With the growing trend of digitalization, most enterprises have transformed their communication methodology from mainstream to digital. In order to keep up with competitors, companies regularly upgrade their services, specially the way they relay information to their customers as well as their employees. Today, seamless real-time networking plays a critical role in engaging with individuals and enterprises, and the best way to implement such a feat is onboarding a Real-Time Chat, Voice & Video Calling SDK/API providers.

What are SDKs and APIs?

In essence, a Software Development Kit, or SDK, is a kit that contains the tools and instructions that allow developers to create applications. An application in itself can have all the functionality required to perform the intended tasks, but in order for it to be scalable, it needs to interact with other applications as well. This is where APIs enter.

An Application Programming Interface, or API, is an essential part of a SDK. It acts as a translator i.e. allows an application to sync and interact with other applications irrespective of the languages used to create them.

Need For Chat, Audio/Video SDK and API

Every company needs a personalised instant messaging channel to broadcast information efficiently. It helps bridge the communication gap, providing a fluid networking experience, specially in large-scale organizations. Embedding a real-time Messaging, Voice/Video Calling API& SDK in your enterprise organization’s networking infrastructure will not only improve internal communication, but also help in communicating with clients, leads or any external organisation or individual interested in your products or services.

Chat Platform SDK and API Features

There are several features that distinguish a good Chat SDK from a great one. The best Chat SDKs for Android and iOS will have certain features which will set them apart in the market.

1. Multiple Messaging Formats — Text, Voice and Video
2. Push Notifications
3. Private and Group Chats
4. Flexibility And Scalability

Depending on these factors, some of the best messaging API providers for Android, iOS and Web Apps have been listed below:

List of Top 10 Messaging, Voice & Audio Calling API & SDK Providers for Enterprise Business

1. Mirrorfly

Mirrorfly is a versatile Messaging, Audio/Video Calling API & SDK Provider for both large-scale as well as small-scale enterprises. Considered to be a prime product in the market, Mirrorfly is highly customizable and compatible with Android, iOS and Web Applications. They have an absolute chat-app solution that provides a design-enriched UI/UX, an intuitive build and a plethora of other features making personalized communication a cake walk. It is embedded with WebRTC that enables HD quality video interaction and a powerful VoIP that gives a dynamic voice experience.

2. Contus Fly

Second to Mirrorfly, Contus Fly is a prime chat SDK provider for Fortune 500 companies. It gives you full access to the source code, enabling 100% customizability and adaptation for your business needs. It’s infinite cloud infrastructure promotes adaptive scalability and can seamlessly integrate with any platform. All this is possible because Contus Fly uses XMPP Protocol which is appropriate for real-time applications. Its cross-platform functionality and multiple monetization techniques make Contus Fly one of the best chat API for Android, iOS and Web Applications.

3. SendBird

Founded in 2013, SendBird has grown exponentially with its full-featured messenger and chat SDK. It has an end-to-end AES256 encryption module for sharing sensitive data along with a user-centric UI/UX design. Other features include an in-built Chatbot for user assistance and a highly intuitive customer support interface, making it one of the best chat APIs for your website. Be it for intra-networking or customer support, SendBird can cater to multiple industries like E-commerce, healthcare, gaming, etc.

4. Applozic

Applozic is another powerful chat API for mobile apps and web apps providing solutions for healthcare, broadcasting and e-commerce niches. With an integrated Chat Bot and chat-based support, Applozic takes customer service to the next level. While it doesn’t have an in-built VoIP feature or WebRTC, it does allow integration with similar tools that facilitate said features. They pride themselves in their front-end and back-end infrastructure, allowing for a seamless and intuitive chat experience.

5. Sinch

Sinch provides an instant messaging SDK and chat API for Android, iOS and Web Applications that supports VoIP, SIP and PSTN, giving their clients complete freedom to touch base with customers on any platform. Their WhatsApp-enabled messaging API enables them to scale on an already widely used platform, increasing reach and improving ROI.

6. Apphitect IM

With built-in real-time instant messaging characteristics, Apphitect’s API is one of the best chat APIs for iOS and Android. It has a rich and customizable UI/UX along with an unlimited cloud storage facility. It also permits third-party integrations which can help you scale upon the existing architecture. Apphitect’s multi-faceted, flexible and scalable features make it one of the best chat SDKs for iOS, Web and Android applications.

7. Mesibo

Mesibo is a carrier-grade platform which enables real-time messaging, voice and video calling through its impeccable chat API and messaging SDK. It is compatible with Android, iOS and Web Applications while having the ability to support multiple languages. Apart from having immense scalability potential and end-to-end encryption, it also provides real-time analytics and a flexible and user-friendly UI/UX design.

8. CometChat

Providing scalable in-app messaging, voice and video calling with cross-platform compatibility (iOS, Android and Web), CometChat is a chat SDK/API provider for medium to large-scale organisations. It has WebRTC-enabled HD voice and video calling capabilities in a custom UI centered to the needs of the enterprise. They also have a preset “Sandbox” package meant for individuals and small-scale companies which is free of cost but comes with limited features.

9. Smooch

An omnichannel messaging platform, Smooch believes in enabling a more “human” customer experience. Their unified API can connect your business to all messaging mediums already available in the world so your customers feel comfortable. Integratable mediums include WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, Viber, Telegram and many more universally used communication platforms. They also provide custom UI designs according to the organisation’s needs and requirements, providing an all-round user-centric experience.

10. ChatCamp

ChatCamp provides reliable, scalable and secure messaging APIs for Android, iOS and Web apps. Their User Moderation feature allows seamless text, audio and video conferences, whether it’s an Open Channel or a Group Channel. Their notification engine can even send messages to offline participants via Email or Mobile Push Notifications. It is ideal for an E-commerce marketplace industry where conversations between the buyer and the seller are immense and essential.

Now that you have understood the need for chat APIs and SDKs and perused through the list, you can choose the right one for your enterprise and watch your business scale and grow to unforeseen heights.