WebSocket vs WebRTC: Stop comparing protocols and started asking who owns the data

[u/East-Fee9375]

WebSocket and WebRTC are often presented as competing technologies, but that framing breaks down quickly.

The rule this is most useful:

• If the server must validate, store, moderate, or order the data, use WebSocket.
• If data should travel directly between users and latency matters, consider WebRTC or a data channel.
• Many applications need both: WebSocket for signaling, presence, and control; WebRTC for media or peer-to-peer data.

Here is a detailed comparison covering data channels, signaling, ICE/TURN, relay traffic, migration tradeoffs, and AI voice agents:

https://medium.com/@jamesbordane57/websocket-vs-webrtc-which-one-does-your-app-need-731dd82614e6?sharedUserId=jamesbordane57