Integrating real-time messaging into apps has become essential across industries — from social networks to customer service tools. But building a chat system from scratch is time-consuming and resource-intensive. That’s where chat APIs come in — helping developers plug in powerful messaging features with minimal effort.
Here’s a breakdown of the 7 best chat APIs for web, mobile, and desktop apps in 2025 — including what they offer, how much they cost, and where they work best.
1. Sendbird
Overview:
Sendbird is a popular in-app chat API known for its enterprise-grade features and sleek SDKs. It powers messaging for industries like healthcare, marketplaces, and social networking apps. With extensive moderation tools and support for multimedia messaging, it makes scaling easy. Developers appreciate the detailed documentation and reliability across large-scale deployments.
Top Features:
- Delivery and read receipts
- Typing indicators and message reactions
- Auto-translation for 50+ languages
- Spam filtering and moderation
- Voice and video calling extensions
Pricing:
- Free plan: 100 MAUs
- Starter: $399/month
- Custom pricing for enterprise plans
Best For:
Healthcare apps, on-demand services, and marketplaces that need secure, scalable messaging.
2. Stream
Overview:
Stream is a developer-focused chat solution offering lightning-fast performance and high customization. It’s built for speed, with optimized infrastructure and beautiful UI kits that help you launch quickly. It also handles millions of concurrent users efficiently — making it a favorite in gaming, live events, and social apps. Stream’s flexible SDKs cover React, Flutter, iOS, and Android.
Top Features:
- Pre-built chat components
- Multiple channel types (livestream, commerce, etc.)
- Message history and offline support
- Role-based access control
- Advanced moderation tools Pricing:
- Free: Up to 100 MAUs
- Developer Plan: $499/month
- Enterprise: Custom quote
Best For:
Gaming platforms, event apps, and fast-scaling communities.
3. CometChat
Overview:
CometChat offers a robust set of messaging features with a focus on extensibility and ease of use. It provides chat, voice, video, and even collaborative tools like screen sharing and whiteboards. Built for developers who want plug-and-play communication, it comes with ready-made UI kits and detailed APIs. It's used widely in education, healthcare, and dating apps.
Top Features:
- 1-on-1 and group messaging
- Video and voice calling
- Real-time translation
- Collaborative whiteboards and file sharing
- UI kits for React, Angular, iOS, Android, and Flutter
Pricing:
- Free: Up to 25 users
- Pro Plan: Starts at $109/month
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Best For:
Ed-tech, social apps, online consultations, and platforms with voice/video needs.
4. MirrorFly
Overview:
MirrorFly is a powerful real-time communication API that offers both SaaS and self-hosted options. It stands out for its one-time license model — a rare find for businesses that need full control over data. With over 150+ chat features and deep compliance (HIPAA, GDPR), MirrorFly is ideal for apps in regulated sectors. It also supports on-premise deployment for maximum security.
Top Features:
- 100% customizable UI
- Offline messaging & push notifications
- Self-hosted or cloud-based options
- End-to-end encryption
- Integration with voice/video calls
Pricing:
- SaaS Plan: Starts at $399/month
- Self-hosted: One-time license (custom quote)
Best For:
Enterprises needing privacy control, healthcare apps, fintech platforms, and secure internal tools.
5. Twilio Conversation
Overview:
Twilio Conversations lets you build multi-channel chat experiences that combine SMS, WhatsApp, and in-app messaging into a unified thread. Designed for customer support and business messaging, it allows you to link agents and users across different platforms effortlessly. If you already use Twilio Voice or Twilio Flex, it integrates seamlessly for complete communication infrastructure.
Top Features:
- Unified threads across channels
- Integration with WhatsApp and SMS
- Webhooks for custom workflows
- Group and 1-on-1 chat
- Flexible REST APIs
Pricing:
- Pay-as-you-go: $0.05 per active user per day Channel integrations may incur extra costs
**Best For:
**Customer support, helpdesks, CRMs, and omnichannel business communication.
6. TalkJS
Overview:
TalkJS offers a developer-friendly solution that mimics familiar messaging interfaces like Messenger or WhatsApp. It’s perfect for marketplaces or SaaS tools where users need private conversations. With a plug-and-play UI, GDPR compliance, and message archiving, it’s easy to add chat without building from scratch. Frontend and backend can be customized with ease.
Top Features:
- Ready-to-use UI components
- Customizable themes and behavior
- Email & SMS fallback
- Conversation history and notifications
- User-to-user and group messaging
Pricing:
- Free: 1 dev seat
- Growth: $279/month
- Enterprise: Custom quote
Best For:
Marketplaces, job portals, and SaaS platforms that want fast setup with modern UX.
7. PubNub
Overview:
PubNub goes beyond basic chat — it offers Chat sdk,real-time infrastructure that supports messaging, IoT, alerts, and more. It’s highly scalable and perfect for use cases like ride-sharing apps, logistics, or live dashboards. With real-time updates and event handling, you can build interactive applications that go beyond text-based chat.
Top Features:
- Real-time data sync
- Presence detection and user status
- Message storage & playback
- Global infrastructure
- Support for IoT, alerts, and signals
Pricing:
- Free: Up to 200 MAUs
- Starter: $49/month
- Pro & Enterprise: Custom pricing
Best For:
Real-time tracking, logistics apps, IoT systems, and high-performance communication needs.
Final Thoughts
Each of these chat APIs brings something unique to the table — from easy setup and pre-built UI kits to compliance-focused self-hosting options. Your ideal choice depends on your app’s use case, team expertise, and budget.
Looking for plug-and-play simplicity? Go for TalkJS or CometChat.
Need full control and compliance? MirrorFly is your best bet.
Want scale and speed for real-time experiences? Stream or PubNub will serve you well.
Top comments (3)
Great breakdown! Super helpful for devs trying to add real-time chat without starting from scratch. This reminds me of how apps like Castle make content streaming simple and seamless—same plug-and-play idea, but for movies and dramas instead of messaging. Love how APIs are making both communication and entertainment more accessible. 💬📺
Great list of chat APIs! If you're looking for a seamless and secure way to integrate messaging into your app, I’d also recommend checking out Castle App. It offers real-time messaging with top-notch security features, making it a great choice for developers looking for a reliable, easy-to-integrate solution. Definitely worth considering alongside the options you’ve listed! Download it: castleappp.org/
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