With rapid digitalization impacting every aspect of businesses in today’s virtual times, it has become highly essential to establish strong communication networks with customers. And, real-time messaging is one of the best ways to stay in touch with your clients from any corner of the world.
Do you know, as per a study by Statista, there are around 3.09 billion mobile phone users worldwide who leverage messaging apps to communicate?
Given the huge figures, it makes sense to invest in creating real-time chat apps. Isn’t it? Wondering how to develop one efficiently? We are here to help! In this article, we are going to talk about some of the top real-time chat API and SDK providers that you can use for your chat app development. Read on!
Why do app developers need an instant messaging API and SDK?
The best thing about an instant messaging SDK is that it saves you from the effort of building a chat app from scratch. You can easily include advanced chat features into your messaging platform. This helps you ensure complete data security for your end-users. With new-age chat APIs, you can add real-time chat support to your chat platform which can, in turn, enhance user experience and boost customer satisfaction.
One more amazing benefit of using an instant messaging API is that you can access customizable chat features that fit your business requirements.
Build vs Buy Chat API – Which is Best Fit for Developers?
Have you been planning to get a real-time chat API for your app development? Great! Because we can help you in making the right choice for your business. Let’s have a look at them one by one.
- Data storage
Look for an in-app chat API that provides you with a suitable space for data storage. There are several SDK providers that offer customized data storage options. So, more your space requirements, more will be the price you would be required to pay. You need to check if the chat API suits your budget.
- Customization options
Different businesses have different communication requirements. So, it is essential that you choose an instant messaging SDK that offers customized chat solutions. When you leverage a customized chat API, your users are able to identify your business easily. Customization helps you enhance your user experience and boosts engagements.
- Participation limit
Make sure to check the participation limit for any chat API you like. Some APIs put a limit to the number of users who can engage with the app for free. For instance, some chat APIs may allow free participation for 50 people. So, look for a chat API that can provide you with free participation for maximum number of subscribers.
- Scalability
Many times businesses need to change their communication settings due to certain reasons. In similar cases, it is important that your chat API fulfils the changing needs of your business communication. It is essential that you select a real-time chat SDK that is highly scalable in nature.
- Monetization capacity
Look for chat APIs that can provide you with monetization opportunities such as sponsorships, in-chat payments, and many more. This way, you can earn additional revenue for your business and boost your profit margins.
Best 9 Realtime Chat API & SDK Providers Web and Mobile Apps
Are you planning to build a real-time chat app? Great! An efficient chat API can help you create a messaging platform without any hassles. In this section, we shall discuss some of the top API providers available in the market.
1.CONTUS MirrorFly
Visit Website : MirrorFly.com
#1 Rated Enterprise Communication Solution, suitable for enterprises of all sizes. The all-in-one real-time Chat App Solution comes with WebRTC embedding enabling HD video interactions and a powerful VOIP Calling with dynamic voice experience. Adhering to HIPAA, & GDPR Compliances, the high scalable messaging infrastructure can connect 10M+Users and Facilitate 1B+conversations.
Features
- 1-1 private and group chat
- Personalized profiles
- Screen sharing
- Secure file sharing
- Encrypted chats
- Cross-platform messaging
- Language translation
- Advanced search filters
- Push to talk
- 100% customizable & much more
Pros
- On premises and on-cloud hosting
- Design enriched UI/UX
- 250+ technical team
- One-time license cost
- Quick launch
- High scalability
Cons
- Beta version of subscriptions
Price : Paid – One-time license cost
2. Apphitect IM
Apphitect is one of the top in app messaging API available in the market. solution comes with a comprehensive set of advanced chat functions such as offline messaging and personal chats. and it is a 100% customizable API that leverages modern technologies like AWS, Cassandra, and Erlang.
Features
- Group chat
- Offline messages
- Push notification
- Presence indication
- Social integration
- Geo-location tracking and sharing
- Multimedia sharing
Pros
- Unlimited data storage
- Scalable
- Easy integration
- 24*7 support
Cons
- Takes 10 business days to integrate chat features into your system
Price : Monthly and One-time cost
3. Sendbird
Being trusted and reliable, Sendbird can be your real-time chat API. It can provide you with AES 256 end to end encryptionalso comes with global language translation and ensures smooth communications and an easy to use chat API.
Features
- Offline messages
- Moderations
- Announcements
- Webhooks
- Profanity filters
- Image filtering
Pros
- Chat support
- Leading security and compliance standards
- Supports free trial on all pro features
Cons
- Starter plan does not include announcements and delivery receipt
Price : Free & Paid
Also Read : Top 9 Major Challenges and Trends for the IPTV Services
4. Getstream
Getstream is a top real-time chat SDK. It provides you with a highly reliable chat infrastructure and strong security. This API is developer designed to maximize efficiency and comes with advanced chat messaging UI kits.
Features
- Direct and group chats
- Link previews
- Edit and delete messages
- Message reaction
- Thread replies
- URL enrichment
- Flexible permissions
- Slash commands
Pros
- Low latency
- 99.999% uptime
- Easy integration
- End-to-end encryption
Cons
- Auto translation requires an additional fee.
Price : Free & Paid
5. Applozic
Applozic is one of the best chat API providers present in the market. Being a cross platform chat SDK, it can provide you with a seamless chat experience. It is highly user-friendly and filled with modern features for new age developers.
Features
- Multiparty chat
- Public and private groups
- Delivery and read receipts
- Push notification
- Typing indicator
- Timestamps
Pros
- Multi-tenant hosting
- Advanced encryption
- Multi-level authentication
Cons
- Absence of in-built VoIP
- No WebRTC
Price : Free & Paid
6. Quickblox
It is a decent instant messaging API that comes with white-labelled re-branding chat solution. It helps you boost business communication and user engagement with real-time messaging. and enables you to drive more conversions and sales through its live-chat features.
Features
- Public and private chat
- HIPAA compliance
- Saved chat
- Multimedia sharing
- Screen sharing
Pros
- Encrypted and secure chats
- Highly scalable
- Chat support
- No license restriction
Cons
- Supporting only limited industry healthcare, e-commerce, and finance.
Pricing : Free & Paid
7. TalkJS
TalkJS is a top instant messaging SDK which comes with a pre-built UI that is completely customizable. The UI is forward compatible. it will keep working on future devices.
Features
- Channels, groups, & topics
- Online presence indicators
- In-conversation search
- Real-time translation
- Typing and read indicators
- Unread messages badge
- File sharing
- Location sharing
Pros
- Multi-language interface
- Developer-friendly UPI
- Out-of-the box notification
- Email & SMS fallback
Cons
- Multiple subscriptions needed to use TalkJS on multiple websites
Pricing : Free & Paid
8.Twilio
Twilio is a top-notch in-app chat API that comes with advanced software that can facilitate message delivery across multiple channels. It has 99.999% of up time to offer and has facilitated 795+ billion interactions. It allows you to reach customers in around 180 countries.
Features
- Cross channel messaging
- Two-factor authentication
- Notifications
- Mass alerts
- Voice calls
- Video calls
Pros
- Low latency
- Highly scalable
- Free trial subscription for 50 users
Cons
- Pricing based on number of users or number of messages
Pricing : Free & Paid
9. PubNub
PubNub is a top-grade in-app chat SDK that has a 99.999% of API uptime. It ensures user retention with its modern tools and helps you build powerful virtual spaces. You don’t need to maintain the backend yourself and build direct and large scale chat for your users.
Features
- Unread message counts
- File and image sharing
- Giphy
- Message reactions
- Delivery & read receipts
- Typing indicators
- User metadata
Pros
- Scalable
- 75 SDKs to choose from
- Facilitates 2 trillion message delivery in a month
Cons
- Standard plan does not include HIPAA and GDPR compliance
Pricing : Free & Paid
Conclusion
We hope our article helped you comprehend the different types of chat APIs and SDKs and the advanced features they have to offer. Choose an API that best suits your business requirements. Start building your real-time chat app with the best SDK today!
