WebSocket Tester
A free online client to test and debug WebSocket connections. Connect to any WS or WSS server, send and receive messages in real-time, configure heartbeats, and filter logs.
Key Features for Developers
Real-Time Message Log
Instantly see sent and received messages with clear timestamps. Filter by keywords or hide heartbeats to focus on what matters.
Configurable Heartbeat
Keep your connection alive by sending periodic pings. Customize the interval, payload, and the expected server response.
WSS & WS Support
Seamlessly connect to both secure (`wss://`) and insecure (`ws://`) endpoints with helpful mixed-content warnings.
How to Use
- Enter Server URL: Type the full address of your WebSocket server into the input field (e.g., `wss://echo.websocket.events`).
- Establish Connection: Click "Connect". The status indicator will show "Connecting" and turn green ("Connected") on a successful link.
- Send Messages: In the "Send Message" box, enter any text or JSON payload and click "Send". Your message will appear in the log.
- Monitor Responses: Watch the "Message Log" for incoming data from the server, which will be marked as `[RECV]`.
- Disconnect: Once your testing is complete, click "Disconnect" to close the connection cleanly.
Why Test Your WebSocket Connections?
A reliable WebSocket connection is critical for real-time applications. Using a dedicated tester helps you:
- Debug Communication Issues: Quickly identify if the server is receiving messages correctly and inspect the exact data it sends back.
- Verify Handshake & Connection: Ensure your server's WebSocket endpoint is live, accessible, and correctly configured for WSS/WS protocols.
- Test Heartbeat Logic: Confirm that your server responds correctly to client pings to keep the connection alive through firewalls and proxies.
- Prototype Client Behavior: Simulate messages from a client to test how your backend processes different data formats and commands before writing frontend code.
FAQ
What is a WebSocket?
WebSocket is a communication protocol providing full-duplex communication channels over a single TCP connection. Unlike HTTP, it allows the server to push data to the client in real-time, making it ideal for live chats and games.
Why can't I connect to a 'ws://' URL?
Modern browsers enforce 'mixed content blocking', preventing secure HTTPS pages from connecting to insecure WS URLs. To test an insecure server, you must load this page via http://.
What is a heartbeat?
A heartbeat is a periodic message sent to check if the connection is alive and prevent timeouts by firewalls or proxies. Our tool allows automated pings.