The tutorial discusses setting up a Node.js WebSocket server for applications requiring two-way communication, highlighting Node.js as an ideal choice due to its fast, scalable, and non-blocking I/O model. It provides guidance on creating a WebSocket server using Node.js and the 'ws' library, which can handle numerous concurrent connections, depending on server resources. The tutorial includes an example of a basic chat application that uses a Node.js server and a web client running in a browser. It also explores alternatives like HTTP Long Polling and hosted services such as PubNub, which offer scalable, real-time communication solutions without the need for server maintenance. The document emphasizes the use of the WebSocket protocol in real-time communication scenarios such as chat apps, stock price updates, live location tracking, and online auctions.