The Best Sendbird Alternatives for Growing Teams

Looking for a Sendbird alternative that offers the flexibility of a world-leading communications API platform without the headaches? We get it.

Sendbird is a brilliant tool for companies that need a flexible way to expand their communication strategy, particularly if you’re exploring the CPaaS market (set to reach a value of $164.54 billion by 2032).

The communications API platform allows any company to easily integrate chat, voice, video, business messaging, and even AI into their existing workflows and applications. It’s one of the most popular Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) options around, known for its scalability, rich features, and customizable experiences – but it does have some downsides.

Many of the platform’s top features, like enhanced AI-powered messaging, are locked behind premium tiers and complex coding requirements. The system also doesn’t offer end-to-end encryption, and the price for most plans increases massively with user growth.

Fortunately, we’ve tracked down some excellent Sendbird competitors, ready to step in and fill the gaps left by this platform. Here’s everything you need to know about the top options.

Why Consider A Sendbird Alternative?

Before we help you find the right Sendbird alternative, it’s worth noting that Sendbird does have a lot going for it. It’s one of the most reputable platforms for companies looking to build chat applications, offering SDKs that are easy to implement and some fantastic features.

Sendbird gives users customizable UI kits, unique messaging capabilities, and tools for embedding all kinds of communication strategies into their apps. It could be a great tool if you’re planning on using SMS in business communications, alongside push notifications, web chat, voice, and video.

Sendbird also has a great reputation for offering excellent customer support, and it complies with various industry regulations, including SOC2 and HIPAA.

That said, here’s why you still might want to consider Sendbird alternatives.

• Complexity: The Sendbird SDKs are easy enough to use if you have developer knowledge, but customizing everything and setting up the perfect messaging system can be complex if you’re not a programming wizard. Some features, such as email and SMS notification functionality, need to be built from scratch using webhooks rather than direct SMS integrations.
• Pricing: Sendbird is quite expensive, particularly if you want advanced features. The more you need to invest in things like additional API calls, AI solutions, and storage, the more you’ll pay, making the platform less appealing to smaller companies. Only basic chat features are available through a free trial.
• Integrations: Although Sendbird can work well with a wide range of applications and tools, it does this primarily through webhooks. There are virtually no pre-built integrations available for other components like databases or serverless platforms. This can make it harder to connect your workflows.

What to Look for In Sendbird Competitors

Ultimately, what you look for in a Sendbird alternative will depend on the reason you’re considering competitors in the first place. For instance, are you looking for a simpler and more affordable way to unlock the benefits of enterprise business texting, or conversational AI vs chatbots?

Or are you just looking for a vendor that offers more integrations, better technical support, and advanced security features relevant to your industry?

Whatever your priorities might be, we recommend searching for:

• Omnichannel Support: One of the key benefits of Sendbird is its support for various communication channels. Your competing solution should also make it easy to experiment with SMS, RCS, chat, voice, video, and any other channel you like. Either look for direct API support or integrations to create your omnichannel strategy.
• AI Capabilities: Sendbird offers some great customizable, agentic AI solutions. Ensure your alternative vendor also gives you the freedom to experiment with AI customer service, sales, marketing, and analytical tools.
• Integrations: As mentioned above, a big downside of Sendbird is that it relies exclusively on API workflows and webhooks for connecting apps. If you want an easy way to bridge the gap between your collaboration apps or SMS archiving software, look for simple pre-built integrations.
• Ease of Use: This is a big one – ideally, your chosen platform should be easy to use. The less effort it takes to build apps, customize workflows, and manage your communication strategy, the better. Ideally, your competing vendor will also offer training and technical support.
• Pricing: The price you pay for any Sendbird alternative will obviously vary depending on the kind of functionality you need. However, you should feel reasonably confident that you’re getting good value for money. Avoid any platforms with confusing pricing.

The Top Sendbird Alternatives: 9 Great Options

There are quite a few decent Sendbird competitors out there – whether you’re looking for a very similar “PaaS” solution that offers flexible communication APIs, or you want something a little more straightforward. We’ve selected a range of options, intended to address the needs of all kinds of companies – from small-scale innovators to big enterprises.

1. Clerk Chat: The Simplest Sendbird Alternative

User Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot

Unlike some of the options on this list, Clerk Chat isn’t a direct “Sendbird competitor.” It’s not a communication API platform – instead, it’s a tool that allows you to leverage omnichannel business messaging capabilities in an easy-to-use, scalable environment.

However, like Sendbird, Clerk Chat empowers companies to access a reliable mass texting and 2-way messaging service, supporting SMS, MMS, and even RCS. It also enables access to voice and video communications through bring-your-own-carrier capabilities and integrations with Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and other Google Voice competitors.

Plus, Clerk Chat enables companies to create their own conversational AI agents for sales, lead generation, marketing, and customer service. You get all that, without having to worry about programming workflows and dealing with complex SDKs.

Key Features:

• Automated, group, and two-way omnichannel messaging
• Support for voice
• Powerful conversational AI agents
• Built-in analytics and reporting
• Bring your own carrier support
• Extensive compliance and security features
• Integrated collaboration tools
• One-click integrations with major business apps

Pricing: Prices start as low as $9.99 per month for Clerk Chat’s Growth plan.

2. Twilio: Most Similar Sendbird Alternative

User Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars on G2

If, for the most part, you like everything Sendbird has to offer, but you want a vendor with more straightforward pricing plans and a few additional omnichannel options, Twilio is a good pick. You’ve probably encountered Twilio before if you’ve ever looked into Vonage or Pilvo alternatives.

Like Sendbird, Twilio is a communication API platform that enables you to integrate various communication features and unique capabilities into existing apps. You can use Twilio to add voice, SMS, push notifications, and more to apps. There are even options for WhatsApp, RCS, or email if you’re looking at Klaviyo alternatives.

Twilio is also highly flexible and scalable, giving companies plenty of ways to customize their messaging and communication strategy. Unfortunately, like with Sendbird, you will need a little technical knowledge to take full advantage of this platform.

Key Features:

• Omnichannel messaging (RCS, SMS, WhatsApp, etc.)
• Reliable worldwide connectivity
• API integrations
• Rich message types
• Channel management
• User authentication
• Conversational AI solutions
• Integrated analytics

Pricing: Like Sendbird, Twilio charges users based on the APIs and features they use, so you’ll need to contact the team for a quote.

3. Stream: Best for Chat APIs

User Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot

Stream is another API-focused “platform as a service” solution for those searching for a flexible Sendbird alternative. Stream doesn’t offer as many communication channels as some competitors. For instance, there are no options for SMS and custom text messages.

However, if you’re looking for an easy way to add chat capabilities or activity feeds to your apps, Stream is a great choice. There are also solutions for in-app video and audio. Plus, you can take advantage of advanced add-ons and integrations, like AI moderation tools or conversational messaging bots.

With Stream, you also get message searches, typing indicators, and a highly scalable system that can adapt to virtually any use case. The company even promises enterprise users a 99.999% uptime, but you do need to pay extra for that.

Key Features:

• Flexible real-time chat APIs
• Intuitive activity streams
• Video and audio calling
• AI chatbot integrations
• AI moderation tools
• Push alerts
• Chat channels
• Typing indicators

Pricing: Prices vary depending on the features you need. The Starter plan for chat functionality starts at $399 per month.

4. Vonage: Best for Enterprise Reliability

User Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars on G2

Vonage is a Sendbird alternative similar to Twilio and Stream, offering companies a range of flexible APIs. However, it also competes with companies like 8x8 and RingCentral alternatives with a range of unified communication and contact center solutions.

Vonage could be a good option for your company if you’re looking for a comprehensive omnichannel solution. Organizations can leverage an integrated mass texting service, voice and video capabilities, chat tools, and network APIs. There are even various conversational AI and chatbot tools available.

Additionally, Vonage provides advanced solutions, including fraud defense tools, two-factor authentication APIs, and a comprehensive conversational commerce suite. On top of that, you get excellent enterprise-grade reliability and security, with a 99.999% uptime SLA and end-to-end encryption.

Key Features:

• Customizable AI tools
• Voice, video, SMS, and chat channels
• Advanced protection suite
• Integrations with business tools like Salesforce
• Workforce management solutions
• Conversational commerce tools
• In-depth reporting and analytics
• Excellent partner support

Pricing: Vonage’s pricing depends on the APIs you use, so you’ll need to contact the team for a custom quote.

5. CometChat: Great for Fast Deployment

User Rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars on G2

You may already be familiar with CometChat if you’ve ever looked for Vonage alternatives or solutions similar to Plivo and Twilio. Unlike many Sendbird competitors on this list, CometChat doesn’t focus much on AI for CX or sales, so if you’re planning on experimenting with conversational AI in retail or ecommerce, you may want to skip this option.

However, Cometchat does make it a lot easier to add chat, voice, and video calling solutions to apps, with pre-built code designed for developers. It also offers some advanced chat capabilities, such as flexible notifications and chat moderation tools.

In fact, one great thing about CometChat is that it allows companies to leverage pre-built templates and frameworks for specific use cases. For instance, you can quickly create a secure chat system for an online marketplace or design a HIPAA-compliant chat app if you’re in the healthcare sector.

Key Features:

• Flexible UI kits
• Pre-built APIs and SDKs
• Chat and messaging tools
• Voice and video calling
• Analytics and insights
• Notifications and chat moderation
• End-to-end enterprise security
• Powerful edge network for lightning-fast performance

Pricing: Users can experiment with CometChat’s platform at no cost. Basic plans start at $298.75 per month.

6. Rocket Chat: Best Security Features

User Rating: 4.2 out of 5 stars on G2

Rocket Chat is one of the few Sendbird alternatives that focuses specifically on companies requiring high levels of security. If you’re in a highly regulated industry, like healthcare, finance, or the government landscape, Rocket Chat’s communication APIs give you a lot of control over your data. You can even choose to use your own network for hosting.

Like many of these tools, Rocket Chat supports a range of communication channels, from in-app messaging to audio and video conferencing. It also offers access to custom bots for conversational AI in customer service.

Unfortunately, the SMS options are limited, but you can access flexible integrations with other platforms. Rocket Chat also allows companies to create dedicated collaboration platforms for internal teams.

Key Features:

• End-to-end enterprise-grade security
• Team inboxes
• Customer profiles
• Conversation archiving
• Flexible AI solutions
• Basic SMS, chat, and messaging
• Voice and video conferencing
• White labelling options
• Integrations with business tools

Pricing: For “citizen communication” APIs, companies need to contact the Rocket Chat team directly for custom pricing.

7. PubNub: Exceptional Flexibility

User Rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars on G2

Another great Sendbird alternative for teams that need flexibility, PubNub is an intuitive platform designed to help developers create real-time interactive applications. You can create tools that feature in-app messaging capabilities, presence information, and customizable notifications, although you’re mainly limited to messaging for communication.

Notably, PubNub offers some fantastic AI capabilities, including the option to add generative AI or conversational AI to apps. You can even set up workflows that allow you to follow-up leads with AI, or proactively recommend products to customers.

Additionally, companies gain access to a comprehensive, multi-region solution with data centers located worldwide. There are even options to implement end-to-end security and compliance solutions that meet regulations such as GDPR and HIPAA.

Key Features:

• Chat and messaging APIs
• Integrated analytics and reports
• Device synchronization
• Security and compliance options
• Presence detection
• Integrations with business tools
• Generative AI
• Mobile push notifications

Pricing: Starter plans begin at $98 per month; pay-as-you-go pricing options are also available for enterprise-level users.

8. Agora: Best for Mobile-First Brands

User Rating: 4.1 out of 5 stars on G2

If you’re looking for an excellent cloud-based real-time communication platform with integrated tools for conversational AI in ecommerce, Agora is one of the top Sendbird alternatives to consider.

This platform gives companies a comprehensive mobile-first software development kit (SDK) that allows anyone to integrate audio, video, and live streaming into their applications. You can use the intuitive app builder to design solutions that feature interactive whiteboards, video capabilities, and custom AI tools.

The conversational AI tools are particularly impressive, empowering companies to create some of the best AI tools for customer service, tuned to their specific needs. Plus, Agora offers some unique extensions, like solutions for 3D spatial audio and AI noise suppression.

Key Features:

• Intuitive interactive app builder
• Video and voice calling
• Live streaming
• Messaging and chat
• Powerful conversational AI tools
• Flexible extensions for extra features
• Integrated analytics and reporting
• Ultra-low latency

Pricing: Agora offers pay-as-you-go pricing based on the APIs you use. You can contact the team for a custom quote.

9. Ably: Best for Community Experiences

User Rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars on G2

Finally, Ably is a Sendbird alternative that primarily focuses on helping companies to develop interactive “community” experiences. The Ably platform offers flexible APIs for integrating chat into your apps, as well as enabling companies to create “spaces” where teams or customers can interact in real-time.

Ably’s multi-region, globally distributed network also offers fantastic guarantees around data integrity, performance, reliability, and scalability. If you’re looking for a system that provides redundancy at both regional and global levels, with endless scalability, Ably could be a great choice. You can send billions of messages to millions of channels without lag.

Unlike most API-focused solutions, Ably is also reasonably affordable, with a transparent pricing structure. However, it lacks some advanced AI solutions. So it may not be the right choice if you’re looking for the best conversational AI platforms. Plus, you’ll miss out on the SMS capabilities offered by Clerk Chat and various other TextMagic alternatives.

Key Features:

• Flexible messaging channels
• Incredible global infrastructure
• Live streaming and video capabilities
• Highly composable apps
• Collaborative spaces
• End-to-end security
• Integrations with business tools

Pricing: Ably offers plans starting at just $29 per month for up to 10k concurrent channels. There are also flexible pay-as-you-go options.

Scale Communications with a Sendbird Alternative

As you can see, there are plenty of great Sendbird alternatives to choose from, whether you’re wondering how to send blast text messages at scale or you want to add conversational AI and messaging to an existing app.

The right option really just depends on what you need from your communications platform. If you want a straightforward solution that makes it easy to experiment with omnichannel communications, agentic AI or conversational AI, Clerk Chat is a great pick.

With Clerk Chat, there’s no need to struggle with APIs and complex SDKs. You can build a comprehensive communication strategy in minutes, without compromising on security, performance, or scalability.

Plus, you’ll have access to all the integrations you need to align your technology stack and streamline rapid growth. Ready to discover the benefits of a simpler Sendbird alternative? Contact Clerk Chat today, or check out our success stories to see how companies worldwide are improving their sales, customer service, and marketing strategies with our help.