Java-WebSocket
A simple Java library for WebSocket clients and servers, written entirely in Java.
- Stars
- 10.8k
- Forks
- 2.6k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- Java
- Last update
- 10 months ago
- Type
- Library
What it is
Java-WebSocket is a Java library that lets a program act as either a WebSocket client or a WebSocket server. WebSockets are a way for a web app or device to keep a two-way connection open so messages can flow both directions in real time. The project describes itself as barebones, meaning it provides the core protocol plumbing rather than a large framework around it.
- Build a small chat or live-notification server in Java
- Connect a Java program to a WebSocket endpoint that another service publishes to
- Push live updates from a Java backend to connected browsers or clients
Great for
- Java developers who need real-time, two-way messaging between apps
- Projects that want a pure-Java dependency with no native code
- Engineers building a simple WebSocket server or client inside a Java application
Not ideal for
- Non-programmers looking for a ready-made app, since this is a code library
- Teams that want a full web framework with built-in routing and features, since the README describes this as barebones
- Projects in other languages, since it is Java-only
How to get it
- 1
Install with a package manager
You'll need: Java (version not specified in the provided README excerpt)
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/TooTallNate/Java-WebSocket.git - 2
Run it
- Add the Java-WebSocket dependency to your Java build, or download the v1.6.0 jar from the latest release.
- Create a WebSocket server or client class using the library's API, as shown in the project's documentation.
- Start your program and connect a WebSocket client to confirm messages are sent and received.
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Read the project homepage at tootallnate.github.io/Java-WebSocket for documentation and examples.
- Review the javadoc jar included in the v1.6.0 release for API details.
- Check the repository's examples folder if available to see working client and server code.
Downloads
Strengths
- Written in 100% Java, as the description states
- Supports both client and server roles in one library
- MIT licensed and actively maintained, with a recent push in January 2026
Trade-offs
- Described as barebones, so you may need to add your own higher-level features
- The README was truncated in the provided material, so setup details could not be fully verified here
- Java-only, so it does not help outside the JVM ecosystem
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.