Various features and third-party integrations have emerged to uplift enterprise-grade business communication to the next -level.
Most chat app providers are urged to enhance the infrastructure (Technical Stacks) and augment the core functionalities (API, SDK, Applications & Features) to establish their business value far higher than their competitors.
In this article, we’ll look at the best 10 chat API and messaging SDK providers classified based on their Communication Style, Features, Cloud Service, Backend/Front-end Technologies, Technical stacks, Pricing, and reputation in the market.
Best Chat API and Messaging SDK Providers in the Market:
1. Twilio
Twilio is an industry leader in messaging SDKs and Chat APIs.
From programmatic SMS and MMS, WhatsApp, voice and video services to conversational chat APIs, Facebook Messenger and Google’s Business Messages – its entire product suite encompasses every possible way people communicate digitally.
Developers are able to harness the power of Twilio to integrate their application software with virtually any type of communication channel.
The Conversations API is especially noteworthy, for it allows you to initiate communications through web or in-app chat and then quickly expand into other channels as consumer preferences evolve. Moreover, there’s no need for extensive back end retooling or coding according to a new API when transitioning from one channel to another!
Some of their inbuilt technology stacks:
Cloud Storage: AWS
Database: Not revealed
Programming Languages & Technologies: Go, Java, Python, PHP, C#, Node.js, Ruby
Javascript, iOS, Android, and several other SaaS integrations.
Pricing: Dependent on what services are needed.
2. MirrorFly
Mirrorfly is a leading messaging solution provider company headquartered in Chennai, India, with more than 5+ years of experience providing feature-enriched chat applications to global clients. The company provides a set of wholly packed solutions (Chat API and Messaging SDK, Audio/Video call integration, reliable monetization features) to build your own custom-made chat application on Android/iOS and Web.
Some of their inbuilt technology stacks:
Cloud Storage: Amazon S3 Bucket Storage, Amazon Web Service
DataBase: Mnesia, Cassandra DB & NoSQL
Programming Languages & Technologies: Erlang, Ejabberd, Custom XMPP application server, YAWS Web server, BEAM Interface, and PHP.
Pricing: One-time payment for the entire chat application based on user scalability.
3. Contus Fly
When building a chat app solution that covers the entire platform and demands an All-in-One package (features, Customization to any extent) with a one-time payment for lifetime performance, Contus Fly undoubtedly makes the right choice to partner with.
The company offers messaging SDK for Android/iOS and chat APIs for customization. They also provide chat integration services for web & mobile applications ranging from micro to massive user scalability.
And one of their notable attributes is that you can possess the accessibility of the entire source code, and hosting can be processed on your premises. Apart from their significant features, such as WebRTC-enabled solutions, the best chat SDK offers monetization options to magnify your business revenue through subscription options.
Some of their Noteworthy Hallmarks:
Cloud Storage: Amazon S3 Bucket Storage, Amazon Web Service
DataBase: Mnesia, Cassandra DB & NoSQL
Programming Languages & Technologies: Erlang, Ejabberd, Custom XMPP application server, YAWS Web server, BEAM Interface, and PHP.
Pricing: One-time payment for the entire chat application based on user scalability.
4. CometChat
Yet another leading Chat API and SDK provider for iOS/Android, CometChat.
CometChat also offers splendid features, instant messaging SDK, and chat and chat API, which facilitates Text, Voice, and Video chat functionality on mobile and web applications.
Their product can be integrated on multiple platforms with customization at its best. The CometChat product offers easy deployment of messaging SDK and chat API on an expressly stated cloud server or its premises.
Some of their Notable Attributes:
Cloud Storage: CometChat Cloud
Database: PostgreSQL
Programming Languages & Technologies: PHP, MySQL
Pricing: Based on the number of monthly active users (Initial $49 to custom pricing)
5. Agora.io
One of the leading real-time communication providers in the market, delivering voice and video communication.
Agora offers a complete best chat SDK for android/iOS and messaging API that supports multi-platform that facilitates supporting group voice conferencing with over 10,000 users.
Their chat APIs & SDK allows integration call functionality on mobile applications such as iOS, Android, and windows. Agora has awe-inspiring audio calling quality feature that withholds massive scalability and offers seamless video and audio integration for gaming applications.
Some of their Exceptional Attributes:
Cloud Storage: Proprietary Cloud Service
DataBase: Not Revealed
Programming Languages & Technologies: JavaScript, C++, Objective-C, and Swift.
Pricing: Based on minutes calculation (Pay-as-you-go)
6. Apphitect IM
Apphitect IM is an instant messaging solution providing real-time messaging APIs and chat SDKs for Android, iOS, and Web Applications.
They enable customers to build their own scalable, reliable messaging platform with real-time features and functionalities such as rich chat infrastructure that supports cross-device and iOS, Android, and Windows.
Their chat SDK API for android can potentially support IoT device deployments and possess some immersive features and scalability to a massive audience rate.
Some of their inbuilt technology stacks:
Cloud Storage: Amazon S3 Bucket Storage, Amazon Web Service
Database: Mnesia, Cassandra DB & NoSQL
Programming Languages & Technologies: Erlang, Ejabberd, Custom XMPP application server, YAWS Web server, BEAM Interface, and PHP.
Pricing: One-time payment for the entire chat application based on user scalability.
7. Mesibo
Mesibo is a top-tier real-time chat SDK and communication platform provider enabled with messaging, voice, and video functionalities for several industrial sectors.
They have mighty experience in integration through cross-platform chat API and SDK for Android, iOS, React Native, and JavaScript.
The chat product offers both free and premium source code with a customization edge to enable a bunch of advanced features with an intuitive user experience.
Some of their Significant Technology Components:
Cloud Storage: Own cloud server or Amazon Web Service, Google Cloud Storage
DataBase: Not Revealed
Programming Languages & Technologies: Objective-C, Swift, JavaScript, PHP
Pricing: Completely Pay-as-you-go based on concurrent users and cloud storage.
8. ChatCamp
An emerging chat App platform providing real-time Chat SDK and Messaging API for mobile and web applications based on the requirement.
They offer a complete pack of enriched features and reliable functionalities with massive scalability, which can hold concurrent users at the same time.
With their native messaging chat SDK and chat API integration, performance on multiple platforms with available features such as direct messaging, group, and open channels.
Some of their Significant Attributes:
Cloud Storage: Their cloud storage
DataBase: Not revealed
Programming Languages & Technologies: JavaScript, Swift
Pricing: Based on concurrent users and storage, ranging from $99/month.
9. Sendbird
Considered as one of the leading providers of messaging SDK and chat API for Android and iOS applications to global clients. In-app messaging and integration are of their important qualities when compared to other chat apps SDK and messaging API providers.
Their messaging SDK and chat API enable direct message, open and group channels with advanced features that enable seamless user communication.
Their advanced technology implementation allows withholding massive user scalability that assists many use cases across On-demand services, Gaming, and Communities.
Some of their Splendid Building Blocks:
Cloud Storage: Custom or SendBird cloud storage
Database: NoSQL, RDB
Programming Languages & Technologies: React Native, .NET, Ionic, MQTT.
Pricing: Based on the Pay-As-You-Use model.
10. Pusher
Pusher is completely a developer-driven chat functionality that assists every developer in implementing messaging functionality on existing web and mobile applications.
Their ChatKit service, wrapped with some worthy features and codecs, creates an easier path for developers to integrate instant messaging API on iOS, Android, and Web applications.
Some of their Prominent Stack Functionalities:
Cloud Storage: Not revealed
Database: PostgreSQL
Programming Languages & Technologies: .NET, JavaScript, C++, Haskell
Pricing: Rated for API calls with Pro and Standard ($49)
What are Chat APIs and MEssaging SDKs?
Chat and messaging APIs and SDKs allow developers to add chat and messaging functionalities to their applications easily.
Chat APIs provide access to a platform’s back-end infrastructure, making it easier for developers to integrate real-time communication features in their apps. On the other hand, messaging SDKs enable developers to quickly create a user interface for their apps that support text, audio and video messaging.
Chat APIs provide methods and protocols to access the back-end systems of popular messaging services like Facebook Messenger, Slack, WhatsApp, etc. These APIs allow developers to send messages from their applications to users on these platforms.
Messaging SDKs, on the other hand, give developers access to a library of pre-built user interface components that can be used to create messaging interfaces quickly. These SDKs provide a set of APIs to interact with such components and enable developers to easily add voice, video, and text chat into their applications.
What’s the Difference Between APIs and SDKs?
An API (Application Programming Interface) is a set of instructions, protocols, and tools used to create software applications. It allows developers to access a specific application or platform’s functions, data, and behaviors without having direct access to its source code. APIs can be public or private and are used to facilitate communication between two applications.
An SDK (Software Development Kit) is a collection of software tools, libraries, and documentation that enable developers to build programs for a specific platform. An SDK typically includes an API but also includes additional components such as code samples, debugging tools, development frameworks and more. SDKs are often tailored to a specific platform and provide functions and features not available in an API alone.
Conclusion
Which Chat API and Messaging SDK provider is best for your business?
Well, the answer depends on your needs.
Each chat app provider is distinctive based on its technologies and features. It’s better to give a try on the above-sorted list of who meets your criteria to build your chat application.
No, chat API is not free. The cost of using chat API typically depends on the provider and the features included in the package. Generally, providers offer monthly subscription plans that allow users to access some aspects for a fixed fee. Some providers also offer pay-as-you-go plans with hourly or minute rates. In addition, additional fees may be associated with using certain features or services. It is essential to research and compares different providers before making a decision. You should also consider the features available, support options, ease of use, and pricing structure when selecting a chat API provider.
An alternative for chat API is webhooks. Webhooks are a technology that allows applications to send automated messages or notifications when certain events occur. Webhooks can be used to update customer data, send notifications to users, respond to user queries, and more. They are becoming increasingly popular due to their flexibility and scalability. Webhooks are often combined with chat APIs to provide a comprehensive solution for customer engagement.
The best API to create a chatbot depends on your specific requirements. For instance, if you are looking for a simple solution that works out of the box, services such as DialogFlow and IBM Watson Conversation might be better suited. However, if you are looking for more customization, APIs such as Microsoft Bot Framework or Amazon Lex might be better suited for your needs.
The best chatbot tool depends on your specific needs and preferences. Some popular options include Dialogflow, Microsoft Bot Framework, Wit.ai, IBM Watson Assistant, Rasa, and Amazon Lex. Each one has its own features and advantages that make it suitable for different types of projects, so you should start by assessing your requirements and then compare the various tools to find the one that best suits your needs. Additionally, it would be best to consider factors such as cost and ease of use when making your decision. Ultimately, selecting a chatbot tool to help you achieve your desired outcomes efficiently and effectively is essential.
