CometChat vs OpenIM

CometChat9.1Visit OpenIM8.7Visit

Higher score CometChat #3 in Chat APIs 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit CometChat

vs

OpenIM #7 in Chat APIs 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit OpenIM

• CometChat fits best

  Teams wanting a complete chat platform

• OpenIM fits best

  Self-hosted large-scale group chat

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	CometChat 9.1/10 Visit ↗	OpenIM 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.1	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Chat APIs	#7 in Chat APIs
Best for	Teams wanting a complete chat platform	Self-hosted large-scale group chat
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	—	Free
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile	Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	12 integrations	7 integrations
Features CometChat 4/4 · OpenIM 4/4
Presence support	✓	✓
Typing indicators	✓	✓
Push notifications	✓	✓
Moderation tools	✓	✓
Specs
SDK platforms	JavaScript, React Native, iOS, Android, Flutter, Ionic/Capacitor	Web, iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, uni-app, Electron, C/C++, Unity
Delivery methods	push, email, SMS, custom provider	Online push, offline push, offline message synchronization, multi-device synchronization
Message history	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Free Build plan includes all features for up to 100 users Supports chat, calling, notifications, moderation, and AI features SDKs, APIs, UI Kits, webhooks, and broad framework coverage	Supports groups of up to 100,000 members Offers offline messages and multi-device synchronization Includes Server APIs, webhooks, and rich message types
Cons	Build is limited to up to 100 users Higher concurrency is reserved for Enterprise The broad feature set may exceed basic chat needs	Business and Enterprise editions use contact-sales licensing Advanced voice and video features are limited to Enterprise The integration set is focused rather than broad
Our verdict	CometChat provides communication infrastructure for developers adding real-time messaging and calling to websites, web apps, and mobile applications. Its capabilities cover one-to-one and group chat, media sharing, presence, typing… Read the review →	OpenIM is open-source communication infrastructure for developers adding in-app chat and messaging to web, mobile, desktop, and cross-platform applications. Its self-hosted server components, client SDKs, Server APIs, and webhooks cover… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• CometChat — where it wins

  • Free Build plan includes all features for up to 100 users
  • Supports chat, calling, notifications, moderation, and AI features
  • SDKs, APIs, UI Kits, webhooks, and broad framework coverage

  Where it doesn't

  • Build is limited to up to 100 users
  • Higher concurrency is reserved for Enterprise
  • The broad feature set may exceed basic chat needs

• OpenIM — where it wins

  • Supports groups of up to 100,000 members
  • Offers offline messages and multi-device synchronization
  • Includes Server APIs, webhooks, and rich message types

  Where it doesn't

  • Business and Enterprise editions use contact-sales licensing
  • Advanced voice and video features are limited to Enterprise
  • The integration set is focused rather than broad

• CometChat9.1/10 · Free plan

  A complete chat platform with a free tier and broad SDK coverage.

  Visit CometChatFull verdict →
• OpenIM8.7/10 · Free plan

  A self-hosted chat stack for large groups, synchronized messaging, and developer control.

  Visit OpenIMFull verdict →