Discovering the Best Stream Chat Alternatives for Seamless In-App Messaging
Stream Chat is a powerful solution lauded for its ability to rapidly ship in-app messaging with highly reliable chat infrastructure, driving in-app conversion, engagement, and retention through its robust API and SDKs. With features like React components, slash commands, reactions, and threads, Stream Chat enables developers to build sophisticated chat experiences. However, every project has unique requirements, and sometimes a Stream Chat alternative might be a better fit due to specific needs regarding features, pricing, platform compatibility, or open-source availability. This article explores some of the top contenders that offer compelling alternatives to Stream Chat.
Top Stream Chat Alternatives
Whether you're looking for an open-source solution, a platform with specific video conferencing capabilities, or a more tailored pricing model, these alternatives provide a range of options to consider for your in-app chat needs.
MongooseIM platform
MongooseIM platform is a massively-scalable XMPP/Jabber mobile messaging platform by Erlang Solutions, available for mobile and web. As a free, open-source solution for Mac, Linux, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft Azure, it offers robust features like chat history, social network integration, voice call, voice chat, and XMPP support, making it an excellent open-source Stream Chat alternative for those prioritizing flexibility and control.
MirrorFly
MirrorFly is a commercial multiplatform messaging solution designed to build online chat applications on Android, iOS, and Web. It provides a powerful Chat API and boasts extensive features including video conferencing, call recording, channels, group chat, group voice chat, in-app chat, integrated chat, live broadcasting, mobile SDK integration, push notifications, real-time capabilities, screen sharing, team messaging, and customization, making it a comprehensive Stream Chat alternative for businesses seeking a feature-rich, commercial solution.
Qiscus
Qiscus helps businesses enable conversation in any app with its primary product being a chat SDK. This commercial solution, available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, and Chrome OS, offers end-to-end solutions with features like group chat, delivery reports, in-app chat, integrated chat, live chat, on-premise development options, online consultation, private messaging, real-time collaboration, SaaS model, video calling, and video chat, positioning it as a versatile Stream Chat alternative for various deployment needs.
Applozic
Applozic's white-labeled mobile native SDK offers WhatsApp-like instant messaging capabilities for mobile apps and websites, promising integration in just 30 minutes. Available as a freemium model for Android and iPhone, it focuses on core messaging and real-time features, making it a quick and accessible Stream Chat alternative for developers prioritizing ease of integration and essential chat functionalities.
Contus Fly
Contus Fly is an enterprise messaging app from Contus, a commercial solution for Web and Android, aimed at providing secure internal communication for organizations. Its key features include low latency and high customizability, making it a viable Stream Chat alternative for enterprises seeking a private, performant, and tailor-made internal chat solution.
Pusher
Pusher is a commercial, hosted API for securely adding scalable real-time functionality to web and mobile apps. Available for Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iPhone, Android Tablet, and iPad, it primarily focuses on WebSocket streams and web development, serving as a flexible Stream Chat alternative for developers who need powerful real-time capabilities beyond just chat.
Skygear Chat
Skygear Chat is an open-source chat backend offering Chat SDKs (iOS, Android, and JS) and messaging APIs for developers to quickly build or add chat features. As a freemium solution for Mac, Android, iPhone, Apple Swift, JavaScript, Java, and Objective-C, it focuses on providing essential messaging SDKs, making it a solid open-source Stream Chat alternative for developers seeking a robust and customizable backend.
QuickBlox
QuickBlox is a freemium cloud communication and data backend that supports chat, video calling, push notifications, and data APIs for iOS, Android, Javascript, and Windows. Available across Mac, Windows, Web, Android, iPhone, and Android Tablet, it's a comprehensive Stream Chat alternative providing backend, database, developer tools, messaging, messaging SDKs, push notifications, video calling, video chat, and WebRTC features.
Apphitect IM Solution
Apphitect IM Solution is a readymade commercial instant messaging solution for Android and iPhone, designed to develop real-time chat apps capable of multiple modes of communication. While no specific features are listed, its focus as a comprehensive IM solution makes it a direct Stream Chat alternative for those seeking an out-of-the-box product.
SendBird
SendBird is a commercial messaging-as-a-service provider that offers a client SDK, chat API, and backend for apps enabling real-time communication among users. Available for Android and iPhone, it provides core API, developer tools, messaging, and messaging SDK functionalities, making it a strong Stream Chat alternative, especially for companies seeking a robust managed service.
Choosing the right in-app messaging solution is crucial for user engagement and overall application success. While Stream Chat offers a powerful and reliable platform, these alternatives provide a diverse range of options, from open-source flexibility to feature-rich commercial solutions, ensuring you can find the perfect fit for your specific development needs and business goals.