Stream vs Sendbird: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Stream and Sendbird comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Stream
Add chat and activity feeds to your app
Best for you if:
- • Stream is an API for building scalable chat and activity feeds
- • It provides real-time messaging with moderation and customization
Sendbird
Chat and messaging API for apps
Best for you if:
- • Sendbird is a chat and messaging API for apps and websites
- • It provides in-app chat, voice, and video with moderation tools
| At a Glance |  Stream |  Sendbird |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | API Tools | API Tools |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Stream or Sendbird?
Choose Stream if
Add chat and activity feeds to your app
- Chat and activity feeds
- Good APIs
- Active development
Choose Sendbird if
Chat and messaging API for apps
- Good chat API
- UIKit components
- Moderation tools
| Feature | Stream | Sendbird |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 32 reviews | ★4.4/5 155 reviews |
| Categories | API ToolsCommunication | API ToolsCommunication |
In-Depth Analysis
Stream
Add chat and activity feeds to your app
Stream's pricing model is generous for early-stage projects with its free 'Maker' tier offering 5M messages and 100 concurrent users.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding 'Maker' limits are not specified.
Strengths
- +Chat and activity feeds
- +Good APIs
- +Active development
- +Good documentation
- +Scalable
Weaknesses
- -Expensive at scale
- -MAU-based pricing
- -Learning curve
- -Vendor lock-in
- -Feature complexity
Key features
Sendbird
Chat and messaging API for apps
Sendbird's pricing starts generously with a free Developer tier, but quickly jumps to $399/month for the Starter tier, which is quite expensive for up to 5K MAUs compared to some market alternatives.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding MAU limits
Strengths
- +Good chat API
- +UIKit components
- +Moderation tools
- +Push notifications
- +Good documentation
Weaknesses
- -Per-MAU pricing
- -Expensive at scale
- -Learning curve
- -Feature limits by tier
- -Vendor lock-in
Key features
Pricing: Stream vs Sendbird
| Plan | Stream | Sendbird |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Maker | Free Developer |
| Tier 2 | custom Scale | $399 Starter |
| Tier 3 | custom Enterprise | Custom Pro |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Stream pricing and Sendbird pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Stream
Want the highest-rated option?
Stream: 4.6/5 (32 reviews). Sendbird: 4.4/5 (155 reviews).
Go with: Stream
Value user reviews?
Stream: 32 reviews (4.6/5). Sendbird: 155 reviews (4.4/5).
Go with: Sendbird
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are api tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Stream is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5.
Key Takeaways
Stream
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.4/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Sendbird
- Larger review base (155 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Stream is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Stream or Sendbird better?
Stream is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Stream and Sendbird used for?
Stream: Add chat and activity feeds to your app. Sendbird: Chat and messaging API for apps.
What does Stream cost vs Sendbird?
Stream is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Sendbird is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.