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Head-to-head · Chat Api

Sendbird Chat vs OpenIM

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Sendbird Chat #2 in Chat Api 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Sendbird
OpenIM #8 in Chat Api 7.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit OpenIM

Sendbird Chat 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 scoreSendbird Chat · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly OpenIM

Sendbird Chat scores higher on our rubric for chat api: 8.8 against 7.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

OpenIM offers free plan; Sendbird Chat doesn't.

Sendbird Chat is the better fit for teams building chat into web, mobile, or game apps. OpenIM is the better fit for teams self-hosting scalable, open-source chat.

  • Sendbird Chat fits best

    Teams building chat into web, mobile, or game apps

  • OpenIM fits best

    Teams self-hosting scalable, open-source chat

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Side by side

Feature Sendbird Chat 8.8/10 Visit ↗ OpenIM 7.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 7.9
Ranking #2 in Chat Api #8 in Chat Api
Best for Teams building chat into web, mobile, or game apps Teams self-hosting scalable, open-source chat
Pricing model Paid Free
Starting price $349/mo Free
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Self-hosted
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 2 integrations 7 integrations
Features Sendbird Chat 1/4 · 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 ✓ ✓
Specs
SDK platforms iOS, Android, JavaScript, Flutter, Unity, Unreal, .NET Web, iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, uni-app, Electron, C/C++, Unity
Group size limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Supports one-to-one, group, open, and supergroup channels
  • Includes offline messaging, search, receipts, rich media, and push notifications
  • Offers moderation tools, analytics, data export, and post-event webhooks
  • 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
  • No permanent free plan; paid pricing starts at $349 per month billed annually
  • Translation, data export, image moderation, and supergroup channels require Pro
  • Enterprise pricing is custom
  • 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

Sendbird Chat provides SDKs, UI kits, a Platform API, and messaging infrastructure for adding real-time chat to web, mobile, game, and other applications. It suits teams that need more than basic direct messaging: channel options include…

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. Sendbird ChatChat Api 8.8Paid
  2. OpenIMChat Api 7.9Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Sendbird Chat — where it wins

    • Supports one-to-one, group, open, and supergroup channels
    • Includes offline messaging, search, receipts, rich media, and push notifications
    • Offers moderation tools, analytics, data export, and post-event webhooks

    Where it doesn't

    • No permanent free plan; paid pricing starts at $349 per month billed annually
    • Translation, data export, image moderation, and supergroup channels require Pro
    • Enterprise pricing is custom

  • 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.
  • Sendbird Chat8.8/10 · Paid

    A feature-rich chat API for teams that can accommodate paid plans starting at $349 per month.

    Visit SendbirdFull verdict →
  • OpenIM7.9/10 · Free plan

    A self-hosted chat API with broad SDK coverage and support for groups up to 100,000.

    Visit OpenIMFull verdict →

More comparisons

All chat api comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update