Open source realtime projects
Every project in the registry tagged realtime, ranked by real GitHub adoption.
Open-source backend in a single file
NVR with realtime local object detection for IP cameras
Broadcast, Presence, and Postgres Changes via WebSockets
Sanity Studio – Rapidly configure content workspaces powered by structured content
Build stateful backends with in-memory actors
PartyKit simplifies developing multiplayer applications
Library for building distributed, real-time collaborative web applications
Fast, Simple and a cost effective tool to replicate data from Postgres to Data Warehouses, Queues and Storage
Full-text search API with real-time indexing and crawling
Self-hosted application server for schema-driven APIs, identity, files, automation, integrations, realtime, metering, and protocols.
Lightweight, self-hosted, open-source chat server with voice, video, text, and screen sharing. Built for small groups who want privacy, simplicity, and full con
Real-time fraud detection and AML compliance engine
Frequently asked questions
How many open source realtime projects are there?
This registry tracks 12 projects tagged realtime, with 136,951 GitHub stars between them. The most-adopted is PocketBase at 61,070 stars.
Are these realtime projects free to use?
Yes — 11 of the 12 carry an explicit open-source licence across 4 distinct licences, so there is no licence fee. Where a project also sells a hosted or enterprise version, the self-hosted path remains free.
Which realtime project should I choose?
The list above is ranked by GitHub stars, but stars measure attention rather than fit. Check three things on each card: the licence (permissive versus copyleft), the language it is written in, and the last-push date — a high-star project that has not been pushed in a year is a liability.
Are these realtime projects still maintained?
11 of the 12 were pushed in the last 90 days, and every card shows its exact last-push date so you can see the rest. Sort your shortlist by that date before committing to a migration.