Bybit WebSocket API Guide

Bybit’s WebSocket API offers a powerful way to access real-time market data and trade information on its platform. With websocket connections, you can benefit from lower latency and more efficient data transmission compared to traditional HTTP requests. This technology allows you to stay updated with the latest changes in the market, seamlessly integrating into your trading algorithm or monitoring system.

For developers interested in building applications that interact with Bybit’s platform, the WebSocket API provides a wide range of options for obtaining relevant data. In addition, Bybit offers an official Python library called Pybit, simplifying the process of working with their APIs. Thanks to these resources, you will be able to subscribe to various channels, from historical market data to private order information, making the API a valuable asset for building customized trading tools or automated strategies.

To get started, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the API documentation, understand error handling, and explore available channels for data subscriptions. Be sure to check the official repository for helpful resources and consider reaching out to fellow developers for advice and troubleshooting tips.

Exploring Bybit API

Bybit API allows traders to programmatically interact with Bybit’s trading platform, enabling them to create and manage orders, retrieve market data, and more. The API is well documented, making it easy for developers to integrate it into their trading applications.

Installation Process

To get started with the Bybit API, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Remember to refer to the Bybit API documentation for detailed information, including supported methods, request parameters, and error codes. This will help you better understand how to interact with the API and troubleshoot any issues that may arise.

In summary, getting started with Bybit API involves creating an account, generating API keys, choosing a library, installing it, and connecting to the WebSocket to receive real-time data. Always refer to the provided documentation for a deeper understanding, and you’ll be on your way to leveraging the power of Bybit API for your trading applications.

Websockets and HTTP Requests

HTTP Basics

HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a widely used protocol for transmitting data over the internet. It is a request-response model, where a client sends a request to a server and waits for its response. HTTP requests use various methods such as GET, POST, PUT, or DELETE to perform different actions on the server. However, it is a stateless protocol, meaning each communication is independent, and no persistent connection is maintained between the client and the server.

WebSocket Essentials

WebSocket, on the other hand, is a protocol that enables two-way communication between the user’s browser and a server, allowing real-time interaction. In contrast to HTTP, WebSocket establishes a persistent connection between the client and the server. The connection uses a handshake process, initiated by the client with an HTTP request and upgraded to a WebSocket connection by the server.

When it comes to APIs like Bybit, WebSockets are especially useful because they allow live data streaming and can handle multiple requests without reaching rate limits. This is preferable over using HTTP requests, which might be subject to rate limits and can lead to performance issues.

Here’s a comparison between HTTP and WebSocket:

Key Takeaways:

• When to use HTTP: For traditional request/response workflows where real-time updates aren’t critical—fetching pages, submitting forms, or interacting with REST APIs. Its simplicity, ubiquity, and built-in scaling support (caches, CDNs) make it a solid choice for most web applications.

• When to use WebSocket: Whenever you need low-latency, server-initiated communication—live chats, multiplayer games, real-time dashboards, or any feature where push notifications from server to client must arrive instantly and without polling overhead.

By choosing the right protocol based on your app’s communication patterns and performance needs, you’ll ensure both efficient resource use and the best possible user experience.

To leverage the advantages of WebSocket in APIs like Bybit, make sure to follow the documentation and guidelines provided by the platform. In most cases, WebSocket is recommended over HTTP for receiving market data and reducing the risk of reaching rate limits.

Python in Bybit

Python Installation

Before using Python with Bybit’s WebSocket API, make sure that you have Python installed on your system. If you don’t have it installed, please download and install the latest version from the Python official website. Once the installation is completed, you can start using Python with Bybit.

The PyBit Module

PyBit is a popular and lightweight Python module that provides a one-stop-shop solution for interacting with the Bybit WebSocket and HTTP APIs. This easy-to-use module, initially created by Verata Veritatis, is now maintained by Bybit employees and allows users and developers to work with Bybit more efficiently.

To get started with the PyBit module, you will first need to install it using pip:

• Open your command line (Terminal on Mac/Linux, PowerShell or CMD on Windows).

• Type pip install pybit and press Enter.

• Open Python (just type python and hit Enter), then type: import pybit

If there’s no error, you’re all set, PyBit is ready! Once you have installed the PyBit module, you can import it into your Python script and start using its functionalities:

Using the module, you can easily connect to the testnet or mainnet by updating the ‘test’ parameter. For example, if you want to connect to the testnet, you would set test=True.

The PyBit module can handle multiple WebSocket channels such as public, private, and linear. Here’s an example of how to use the PyBit module for subscribing to different channels:

This module simplifies working with the Bybit API and allows you to focus more on your trading strategies. Remember to refer to the PyBit documentation for detailed information on available functions and usage guidelines.

In summary, working with WebSocket API using Python and the PyBit module makes it easier to automate your trading strategies on the Bybit platform. Make sure to always test your strategies on the testnet before implementing them on the mainnet to ensure they work as intended.

Subscriptions and Plans

Bybit offers a WebSocket API that allows you to subscribe to real-time updates on the platform. You can access both public market data and private user-centric data by subscribing to various channels and topics.

To get started, you will need to connect to Bybit’s WebSocket server and subscribe to the channels that interest you. Bybit offers WebSocket subscriptions for historical market data, order book updates, trade information, funding rates, and more. If you have a valid API key and secret, you can also subscribe to private user data, such as order updates and account information.

For example, to subscribe to the order book and trades channel for BTC/USD, your WebSocket messages should look something like this:

// Subscribe to Level-2 order book updates for BTC/USD
{
“op”: “subscribe”,
“args”: [“orderBookL2_25:BTC/USD”] }

// Subscribe to the real-time trades channel for BTC/USD
{
“op”: “subscribe”,
“args”: [“trade:BTC/USD”] }

• orderBookL2_25 delivers the top 25 price levels on each side, with incremental updates to quantities and new price tiers as they appear.

• trade sends each fill as it happens, including price, size, side (buy/sell), and a timestamp.

After these subscribes, you’ll begin receiving pushed messages like:

{
“topic”: “orderBookL2_25:BTC/USD”,
“type”: “snapshot”,
“data”: [ /* array of price/size entries */ ] }

and

{
“topic”: “trade:BTC/USD”,
“type”: “delta”,
“data”: [ /* individual trade objects */ ] }

When subscribing to private topics, make sure you provide a valid API key and secret. These are required to authenticate your connection and grant you access to private data.

Keep in mind that the WebSocket API operates separately from Bybit’s REST API. While the WebSocket API focuses on real-time updates, the REST API is used for requesting historical data and performing account-specific actions, such as placing orders and managing positions.

As a developer, you have the flexibility to choose which API suits your needs best. You can even utilize both APIs in conjunction to create a comprehensive trading application with real-time updates and historical analysis.

Your subscription plan can be tailored to your needs by selecting topics that fulfil your requirements. There’s no specific plan for subscriptions, as you can customize the data subscriptions according to your preferences.

Stay conscious of how frequently you subscribe or unsubscribe from topics, as excessive actions might lead to disconnection from Bybit’s WebSocket server. Make sure you follow the recommended rate limits and best practices outlined in Bybit’s API documentation.

In conclusion, Bybit’s WebSocket API offers a wide variety of topics to subscribe to, giving you real-time updates on market data and private user data. Combining these subscriptions with the REST API allows you to build powerful trading applications tailored to your needs.

Repository and Developers

The Bybit WebSocket API is a powerful tool for developers looking to access real-time market data and execute trades on the Bybit exchange platform. This API is maintained in a repository where developers can find the necessary resources to get started, including client libraries, documentation, and examples.

The main client library used for the Bybit WebSocket API is the websocket-client which can be found on GitHub. This client library offers a convenient way for developers to interact with the Bybit API using the WebSocket protocol. The websocket-client library includes support for both public and private topics, and it handles message parsing, websocket connections, and event handling.

Here’s a summary of the Bybit WebSocket API client library:

• Lightweight & Battle-Tested: Simplifies real-time data streaming and order management without heavy dependencies.

• Automatic Connection Handling: Manages initial handshake, reconnections, and ping/pong heartbeats for you.

• Dual Interaction Modes: Supports REST-style request/response for snapshots and subscribe/unsubscribe for incremental updates.

• Comprehensive Data Coverage: Streams order books, trades, tickers, and user-specific events (orders, margins).

• Typed Interfaces: Available in TypeScript or with generated Python stubs—provides strong typing, validation, and error handling.

• Built-In Utilities: Includes rate-limit backoff, message de-duplication, and timestamp normalization to handle exchange quirks.

• Helper Functions: Offers convenience methods for common tasks, letting you focus on trading logic.

• Rich Documentation & Examples: Step-by-step guides and sample scripts get you live in minutes—ideal for both simple tickers and HFT bots.

• Turn-Key Integration: Delivers a stable, efficient, and feature-complete WebSocket client for Bybit’s derivatives markets.

The developers maintaining the Bybit WebSocket API are committed to helping users make the most out of the library. They regularly release updates and fixes, ensuring a stable and reliable experience for all users. In addition to providing technical support, the developers actively engage with the community and are open to receiving feedback and suggestions.

To get started with the Bybit WebSocket API, you’ll first need to sign up for an account on the Bybit exchange platform and obtain your API key. Once you have the necessary credentials, you can install the websocket-client library using your preferred package manager and refer to the available documentation and examples to begin implementing it into your own projects.

Understanding Errors and Issues

Working with Bybit WebSocket API, you may encounter different types of errors and issues. It’s essential to understand them to facilitate efficient troubleshooting and ensure smooth operation of your program.

Some common errors you might face include connection-related issues, such as being unable to connect to Bybit WebSocket due to SSL errors. For example, you might run into an [SSL: TLSV1_ALERT_INTERNAL_ERROR] tlsv1 alert internal error message. To resolve this, make sure your system’s SSL/TLS configurations are up-to-date, and ensure that your code is using the correct SSL/TLS versions.

Another common occurrence is rate limits affecting your API requests. Bybit enforces rate limits to prevent spamming and ensure optimal performance for all users. To avoid issues related to rate limits, consider using WebSockets for market data requests, as WebSocket requests aren’t counted against the rate limits.

When dealing with errors and issues, it’s crucial to:

While handling errors and issues, try to maintain a friendly tone and second-person point of view. By doing this, the communication with users will feel more engaging and personalized, creating a positive user experience.

Remember, by understanding the errors and potential issues while working with the Bybit WebSocket API, you can create more robust, efficient, and reliable code. And don’t be afraid to seek help from the Bybit community or documentation if you need additional assistance.

Conclusion

Bybit WebSocket API offers an easy-to-use platform for developers to build trading applications by subscribing to historical market data and private data. As a one-stop-shop for various trading solutions, the API provides efficient access to data such as orderbook, k-line, trades, and funding rates.

Utilizing Bybit’s WebSocket API results in real-time data streaming, making it advantageous for users who require up-to-date information for their trading strategies. This further enhances the transparency and veracity of the trading process on the platform.

Bybit has been successful in unifying its product lines, including Spot, Derivatives, and Options, with the Open API V5 being the backbone of functionality. The WebSocket API makes a significant contribution to this improvement, providing a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for developers.

In summary, the Bybit WebSocket API is a powerful and versatile tool for developers and traders alike. Its integration allows traders access to valuable real-time information, giving them the opportunity to make informed decisions in a fast-paced market. Remember to thoroughly explore the API documentation before getting started on your trading applications!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started with Bybit WebSocket API?

To get started with Bybit WebSocket API, you first need to create an account on Bybit and obtain your API Key and Secret. Then, you can use the appropriate programming language library (e.g., Python, Dart) to connect to Bybit WebSocket API. For instance, in Dart, you can use the ‘bybit_websocket’ library.

Can I use Python for Bybit WebSocket API?

Yes, you can use Python for Bybit WebSocket API. There are libraries available for Python that make it easy to work with Bybit’s WebSocket API. You can also use the popular websocket library to create a connection, subscribe to channels, and handle real-time data.

Where can I find example code for Bybit WebSocket API?

You can find example code for Bybit WebSocket API in their official documentation, API reference, and on GitHub repositories like bybit-official-api-docs. You can also search for open-source projects and libraries on GitHub that provide sample codes and usage examples.

Where is Bybit WebSocket API documentation?

Bybit WebSocket API documentation can be found in the Bybit API section on their website at Bybit API. It includes detailed information about WebSocket API endpoints, request parameters, response objects, and usage examples.

What is the difference between REST and WebSocket API?

REST API is a stateless, request-response based protocol for accessing and manipulating data. With REST API, you send individual requests, and the server responds with the requested data or an acknowledgment. On the other hand, WebSocket API establishes a persistent connection between the client and server, allowing real-time data updates without the need for continuous polling. WebSocket API is particularly useful for applications that require real-time updates, like trading platforms.

What are common WebSocket API methods?

Common WebSocket API methods include:

• connect() / Handshake
  Initiates the WebSocket connection by performing the HTTP “Upgrade” handshake to switch protocols (e.g., from HTTP to WS/WSS).

• subscribe(channel)
  Sends a JSON subscribe request to start receiving updates for a specific data stream (order book, trades, ticker, etc.).

• unsubscribe(channel)
  Sends a JSON unsubscribe request to stop updates on a previously subscribed channel, freeing up resources.

• send(payload)
  Transmits arbitrary JSON or binary messages to the server—used for authenticated actions like placing orders or heartbeats.

• on_message(callback)
  Registers a handler function that’s called whenever a new message arrives; your callback processes snapshots, deltas, or error notices.

• on_error(callback)
  Registers a handler for connection errors or protocol-level exceptions, letting you log, alert, or trigger reconnection logic.

• on_close(callback)
  Fires when the socket closes (gracefully or due to an error), giving you a chance to clean up state or attempt a reconnect.

• ping() / pong()
  Heartbeat methods—ping sends a keepalive frame to the server, and pong responds to server pings to ensure the connection stays alive.

• authenticate(apiKey, signature, timestamp)
  Sends the required credentials over the open socket (often in a JSON auth message) to unlock private, user-specific channels like orders and balances.

• reconnect()
  A utility method that tears down the existing socket and re-invokes connect(), often with backoff logic to handle transient network issues.

Keep in mind that these methods may differ slightly depending on the specific library or programming language you choose to work with Bybit WebSocket API.

Stephen Matthew

Founder at CryptoAffiliate.io – admin@cryptoaffiliate.io – Web

Steven has a solid Cryptocurrency background, having worked with multiple Crypto startups as CMO. He knows the ins and outs of promoting both physical products and SaaS and is now providing valuable insights when testing different Crypto services.