7 Best Chat as a Service Platforms
Tags: caas, chatapi, chatasaservice, chatsdk
Published: 2023-05-03 16:42:28

Looking for a feature-rich, secure, easy-to-integrate, customizable in-app chat solution that you don't have to build from scratch? We've compiled a list of the top seven CaaS providers on the market today, highlighting the benefits, features, and limitations so that you can make the right decision for your product. 

In-app chat's ability to build community, create brand loyalty, improve user retention, and increase engagement is responsible for its popularity. If your brand could use a boost in any of these areas, consider adding chat to your product roadmap. But, since building a chat app from scratch is often more trouble than it's worth, here are seven of **the top chat as a service (CaaS) providers** that will help you easily integrate chat into your product.

1\. Stream Chat
----------

[Stream](http://getstream.io) is one of the top chat services on the market. And some of the world's most well-known companies already use it, including Vimeo, The Boys and Girls Club of America, and Adobe.

It's an incredibly versatile option you can use to create a robust chat, even without prior experience building a messaging infrastructure. In addition to its [chat API](https://getstream.io/chat/), Stream offers more than a dozen [SDKs](https://getstream.io/chat/sdk/), including a React SDK and those specifically designed for iOS and Android app environments. The variety of options available ensures that you'll find a package that contains everything you need to build and customize your own chat right out of the box.

### Benefits

-   **Easy to build and implement.** Get chat up and running quickly with the easy-to-integrate API or access Stream's library of pre-written code.

-   **Customize the chat experience.** Enhance the out-of-the-box solution by editing the code yourself or using third-party platforms like Giphy and Imgur.

-   **Try before you buy.** [Sign up for a free trial](https://getstream.io/try-for-free/) to test drive Stream's API or SDKs before you spend any money.

-   **Make more reliable connections.** Stream boasts nearly 100% uptime and 5x fewer issues from poor Wi-Fi connections.

-   **Ensure security compliance.** Stream's chat meets some of the strictest industry regulations (including HIPAA, SOC-2, and GDPR) — a great option for products in tightly regulated industries like [telehealth](https://getstream.io/chat/solutions/telemedicine/).

### Top Features

-   Data encryption protects user privacy.

-   [Edge API Infrastructure](https://getstream.io/blog/chat-edge-infrastructure/) allows for truly instant messaging.

-   Unlimited number of chat users makes in-app conversations more collaborative.

-   [AI Moderation](https://getstream.io/automated-moderation/) include the ability to mute or ban accounts, hide or flag messages, and set channel permissions.

-   URL enrichment shows users in-message link previews that can include text, images, and videos.

### Limitations

-   **Video** Looking to take your app engagement to the next level? Incorporating video  is a great way to boost the benefits of native messaging, but Stream's [video service](https://getstream.io/video/) will not be available for another few months. 

2\. Agora
---------

[Agora](https://www.agora.io/en/) specializes in SDKs for voice calling and video conferencing — but it also offers a chat service for private and group chat capabilities. It's a particularly good option for web conferencing apps that already rely on Agora's other APIs and SDKs because they're all compatible. And that means they'll integrate with one another seamlessly.

### Benefits

-   **Moderate content automatically.** Agora automatically moderates sensitive content like profanity to create a safe environment for all users.

-   **Get up and running quickly.** Getting Agora's chat up and running only requires a few lines of code. To make things even easier, Agora provides pre-written code that you can copy and paste.

-   **Keep user data secure.** Data privacy compliance is easy with the SDK's file encryption and user controls for their chat histories.

-   **Use your favorite third-party integrations.** Customize the chat's functionality by integrating with third-party platforms like Giphy.

### Top Features

-   Offline messaging allows users to communicate asynchronously.

-   Auto-translation enables users to communicate in their preferred language.

### Limitations

-   Functionality. Agora's chat SDK only [supports the most basic](https://medium.com/@pranavtk0694/agora-io-is-dominating-on-time-video-and-voice-apps-review-and-experience-4c77d8986998) messaging functionality — read receipts, typing notifications, push notifications, etc.

3\. Twilio
----------

[Twilio](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/) is a leader in customer engagement with an emphasis on its data collection capabilities in all of its products. Twilio offers a wide array of APIs and SDKs, including Twilio MessagingX, which includes two [API](https://getstream.io/glossary/application-programming-interface-api/) offerings that help developers integrate multi-channel chat services into their products:

-   **[Programmable Messaging API](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/programmable-messaging-api):** Developers can use this API to send transactional messages through SMS, MMS, or WhatsApp. This API is great for ecommerce websites, which can use transactional messaging for things like shipping and delivery updates.

-   **[Conversations API](https://www.twilio.com/en-us/messaging/conversations-api):** With Twilio's SDK, you can integrate conversational messaging into apps. This API can handle robust chat needs, like providing real-time support through live chat.

### Benefits

-   **Connect with users through multiple channels.** The chat service is compatible with a variety of already-popular messaging platforms, including standard text messaging, Facebook Messenger, and Google Business.

-   **Expand your development knowledge and skill set.** Twilio supports customers beyond basic implementation resources by offering both live and on-demand virtual training sessions on a variety of topics that support long-term development efforts.

-   **Improve future communication with data-backed insights.** First and foremost, Twilio is a consumer engagement and data collection tool. And that means you gain insights about customers by integrating its other APIs.

### Top Features

#### Programmable messaging API 

-   Message notifications

-   User authentication

-   Real-time analytics

#### Conversations API 

-   Multi-channel messaging

-   Delivery and read receipts

-   SMS and MMS messaging

### Limitations

-   **Pricing.** [Twilio's pricing](https://www.twilio.com/pricing/messaging) varies depending on factors like the number of users and the number of sent messages. This flexibility in pricing can make it difficult to estimate costs and create realistic budgets, especially for apps with fast-growing user bases.

4\. PubNub
----------

[PubNub](https://www.pubnub.com/) specializes in tools that help developers create engaging virtual experiences that create a community at a global scale. 

PubNub is a great option for apps with large-scale messaging needs because the network relies on 15 internationally distributed data centers. This allows fast communication between users around the globe. Data center distribution also minimizes the risk of a crash since if one goes down, the service can rely on one of the others to keep operating.

### Benefits

-   **Guarantee compliance with important security and privacy standards.** SDKs support compliance with HIPAA and SOC2 regulations — PubNub even undergoes third-party audits to help ensure data security for its users.

-   **Build a unique chat with ease.** Components make it easy to add a chat service because they give you a head start by creating the building blocks --- all you have to do is assemble them according to the provided directions.

-   **Get assistance if you run into a hurdle.** 24/7 access to support makes PubNub a good option for teams with limited development experience or limited time to troubleshoot errors.

### Top Features

-   File sharing allows users to send photos, videos, and documents.

-   Moderation dashboard makes it easy to identify and hide inappropriate messages, respond to user-flagged messages, and mute individual users.

-   External storage automatically saves sent messages to a preselected, personal database.

### Limitations

-   **Functionality.** Popular functionalities require third-party integration — out of the box, Pubnub's chat service doesn't include the ability to send gifs, translate text, or trigger push notifications.

5\. Comet Chat
-------------

[CometChat](https://www.cometchat.com) offers APIs, SDKs, UI kits, and widgets that help developers integrate private and group chat into their own products with ease. Because it offers a combination of options, developers have a few options for how they integrate chat into their app or website:

1.  Drag-and-drop chat widgets to integrate pre-built chat functionality in just a few minutes.

2.  Customize and integrate a pre-built chat functionality with APIs on their own.

3.  Speed up time to launch with bottom-up development by using a combination of SDKs with APIs.

### Benefits

-   **Easy to integrate chat.** The ability to drag and drop pre-written code (or adjust the templated code) means it only takes a few minutes to get chat up and running.

-   **Moderate messages automatically.** Built-in AI moderation makes it easier to maintain a positive chat environment.

### Top Features

-   Messaging indicators signal to users when their messages are read or when another user is responding.

-   Search, along with tagging, helps find important information within chats.

-   User profiles let users personalize their experience by adding a profile photo and blocking users they don't get along with.

### Limitations

-   **Compatibility.** CometChat only offers six SDKs, which means it may not be compatible with all applications and websites.

-   **Customization.** CometChat limits the edits developers can make to the API and SDK code on their own, which means most customizations rely on extensions and third-party integrations.

-   **Pricing.** Advanced features like in-chat polling, message translation, and virus scanning are limited to the Pro Plan.

6\. TalkJS
-----------

[TalkJS](https://talkjs.com) is a dedicated [chat API](https://dev.to/mikeranellone/what-is-a-chat-api-513d) service provider that allows developers to integrate chat into any kind of app and employ it for a wide variety of use cases. This includes everything from basic one-on-one chats to real-time text messaging between businesses and customers. And as a company founded and run largely by developers, TalkJS regularly updates its services to remain competitive.

### Benefits

-   **Avoid creating a user interface.** TalkJS's pre-built UI is ready to use, which makes it easy to get a user-friendly chat experience up and running, even without front-end development experience.

-   **Moderate messages automatically.** Built-in AI moderation makes it easier to protect users by preventing them from sharing personal information. It also maintains a safe environment by allowing [moderators](https://getstream.io/blog/content-moderators/) to create lists of banned words and delete messages.

### Top Features

-   Notifications can be sent to users through email, SMS, or their web browser.

-   Chat themes allow the chat owner to customize the user interface, including changing text fonts, colors, message styles, and more.

### Limitations

-   **Accessibility.** An individual subscription can only be accessed from one touchpoint, which means large teams may need to pay for additional subscriptions.

-   **Customization.** Because TalkJS only offers an API (and no SDK), the only customization options are the built-in themes provided by TalkJS.

-   **Pricing.** Each [price plan](https://talkjs.com/pricing/) places a limit on the number of users, and the most affordable plans offer limited access to advanced features.

7\. Quickblox
-------------

[Quickblox](https://quickblox.com) supports developers that are building real-time chat. It also offers resources to build video calling and web conferencing features, which developers can use to support chat and create a more engaging and interactive experience for end users. Because Quickblox's primary goal is to help developers build apps that establish remote connections, some of its most common use cases include telehealth, eLearning, and remote work.

### Benefits

-  **Integrate chat for free.** The free subscription plan provides access to basic chat features for up to 500 registered users. You can test out new functionality with low commitment and still retain the option to scale with ease later on.

-   **Customize the chat experience with ease.** Quickblox supports developers with advanced chat customization through its Professional Services team. This team provides consultations, brainstorming, design, and even development and delivery services to make customized chat dreams become a reality.

-   **Guarantee you'll get assistance when you need it.** All paid subscriptions include access to ticketed support. For most plans, this includes guaranteed same-day response times, but for more advanced subscription options, it also includes access to a dedicated account manager and support via live chat or phone.

### Top Features

-   User status indicators make it easy to see when users are on or offline.

-   Message indicators show when messages are sent, delivered, and read.

-   Multimedia messaging allows users to enhance communication with images and links.

-   Moderation allows administrators to manually [ban](https://getstream.io/glossary/#ban) users and hide inappropriate messages.

### Limitations

-   **Functionality.** The free plan only offers access to basic chat features like typing indicators and chat histories. Access to more advanced features like offline messaging requires a paid subscription plan.

-   **Pricing.** Each price plan comes with limitations on the number of users, data storage capacity, and the file sizes users are allowed to send.

-   **Security.** End-to-end encryption is only available for [enterprise](https://getstream.io/glossary/enterprise-saas/) customers — other plan subscribers will be at higher risk of a security breach.

Choose a Chat Service That's Easy To Implement and Customize
-----------------------------------------------------------

The best way to set yourself up for success is by choosing a chat as a service platform that you can realistically implement with your development background and offers customization to ensure you deliver the best possible user experience.

Once you've narrowed down your list of potential chat API solutions, [take a look at these seven tips](https://getstream.io/blog/how-to-choose-a-chat-api-provider/) to help you compare and make a final decision about who to partner with. Or see how the most popular chat providers stack up in terms of [pricing plans](https://getstream.io/blog/what-i-learned-researching-chat-api-pricing/) and [full feature sets](https://getstream.io/blog/sendbird-competitor-alternatives/).