TOOL SIGNAL / DISCONTINUED

tcpkali

Machine Zone

Protocol/API Load Open Source Self-hosted
Official site ↗
Pricing model
Free; BSD 2-Clause License.
First released
2015
Latest release
1.1.1
Last verified
Answer

tcpkali is a high-performance, open-source command-line tool designed for load testing and benchmarking TCP and WebSocket servers. It functions as both a traffic generator (client mode) and a data sink (server mode), capable of handling massive numbers of concurrent connections with minimal resource consumption. Status: discontinued.

About

tcpkali is a high-performance, open-source command-line tool designed for load testing and benchmarking TCP and WebSocket servers. It functions as both a traffic generator (client mode) and a data sink (server mode), capable of handling massive numbers of concurrent connections with minimal resource consumption.

Best for

  • API and protocol throughput or latency campaigns
  • Teams that prefer open-source licensing and self-hosting options
  • Groups comfortable scripting in C

Not the best fit when

  • New greenfield programs (prefer an active successor or alternative)
  • Teams unwilling to operate generators, results storage, and scaling

Architecture and concurrency

tcpkali is commonly operated as self-hosted software with scenario authoring in C. Concurrency and distribution depend on how you size workers or injectors.

Features

  • Supports raw TCP and WebSocket (RFC6455) protocols.
  • Generates massive concurrent connections from a single host using interface aliases.
  • Efficient multi-core utilization via the --workers option.

Latest release

1.1.1 · 2018-01-04

The latest version listed in package repositories is 1.1.1, associated with the 2018-01-04 release.

Pricing

Free; licensed under the BSD 2-Clause License.

Specs

Scripting
C
Protocols
TCPWebSocket
Operating systems
LinuxmacOS
Tags
websockettcpconnections

Sources

SHOW SOURCES

LAST VERIFIED · 2026-08-15 · GROUNDED VIA EXA · CURATED BY NAVEENKUMAR NAMACHIVAYAM

Frequently asked

ANSWER-SHAPED
Who is tcpkali for?

tcpkali is best for engineers focused on API and protocol-level throughput and latency. It is open source, so teams can self-host and extend it. Vendor: Machine Zone. Deployment model: self-hosted. Free; BSD 2-Clause License. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.

How does tcpkali differ from Artillery?

Compared with Artillery, scripting centers on C rather than JavaScript, TypeScript. tcpkali lists protocols TCP, WebSocket; Artillery lists HTTP, HTTPS, WebSocket, Socket.IO, MQTT. Status is discontinued versus active. Use the Test Rig to compare full specs side by side before a proof-of-concept.

What scripting language and concurrency model does tcpkali use?

tcpkali uses C for scripting or scenario definition. Runtime model: protocol-oriented virtual users configured through the product workflow. OS support: Linux, macOS. Protocols: TCP, WebSocket. Match these to how your team already authors tests and which systems you must drive under load.

What is the cloud or enterprise path for tcpkali?

tcpkali is primarily self-hosted; teams typically run generators on their own machines, CI runners, or private cloud. Plan for generator capacity, network access to targets, and result storage yourself. As open source, commercial support or hosted siblings may exist separately. Check the official site. Pricing note: Free; BSD 2-Clause License.

What are known limitations of tcpkali?

tcpkali appears as discontinued in this directory. Prefer an actively maintained alternative for new work. Historical references remain so older docs and diagrams still resolve. Verify any remaining commercial support directly with the vendor before depending on it. Confirm details against the official site and a short proof-of-concept in your environment.