# tcpkali

> tcpkali is an open source, self-hosted protocol and API load tool from Machine Zone, scripted in C. It is discontinued.

- Canonical: https://perf.jmeter.ai/tools/tcpkali/
- Official: https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/tcpkali

- Vendor: Machine Zone
- Category: Protocol/API Load
- License: Open Source — Free; BSD 2-Clause License.
- Deployment: Self-hosted
- Status: Discontinued
- Scripting: C
- Protocols: TCP, WebSocket
- OS support: Linux, macOS
- First released: 2015
- Latest release: 1.1.1 (2018-01-04)
- Last verified: 2026-08-15

## What it is
tcpkali creates large numbers of TCP or WebSocket connections and messages. It is designed for protocol-level capacity and connection testing. The original Machine Zone GitHub repository is no longer available and the project is not actively maintained.

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

## Look elsewhere when
- New greenfield programs (prefer an active successor or alternative)
- Teams unwilling to operate generators, results storage, and scaling

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

## Pricing
Free; licensed under the BSD 2-Clause License.

## Compare

## FAQ
### 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.

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Curated by NaveenKumar Namachivayam (QAInsights) · methodology: https://perf.jmeter.ai/about/#methodology · corrections: https://github.com/QAInsights/Performance-Testing-Tools/issues/new?title=Tool%20submission%3A%20&body=Tool%20name%3A%20%0AOfficial%20URL%3A%20%0AWhat%20should%20be%20added%20or%20corrected%3F%20%0A