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Head-to-head · Chat Api

Gupshup vs PubNub Chat

  • 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
PubNub Chat #5 in Chat Api 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit PubNub

Gupshup leads on 0 checks, PubNub Chat 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 PubNub Chat
  • Most featuresPubNub Chat · 1 of 4

Gupshup scores higher on our rubric for chat api: 8.6 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

PubNub Chat offers free plan; Gupshup doesn't.

Gupshup is the better fit for businesses building cross-channel messaging bots. PubNub Chat is the better fit for teams adding custom chat across app platforms.

  • Gupshup fits best

    Businesses building cross-channel messaging bots

  • PubNub Chat fits best

    Teams adding custom chat across app platforms

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Side by side

Feature Gupshup 8.6/10 Visit ↗ PubNub Chat 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.6 8.4
Ranking #4 in Chat Api #5 in Chat Api
Best for Businesses building cross-channel messaging bots Teams adding custom chat across app platforms
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $0.001/unit usage-based $98/mo
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Integrations 500+ integrations 8 integrations
Features Gupshup 0/4 · PubNub Chat 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 JavaScript, Kotlin, Swift, Unity, Unreal
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.
  • Supports direct, group, and public conversations with real-time messaging
  • Includes presence, typing indicators, history, reactions, and threads
  • Framework integrations span React, Vue, Angular, Electron, and more
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.
  • Starter costs $98 per month after the free plan
  • Free plan is limited to 200 MAU or 1M transactions
  • Advanced analytics, monitoring, and custom integrations require Pro
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 →

PubNub Chat is a developer SDK for adding real-time chat to mobile apps, games, browsers, and other applications. It suits teams that want to build chat into a custom interface rather than adopt a ready-made messaging product.…

Read the review →
  1. GupshupChat Api 8.6Paid
  2. PubNub ChatChat Api 8.4Free 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.

  • PubNub Chat — where it wins

    • Supports direct, group, and public conversations with real-time messaging
    • Includes presence, typing indicators, history, reactions, and threads
    • Framework integrations span React, Vue, Angular, Electron, and more

    Where it doesn't

    • Starter costs $98 per month after the free plan
    • Free plan is limited to 200 MAU or 1M transactions
    • Advanced analytics, monitoring, and custom integrations require Pro

More comparisons

All chat api comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update