Fluid Framework: Real-Time Collaboration for a Cost

• Fluid Framework is a set of open-source client and Azure-side technologies for real-time collaboration.
• Although the framework is open source, its use will still incur data storage and Azure-side orchestration charges.
• Microsoft Loop is based on the framework, and developers can make use of it with lightweight JavaScript components.

Fluid Framework is a group of open source technologies and components that can be used for near-real-time client-side collaboration, such as team members building a project plan together, and which forms the basis of offerings such as Microsoft Loop. The framework offers a development model, automatic synchronization to an Azure service, and a set of embedded collaboration components. The framework tools are open source: source code and client-side samples are freely available from Microsoft, but the data storage and Azure-side orchestration components are required and will incur runtime and storage costs. 

Fluid Framework is available for use and development; Version 2.0 of the framework is currently in open beta testing, with general availability planned for later in 2024.