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ActionCable

WebSockets for Ruby on Rails

ActionCable is Rails' integrated WebSocket framework that seamlessly adds real-time features to Ruby on Rails applications. It provides both server-side Ruby and client-side JavaScript frameworks for channels-based communication, with support for Redis and PostgreSQL adapters for multi-server deployments.

medium
Learning Curve
4.0
DX Score
Visit Website → Documentation GitHub

Pricing

Model
free
Free Tier
Completely free and open source (MIT)

Features

  • ✓ Integrated with Rails
  • ✓ Channel-based architecture
  • ✓ JavaScript client library
  • ✓ Redis adapter for scaling
  • ✓ PostgreSQL adapter support
  • ✓ Connection authentication
  • ✓ Broadcasting to subscribers
  • ✓ Per-user streams
  • ✓ Async adapter for development
  • ✓ NPM package available

Pros

  • + Native Rails integration
  • + Familiar Rails conventions
  • + Easy to set up in existing apps
  • + Active Record integration
  • + Well documented

Cons

  • - Rails-only
  • - Requires Redis for production scaling
  • - Performance limitations at scale
  • - Memory overhead per connection

Best For

indie hacker startup

Alternatives

Phoenix Channels Phoenix Channels Socket.IO Socket.IO Hotwire Hotwire
rails ruby realtime websockets channels