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Searching for the optimal chat solution can be a challenging endeavor. It’s vital to identify a provider that not only offers essential chat features but also guarantees reliable message transmission and scalability for accommodating your business’s growth. Overlooking the importance of selecting the right provider can lead to costly consequences, even though opting for a simple solution initially and making adjustments as needed may seem tempting. Try out these Best Chat APIs and Messaging SDKs.
In the future, switching solutions will require considerable investments of time, energy, and funds, not to mention the requirement for extensive testing to prevent disruptions that could be detrimental to your company’s brand and revenue. It is really important to get things right from the very beginning, and the purpose of this essay is to aid you in doing just that.
It might be difficult to know where to start when there are so many different vendors and service providers accessible on the market. Because of this, we have cut the choices down to the top five providers by taking into consideration aspects such as the features offered, scalability, and pricing. You will be able to make an educated choice regarding the service provider that meets the needs of your project thanks to this information.
Best Chat APIs and Messaging SDKs Comparison Table
If you’re asking what the difference is between an API and an SDK in this case, it has to do with how developers talk to the infrastructure. Keep in mind that APIs and SDKs don’t replace each other, and some companies offer both. We’ve compared the most popular chat API services and message SDKs on the market based on what we’ve learned. But first, let’s learn what we need to know.
Provider | Features | Pricing Model | Documentation | Platform Support |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ably | Real-time chat, presence, and data syncing | Usage-based pricing | Comprehensive documentation and tutorials | Web, mobile, and IoT platforms |
Twilio | Programmable chat, SMS, and video chat | Pay-as-you-go pricing with various plans | Extensive documentation and developer resources | Web, mobile, and IoT platforms |
HelpCrunch Chat SDK & Messaging API | Live chat, in-app messaging, and chatbots | Monthly subscription based on active users | Detailed documentation and API reference | Web, iOS, and Android platforms |
TalkJS | Real-time chat and messaging features | Monthly subscription based on active users | Well-documented API and SDKs | Web, iOS, and Android platforms |
PubNub | Real-time chat, presence, and data streaming | Usage-based pricing with various plans | Comprehensive documentation and tutorials | Web, mobile, and IoT platforms |
Ably

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Real-time Messaging | Reliable and scalable real-time messaging capabilities |
Presence Detection | Track and monitor user presence in channels or chat rooms |
Message History | Access and retrieve message history |
Push Notifications | Send push notifications for new messages |
Pub/Sub Architecture | Publish/subscribe model for efficient message delivery |
With the Ably API, you get everything you need to build chat the way you want. For example, publish and subscribe services let you send and receive messages one-on-one or in a group, as well as extra information like who is typing. Ably also has other important features, such as presence (which lets you see who is online), chat history, and push notifications. All of these features work on all platforms, so you can give the same experience on the web, Android, and iOS.
Whether it’s a basic feature like threads, a contact book that needs to connect to your database, or even live stream chat with donations, Ably’s flexibility goes beyond customization choices and lets you make interesting chat experiences that would be hard to do otherwise. Because you’re working on the Ably platform, you’ll also get low latency, guaranteed message ordering, and a SLA that says your service will be up 99.999% of the time on average.
The Good
- Robust and scalable infrastructure
- Real-time messaging with low latency
- Easy integration with various platforms and languages
The Bad
- Limited free tier options
- Advanced features may require higher pricing plans
Twilio

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Programmable Messaging | Send and receive messages via SMS, MMS, and popular chat apps |
Two-Way Communication | Enable interactive conversations with users |
Rich Messaging | Support for multimedia messages with images, videos, etc. |
Delivery Tracking | Monitor message delivery status and tracking |
Chatbot Integration | Integrate with chatbots for automated conversations |
Imagine that the goal of your project is to put members of your team in contact with potential clients. With the Conversations API, a consumer can begin a conversation within an app, and then continue the chat elsewhere, such as on WhatsApp. Twilio is able to assist connect the dots, which results in a more seamless omni-channel experience for both parties.
Although the Conversations API may be modified to make it possible for your users to communicate with one another, this is not the primary purpose for which it was designed. As a direct consequence of this, the Conversations API provides a more constrained feature set for chat when compared to many alternative options. For instance, using Twilio to construct a public group chat is not possible, and the platform does not handle mentions or responses directed at @users or @channels.
The Good
- Extensive messaging platform with global reach
- Comprehensive API documentation and developer resources
- Reliable message delivery and reporting
- Flexibility to integrate with various communication channels
The Bad
- Costs can add up for high message volumes
- Complexity may require additional development effort
HelpCrunch Chat SDK & Messaging API

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Real-time Chat | Enable real-time chat functionality on your platform |
Customizable UI | Customize the chat widget and UI to match your branding |
File Sharing | Allow users to share files and attachments in chats |
Chatbots Integration | Integrate chatbots for automated customer support |
Offline Messaging | Capture and deliver messages when users are offline |
HelpCrunch comes with live chat, a help desk, a knowledge base, and an easy-to-use popup maker. It also has chat APIs and SDKs that are ready to use for Android and iOS. Pretty much everything that a chat app could want.
With a powerful set of tools, you can add a well-run chat to your app and adjust it so that your brand doesn’t lose its identity. Is your customer service team buried under a mountain of tickets and messages from customers? Don’t worry! You now have a great chance to lighten the load on your staff. HelpCrunch has a shared folder where you can track user data, receive messages, and answer them right from your app.
The Good
- Easy-to-use chat SDK for seamless integration
- Customizable UI to match your app’s design
- Offline messaging ensures no message is missed
- Integration with chatbots for efficient customer support
The Bad
- Advanced features may require higher pricing plans
- Limited documentation for some advanced configurations
TalkJS

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Real-time Chat | Enable real-time chat functionality in your application |
Cross-platform Support | SDKs available for web, iOS, and Android platforms |
Customization Options | Customize the chat UI and layout to fit your app’s style |
Powerful API | Access to APIs for advanced chat features and integrations |
Message Moderation | Implement message moderation and content filtering |
TalkJS is a messaging software development kit with the primary goal of making it as simple as possible to create chat applications. Even if it might not be as powerful or feature-rich as some of the other alternatives being evaluated, its JavaScript SDK makes it possible for nontechnical builders to get up and going in a short amount of time. A user may quickly set up a chat experience on their website with only a few lines of code, making it accessible to everyone.
TalkJS is a solution for businesses that, similar to PubNub, want the power of real-time messaging software but don’t want to invest a lot of money in an expert developer team to build out solutions. TalkJS is an interesting option for these firms. The primary distinction between TalkJS and PubNub is that the former is designed for use with JavaScript websites and applications, while the latter is largely geared toward mobile devices.
The Good
- Cross-platform support for web and mobile applications
- Simple integration with extensive documentation and examples
- Flexible customization options for chat UI
- Robust APIs for advanced features and integrations
The Bad
- Pricing may not be suitable for small-scale projects
- Some features require more advanced configurations
PubNub

Feature | Description |
---|---|
Real-time Communication | Enable real-time messaging, presence, and notifications |
Scalable Infrastructure | Reliable and scalable global infrastructure |
Push Notifications | Send push notifications for message alerts and updates |
Access Management | Control access and permissions for channels and users |
Data Streaming | Stream data in real-time for various use cases |
PubNub has the instant messaging APIs that you need if you want to increase user retention and loyalty, prevent discussions from being hijacked by spam, lower the cost of providing customer service without jeopardizing the quality of your product, and so on.
No matter what sector of business you operate in, the discussions will be organized in a way that maximizes their effectiveness. You can make changes to them and configure them to work with your process in just a few clicks. In addition, it is possible to set up group conversations for online groups dedicated to e-learning, healthcare, or gaming (the list really could go on and on).
The Good
- Highly scalable infrastructure for real-time communication
- Strong presence and push notification capabilities
- Flexible access management for secure messaging
- Excellent global coverage and low latency
The Bad
- Complex configuration for advanced use cases
- Steeper learning curve for first-time users
Questions and Answers
A: Yes, many of the Chat APIs and Messaging SDKs that were listed work on more than one platform. They offer SDKs for famous platforms like iOS, Android, JavaScript, and more. With these SDKs, you can add chat features to many different apps.
A: Chat APIs and Messaging SDKs are available from different providers and cost different amounts of money. Some have free tiers with restricted features or usage, while others require a subscription or pay-as-you-go pricing. For more information about prices, it’s best to go to the websites of the companies listed above.
A: To get started, go to the website of the provider of the Chat API or Messaging SDK you want to use. Usually, they provide documents, guides, and code samples to help you add their service to your app. Follow the steps to create an account, get the credentials you need, and start using the API or SDK in your project.