Vercel Makes WebSocket Support Generally Available.

WebSocket support is now generally available in Vercel Functions, moving the feature beyond the public beta launched in late June. It gives apps a persistent, two-way connection for sending messages between a browser or client and a server.

The Vercel changelog lists AI chat, streaming and realtime multiplayer apps among the uses already running on the platform. WebSockets also power the realtime models available through AI Gateway.

Since the public beta began, the Vercel CDN has handled 300 million WebSocket connections. It now serves 15 million each day.

Connections served

300 million

since the public beta launched

Connections per day

15 million

currently served by the Vercel CDN

General availability means builders can use WebSockets as a standard part of Vercel Functions rather than through a beta feature. A Function can keep a live connection open while a user exchanges chat messages, receives a stream or takes part in a multiplayer session.

That differs from a typical request and response flow, where the client makes a fresh request each time it needs data. With WebSockets, either side can send a message through the existing connection. This supports interactions where updates need to arrive as they happen.

The launch also fits with Vercel’s recent work around realtime AI infrastructure. AI Gateway uses WebSockets for its realtime models, following the updates covered in What Vercel Shipped Across AI Gateway in Mid-October.

WebSocket connections follow the same limits and pricing as other Function invocations. Under Active CPU pricing, CPU usage is billed only while the Function processes messages, rather than for the full duration of an open connection.

That billing model separates connection time from active processing time. A connection can remain open between messages without CPU being charged for that idle period. When a message arrives and the Function processes it, the CPU time is billable.

Builders can start through the WebSocket documentation for Vercel Functions. Existing beta implementations now sit under the generally available release.

What is Vercel WebSocket support?

It lets Functions maintain a persistent, two-way connection with a browser or other client. Apps can use that connection for AI chat, streaming and realtime multiplayer experiences.

How is WebSocket support billed?

WebSocket connections follow the same limits and pricing as other Function invocations. With Active CPU pricing, CPU is billed only for time spent processing messages.

When did WebSocket support become generally available?

It became generally available on 20 October 2026. The public beta launched in late June.