PubNub Chat vs Gupshup

PubNub Chat7.3Visit Gupshup7.2Visit

Higher score PubNub Chat #4 in Chat Api 7.3/10 Free plan · paid from $98/mo Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit PubNub

vs

Gupshup #5 in Chat Api 7.2/10 From $0.00 ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Gupshup

• PubNub Chat fits best

  Teams adding custom chat across app platforms

• Gupshup fits best

  Businesses building cross-channel messaging bots

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Side by side

Feature	PubNub Chat 7.3/10 Visit ↗	Gupshup 7.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.3	7.2
Ranking	#4 in Chat Api	#5 in Chat Api
Best for	Teams adding custom chat across app platforms	Businesses building cross-channel messaging bots
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	$98/mo	Not published
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Desktop	Cloud
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web
Integrations	8 integrations	500+ integrations
Features PubNub Chat 1/4 · Gupshup 0/4
Group chat	Not published	Not published
Self-hosted option	Not published	Not published
End-to-end encryption	Not published	Not published
Moderation tools	✓ (best)	Not published
Specs
SDK platforms	JavaScript, Kotlin, Swift, Unity, Unreal	Not published
Group size limit	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	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	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.
Cons	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	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.
Our verdict	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 →	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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• 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

• 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 Chat7.3/10 · Free plan · paid from $98/mo

  A flexible chat SDK with broad conversation tools and a free entry plan.

  Visit PubNubFull verdict →
• Gupshup7.2/10 · From $0.00

  Build AI-assisted chatbot journeys and deploy them across messaging channels.

  Visit GupshupFull verdict →