Liveblocks vs Yjs (2026): Managed Collaboration vs DIY CRDT
By ToolVS Editorial · Updated April 10, 2026 · 9 min read
Liveblocks
Best Managed Collaboration Platform
- Managed servers (no infra to run)
- Presence, cursors, comments APIs
- Yjs-compatible storage rooms
- Production-ready auth + webhooks
- SaaS pricing ($99+/mo for production)
- Vendor dependency
Pricing: Free (100K MAU/mo) → Starter $99/mo
Try Liveblocks Free →Yjs
Best CRDT Library for Full Control
- Free and open-source (MIT)
- Battle-tested CRDT implementation
- Works with any sync provider
- Used by Notion, Figma-like apps
- Must build/manage sync infrastructure
- No built-in auth or presence
Pricing: Free forever (OSS)
Get Yjs →Score Breakdown
Full Comparison Table
| Category | Liveblocks | Yjs |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Managed SaaS | Open-source CRDT library |
| Server Required | ❌ (Managed) | ✅ Must run own sync server |
| CRDT Algorithm | Yjs-compatible | YATA (Yjs native) |
| Presence API | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Build it yourself |
| Cursors | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Build it yourself |
| Comments | ✅ Built-in | ❌ Build it yourself |
| Auth | ✅ JWT-based | ❌ Must implement |
| Offline Support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (CRDT-native) |
| Cost | $99+/mo (after free tier) | Free forever |
| Vendor Lock-in | ⚠️ Yes | ❌ None |
| Time to Implement | 1–2 days | 1–2 weeks |
| Used By | Linear, Pitch, Raycast | Custom high-scale apps |
Regret Index
Which do you use?
Who Should Choose What?
Choose Liveblocks if: You want to add real-time collaboration (cursors, presence, comments, co-editing) to your app in days rather than weeks. Liveblocks handles the hard parts — infrastructure, auth, webhooks — so you focus on your product.
Choose Yjs if: You need complete control over your sync infrastructure, have specific CRDT requirements, or are building at a scale where managing your own infrastructure is more cost-effective than Liveblocks' SaaS pricing.
FAQs
When should I use Liveblocks instead of Yjs?
Use Liveblocks when you want managed infrastructure (servers, auth, webhooks) for real-time collaboration with minimal backend code. Use Yjs when you need full CRDT control and want to self-host or integrate with your own sync infrastructure.
Is Yjs free?
Yes. Yjs is completely free and open-source (MIT license). You pay only for the server infrastructure you use to sync documents (your own WebSocket server, or y-websocket, etc.).
Is Liveblocks production-ready?
Yes. Liveblocks is used in production by companies like Linear, Pitch, and Raycast for their collaborative features. It handles millions of simultaneous connections.
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Last updated: April 10, 2026