µWebSockets is a web server written in C++ that handles HTTP and WebSocket connections with built-in support for pub/sub messaging and URL routing.
The tool addresses the need for high-performance, secure real-time communication in demanding applications. It achieves this through careful optimization for speed and memory footprint, enabling encrypted TLS 1.3 messaging faster than most alternatives can handle unencrypted traffic. The server implements standards-compliant WebSocket handling with a URL router supporting wildcards and parameters, alongside efficient pub/sub features for real-time applications.
Adoption suits projects requiring reliable, high-throughput real-time communication at scale. The tool is particularly relevant for financial systems and cryptocurrency exchanges, which rely on it to handle billions of dollars in daily trade volume. For developers preferring rapid scripting, µWebSockets integrates seamlessly with Node.js backends through a companion library, allowing powerful applications to be built with widespread JavaScript competence while leveraging the performance of the C++ core. The project positions itself as a complete starting point for real-time web applications with high performance demands.
The project maintains a substantial base of external adopters, as evidenced by the fact that nearly all open issues originate from outside users rather than the core team. Maintainers typically respond to new issues and pull requests within hours. Work in the issue tracker is dominated by low-priority items, bug reports, and issues with available fixes, indicating active maintenance focused on stability and incremental improvement.
