Hey guys, I need to add real-time chat to my app, but I don’t have time to build it from scratch so, I am looking for a pre-built chat SDK. I researched and found there are so many providers. I searched some Articles and Ai tools some suggest Getstream, Sendbird, MirrorFly and Cometchat are the bests. But before investing in any of these providers I need to know any one have experience with them.
Please share your experience it would be really helpful for me to choose the best one.
Summary
Looking for recommendations and firsthand experiences with pre-built chat SDK providers (GetStream, Sendbird, MirrorFly, CometChat) to add real-time chat to a Retool app without building it from scratch.
AI Response
Retool doesn't officially endorse a specific third-party chat SDK, and there's no docs guidance comparing these providers. In practice, builders integrate a provider's SDK via a custom component or an embedded widget, so a provider with a clean JavaScript/web SDK and good docs tends to integrate most smoothly. The community has had the most active discussion around MirrorFly for messaging in Retool, and there's a broader thread where builders share the chat/communication tools they've used for portal-style apps. Reviewing those firsthand accounts is the best way to gauge fit before committing to any one provider.
Sources
Looking to Integrate Messaging SDK into CRM – Any Feedback on MirrorFly?
An active, multi-reply discussion specifically about integrating a messaging SDK (including MirrorFly) into a Retool-built CRM, with peer feedback on the experience.
A solved thread where builders share which chat and communication tools they've used for Retool portal builds, useful for comparing provider options.
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Hi Richard, it really depends on the specific goal you want in that real-time chat app. All the 4 providers help you add chat features. But you have a bit difference in all four Getstream, Sendbird, MirrorFly and Cometchat.
I haven’t worked on the actual production, deployment and integration part. But I have don a lot of R&D with the cpaas solution in market.
Let be more clear
Getstream: Chosse this API provider if you are building a consumer solution app, marketplace app, fintech platform, gaming or community app. The reason is that these chat app need modern UI kits and should handle real time chat. For this scenario getstream is the right fit.
Sendbird: Choose this chat provider if you want business messaging along with customer support automation or CRM integration workflows.
MirrorFly: Choose this chat API & SDK provider if you want the enterprises business to build its own team chat platform with full data ownership, support customization and self hosting flexibility. It is best suited for B2Bs, SaaS companies and large organizations.
Cometchat: Choose this API if you are a non-tech person who wants to build an in-app chat feature and deploy an AI agent.
Hope that helps!
Hi Stark,
Thanks for explaining this. It really helped me. Now I understand how these four providers are different. I will check them once and see which one fits my project.
Hey @Richard_John @Stark16 welcome to the Community! 
@Richard_John I moved your topic to Discussion, so others can chime in!
Hi dude. Just curious to know which app you are adding this chat SDK to. I won't suggest one pick from the list. Because all the chat API providers are reliable and trusted by most businesses. I can help you with a few checklist items to evaluate.
Check the latency for each provider, as real-time communication depends on it.
You have to make sure the API response time is below 100ms.
If your app should handle a growing user base, you should definitely ask how scalable the solution is.
If it gives you deployment flexibility and extensive customization, that is a great plus.
Also, I would advise you to choose a provider that offers a one-time license. Because a monthly recurring payment can cost you a lot of money in the long term.
However, choose your provider after knowing what exactly is your goal in that chat app.
The latency point stands out to me—under 100ms is a real constraint once you factor in network hops, not just the provider’s API response. I’d also add that the question of goals matters more than the licensing model. A one-time license sounds appealing upfront, but if the app’s needs shift toward features or scale the provider doesn’t cover, the savings disappear. Deployment flexibility and how well the SDK handles reconnection and message ordering under load are worth asking about too, since those tend to surface late in testing rather than in a demo.
The reconnection and message ordering point is the one I’d stress most, since a demo rarely shows what happens when a client drops mid-conversation. On licensing, I’d frame it as a question of where the cost lands: a one-time license shifts spend to upfront and maintenance, while recurring fees scale with usage. Neither is inherently cheaper until you model growth for a couple of years. Agree that goals should drive the shortlist first. Worth asking each provider how they document failure behavior under load before you test.