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SendBird vs Twilio API for WhatsApp: What are the differences?
Key difference 1: Integration with other platforms SendBird provides a seamless integration with various platforms such as iOS, Android, Unity, and web, allowing developers to build chat features across different devices and operating systems. On the other hand, Twilio API for WhatsApp is specifically designed for integrating WhatsApp messaging into applications, providing a specialized solution for WhatsApp-specific use cases.
Key difference 2: Communication channels SendBird offers a wide range of communication channels, including group channels, open channels, and private channels, enabling users to create chat rooms, discussion boards, or direct messaging. In contrast, Twilio API for WhatsApp focuses solely on enabling communication via WhatsApp, offering features such as sending and receiving messages, managing contacts, and creating groups.
Key difference 3: Messaging capabilities SendBird offers a comprehensive set of messaging capabilities, including text messaging, file sharing, image and video sending, typing indicators, message threading, and push notifications. Twilio API for WhatsApp also provides these core messaging features, but with additional support for rich media messages, location sharing, and message templates.
Key difference 4: Voice and video calling While SendBird does not have built-in support for voice or video calling, Twilio API for WhatsApp allows developers to integrate voice and video calling functionalities directly into their applications using WhatsApp as the communication channel. This gives Twilio API an advantage for applications requiring real-time voice and video communication.
Key difference 5: Pricing and cost structure SendBird offers a flexible pricing structure based on the number of monthly active users, making it suitable for applications with varying user bases. Twilio API for WhatsApp, on the other hand, has a fixed pricing model based on the number of messages sent or received, making it easier to calculate costs for specific WhatsApp messaging needs.
Key difference 6: Availability and coverage SendBird provides global coverage, allowing developers to implement chat features for users worldwide. Twilio API for WhatsApp, however, is restricted to WhatsApp's availability in specific countries and regions. It's essential to consider this difference when determining the target audience and reach for applications integrating WhatsApp messaging.
In Summary, SendBird offers broader integration capabilities, various communication channels, and extensive messaging features, while Twilio API for WhatsApp specializes in enabling WhatsApp messaging, provides voice and video calling, has a different pricing structure, and is limited by WhatsApp's availability.
I am considering which chat solution to choose between CometChat and SendBird, for our new app. The condition is, the app is going to run in a private network and has to connect with MSSQL. Any advice on other things I have to consider before choosing one, or is there another chat service you would recommend? Thank you!
Hi Yeongju, What do you mean by private network? Are you talking about limiting the users allowed to use the app or where the data is stored? I'd be happy to help you! Connect with me on linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominiquebhicks/ or book a call if you'd like help exploring - https://calendly.com/dominique-sales/discovery-call-with-stream Thanks!
Hi Yeongju. I work for Sendbird. Sendbird runs in the cloud. Since you mention private network and connecting with MSSQL, it sounds like you need an on-premise chat solution. CometChat claims to support on-premise. You might also look into open source chat solutions. https://medevel.com/12-open-source-chat-and-messaging-development-sdk-and-frameworks/ Hope this helps.
Pros of SendBird
- Active support is impressive. (Support for private deve13
- Pre-built UI for major platforms10
- Easy to use10
- Migration API for customers using other chat services8
- Scalability is awesome7
- First chat SDK officially supports Xamarin7
- Because my product guy told me to5
- Unlimited number of users in public chat5
- Cool product5
- Flexible message format ex) json, xml4
- Out of the box api and features2
- Intuitive and feature-packed2
Pros of Twilio API for WhatsApp
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Cons of SendBird
- Policy on concurrent users leads to overages and overch2
- Prices ramp up exponentially2
