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Head-to-head · Chat Api

Gupshup vs OpenIM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Gupshup #4 in Chat Api 8.6/10 Paid ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Gupshup
OpenIM #8 in Chat Api 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit OpenIM

Gupshup leads on 0 checks, OpenIM on 1, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreGupshup · 8.6/10
  • Free planonly OpenIM
  • Most featuresOpenIM · 1 of 4

Gupshup scores higher on our rubric for chat api: 8.6 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

OpenIM offers free plan; Gupshup doesn't.

Gupshup is the better fit for businesses building cross-channel messaging bots. OpenIM is the better fit for teams self-hosting scalable, open-source chat.

  • Gupshup fits best

    Businesses building cross-channel messaging bots

  • OpenIM fits best

    Teams self-hosting scalable, open-source chat

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Side by side

Feature Gupshup 8.6/10 Visit ↗ OpenIM 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 7.9
Ranking #4 in Chat Api #8 in Chat Api
Best for Businesses building cross-channel messaging bots Teams self-hosting scalable, open-source chat
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $0.001/unit usage-based Free
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 500+ integrations 7 integrations
Features Gupshup 0/4 · OpenIM 1/4
Group chat Not checked yet Not checked yet
Self-hosted option Not checked yet Not checked yet
End-to-end encryption Not checked yet Not checked yet
Moderation tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
SDK platforms Not checked yet Web, iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, uni-app, Electron, C/C++, Unity
Group size limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Visual and code-based bot builders support different creation workflows.
  • Deploy journeys across WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, web, RCS, and voice.
  • Live-agent handoff, analytics, and 500 integrations extend bot operations.
  • Open-source server and SDKs support self-hosted chat deployments.
  • Supports groups up to 100,000, offline messages, and multi-device sync.
  • SDK coverage spans web, mobile, desktop, and cross-platform development.
Cons
  • The $0.001 messaging fee applies to all messages.
  • WhatsApp fees are billed at actuals and vary by country and message type.
  • Its focus is chatbot journeys and multichannel messaging, not in-app chat APIs.
  • Self-hosting means teams manage their own deployment.
  • Business and Enterprise editions are contact-sales offerings.
  • Voice, video, and high availability are reserved for Enterprise.
Our verdict

Gupshup is a conversational AI and messaging platform for businesses building customer engagement, marketing, commerce, and support experiences. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise teams that want to automate conversations across…

Read the review →

OpenIM provides open-source communication infrastructure for developers adding in-app chat and messaging to their applications. Its self-hosted server, client SDKs, Server APIs, and webhooks cover one-to-one conversations, groups, message…

Read the review →
  1. GupshupChat Api 8.6Paid
  2. OpenIMChat Api 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Gupshup — where it wins

    • Visual and code-based bot builders support different creation workflows.
    • Deploy journeys across WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, web, RCS, and voice.
    • Live-agent handoff, analytics, and 500 integrations extend bot operations.

    Where it doesn't

    • The $0.001 messaging fee applies to all messages.
    • WhatsApp fees are billed at actuals and vary by country and message type.
    • Its focus is chatbot journeys and multichannel messaging, not in-app chat APIs.

  • OpenIM — where it wins

    • Open-source server and SDKs support self-hosted chat deployments.
    • Supports groups up to 100,000, offline messages, and multi-device sync.
    • SDK coverage spans web, mobile, desktop, and cross-platform development.

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosting means teams manage their own deployment.
    • Business and Enterprise editions are contact-sales offerings.
    • Voice, video, and high availability are reserved for Enterprise.

More comparisons

All chat api comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update