WebSocket Tester

Test WebSocket connections in real-time. Connect, send messages, and monitor responses.

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How to Use the WebSocket Tester

This tool allows you to test WebSocket connections directly in your browser, making it easy to debug real-time applications.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Enter WebSocket URL: Use ws:// (unsecured) or wss:// (secured SSL)
2. Click Connect: Establish connection to the WebSocket server
3. Watch status: The indicator shows connection status
4. Send messages: Type in the message box and click "Send Message"
5. View responses: All sent and received messages appear in the log
6. Disconnect: Click "Disconnect" when done

Example WebSocket Servers for Testing:

• wss://echo.websocket.org/ - Echo server (returns what you send)
• wss://ws.postman-echo.com/raw - Postman echo server
• wss://socketsbay.com/wss/v2/1/demo/ - Demo WebSocket

What is WebSocket?

WebSocket is a protocol that provides full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection. Unlike HTTP, which is request-response based, WebSocket maintains a persistent connection for real-time, bidirectional communication.

Common Use Cases:

• Chat applications: Real-time messaging between users
• Live notifications: Push updates to users instantly
• Collaborative editing: Multiple users editing documents simultaneously
• Gaming: Real-time multiplayer game state synchronization
• Trading platforms: Live stock price updates
• IoT: Real-time sensor data streaming

WebSocket vs HTTP:

Feature	HTTP	WebSocket
Connection	Request-Response (short-lived)	Persistent (long-lived)
Communication	Half-duplex (one direction at a time)	Full-duplex (both directions simultaneously)
Overhead	Higher (headers on every request)	Lower (minimal framing)
Real-time	Requires polling	Native real-time support

WebSocket Message Types:

• Text messages: Plain text data (what we're using here)
• Binary messages: Binary data (images, files, etc.)
• Ping/Pong: Keep-alive frames (handled automatically)
• Close: Connection termination frame

Debugging Tips:

• Check if server supports CORS for cross-origin connections
• Use wss:// (secure) if your site is on HTTPS
• Monitor browser console for connection errors
• Check firewall/proxy settings if connection fails
• Verify server is running and accepting connections

Example Code (JavaScript):

// Create WebSocket connection
const socket = new WebSocket('wss://echo.websocket.org/');

// Connection opened
socket.addEventListener('open', (event) => {
    console.log('Connected to WebSocket');
    socket.send('Hello Server!');
});

// Listen for messages
socket.addEventListener('message', (event) => {
    console.log('Message from server:', event.data);
});

// Connection closed
socket.addEventListener('close', (event) => {
    console.log('Disconnected from WebSocket');
});

// Handle errors
socket.addEventListener('error', (error) => {
    console.error('WebSocket error:', error);
});

Related Tools:

• Webhook Tester - Test HTTP webhooks
• CORS Tester - Test CORS configuration
• JSON Beautifier - Format WebSocket JSON messages
• HTTP Status Codes - HTTP reference
• API Response Mocker - Mock API responses