Version 4.8.3
0
55
Fairnode.js realtime framework server
- Weekly Downloads
- 0
Trend data unavailable
- Bundle (gzip)
- 415.1 KB
- Updated
- Vulns
- 0
Health Score Breakdown
Maintenance
60
Popularity
10
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70
Socket.io vs Ws
Side-by-side NPM package comparison
Quick Verdict
Smallest Bundle
Ws
43.5 KB gzipped
Most Popular
Socket.io
0 weekly downloads
Best Maintained
Ws
100/100 maintenance score
Highest Quality
Socket.io
50/100 quality score
Overall Pick
Ws
Best all-around based on popularity, size, maintenance & quality
Version 8.20.0
0
67
GoodSimple to use, blazing fast and thoroughly tested websocket client and server for Node.js
- Weekly Downloads
- 0
Trend data unavailable
- Bundle (gzip)
- 43.5 KB
- Updated
- Vulns
- 0
Health Score Breakdown
Maintenance
100
Popularity
10
Quality
50
Security
100
Stability
70
Choosing between Socket.io and Ws? Here's a data-driven comparison based on real npm data — downloads, bundle size, health scores, and more — to help you decide which package fits your project best.
Downloads & Popularity
Socket.io and Ws both have 0 weekly downloads, indicating equal adoption in the ecosystem.
Bundle Size
Ws has the smallest gzipped bundle at 43.5 KB. Socket.io comes in at 415.1 KB. A smaller bundle size means faster page loads, which improves user experience and Core Web Vitals scores.
Health Score Comparison
Ws has an overall health score of 67/100 (good), with strong maintenance, security scores. Socket.io has an overall health score of 55/100 (moderate), with strong security scores. Health scores are calculated from maintenance activity, code quality, security posture, popularity, and stability metrics.
When to Choose Each
Choose Socket.io if you value strong security track record. Choose Ws if you value actively maintained, strong security track record.
Our Verdict
Both Socket.io and Ws are solid choices for JavaScript development. Ws has the edge in overall health score (67/100), while each package brings unique strengths to the table. Evaluate them based on your project's priorities — whether that's community size, bundle efficiency, or maintenance activity — and choose the one that aligns best with your requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is socket.io better than ws?
- It depends on your needs. Socket.io has a health score of 55/100 while Ws scores 67/100. Socket.io has more weekly downloads (0), suggesting broader adoption. Consider your specific requirements — bundle size, community support, and feature set — to decide which is the better fit.
- Which has a smaller bundle size, socket.io or ws?
- Ws has the smaller gzipped bundle at 43.5 KB. A smaller bundle means faster load times for your users, which can positively impact SEO and user experience.
- How many developers use socket.io vs ws?
- Based on npm download statistics, Socket.io has approximately 0 weekly downloads and Ws has approximately 0 weekly downloads. These numbers reflect package installations, not unique developers, but they indicate relative adoption levels.
- Which is better maintained, socket.io or ws?
- Ws currently has the higher overall health score at 67/100. Socket.io has a maintenance score of 60/100 and Ws scores 100/100 on maintenance.
Related Comparisons
The 2026 JavaScript Stack Cheatsheet
One PDF: the best package for every category (ORMs, bundlers, auth, testing, state management). Used by 500+ devs. Free, updated monthly.