PubNub Chat vs OpenIM

PubNub Chat7.7Visit OpenIM7.5Visit

Higher score PubNub Chat #6 in Chat APIs 7.7/10 Free plan · paid from $98/mo Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PubNub

vs

OpenIM #7 in Chat APIs 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit OpenIM

• PubNub Chat fits best

  Teams needing polished real-time chat features

• OpenIM fits best

  Self-hosted large-scale group chat

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Side by side

Feature	PubNub Chat 7.7/10 Visit ↗	OpenIM 7.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	7.7	7.5
Ranking	#6 in Chat APIs	#7 in Chat APIs
Best for	Teams needing polished real-time chat features	Self-hosted large-scale group chat
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Free
Starting price	$98/mo	Not published
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Desktop	Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms	Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, iOS, Android
Integrations	8 integrations	7 integrations
Features PubNub Chat 4/4 · OpenIM 4/4
Presence support	✓	✓
Typing indicators	✓	✓
Push notifications	✓	✓
Moderation tools	✓	✓
Specs
SDK platforms	JavaScript, Kotlin, Swift, Unity, Unreal	Web, iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, uni-app, Electron, C/C++, Unity
Delivery methods	publish/subscribe, signals, mobile push notifications	Online push, offline push, offline message synchronization, multi-device synchronization
Message history	Not published	Not published
Our review
Pros	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	Supports groups of up to 100,000 members Offers offline messages and multi-device synchronization Includes Server APIs, webhooks, and rich message types
Cons	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	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	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 →	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

• 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

• 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

• PubNub Chat7.7/10 · Free plan · paid from $98/mo

  A feature-rich chat SDK with a free entry plan and paid growth tiers.

  Visit PubNubFull verdict →
• OpenIM7.5/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit OpenIMFull verdict →