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.

WebSocket Tester workflow ideas

WebSocket Tester is most useful when it sits inside a small repeatable workflow: prepare the source, make the change, then check the output before sharing it.

Start with the source

Use WebSocket Tester for this job: 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. It keeps the task in the browser without moving the work into a heavier desktop app.

Check the output

Preview the result, compare it with the original, and repeat the settings until the file is ready for a real project.

Keep the next step close

For adjacent tasks, stay inside the text & developer tools collection instead of opening another service.

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Helpful guides

How to Test and Debug WebSocket Connections: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn how to easily test and debug your WebSocket (WS & WSS) connections using a free online tool. This guide covers connecting, sending messages, handling heartbeats, and troubleshooting common errors.

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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.