CometChat Review

ByObeydul Haque Reading Time: 7 minutes

CometChat is a chat API and in-app messaging Software Development Kit (SDK) designed to integrate real-time text, voice, and video communication into mobile apps and websites. Trusted by over 50,000 developers worldwide, CometChat serves industries such as healthcare, e-commerce, e-learning, gaming, and social networking. Its core offering includes SDKs, APIs, UI Kits, and no-code widgets that allow developers of varying skill levels to implement feature-rich chat functionalities quickly. CometChat emphasizes scalability, security, and ease of integration, making it a popular choice for businesses looking to enhance user-to-user communication.

Key Features of CometChat

CometChat’s feature set is robust, catering to diverse use cases. Below is a detailed breakdown of its primary offerings:

1. Real-Time Messaging

CometChat enables one-on-one and group text chats with features like read receipts, typing indicators, and last-seen timestamps. Users can share media files (photos, videos, documents) and use vibrant emojis and stickers to make conversations more engaging. Real-time translation allows users from different linguistic backgrounds to communicate seamlessly, a critical feature for global platforms.

2. Voice and Video Calling

High-definition voice and video calling, including group conferencing, is a cornerstone of CometChat’s offerings. Users can switch from text to video chats effortlessly, and features like screen sharing and whiteboards enhance collaboration. The platform supports private and public video conferencing sessions, making it ideal for virtual events, telehealth, and education.

3. No-Code Widgets and UI Kits

For developers with limited coding expertise, CometChat provides no-code chat widgets that can be integrated with a simple copy-paste approach. Its customizable UI Kits allow developers to tailor the chat interface to match the app or website’s design, ensuring a cohesive user experience.

4. Integrations and Compatibility

CometChat integrates with over 92 platforms, including WordPress, BuddyPress, Drupal, and popular frameworks like React, Angular, and Ionic. This extensive compatibility reduces development time and ensures smooth deployment across web, mobile, and desktop environments.

5. Monetization and Moderation Tools

CometChat offers built-in monetization features, such as role-based access control (RBAC) and credit deduction systems, allowing businesses to create tiered subscription models. Moderation tools, including message filtering and user blocking, help maintain a safe and professional environment.

6. Security and Compliance

Security is a priority for CometChat, with features like SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit and AES-256 encryption for data at rest. The platform complies with GDPR, HIPAA, and SOC 2 Type II standards, making it suitable for sensitive industries like healthcare and finance.

7. Scalability and Performance

CometChat’s auto-scaling infrastructure ensures reliable performance during high-traffic events, such as virtual conferences or live streams. Its low-latency communication is critical for maintaining a responsive user experience.

Pricing Structure

CometChat’s pricing model has evolved over the years, transitioning from one-time purchases to a subscription-based and pay-as-you-go structure. Below is an overview of its current plans as of 2025:

1. Startup Plan

  • Voice Calling: $0.001 per user per minute
  • Video Calling: $0.003 per user per minute
  • Features: Basic text messaging, group chats, and essential integrations
  • Best For: Small businesses or startups with minimal chat requirements

2. Growth Plan (Most Popular)

  • Voice/Video Pricing: Same as Startup
  • Additional Features: Email/SMS notifications, stickers, reactions, real-time translation, moderation tools, and document sharing
  • Best For: Growing businesses needing advanced features and scalability

3. Enterprise Plan

  • Custom Pricing: Tailored to specific needs, with volume discounts
  • Features: All Growth Plan features, plus premium support, dedicated account management, and advanced analytics
  • Best For: Large enterprises with complex requirements

Observations on Pricing

CometChat’s shift to a subscription model has sparked mixed reactions. Previously, plans like the Professional ($129 one-time) and Premium ($249 one-time) offered self-hosted options with free updates. The current cloud-based model, with monthly fees starting at $229 for equivalent features, has been criticized for its cost increase. For example, a user on Trustpilot noted that the annual cost jumped from $64 to $3,588 for similar functionality, with no self-hosting option. However, the pay-as-you-go pricing for voice and video is competitive, especially for apps with sporadic usage.

Performance and Ease of Use

Integration and Setup

CometChat’s integration process is a standout feature. Developers praise its comprehensive documentation and examples, which support multiple programming languages and frameworks. For WordPress users, installing the CometChat plugin is straightforward: upload the plugin, activate it, and configure settings via an intuitive admin panel. Most users report having chat functionalities up and running within a day, with support teams assisting when issues arise.

Performance

CometChat’s performance is generally reliable, with low-latency messaging and high-quality voice/video calls. Its auto-scaling platform handles traffic spikes effectively, making it suitable for virtual events or e-commerce platforms during peak sales. However, some users have reported occasional glitches, such as account status discrepancies, though these are typically resolved quickly.

User Interface

The chat interface is user-friendly, often compared to WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger for its clean design and responsiveness. The admin panel allows non-technical users to customize settings without coding knowledge. However, some developers note that pre-made UI Kits may not fully align with certain frameworks (e.g., Ionic-Angular-Capacitor), requiring additional customization.

User Feedback: The Good and the Bad

CometChat has garnered a mix of positive and negative reviews across platforms like Trustpilot, G2, and Capterra. Below is a summary of user sentiments:

Positive Feedback

  • Ease of Integration: Users consistently praise CometChat’s quick setup and compatibility with platforms like WordPress and React. A G2 reviewer noted that integration took less than a day, with support readily available.
  • Feature-Rich: The platform’s monetization, moderation, and collaboration tools are highlighted as unique. A fitness studio owner credited CometChat’s video conferencing for transforming their business into an online platform.
  • Support Quality: Many users appreciate the responsive support team, which provides personalized assistance. A Capterra reviewer described the support as “excellent” for resolving issues promptly.
  • Scalability: Businesses hosting virtual events or large communities report that CometChat handles high user volumes without performance degradation.

Negative Feedback

  • Pricing Concerns: The shift to a subscription model has frustrated legacy users. A Trustpilot reviewer accused CometChat of abandoning self-hosted options and raising prices significantly without refunds.
  • Support Delays: Some users report slow response times, particularly in North America, possibly due to time zone differences. A Capterra user noted that support could take days to resolve issues.
  • Bug Reports: A few reviews mention software bugs, with one user describing it as “buggier than a low-end apartment”. However, these complaints are less common in recent reviews.
  • Refund Policy Issues: Several Trustpilot users claimed that CometChat did not honor its 30-day money-back guarantee, citing poor support and non-functional plugins.

Addressing Controversies

CometChat’s response to negative feedback often emphasizes that earlier issues stemmed from a now-rebranded product, CometChat Go (now AtomChat). The company argues that its current Pro offering reflects significant improvements. However, some users dispute this, citing historical evidence from the Wayback Machine that no such distinction existed at the time of their purchase. Trustpilot’s removal of suspicious 5-star reviews from India also raised concerns about review authenticity.

Use Cases and Industry Applications

CometChat’s versatility makes it suitable for various industries:

  • Healthcare: HIPAA-compliant chat and video calling enable secure patient-doctor interactions.
  • E-commerce: Real-time communication between buyers and sellers boosts engagement and sales.
  • E-learning: Group chats and video conferencing enhance virtual classrooms.
  • Gaming: In-game chat and voice features improve player interaction.
  • Social Networking: Private and group chats foster community building.

A notable example is a fitness studio that integrated CometChat’s SDK to offer personalized video lessons, resulting in significant business growth. Similarly, a dating platform reported a threefold increase in registrations after implementing CometChat’s automated user engagement features.

Comparison with Alternatives

To assess CometChat’s value, let’s compare it with two competitors: Sendbird and Twilio.

CometChat vs. Sendbird

  • Features: Both offer text, voice, and video, but CometChat’s no-code widgets and monetization tools give it an edge for non-technical users.
  • Pricing: Sendbird’s pricing is higher, with plans starting at $399/month for similar features. CometChat’s pay-as-you-go model is more flexible.
  • Ease of Use: CometChat’s WordPress integration is simpler than Sendbird’s, which focuses more on custom development.

CometChat vs. Twilio

  • Features: Twilio offers robust APIs but lacks CometChat’s pre-built UI Kits and no-code options.
  • Pricing: Twilio’s pay-per-use model can become expensive for high-volume apps, while CometChat’s Growth Plan offers more predictable costs.
  • Support: CometChat’s dedicated support is often rated higher than Twilio’s, which relies heavily on documentation.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Easy integration with 92+ platforms
  • Comprehensive feature set, including monetization and moderation
  • Scalable and secure, with GDPR and HIPAA compliance
  • Responsive support for most users
  • No-code options for non-developers

Cons

  • High subscription costs compared to legacy pricing
  • Occasional support delays, especially in North America
  • Some reported bugs and refund policy issues
  • Limited framework compatibility for pre-built UI Kits

Final Verdict

CometChat is a powerful and versatile chat solution that excels in ease of integration, scalability, and feature richness. Its ability to cater to diverse industries, from healthcare to gaming, makes it a valuable tool for businesses aiming to boost user engagement. The no-code widgets and extensive integrations are particularly appealing for small businesses and non-technical users, while the robust APIs and SDKs satisfy advanced developers.

However, the transition to a subscription-based model has alienated some legacy users, and concerns about pricing, support delays, and refund policies persist. While CometChat has addressed some criticisms by improving its Pro offering, potential users should carefully evaluate the pricing against their budget and needs.

For startups and growing businesses, the Growth Plan offers a compelling balance of features and cost. Enterprises with complex requirements may find the custom pricing worthwhile, especially with premium support. If you’re seeking a reliable, feature-packed chat solution and are comfortable with cloud-based pricing, CometChat is worth a try—especially given its 30-day money-back guarantee (though verify refund terms upfront).

I (plan to) write about business, finance, SEO, WordPress, and whatever else interests me. You might find those interesting too. For now, find me on Twitter/ X.