later.
- Asyncio examples require an async-capable environment.
- Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD-3-Clause (permissive) — Released under BSD-3-Clause (permissive license), allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
last release 2026-07-31 (14 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-10 · 5,712 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 543,199,444 downloads/mo, #71 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install websockets
# Async server example
import asyncio
from websockets.asyncio.server import serve
async def echo(websocket):
async for message in websocket:
await websocket.send(message)
async def main():
server = await serve(echo, "localhost", 8765)
await server.serve_forever()
asyncio.run(main())- Performance benchmarks against other WebSocket libraries in production scenarios
- Specific memory usage characteristics under high concurrency loads
- Details on C extension availability and performance gains across platforms
What it is and what it does
websockets is a production-grade WebSocket implementation focused on RFC 6455 and RFC 7692 compliance. It provides coroutine-based APIs built on asyncio, with alternative threading and trio implementations for different concurrency models. The library handles connection management, backpressure, and protocol details so developers can focus on application logic.
The package is designed for pure WebSocket communication—not mixed HTTP/WebSocket servers. It emphasizes correctness through comprehensive testing, simplicity in its API surface, robustness for production deployments, and performance through memory optimization and optional C acceleration. It's widely used and actively maintained, with no known security vulnerabilities.
Use it for
- Build real-time chat or notification servers using asyncio coroutines
- Create bidirectional communication channels for live data streaming or dashboards
- Implement WebSocket clients in Python applications for connecting to remote services
- Integrate WebSocket support into third-party projects via the Sans-I/O layer
- Add WebSocket endpoints to existing asyncio or threading-based applications
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
websockets is a mature, actively maintained library with zero known vulnerabilities, low install friction, permissive licensing, and strong community adoption (top 100 PyPI). Install it if you need RFC 6455–compliant WebSocket servers or clients in Python; skip it only if you need mixed HTTP/WebSocket support in a single server or prefer callback-based APIs.
Install
websockets on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-wheel distribution. Active maintenance with a recent release 14 days ago and continuous repository activity. Supports current Python versions (3.11–3.15).
Requires Python 3.11 or later. Asyncio examples require an async-capable environment.
License in practice
Released under BSD-3-Clause (permissive license), allowing commercial and private use with minimal restrictions.
Quickstart
pip install websockets
# Async server example
import asyncio
from websockets.asyncio.server import serve
async def echo(websocket):
async for message in websocket:
await websocket.send(message)
async def main():
server = await serve(echo, "localhost", 8765)
await server.serve_forever()
asyncio.run(main())Verify before relying
- Performance benchmarks against other WebSocket libraries in production scenarios
- Specific memory usage characteristics under high concurrency loads
- Details on C extension availability and performance gains across platforms
Package facts
| License | BSD-3-Clause permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.11 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 14 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 543,199,444 / month, #71 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: Web EnvironmentIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.15 |
Evidence: websockets-17.0.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also trio-websocket · websocket-client · ws4py · lomond · asyncore-wsgi · httpx-ws · tornado · websockets-proxy · wsproto · moonraker-api