Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Communications Platforms as a Service

8x8 Communications APIs vs Gupshup

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score 8x8 Communications APIs #4 in Communications Platforms as a Service 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit 8x8 APIs
Gupshup #7 in Communications Platforms as a Service 8.4/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Gupshup

8x8 Communications APIs leads on 1 check, Gupshup on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest score8x8 Communications APIs · 9.1/10
  • Free planonly 8x8 Communications APIs
  • Most features8x8 Communications APIs · 4 of 4

8x8 Communications APIs scores higher on our rubric for communications platforms as a service: 9.1 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #7.

8x8 Communications APIs offers free plan; Gupshup doesn't.

8x8 Communications APIs is the better fit for teams wanting broad APIs with a free plan. Gupshup is the better fit for AI-powered conversational messaging.

  • 8x8 Communications APIs fits best

    Teams wanting broad APIs with a free plan

  • Gupshup fits best

    AI-powered conversational messaging

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature 8x8 Communications APIs 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Gupshup 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.4
Ranking #4 in Communications Platforms as a Service #7 in Communications Platforms as a Service
Best for Teams wanting broad APIs with a free plan AI-powered conversational messaging
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — $0.001/unit usage-based
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web
Support Email, Docs Email, Docs
Compliance SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML, 2FA SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Integrations 4 integrations 500+ integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features 8x8 Communications APIs 4/4 · Gupshup 0/4
Programmable voice ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Programmable messaging ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Programmable video ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Phone number support ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Channels supported SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, Viber, LINE, Zalo, voice, video Not checked yet
Pricing model Payg Not checked yet
SDK platforms iOS, Android Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, Viber, LINE, Zalo, voice, and video
  • Includes APIs and SDKs for web, iOS, Android, and API integrations
  • Offers a free Developer plan alongside usage-based and enterprise options
  • Visual and code-based chatbot builders with AI agent support
  • Deploys conversations across WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, web, RCS, and voice
  • Supports knowledge bases, live-agent handoff, analytics, and journey tracking
Cons
  • The free Developer plan is limited to 25 monthly active users
  • Pricing varies by product, usage, destination, and user volume
  • Video offerings are priced separately from the usage-based communications APIs
  • Usage-based messaging fees apply to all messages
  • WhatsApp fees vary by country and message type
  • More messaging- and bot-centric than a full voice-and-video CPaaS
Our verdict

8x8 Communications APIs gives businesses and developers a way to add communications to customer-engagement workflows. Its scope spans SMS, business messaging, voice calling, IVR, number masking, verification, video interaction, and…

Read the review →

Gupshup is a conversational AI and messaging platform for businesses creating customer engagement, marketing, commerce, and support experiences. It is aimed at teams that need chatbot automation connected to existing CRM, commerce,…

Read the review →
  1. 8x8 Communications APIsCommunications Platforms as a Service 9.1Free plan
  2. GupshupCommunications Platforms as a Service 8.4Paid

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 8x8 Communications APIs — where it wins

    • Covers SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, Viber, LINE, Zalo, voice, and video
    • Includes APIs and SDKs for web, iOS, Android, and API integrations
    • Offers a free Developer plan alongside usage-based and enterprise options

    Where it doesn't

    • The free Developer plan is limited to 25 monthly active users
    • Pricing varies by product, usage, destination, and user volume
    • Video offerings are priced separately from the usage-based communications APIs

  • Gupshup — where it wins

    • Visual and code-based chatbot builders with AI agent support
    • Deploys conversations across WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, web, RCS, and voice
    • Supports knowledge bases, live-agent handoff, analytics, and journey tracking

    Where it doesn't

    • Usage-based messaging fees apply to all messages
    • WhatsApp fees vary by country and message type
    • More messaging- and bot-centric than a full voice-and-video CPaaS

More comparisons

All communications platforms as a service comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update