8 Best CometChat alternatives for in-app messaging

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

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

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

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

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

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.