Azure Web PubSub service FAQ

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Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) for the Azure Web PubSub service.

Is Azure Web PubSub service ready for production use?

Yes, Azure Web PubSub service is generally available.

How do I choose between Azure SignalR Service and Azure Web PubSub service?

Both Azure SignalR Service and Azure Web PubSub service help customers build real-time web applications easily with large scale and high availability and enable customers to focus on their business logic instead of managing the messaging infrastructure. In general, you might choose Azure SignalR Service if you already use SignalR library to build real-time application. Instead, if you're looking for a generic solution to build real-time application based on WebSocket and publish-subscribe pattern, you might choose Azure Web PubSub service. The Azure Web PubSub service is not a replacement for Azure SignalR Service. They're targeting different scenarios.

Azure SignalR Service is more suitable if:

  • You're already using ASP.NET or ASP.NET Core SignalR, primarily using .NET or need to integrate with .NET ecosystem (like Blazor).
  • You're having a SignalR client available for your platform.
  • You're in need of an established protocol that supports a wide variety of calling patterns, such as Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and streaming. It should also support various transports, including WebSocket, server-sent events, and long polling, along with a client that manages the connection lifetime on your behalf.

Azure Web PubSub service is more suitable for situations where:

  • You need to build real-time applications based on WebSocket technology or publish-subscribe over WebSocket.
  • You want to build your own subprotocol or use existing advanced sub-protocols over WebSocket (for example, GraphQL subscriptions over WebSocket).
  • You look for a lightweight server, for example, sending messages to client without going through the configured backend.

Where does my data reside?

Azure Web PubSub doesn't store any customer data. If you use Azure Web PubSub service together with other Azure services, like Azure Storage for diagnostics, see Azure Privacy Overview (white paper) for guidance about how to keep data residency in Azure regions.