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Best Chat Api in 2026

Chat API tools help developers add messaging to applications through APIs and SDKs. This list is for people comparing hosted services, SDKs, and self-hosted options on a budget.

26 apps
Research read 7 Oct 2026
How the order is worked out

1

Ably Chat

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

7.7 Free plan · paid from $29/mo Visit site
2

CometChat

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

7.6 Free plan Visit site
3

Dendri

Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb

7.4 Free plan · paid from $29/mo Visit site
4

mesibo

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

7.3 Free plan · paid from $49/mo · 30-day trial Visit site
5

OpenIM

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

7.3 Free plan Visit site
6

Gupshup
by Gupshup
Free plan APIWeb

Gupshup combines conversational agents, campaign tools, channel support, and human escalation.

7.2 From $0.00 Visit site
7

PrivChat

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+5

7.2 Free plan Visit site
8

PubNub Chat

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4

7.2 Free plan · paid from $98/mo Visit site
9

QuickBlox Chat API

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

QuickBlox combines messaging, media sharing, moderation, and multiple hosting options for app developers.

7.1 From $50/mo Visit site
10

Stream Chat

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

7.1 Free plan · paid from $399/mo (annual) Visit site
11

Tinode

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+2

7.0 Free plan Visit site
12

TalkJS

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

6.9 Free plan · paid from $279/mo Visit site
13

Twilio Conversations

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+1

6.9 Free plan · paid from $0.05/user/mo Visit site
14

ZEGOCLOUD In-app Chat

Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+3

6.9 Free plan · paid from $99/mo Visit site
15

Agora Chat

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb+1

6.8 Free plan · paid from $0.05/user/mo Visit site
16

Chat21

Free plan AndroidiPhoneWeb

6.4 Free plan Visit site
17

NetEase Cloud IM

Free plan AndroidiPhoneMac+2

6.2 Free plan · 7-day trial Visit site
18

EnableX Dialogs Cloud
by EnableX Dialogs Cloud
Free trial Web

6.0 30-day trial Visit site
19

JuggleIM

Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+2

6.0 Open source Visit site
20

Sendbird Chat

Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+1

6.0 From $349/mo (annual) Visit site
21

MirrorFly

Paid AndroidAPIiPhone+2

5.7 Pricing on request Visit site
22

LeanCloud Realtime

Paid AndroidiPhoneWeb

4.6 Pricing on request Visit site
23

ChatAPI

Paid Web

4.5 Open source Visit site
24

Lowkey Chat SDK

Paid AndroidiPhoneWeb

4.5 From $249/mo Visit site
25

QuickBlox AI Agent Builder

Paid Web

4.1 From $50/mo Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

Compare free plans, trial terms, paid starting prices, supported platforms, and group size limits. Check encryption, moderation tools, SDK platforms, and whether the licence permits the code use you need.

Questions

Do chat API tools have free plans?

Yes. A free plan is listed for Ably Chat, Agora Chat, Chat21, CometChat, Dendri, and mesibo. Other entries use different pricing models.

Which chat API options are open source?

ChatAPI and JuggleIM are listed as open source. Read their licences to confirm how you may use or modify the code.

Is there a free trial?

JuggleIM lists a free trial, and mesibo lists a 30-day trial. Check the current terms before signing up.

What platforms can these tools run on?

Platforms listed for this category include web, iOS, Android, API, self-hosted, and Windows. Confirm the specific platforms for a tool you are considering.

What prices are listed?

Examples include Agora Chat from $0.05 per user per month, Ably Chat and Dendri from $29 per month, mesibo from $49 per month, and Lowkey Chat SDK from $249 per month.

Questions

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