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Head-to-head · Chat Api

Sendbird Chat vs PubNub Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Sendbird Chat #2 in Chat Api 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Sendbird
PubNub Chat #5 in Chat Api 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit PubNub

Sendbird Chat leads on 0 checks, PubNub Chat on 2, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 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
  • Lowest starting pricePubNub Chat · $98/mo
  • Free planonly PubNub Chat

Sendbird Chat scores higher on our rubric for chat api: 8.8 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

PubNub Chat offers free plan; Sendbird Chat doesn't. PubNub Chat is cheaper to start at $98/mo against $349/mo.

Sendbird Chat is the better fit for teams building chat into web, mobile, or game apps. PubNub Chat is the better fit for teams adding custom chat across app platforms.

  • Sendbird Chat fits best

    Teams building chat into web, mobile, or game apps

  • PubNub Chat fits best

    Teams adding custom chat across app platforms

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Side by side

Feature Sendbird Chat 8.8/10 Visit ↗ PubNub Chat 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.4
Ranking #2 in Chat Api #5 in Chat Api
Best for Teams building chat into web, mobile, or game apps Teams adding custom chat across app platforms
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $349/mo $98/mo (best)
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile, Desktop
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
Integrations 2 integrations 8 integrations
Features Sendbird Chat 1/4 · 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 ✓ ✓
Specs
SDK platforms iOS, Android, JavaScript, Flutter, Unity, Unreal, .NET JavaScript, Kotlin, Swift, Unity, Unreal
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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

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 →

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. Sendbird ChatChat Api 8.8Paid
  2. PubNub ChatChat Api 8.4Free 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

  • 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