Ably LiveSync is a realtime data synchronization service that connects backend databases directly to frontend clients, broadcasting updates instantly and reliably to millions of devices. It eliminates the need for custom backend integrations or polling, ensuring that all clients stay in sync with the database as the single source of truth. LiveSync leverages Ably’s global Pub/Sub infrastructure, offering exactly-once delivery, ordering guarantees, and robust autoscaling for high concurrency environments. Currently supporting PostgreSQL and MongoDB, it is designed for high scalability and reliability, making it suitable for collaborative, event-driven, and data-intensive applications.

Key Features

Realtime Database Sync Keeps client applications updated with database changes instantly.

• Publishes database changes to frontend clients in realtime.
• No need for polling; updates are pushed automatically.

Database Connectors Connects directly to supported databases for event-driven updates.

• Supports PostgreSQL and MongoDB, with more planned.
• Hosted connectors for easy integration.

Pub/Sub Messaging Platform Uses Ably’s proven Pub/Sub infrastructure for message delivery.

• Global distribution with no single point of failure.
• Guarantees 99.999% uptime and exactly-once delivery.

Models SDK Simplifies state management in frontend applications.

• Provides design patterns for merging updates.
• Supports optimistic UI updates to reduce perceived latency.

Scalability and Reliability Handles millions of concurrent clients and high message throughput.

• Autoscaling infrastructure absorbs traffic spikes.
• Fault-tolerant and secure delivery at scale.

Developer Velocity Reduces backend complexity and accelerates development.

• No middleware or dual-write logic required.
• Efficient APIs for integration.

Benefits

Single Source of Truth Ensures all clients reflect the current database state.

• Eliminates inconsistencies from dual-writes.
• Maintains strict message order and atomicity.

Reduced Backend Complexity Removes the need for custom backend sync logic.

• Direct connection from database to frontend.
• Hosted connectors simplify deployment.

Improved User Experience Delivers low-latency, collaborative experiences.

• Optimistic updates and realtime feedback.
• No page refreshes or manual polling required.

Cost Efficiency Optimizes resource usage and scales with demand.

• Per-message and consumption-based pricing.
• Efficient APIs minimize unnecessary operations