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Head-to-head · Chat APIs

Ably Chat vs PubNub Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Ably Chat #4 in Chat APIs 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Ably Chat
PubNub Chat #6 in Chat APIs 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PubNub

Ably Chat leads on 1 check, PubNub Chat on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAbly Chat · 9.0/10
  • Lowest starting priceAbly Chat · $29/mo
  • Free planboth

Ably Chat scores higher on our rubric for chat apis: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

Ably Chat is cheaper to start at $29/mo against $98/mo.

Ably Chat is the better fit for budget-conscious apps needing modern chat. PubNub Chat is the better fit for teams needing polished real-time chat features.

  • Ably Chat fits best

    Budget-conscious apps needing modern chat

  • PubNub Chat fits best

    Teams needing polished real-time chat features

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Side by side

Feature Ably Chat 9.0/10 Visit ↗ PubNub Chat 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.8
Ranking #4 in Chat APIs #6 in Chat APIs
Best for Budget-conscious apps needing modern chat Teams needing polished real-time chat features
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $29/mo (best) $98/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Integrations 8 integrations 8 integrations
Features Ably Chat 4/4 · PubNub Chat 4/4
Presence support ✓ ✓
Typing indicators ✓ ✓
Push notifications ✓ ✓
Moderation tools ✓ ✓
Specs
SDK platforms JavaScript, React, React Native, Kotlin (Android), Kotlin (JVM), Swift JavaScript, Kotlin, Swift, Unity, Unreal
Delivery methods WebSocket realtime streaming, REST API, push notifications via channels or direct delivery publish/subscribe, signals, mobile push notifications
Message history 30 days Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free plan includes 6M monthly messages
  • Presence, reactions, push, and moderation workflows included
  • React UI Kit plus web, iOS, Android, and API support
  • Supports threads, reactions, history, presence, typing indicators, and moderation
  • Works across web, mobile, desktop, and API-based applications
  • Free plan includes up to 200 MAU or 1M transactions
Cons
  • Standard and Pro plans add usage charges
  • Default message history retention is 30 days
  • Verified SDK coverage is narrower than leading alternatives
  • Paid access starts at $98/month on the Starter plan
  • Pro pricing uses custom MAU packages rather than a listed fixed price
  • Advanced capabilities and custom integrations are reserved for Pro
Our verdict

Ably Chat is a developer-focused SDK and API for adding realtime messaging to applications. It supports 1:1 conversations, group chat rooms, livestream chat, presence, typing indicators, reactions, message editing and deletion, persistent…

Read the review →

PubNub Chat is a developer SDK for adding real-time messaging to mobile apps, games, browsers, and other applications. It supports direct, group, and public conversations, with features including presence, typing indicators, read receipts,…

Read the review →
  1. Ably ChatChat APIs 9.0Free plan
  2. PubNub ChatChat APIs 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ably Chat — where it wins

    • Free plan includes 6M monthly messages
    • Presence, reactions, push, and moderation workflows included
    • React UI Kit plus web, iOS, Android, and API support

    Where it doesn't

    • Standard and Pro plans add usage charges
    • Default message history retention is 30 days
    • Verified SDK coverage is narrower than leading alternatives

  • PubNub Chat — where it wins

    • Supports threads, reactions, history, presence, typing indicators, and moderation
    • Works across web, mobile, desktop, and API-based applications
    • Free plan includes up to 200 MAU or 1M transactions

    Where it doesn't

    • Paid access starts at $98/month on the Starter plan
    • Pro pricing uses custom MAU packages rather than a listed fixed price
    • Advanced capabilities and custom integrations are reserved for Pro

More comparisons

All chat APIs comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update