Table of Contents
1 . What to Look for in a Sendbird Alternative?
2. Top 7 Sendbird Alternatives for 2025
3. Sendbird vs Alternatives: What to Explore
4. How to Choose the Right Sendbird Competitor for Your Business
As CX executives, you know that consistent and reliable messaging is key to maintaining customer satisfaction. While Sendbird remains popular, many teams are now exploring alternatives better suited to their unique needs.
Businesses seek platforms that offer greater customization and cost efficiency. If you’re contemplating whether it’s time for a change, we have got you covered!
This blog explores the top 7 Sendbird alternatives you shouldn’t miss in 2025. From features to use cases, read on to find the perfect platform for your business goals.
What to Look for in a Sendbird Alternative?
Choosing the ideal substitute involves more than just features; it also entails finding a platform that genuinely meets your unique needs.
Here are the top aspects to consider while looking for a Sendbird alternative!
1. Security and Compliance
Data privacy cannot be compromised. Verify that the platform conforms with applicable laws, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2, depending on your sector.
Look for features that are key to protecting sensitive information and building user trust, like
- End-to-end encryption
- User authentication
- Access controls
2. Customization and UX
According to customer service research by author Shep Hyken (via Forbes), 81% of participants said they would prefer a customized experience.
A user-friendly, customizable chat interface drives customer satisfaction. Ensure the platform allows you to customize the user interface in line with your workflow and branding.
Look for Sendbird alternatives that offer configurable chat widgets, which can be integrated directly into your website or application to create a seamless user experience.
3. Assess AI and Automation Capabilities
Gartner predicts that 80% of common customer service problems will be resolved by AI on their own, without human assistance, resulting in a 30% decrease in operating expenses.
Automated responses and AI-powered chatbots can reduce the support workload and speed up resolution times. Businesses must look for Sendbird alternatives with high-end automation features that can handle common queries.
4. Prioritize Scalability and Performance
Providing customer service often involves managing a range of queries. Select a solution that will easily expand with your company.
Furthermore, look for tools with real-time functionality and hassle-free flexibility to scale up during peak hours of heavy traffic.
Top 7 Sendbird Alternatives for 2025
Here is a detailed account of the top Sendbird alternatives designed for modern customer experience (CX) teams.
1. Kapture CX: Unified Customer Support + Omnichannel Messaging
Kapture CX takes you one step ahead of generic customer experience (CX) tools. With AI-powered automation, vertical LLMs workflows, and an easy-to-use interface, it provides incredibly personalized consumer experiences across all platforms.
Features
- AI-powered chatbots and knowledge bases for self-service
- Vertical LLMs for industry-specific automation
- AI-powered ticket routing and auto-tagging
- Auto QA and advanced analytics
- Omnichannel messaging across all platforms
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
Unlike rigid, universal platforms, Kapture adapts to your operations. With its superior analytics and query deflection, it enables you to achieve tangible results, such as
- Improved CSATs
- Quicker first call resolutions
- Long-term loyal customers
Use Cases
- Intelligent self-service for quick query resolution
- Provide highly customized CX in retail, healthcare, travel, energy, or BFSI
- Offers in-depth CX insights for effortless decision-making
2. Twilio: Reliable API-driven Messaging
Twilio is a cloud platform that enables programmers to integrate real-time communication capabilities into their applications. It offers API for phone, SMS, video, WhatsApp, and other messaging services.
Features
- Programmable Messaging API
- Two-factor authentication (2FA) and fraud protection
- Intelligent product-triggered notifications
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
Unlike Sendbird, Twilio offers multi-region data replication. This minimizes message loss and ensures quick access to conversation history across regions. It improves reliable customer support.
Use Cases
- Enterprise-level companies for customer support
3. PubNub: Real-time Publish/Subscribe Messaging API
PubNub is a chat API provider that supports a dependable and flexible communication infrastructure. It offers several SDKs and establishes fast connections with different operating systems.
Furthermore, it enables developers to create online chat rooms and in-app chat interactions tailored to their own requirements and preferences.
Features
- Flexible messaging patterns
- File-sharing and high-end authentication
- Device synchronization
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
PubNub’s ChatEngine offers broader cross-platform support, including iOS, Android, and JavaScript. This makes it more versatile for diverse customer service channels.
Use Cases
- Real-time messaging for price updates and prompt communication
4. Stream Chat: Customizable Chat APIs Designed for CX
Stream Chat is an adaptable and scalable platform made for creating chat apps. It offers integration of secure and scalable SDKs for a variety of CX platforms without disrupting the underlying infrastructure.
Features
- SDKs for React, React Native, Flutter, Swift, and Android
- User management
- Message moderation
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
Stream Chat promises a faster API response time across its worldwide edge network to reduce latency for users who are geographically dispersed.
Use Cases
- Offers data analysis to improve CX products
- Live demos and product tutorials to create interactive experiences for CX teams
5. Ably: Messaging Automation + Chatbots
Ably is a messaging system and real-time data delivery solution that provides a range of developer tools and APIs to facilitate communication within applications.
Features
- Real-time data synchronization
- Pub/sub messaging
- Multi-region support
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
Ably’s messaging SDKs make it a greater fit for companies looking for budget-friendly communication channels.
Use Cases
- Bulk messaging for real-time customer communication
6. MessageBird: Omnichannel Messaging Platform
MessageBird is a user-friendly platform that enables businesses to connect with their customers across multiple messaging channels. Additionally, it features a visual flow builder for designing automated conversation flows.
Features
- Multichannel messaging
- Advanced APIs and SDKs integrations
- Smart routing
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
MessageBird’s extensive international infrastructure allows companies to scale globally with ease.
Use Cases
- Use chatbots to answer FAQs and reduce customer wait times
- Omnichannel Customer Service
7. CometChat: All-in-one Chat SDK
CometChat is a well-known messaging SDK and chat API that lets companies integrate real-time chat into their websites and apps.
Features
- One-on-one private chat
- Threaded conversations and message replies
- App management API and modern webhooks
Why Is It a Top Sendbird Alternative?
CometChat is regarded as a powerful alternative to Sendbird, as it allows developers greater autonomy to customize the chat experience to meet the specific demands of their apps. It offers UI kits, SDKs, and APIs for deep customization, boosting CSAT.
Use Cases
- In-app chat for online marketplace
- Automate call answering and routing for better query resolution
Sendbird vs Alternatives: What to Explore
Let’s take a look at how Sendbird stacks up against other top players.
Here is a quick comparison table with the best features, use cases, and scalability options to help you make a confident choice:
| Tools | Top Features | Use Cases | Scalability |
| Sendbird | Real-time chat rich media support moderation tools | Customer support, community engagement, and in-app messaging | Enterprise-level, scalable |
| Kapture CX | Omnichannel engagement AI-powered chatbots CRM integration multi-language support | Customer service, sales support, and omnichannel communication | Medium to large businesses, scalable |
| Twilio | Programmable messaging voice, video, APIs Robust developer tools | SMS notifications and voice/video apps | Highly scalable, global network |
| PubNub | Real-time data streaming presence detection message history | Live updates, IoT applications, real-time dashboards | Scalable with IoT focus |
| Smart Chat | Customizable chat UI message moderation rich media | live support and collaboration tools | Highly scalable, developer-friendly |
| Ably | AI-driven chatbots automation multi-channel communication | Customer engagement and lead qualification | Scalable, real-time data |
| MessageBird | Omnichannel messaging API integration | Customer support and marketing campaigns | Global scale, reliable delivery |
| CometChat | Real-time messaging bots customizable UI | Gaming, education, and customer support, | Small to medium businesses |
How to Choose the Right Sendbird Competitor for Your Business
It’s all about finding a platform that feels like a natural extension of your team; something intuitive, scalable, and packed with features tailored to your unique business needs.
Here are some expert tips on how to pick the perfect match:
1. Map Your Support Channels and Integration Needs
Start by determining whether live chat, SMS, social media, or in-app messaging is the preferred method of communication for your clients.
Choose a platform that works well with the tools you already have, such as
- Mobile apps
- Helpdesk software
- CRM
For example, if multi-channel support is a priority, platforms like MessageBird or Kapture CX offer extensive integrations to unify your communication channels.
2. Factor in Team Size and Support Load
Your team’s size and support volume must influence your choice.
A small customer support team handling a moderate volume might do well with lightweight platforms that are simple to set up and use.
Conversely, larger teams managing high volumes of inquiries need solutions with advanced automation and multi-agent support.
Also, consider platforms that offer scalability to accommodate your team’s growth without requiring a switch to a new platform down the line.
3. Consider Budget Brackets
Set a budget before diving into the extensive array of CX tools!
While some solutions offer cost-effective plans suitable for small or growing organizations, others provide strong functionality at premium costs.
Customer service teams must strike a balance between price and functionality.
For instance, if you’re a startup or a small team, look for platforms with flexible pricing tiers that can scale as you grow. Be cautious of hidden costs, such as setup fees or additional charges for extra users or channels.
Driving CX Beyond Sendbird
If you want to genuinely improve your customer experience, sticking with Sendbird might not be enough to deal with the evolving CX bottlenecks.
Businesses require solutions that expedite support and promote personalized engagement, not just simple messaging. Alternatives like Kapture CX are useful in this scenario, offering 70% faster resolutions and a 28% increase in CSAT.
Kapture CX is a comprehensive problem solver designed especially for customer care teams. It provides seamless integrations, AI-powered automation, and omnichannel engagement to expedite problem-solving and deliver a personalized experience.
Move ahead of Sendbird to redefine your CX game with Kapture CX! Book a demo with us today to level up your customer support offerings.
FAQs
While Sendbird is a solid option, exploring competitors can open doors to better features and tailored solutions for your specific needs. Some platforms might offer more seamless integrations or better support for your team size.
There are several exciting options on the horizon!
Platforms like Kapture CX are gaining traction because they’re not just about messaging—they’re problem solvers for customer support teams. Other notable platforms with advanced features are Twilio, CometChat, MessageBird, and more.
It narrows down to understanding your team size, support volume, budget, and integration needs. Think about what features are must-haves and test out demos or free trials.
