In today’s digital world, where speed and immediacy matter more than ever, real-time data has become a key driver of innovation and efficiency. From live chat apps and stock price tickers to IoT sensors and multiplayer games, applications need to handle data as soon as it arrives. Enter WebSockets — a technology designed for persistent, two-way communication over the web.

At the same time, automation platforms like n8n have empowered users to connect apps and automate workflows without writing heavy amounts of code. But what if you want to harness the power of WebSockets inside n8n to trigger workflows based on real-time events, or send real-time messages from within your automations?

This blog post is your comprehensive guide to understanding WebSockets, learning how they differ from traditional HTTP, and integrating WebSocket communication into your n8n workflows. We will explore the concepts, walk through practical examples, and share best practices so you can build powerful real-time automations with n8n.

What Are WebSockets?

Before jumping into technical details, let’s start with the basics.

The Limitations of HTTP

The most common way your browser or app talks to a server is through HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). This is a request-response model — the client (e.g., browser) sends a request, and the server responds. When you refresh a webpage, load a video, or send a form, HTTP requests are made.

This works great for most cases, but HTTP has some drawbacks when it comes to real-time data:

The client must initiate every request to get new data.
To simulate real-time updates, clients often use polling — repeatedly asking the server if new data is available.
Polling can be inefficient and slow, causing delays or excessive network traffic.

What WebSockets Bring to the Table

WebSockets solve this problem by creating a persistent connection between client and server. Instead of constantly opening and closing connections, a single WebSocket connection stays open as long as needed, allowing bi-directional communication. Both the client and server can send messages to each other anytime without extra HTTP requests.

In simple terms, imagine it like a telephone line that stays open instead of sending letters back and forth.

Benefits of WebSockets:

Low latency: Messages travel instantly without HTTP overhead.
Reduced bandwidth: Avoids the repeated HTTP headers in every request.
Full duplex: Both sides can send messages independently.
Real-time interaction: Perfect for chat apps, live dashboards, gaming, notifications, and sensor data.

How WebSockets Work

A WebSocket connection begins with a standard HTTP request called a handshake. If both client and server agree, the connection upgrades to a WebSocket protocol (ws:// or wss:// for secure).

Once upgraded, the connection stays open. Messages are exchanged in small, efficient frames, making it ideal for streaming data.

Introducing n8n: The Automation Powerhouse

Before integrating WebSockets, let’s briefly understand what n8n is.

n8n is an open-source, low-code workflow automation tool. It lets you visually design automation workflows by connecting various apps and services through nodes — each node performs a task like sending an email, making an API call, or processing data.

Unlike many automation tools, n8n gives you full control, self-hosting options, and powerful workflow customizations.

You can create triggers (start points) like Webhooks, schedule triggers, or event-based triggers, and then chain actions based on the data.

Why Combine WebSockets with n8n?

Imagine combining real-time, event-driven data flow with n8n’s flexible automation engine. You could:

Trigger workflows the instant an event happens, not minutes later.
Process streams of IoT data without polling or delays.
Automate responses to live chat messages or notifications.
Sync real-time game or sensor data into databases or dashboards.

This opens up countless use cases across industries — from finance and healthcare to logistics and marketing.

Setting Up Your Environment

To build a WebSocket-powered automation, here’s what you need:

1. n8n Installation

Local installation: n8n runs locally on Windows, macOS, or Linux via Node.js or Docker.
Cloud-hosted: Use n8n.cloud for hassle-free hosting.
Self-hosted on a server: Use Docker or install n8n on a VPS or cloud instance.

2. A WebSocket Server

This is the service that will broadcast or receive WebSocket messages. You have options:

Use a public WebSocket server for testing (like wss://echo.websocket. events/ which echoes your messages).
Build your own WebSocket server (recommended for control and security).

3. WebSocket Client or Sender

You’ll need a client to send and receive messages. This could be:

A web browser’s developer tools console.
A dedicated WebSocket client app (e.g., Postman, Insomnia, or web-based tools).
Another server or device sending real-time data.

Receiving WebSocket Data in n8n: The Workaround

Currently, n8n does not have a native WebSocket trigger node. That means it can’t directly listen to WebSocket messages and start workflows when they arrive.

But don’t let that stop you! We can build a reliable bridge to funnel WebSocket messages into n8n workflows using the tools n8n does provide — specifically, HTTP Webhooks.

How This Bridge Works

The WebSocket server listens for messages.
When a message arrives, it sends an HTTP POST request to an n8n webhook URL.
The webhook node in n8n catches the data and triggers the workflow.
You then process or route the data as needed.

This approach effectively turns WebSocket messages into webhook events n8n understands.

Step 1: Create a Simple WebSocket Server

Here’s a quick example using Node.js with the ws and axios packages.

JavaScript

const WebSocket = require('ws');
const axios = require('axios');

// Port to run the WebSocket server on
const PORT = 8080;

// Replace with your n8n webhook URL
const N8N_WEBHOOK_URL = 'https://your-n8n-instance.com/webhook/your-webhook-path';

const wss = new WebSocket.Server({ port: PORT });

wss.on('connection', (ws) => {
  console.log('Client connected to WebSocket server');

  ws.on('message', async (message) => {
    console.log('Received message:', message);

    // Forward to n8n webhook
    try {
      await axios.post(N8N_WEBHOOK_URL, { data: message });
      console.log('Message forwarded to n8n');
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Failed to forward message to n8n:', error.message);
    }
  });

  ws.on('close', () => {
    console.log('Client disconnected');
  });
});

console.log(`WebSocket server is running on ws://localhost:${PORT}`);

const WebSocket = require('ws');
const axios = require('axios');

// Port to run the WebSocket server on
const PORT = 8080;

// Replace with your n8n webhook URL
const N8N_WEBHOOK_URL = 'https://your-n8n-instance.com/webhook/your-webhook-path';

const wss = new WebSocket.Server({ port: PORT });

wss.on('connection', (ws) => {
  console.log('Client connected to WebSocket server');

  ws.on('message', async (message) => {
    console.log('Received message:', message);

    // Forward to n8n webhook
    try {
      await axios.post(N8N_WEBHOOK_URL, { data: message });
      console.log('Message forwarded to n8n');
    } catch (error) {
      console.error('Failed to forward message to n8n:', error.message);
    }
  });

  ws.on('close', () => {
    console.log('Client disconnected');
  });
});

console.log(`WebSocket server is running on ws://localhost:${PORT}`);

This server listens for WebSocket connections on port 8080.
When it receives a message, it sends the message content via HTTP POST to your n8n webhook.

Step 2: Setup n8n Webhook Node

Inside n8n:

Create a new workflow.
Add a Webhook node.
Choose HTTP Method: POST.
Copy the Webhook URL generated by n8n.
Replace N8N_WEBHOOK_URL in your Node.js server with this URL.
Save and activate the workflow.

Step 3: Testing Your Setup

You can test by:

Running your WebSocket server locally: node server.js.
Using a WebSocket client (browser console or tool) to connect to ws://localhost:8080.
Sending a test message like "Hello, n8n!".

You should see the message logged in the Node.js console and the workflow in n8n triggered with the payload.

Sending Messages to a WebSocket from n8n

The reverse direction — sending data from n8n workflows to WebSocket clients — requires a different approach.

Why Is This More Complex?

n8n workflows are designed to run a series of steps and then finish. They do not keep running continuously. WebSocket clients, on the other hand, require persistent connections to send and receive messages in real-time.

Because of this fundamental difference, n8n cannot act as a WebSocket client that stays connected over time by default.

Option 1: One-Time Message Sending in a Function Node

If you have control over your n8n environment and can add libraries, you can write a custom Function node that connects to a WebSocket server, sends a message, and closes the connection within one workflow run.

Here’s an illustrative snippet you might run inside a custom node or environment (note: this requires ws library installed):

JavaScript

const WebSocket = require('ws');

const ws = new WebSocket('ws://your-websocket-server:8080');

ws.on('open', () => {
  ws.send('Message from n8n!');
  ws.close();
});

return items;

const WebSocket = require('ws');

const ws = new WebSocket('ws://your-websocket-server:8080');

ws.on('open', () => {
  ws.send('Message from n8n!');
  ws.close();
});

return items;

Drawbacks:

Opens and closes a connection on each workflow run — not efficient for constant streaming.
Requires custom environment setup, which might not be possible on managed hosting.

Option 2: Using an External HTTP-to-WebSocket Bridge

Create or use a lightweight external service that accepts HTTP requests from n8n and forwards those as WebSocket messages.

Workflow:

n8n → HTTP Request node → Bridge server → WebSocket server → Client.

This decouples concerns and plays to each tool’s strengths:

n8n stays stateless and focused on workflows.
Bridge manages WebSocket connections and client communication.

Real-World Use Case: Monitoring IoT Sensor Data in Real Time

Let’s walk through a practical example where combining WebSockets and n8n shines.

Scenario

You operate an IoT system with temperature sensors installed in a building. Sensors send live temperature readings via WebSocket. You want to:

Capture live temperature data in n8n.
Log all data to a database for analysis.
Trigger alerts if the temperature goes above 75°F (24°C).
Send notifications via email or Slack instantly.

Architecture Overview

Plaintext

IoT Sensor → WebSocket Server → n8n Webhook → Database & Alerts

IoT Sensor → WebSocket Server → n8n Webhook → Database & Alerts

Step 1: Set Up WebSocket Server

Use the Node.js server from before to receive sensor data and forward it to n8n.

Step 2: Build the n8n Workflow

Webhook Node: Receives the sensor data.
Function Node: Parses JSON payload and extracts temperature.
IF Node: Checks if temperature exceeds threshold.
Email/Slack Node: Sends alert notification if condition is true.
Database Node: Inserts the data into PostgreSQL, MySQL, or another DB.

Sample Function Node Code to Extract Temperature

JavaScript

const data = items[0].json.data;
const sensorData = JSON.parse(data);

return [{
  json: {
    temperature: sensorData.temperature,
    sensorId: sensorData.id,
    timestamp: sensorData.timestamp,
  }
}];

const data = items[0].json.data;
const sensorData = JSON.parse(data);

return [{
  json: {
    temperature: sensorData.temperature,
    sensorId: sensorData.id,
    timestamp: sensorData.timestamp,
  }
}];

Benefits of This Setup

Near-instant alerting: Get notified seconds after high temperature occurs.
Centralized data storage: All sensor data logged for long-term analysis.
Automation: No manual checks required, saves time and reduces errors.

Tips & Best Practices

1. Handle Disconnections Gracefully

WebSocket connections can drop. Your server and clients should implement reconnect logic to maintain stable communication.

2. Use Secure WebSockets (WSS)

Always use wss:// instead of ws:// in production to encrypt your WebSocket traffic and protect sensitive data.

3. Validate Incoming Data

Never trust raw WebSocket messages. Validate payload structure, sanitize inputs, and handle errors gracefully to avoid corrupting your workflow.

4. Monitor and Log Events

Maintain logs of received WebSocket events and workflow triggers to diagnose issues and audit activities.

5. Mind Rate Limits and Throughput

High-frequency WebSocket messages can flood n8n with triggers. Consider batching, throttling, or filtering messages to maintain performance.

6. Plan for Scaling

If your application grows, think about scaling WebSocket servers (using clusters or cloud services) and database/storage capacity accordingly.

What’s Next? Future of WebSockets in n8n

As n8n’s ecosystem matures, the community and developers may add:

Native WebSocket Trigger Node: Making it easier to start workflows directly from WebSocket messages.
WebSocket Client Node: Allowing workflows to maintain real-time connections for sending/receiving messages.
Integration with Messaging Brokers: Supporting MQTT, Kafka, or other streaming protocols alongside WebSockets.

Keep an eye on n8n’s roadmap and community forums for updates.

Conclusion

Combining WebSockets with n8n opens the door to powerful real-time automation. Although n8n does not yet natively support WebSocket triggers, the workaround using a custom WebSocket server and HTTP webhook is both practical and effective.

By bridging WebSocket data into n8n workflows, you can:

Respond instantly to live data streams.
Automate alerts, data storage, and notifications seamlessly.
Build responsive systems across diverse industries and use cases.

Real-time automation can transform how you handle information, reduce latency, and enhance operational agility.

Ready to Get Started?

Set up your own WebSocket server or use a public test server.
Build n8n workflows that trigger on webhook events.
Experiment with sending messages back to WebSocket clients via bridging.
Share your projects and learnings with the n8n community.

How to Use WebSockets with n8n for Real-Time Automation

What Are WebSockets?

The Limitations of HTTP

What WebSockets Bring to the Table

Benefits of WebSockets:

How WebSockets Work

Introducing n8n: The Automation Powerhouse

Why Combine WebSockets with n8n?

Setting Up Your Environment

1. n8n Installation

2. A WebSocket Server

3. WebSocket Client or Sender

Receiving WebSocket Data in n8n: The Workaround

How This Bridge Works

Step 1: Create a Simple WebSocket Server

Step 2: Setup n8n Webhook Node

Step 3: Testing Your Setup

Sending Messages to a WebSocket from n8n

Why Is This More Complex?

Option 1: One-Time Message Sending in a Function Node

Option 2: Using an External HTTP-to-WebSocket Bridge

Real-World Use Case: Monitoring IoT Sensor Data in Real Time

Scenario

Architecture Overview

Step 1: Set Up WebSocket Server

Step 2: Build the n8n Workflow

Sample Function Node Code to Extract Temperature

Benefits of This Setup

Tips & Best Practices

1. Handle Disconnections Gracefully

2. Use Secure WebSockets (WSS)

3. Validate Incoming Data

4. Monitor and Log Events

5. Mind Rate Limits and Throughput

6. Plan for Scaling

What’s Next? Future of WebSockets in n8n

Conclusion

Ready to Get Started?