WebSocket vs REST

Key Differences between WebSocket vs REST:

Both WebSocket and REST are popular choices in the market; let us discuss some of the major Difference Between WebSocket vs REST :

1. WebSocket is a low-level protocol, based on the concept of socket and port, which are the underlying transport mechanism whereas REST is based on CRUD operation.
2. WebSocket require the use of IP address and Port details, which are lower level details for any application whereas RESTful application needs to design operation based on verbs, and HTTP based.
3. WebSocket is bi-directional in nature i.e. both way operation from client to server and vice versa is possible whereas REST follows a uni-directional approach.
4. WebSocket approach is ideal for real-time scalable application, whereas REST is better suited for the scenario with lots of getting request.
5. WebSocket is a stateful protocol whereas REST is based on stateless protocol i.e. client does not need to know about the server and same hold true for the server.
6. WebSocket connection can scale vertically on a single server whereas REST, which is HTTP based can scale horizontally.
7. WebSocket is ideal for a scenario where high loads are a part of game i.e. real-time scalable chat application whereas REST is better fitted for occasional communication, in a typical GET request scenario to call RESTful APIs.
8. WebSocket works better, where client-server communicates over the same TCP connection for the life of web socket connection whereas, for HTTP request, a new TCP connection is initiated.
9. WebSocket communication allows client and server to talk independently of each other whereas with the REST based approach, either client is talking to the client or server is talking to the client at any given time.
10. WebSocket communication cost is lower whereas REST-based communication is comparatively higher end on the cost.
    
    
    

    The basis Of Comparison Between WebSocket vs REST	WebSocket	REST
    HTTP	Use of HTTP occurs in initial connection.	HTTP is a common protocol in RESTful web services.
    Communication	Bi-directional in nature.	Uni-directional in nature.
    Nature	Socket-based concept.	Resources based concept, rather than commands.
    Scenario	Real-time chat application.	Lots of getting request.
    Dependency	Rely on IP address and Port number.	Based on the HTTP protocol and uses HTTP methods to relay data.
    Cost	Cost of communication is lower.	Cost of communication is comparatively higher than WebSocket.
    Performance	Better with high loads.	Great for occasional communication.
    State	WebSocket is a stateful protocol.	REST is based on HTTP which is a stateless protocol.

Conclusion – WebSocket vs REST:

REST is so far the most standardized way of structuring the web APIs for the request. Most of the web application, tend to go with the RESTful approach. Verb-based action i.e. create, read, update or delete operation are executed successfully over HTTP protocol. There are certain benefits which come along with the use of HTTP protocol, client and server need not know about each other. Any operation done on the client side won’t hamper the server-side operation and the same holds true for server-side functionality.

WebSocket, on the other hand, is based on the lower-level concept, like socket and port. Application IP address and port are required in this medium of communication. Moreover, a single TCP connection can be shared for web socket communication between client and server. Also, it is a stateful protocol, unlike HTTP which is stateless in nature.

Hence, usage of REST over WebSocket or vice versa depends upon the type of application and scenario. For a real-time, scalable application, WebSocket is the ideal choice, less costly as compared to REST. Any application with lots of CRUD operation invites the use of RESTful style. At the end of the day, it is the requirement and scenario, which would decide the usage of WebSocket vs REST.