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Best Chat APIs 2026
Facts read 30 Sep 2026 – 11 Oct 2026
Chat APIs add messaging capabilities to applications and services. This guide helps compare plans, platforms, delivery choices and chat controls before choosing a tool.
The standings: top 10
| Name | Record score | Price from | Try it free | Runs on | Facts read |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 mesibo | 6.2 | $0.01 usage-based | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 02 PubNub Chat | 6.0 | $98 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 30 Sep 2026 |
| 03 Twilio Conversations | 6.0 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 7 Oct 2026 |
| 04 QuickBlox Chat API | 5.8 | $107 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 8 Oct 2026 |
| 05 ChatKitty | 5.6 | $400 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Linux | 1 Oct 2026 |
| 06 CometChat | 5.6 | $239 a month, billed yearly | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 4 Oct 2026 |
| 07 Scaledrone | 5.6 | $19 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 9 Oct 2026 |
| 08 Easemob IM | 5.5 | 500 CNY a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 2 Oct 2026 |
| 09 OpenIM | 5.5 | Free plan | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, Windows | 8 Oct 2026 |
| 10 Tinode | 5.5 | $1.50 a month | Free plan | Android, iPhone & iPad, Web, API | 8 Oct 2026 |
The list is ordered by newest releases first, using figures published by the makers. Review free access, lowest paid tiers, presence, typing status, push alerts, SDK coverage, delivery methods, message retention and moderation features.
02
PubNub Chat
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+4 Record6.0 Visit
03
Twilio Conversations
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+1 Record6.0 Visit
04
QuickBlox Chat API
It suits developers building telehealth, customer service, social community, or enterprise communication apps.
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+2 Record5.8 Visit
05
ChatKitty
AndroidiPhone & iPadWeb+3 Record5.6 Visit
Before you choose
Check the way you can start
Free plans appear with services such as Ably Chat, Agora Chat, ChatKitty, CometChat, Dendri, Easemob IM, ejabberd and Emitter. JuggleIM is described as free and open source.
Applozic offers a 28-day trial. Trials may help you evaluate a paid service before committing, whereas Amio Messaging SDK and Apphitect IM are shown without free plans.
Match the platform to your app
The catalog covers web, API, iOS, Android, self-hosted setups and Linux. Check the platform labels against the clients and infrastructure your app uses.
Apphitect IM is listed for Android, API, iOS, self-hosted and web environments. Amio Messaging SDK is listed for the web.
Read the starting price carefully
Agora Chat's listed paid starting point is $0.05 per user per month, compared with ChatKitty at $400 per month. Emitter begins at $10 per month, Ably Chat and Dendri at $29 per month, and Amio Messaging SDK at €150 per month.
Some tools show pricing on request, such as Apphitect IM. Treat a starting price as a point for comparison, not a complete cost estimate.
Compare chat functions
Look across the entries for presence, typing status, push alerts, delivery methods, message history and moderation features. Match these controls to the conversations your product needs.
SDK platform coverage is listed alongside those functions, so check both the feature fields and the platforms before choosing an API.
Choose a hosting model
Listed deployment environments span web, API, iOS, Android, self-hosted and Linux. A self-hosted label can matter when your deployment needs to run on infrastructure you manage.
Check delivery methods and message-history support alongside the hosting option, then confirm that the tool fits your operating environment.
Questions
How does a chat API work?
It gives an app or service messaging functions, such as presence, typing status, push alerts, stored history and moderation controls.
Are free plans available?
Free tiers are listed for Ably Chat, Agora Chat, ChatKitty, CometChat, Dendri, Easemob IM, ejabberd and Emitter. JuggleIM is described as free and open source.
What platforms do these chat APIs support?
Across the entries, labels cover web, API, iOS, Android, self-hosted setups and Linux. Assess each product using its own platform labels.
Are trials available for chat APIs?
Applozic offers a 28-day trial. JuggleIM shows a free trial and an open-source pricing model.
How are paid prices shown?
The listed paid starting points include $0.05 per user per month for Agora Chat, $10 per month for Emitter, and $29 per month for Ably Chat and Dendri. Some tools list pricing on request.
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