Two tunneling protocols dominate the SSH landscape in 2026: SSH WebSocket and SlowDNS. Both are free, widely used across Southeast Asia, and serve genuinely different purposes. This comparison cuts through the noise so you can make the right choice for your situation.
How They Work
SSH WebSocket
SSH WebSocket wraps SSH traffic inside the WebSocket protocol over port 80 (HTTP) or 443 (HTTPS). Because WebSocket uses standard web ports and mimics normal browser traffic, it passes through most ISP-level filters and firewall rules without triggering alerts. It is fast, efficient, and compatible with bug host configurations on carriers like Telkomsel and XL.
SlowDNS
SlowDNS encodes your internet traffic inside DNS queries and responses, tunneling it through UDP or TCP port 53. Because DNS traffic is fundamental to how the internet works, it is almost never blocked — even when data quotas are exhausted. The tradeoff is speed: DNS was not designed for high-throughput data transfer, so SlowDNS is inherently slower.
Performance Comparison
SSH WebSocket
- Download: 5–50 Mbps depending on server and network
- Latency: 20–100ms to nearby servers
- Stability: Very stable on 4G/5G and WiFi
- Battery impact: Low — approximately 3–5% per hour
SlowDNS
- Download: 0.5–3 Mbps realistic ceiling
- Latency: 100–500ms typical range
- Stability: Excellent — almost never blocked
- Battery impact: Higher — approximately 5–8% per hour due to constant DNS queries
Real-World Use Cases
What SSH WebSocket Handles Well
- HD video streaming on YouTube and Netflix
- Large file downloads and uploads
- Online gaming with acceptable ping
- Video calls on WhatsApp, Zoom, and Google Meet
- Fast general web browsing
Where SlowDNS Has the Advantage
- Zero-quota situations when mobile data is fully depleted
- Networks with extremely aggressive DPI that blocks WebSocket
- Emergency access when all other protocols fail
- Messaging and light browsing where speed is not critical
- Bypassing captive portals at airports and hotels
Setup Complexity
SSH WebSocket
Straightforward. Works out of the box with HTTP Injector or V2RayNG. Create a free account at claudessh.com, enter the host, port, username, and password — done. Most users are connected within 5 minutes.
SlowDNS
More steps involved. You need a SlowDNS-capable app, a nameserver address, and a public key from your SSH provider. The configuration takes 10–15 minutes and troubleshooting requires some DNS knowledge.
Security
Both protocols use SSH encryption underneath, so your data is protected in transit. SSH WebSocket additionally benefits from TLS wrapping on port 443, adding a second layer. SlowDNS traffic is harder to deep-inspect due to its DNS encoding, but the DNS layer itself adds some overhead that can occasionally cause packet issues on very strict networks.
Cost and Availability
Both protocols are available for free at claudessh.com. SSH WebSocket servers are more widely available globally. SlowDNS servers require specific nameserver infrastructure and are therefore available in fewer locations.
Side-by-Side Summary
| Feature | SSH WebSocket | SlowDNS |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast (5–50 Mbps) | Slow (0.5–3 Mbps) |
| Latency | Low (20–100ms) | High (100–500ms) |
| Setup difficulty | Easy | Moderate |
| Works at 0 quota | No | Yes |
| Battery drain | Low | Moderate |
| Bypass DPI | Very effective | Extremely effective |
| Best for | Daily use | Emergency backup |
Our Recommendation
For 90% of users, SSH WebSocket is the right primary protocol. It is faster, easier to set up, and handles everything from streaming to gaming. Use it as your default.
Keep SlowDNS as your backup plan. Set it up once and save the configuration. When your quota runs out or SSH WebSocket gets blocked, you will be glad you have it ready.
Both are available free at claudessh.com — create accounts for both and cover every situation.