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Head-to-head · Chat Api

Twilio Conversations vs Stream Chat

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Twilio Conversations #1 in Chat Api 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Twilio
Stream Chat #3 in Chat Api 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Stream Chat

Twilio Conversations leads on 0 checks, Stream Chat on 0, and 2 are 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 scoreTwilio Conversations · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth

Twilio Conversations scores higher on our rubric for chat api: 9.2 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #3.

Twilio Conversations is the better fit for teams building chat plus SMS and messaging channels. Stream Chat is the better fit for teams seeking broad SDK coverage and moderation.

  • Twilio Conversations fits best

    Teams building chat plus SMS and messaging channels

  • Stream Chat fits best

    Teams seeking broad SDK coverage and moderation

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Side by side

Feature Twilio Conversations 9.2/10 Visit ↗ Stream Chat 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.7
Ranking #1 in Chat Api #3 in Chat Api
Best for Teams building chat plus SMS and messaging channels Teams seeking broad SDK coverage and moderation
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Integrations 3 integrations 7 integrations
Features Twilio Conversations 1/4 · Stream 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 web, iOS, Android React, iOS (Swift), Android, Flutter, React Native, JavaScript, Unity, Unreal, Angular, Node, Python, Ruby, PHP, Java, .NET, Go, REST
Group size limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Connects chat, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger conversations
  • REST APIs and JavaScript, iOS, and Android client SDKs
  • Supports presence, typing indicators, push notifications, and delivery receipts
  • Supports direct, group, public, and private conversations with threads and reactions
  • Offers client and server SDKs across a broad range of platforms
  • Includes moderation tools, offline support, and push notifications
Cons
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing applies from 201 to 5,000 monthly active users
  • Additional media storage is priced separately
  • Its multichannel API focus may be more than a chat-only product needs
  • Start begins at $399 per month with annual billing
  • Advanced moderation and filters start on the paid Start plan
  • Some capabilities, including AI moderation and dedicated servers, are Enterprise features
Our verdict

Twilio Conversations is a cloud messaging API for developers building one-to-one or multiparty conversations into applications. It brings chat, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger into a shared conversation layer, with use cases…

Read the review →

Stream Chat is a hosted chat API and SDK platform for adding real-time messaging to web and mobile applications. It suits development teams that need more than direct messages: the product supports group conversations, public and private…

Read the review →
  1. Twilio ConversationsChat Api 9.2Free plan
  2. Stream ChatChat Api 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Twilio Conversations — where it wins

    • Connects chat, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger conversations
    • REST APIs and JavaScript, iOS, and Android client SDKs
    • Supports presence, typing indicators, push notifications, and delivery receipts

    Where it doesn't

    • Pay-as-you-go pricing applies from 201 to 5,000 monthly active users
    • Additional media storage is priced separately
    • Its multichannel API focus may be more than a chat-only product needs

  • Stream Chat — where it wins

    • Supports direct, group, public, and private conversations with threads and reactions
    • Offers client and server SDKs across a broad range of platforms
    • Includes moderation tools, offline support, and push notifications

    Where it doesn't

    • Start begins at $399 per month with annual billing
    • Advanced moderation and filters start on the paid Start plan
    • Some capabilities, including AI moderation and dedicated servers, are Enterprise features
  • Twilio Conversations9.2/10 · Free plan

    A developer-focused messaging API spanning chat, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, and Messenger.

    Visit TwilioFull verdict →
  • Stream Chat8.7/10 · Free plan

    Broad chat features and SDK coverage, with paid plans starting at $399 per month billed annually.

    Visit Stream ChatFull 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