8 Best CometChat alternatives for in-app messaging

Sara Ana Cemazar
June 22, 2023
·
min read

According to research, in-app messaging increases user retention and boosts engagement rates by 3.5 times, serving as a roadmap to assist users in achieving the desired task.

CometChat is a popular in-app messaging tool that is regarded as user- and developer-friendly. Its application program interfaces (APIs) and software development kits (SDKs) offer features such as one-on-one chats, group chats, file sharing, and voice/video calls. 

However, the platform’s cost, learning curve, dependency on third-party applications and limited customization can leave many organizations asking for more.

Therefore, exploring CometChat alternatives could provide diverse features, scalability customization, and potential cost advantages for in-app messaging solutions.

Advantages and disadvantages of CometChat as an in-app messaging tool

CometChat is a live chat platform enabling users to collaborate and connect with customers. It allows users to text, video and voice chat with customers, share pictures through broadcast videos, play games, and use whiteboards. 

The following are some of the pros and cons of CometChat:

Advantages

  • Comprehensive features include private messaging, group chats, voice/video calls, and file sharing.
  • Options for customization that align with the branding and style of the app - white labeling options
  • APIs and SDKs for developers that make integration simple.

Disadvantages

  • Pricing may not be appropriate for applications with tighter budgets or cost-conscious criteria.
  • Integration and setup may necessitate technical knowledge and expertise.
  • Integrating CometChat makes the application dependent on the service; any potential downtime/issues may impact messaging functionality.
  • Customization could necessitate additional development time and effort.

8 Best CometChat alternative in-app messaging tools

Now, let us discover the six best in-app messaging alternatives to CometChat that provide a variety of functionality and customization choices for seamless communication within applications.

1. Rocket.Chat

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Rocket.Chat, one of the best CometChat alternative in-app messaging tools, is an open-source platform that allows real-time communication and collaboration within applications. 

Its key features comprise screen sharing, audio/video conferencing, file sharing, direct messaging, and private/public channels. 

With customization opportunities, tool integrations, and a self-hosted or cloud deployment architecture, Rocket.Chat is a flexible CometChat alternative for in-app chat requirements.

Core features

  • Both CometChat and Rocket.Chat includes essential in-app chat services, including audio/video conferencing, file sharing, public and private channels, and direct messaging.

Use cases

  • Rocket.Chat: Secure team collaboration, in-app chat for highly regulated industries, and customer support. 
  • CometChat: Social networking platforms, customer support applications, and e-commerce marketplaces.

Pricing

  • Rocket.Chat: Free version and premium support and add-on features plans. 
  • CometChat: Based on usage and the desired features.

Additional features

  • Rocket.Chat: Live chat widget, push notifications, chatbot integration, and screen sharing. 
  • CometChat: Voice/video calls, real-time translation, push notifications, and moderation tools.

Best for

  • Rocket.Chat: Customized and self-hosted messaging solution for businesses and developers with use case flexibility.
  • CometChat: Developer-friendly in-app messaging platform with scalability, security, and a variety of features

2. Weavy

Weavy is a comprehensive toolset that many developers consider to be a practical CometChat alternative. It allows them to quickly and affordably add community, productivity, and collaboration features to mobile apps and Web.

Core features

  • CometChat: Real-time translation, file sharing, voice/video conferencing, and extensive in-app messaging. 
  • Weavy: Integrated interaction, collaboration, and document-sharing features.

Use cases

  • CometChat: online chat rooms, E-commerce, customer service, and social networking applications. 
  • Weavy: Content management systems, project management tools, and collaborative platforms.

Pricing

  • CometChat: Depend on use and specific features. 
  • Weavy: Customized prices based on the modules and deployment options chosen.

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Robust APIs/SDKs for smooth integration 
  • Weavy: well-documented SDKs and APIs for seamless application integration

Additional features

  • CometChat: Push notifications, cloud/on-premises deployment options, and moderation tools. 
  • Weavy: Calendaring, task management,  and third-party integrations such as Dropbox and Google Drive. 

Best for 

  • CometChat: Comprehensive in-app messaging platform with developer friendliness, scalability, and security that is perfect for apps. 
  • Weavy: Platforms looking for unified messaging and collaboration tools to boost productivity and user engagement.

3. Sendbird

CometChat alternative

Another popular CometChat alternative, Sendbird, is a powerful in-app messaging and chat API platform that allows in-app engagement and real-time conversation.

Core features

  • CometChat: Voice/video conferencing, file sharing, and real-time translation 
  • Sendbird: Push notifications, voice/video calls, and real-time messaging with support for rich media.

Use cases

  • CometChat: Social networking, e-commerce, and customer support
  • Sendbird: Platforms for the sharing economy, online communities, and on-demand services.

Pricing

  • CometChat: Depend on use and specific features.
  • Sendbird: Customized pricing depending on monthly active users (MAU) and add-on features.

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Robust SDKs and APIs for smooth integration.
  • Sendbird: Top-notch SDKs and APIs together with a wealth of developer tools.

Additional features

  • CometChat: Options for cloud/on-premises deployment, push alerts, and moderation tools.
  • Sendbird: Manage your channels, integrate chatbots, and get analytics-based user engagement insights.

Best for

  • CometChat: A complete in-app messaging tool with developer friendliness, scalability, and security that is perfect for apps.
  • Sendbird: Platforms emphasizing participation, collaboration, and real-time communication across many sectors. Take a look at the best Sendbird alternatives here.

4. Parse

CometChat alternative

Parse is an open-source platform for creating backend infrastructure that simplifies data storage, push notifications for Web and mobile applications, and user authentication.

Core features

  • CometChat: Push notifications, phone and video calling, chatbots, and real-time messaging.
  • Parse: User management, database storage, cloud features, backend-as-a-service (BaaS).

Use Cases

  • CometChat: Websites, apps, and online communities conversation features.
  • Parse: Creating scalable backend infrastructure for Web and mobile applications.

Pricing

  • CometChat: Depending on the features and active users.
  • Parse: Free; however, Parse Server hosting alternatives have a range of prices.

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Comprehensive developer resources, well-documented SDKs and APIs for a wide range of platforms.
  • Parse: Robust APIs and SDKs for several platforms to provide easy development and integration.

Additional features

  • CometChat: Sentiment analysis, rich media attachments, chatbot integration, and moderating options.
  • Parse: User authentication, file storage, social media integration, cloud code.

Best for

  • CometChat: Adding real-time communication and engagement features to apps and websites.
  • Parse: Build scalable backend systems for mobile and online applications.

5. Kuzzle

CometChat alternative

As another open-source CometChat alternative, Kuzzle is a flexible and feature-rich backend solution for creating contemporary applications with advanced search capabilities, real-time data synchronization, and storage.

Core features

  • CometChat: Push notifications, voice/video calling, chatbots, and real-time messaging.
  • Kuzzle: Open-source backend system with real-time data sync, storage, and sophisticated search features.

Use cases

  • CometChat: Enhancing communities and apps with communication features
  • Kuzzle: Developing cutting-edge applications with collaboration, real-time updates, and Internet of Things (IoT) integration.

Pricing

  • CometChat: Based on features and active users.
  • Kuzzle: An open-source deployment tool version that is free

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Clear documentation for all APIs and SDKs for easy integration.
  • Kuzzle: Easy application development with robust APIs and SDKs.

Additional features

  • CometChat: Integration of chatbots, capabilities for moderation, and rich media attachments.
  • Kuzzle: Geolocation, event-driven design, and sophisticated search capabilities.

Best for

  • CometChat: Providing communities and apps with real-time communication tools.
  • Kuzzle: Developing cutting-edge applications with collaboration, real-time updates, and IoT integration.

6. Stream

CometChat alternative

Stream is a scalable API platform that allows customizable real-time messaging and activity feed functionality in their applications. It is regarded as a viable CometChat alternative. 

Core features

  • CometChat: Push notifications, voice/video calling, chatbots, and real-time messaging.
  • Stream: API platform for creating real-time messaging and activity feeds that can be customized.

Use Cases

  • CometChat: Adding conversation functionality to apps and communities.
  • Stream: Real-time messaging and activity feed in various platforms and applications.

Pricing

  • CometChat: Tiered pricing based on features and active users.
  • Stream Flexible pricing schemes depending on scale and usage

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Clear documentation for all APIs and SDKs for easy integration.
  • Stream: Top-notch SDKs and APIs for simple customization and integration.

Additional features

  • CometChat: Chatbot integration, moderation capabilities, and rich media attachments.
  • Stream: Real-time updates, sophisticated feed capability, and user metrics.

Best for

  • CometChat: Providing communities and apps with real-time communication tools.
  • Stream: Building real-time messaging and activity feed capabilities that are scalable and adaptable for use in apps

➡️ Learn what are the main advantages and drawbacks of Stream and find out its best alternatives.

7. PubNub

CometChat alternative

PubNub is a global real-time messaging platform and a reliable CometChat alternative used for scalable and reliable instant communication as well as application collaboration.

Core Features

  • CometChat: Push notifications, voice/video calling, chatbots, and real-time messaging.
  • PubNub: Global platform for real-time messaging that enables quick communication and application collaboration.

Use Cases

  • CometChat: Adding conversation functionality to apps and communities.
  • PubNub: Facilitating real-time interaction and collaboration across numerous platforms and applications.

Pricing

  • CometChat: Based on features and active users.
  • PubNub: Flexible price options based on usage and scale.

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Clear documentation for all APIs and SDKs for easy integration.
  • PubNub: Top-notch SDKs and APIs for simple development and integration.

Additional features

  • CometChat: chatbot integration, moderation capabilities, and rich media attachments.
  • PubNub: Real-time data streaming, presence detection, and pub/sub messaging are all features of PubNub.

Best for

  • CometChat: Providing communities and apps with real-time communication tools.
  • PubNub: Building scalable and dependable real-time communication and collaboration features into platforms and apps is what PubNub does.

➡️ FInd out the main PubNub use cases and top alternatives to PubNub.

8. MirrorFly

MirrorFly, is a highly customizable chat alternative that comes with 500+ in-app messaging and calling features along with 100+ UI elements for building real-time communication in any web or mobile apps.

Core features

  • CometChat: Video conferencing and real-time translation 
  • MirrorFly: White-label in-app chat, video & voice calls. 

Use cases

  • CometChat: Offering businesses like E-commerce and supply chain with tools for communication in real-time.
  • MirrorFly:  Real-time communication solutions for Healthcare, Enterprises, Super apps, Social and dating apps, Telecommunication & Transportation businesses. 

Pricing

  • CometChat: Varies depending on the features and usage.
  • MirrorFly: Has 2 pricing options -  SaaS pricing (monthly subscription) and one-time license cost. 

API/SDK quality

  • CometChat: Secure SDKs and APIs for easy integration.
  • MirrorFly: Low-code SDKs and APIs that can be integrated in less than 20 mins.

Additional features

  • CometChat: Chat moderation tools, tracking and analytics, push notifications.
  • MirrorFly: Topic-based chat, activity feeds, chatbot, online presence indicators, chat backup and history. 

Best for

  • CometChat: Scalable and secure real-time communication tools for apps. 
  • MirrorFly: Developer-friendly and customizable solution for any scale of business from startups to businesses that look for flexibility of hosting their app on-cloud/ on-premise.

Best CometChat alternative for privacy-conscious organizations

For businesses that value privacy, open-soruced Rocket.Chat is a robust CometChat alternative. It guarantees data privacy and control with its self-hosting capacity, end-to-end encryption, and security features like two-factor authentication. The platform is also compliant with privacy laws like GDPR and HIPAA. 

Additionally, Rocket.Chat provides a quick and efficient solution for building a white-labeled in-app messaging platform. Rocket.Chat provides a secure and compliant in-app messaging experience for your users. 

Implementing in-app messaging with Rocket.Chat will improve the user experience, increase engagement, and enhance user retention.  Take the first step towards improving your app's success. Contact us today.

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Sara is an SEO Strategist at Rocket.Chat. She is passionate about topics around digital transformation, workplace experience, open source, and data privacy and security.
Sara Ana Cemazar
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