Hibira vs Stream Chat: chat APIs compared
Stream starts paid chat at $399 a month for 10,000 users; Hibira starts at $49 for 1,000, with file storage included and a word filter that reads Chinese and Japanese.
Stream is one of the best-known chat APIs, with SDKs and ready UI components for most mobile and web frameworks. Hibira's Chat API does the core job, stored conversations with read receipts, unread counts and push to offline users, on the realtime connection your app already has. The differences are where the paid plans start, what the free plan includes and how much of the interface comes ready-made.
At a glance
| Stream Chat | Hibira Chat API | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Build: 1,000 monthly active users and 100 concurrent connections, community support | 500 monthly active users; live connections come from your realtime plan (Free: 100 at once) |
| First paid plan | Start: $399 a month billed yearly ($499 monthly) for 10,000 monthly active users | Chat 1K: $49 a month for 1,000 monthly active users |
| Larger plans | Elevate: $599 a month billed yearly ($675 monthly), 10,000 users; extra users $0.09 each | Chat 5K $149, 20K $349, 60K $799 a month; paying yearly gets two months free |
| Files | Image and file CDN billed apart: $0.07 per GB stored, $0.17 per GB delivered | 1 GB free, then 5 GB to 300 GB included with the plan |
| Ready-made interface | UI components for iOS, Android, Flutter, React Native, React and more | A React and JavaScript conversation view in @hibira-io/chat-ui, and a Filament chat page |
| Data | Choice of hosting regions | Stored in Asia, archives in Hong Kong |
Stream figures are from its pricing page, checked on 2026-11-10.
Hibira's Chat API plans are on the Chat API page.
When Stream is the better fit
- You want native UI components for iOS, Android, Flutter or React Native rather than building your own screens.
- You need translation, HIPAA support or a choice of regions from the same vendor.
- Your app already has more than 1,000 active chat users and you want them on a free plan while you build.
- Your company has fewer than five people and less than $10,000 a month in revenue: Stream's Maker programme gives you a monthly credit.
When Hibira is the better fit
- You want a paid plan below $399 a month: Hibira's start at $49, and 20,000 users cost $349.
- Your users read Chinese, Japanese or Korean, and the word filter and search should understand them.
- Your app already uses Hibira or Pusher for realtime events, and chat should share the same account, app and connection.
- You want file storage included in the price instead of a separate meter.
See what the API does on the Chat API page and build the interface with @hibira-io/chat-ui.
Common questions
Is Hibira an alternative to Stream Chat?
Yes, for in-app chat with stored history, read receipts, unread counts, reactions, files, moderation and push to offline users. Stream offers more ready-made mobile components; Hibira costs less and runs on the same connection as your realtime features.
How much does Stream Chat cost?
On 2026-11-10, Stream Chat had a free Build plan for 1,000 monthly active users and 100 concurrent connections, and paid plans from $399 a month billed yearly ($499 monthly) for 10,000 users. Source: Stream Chat pricing page.
What counts as a monthly active user on Hibira?
A user who sends a message or marks a conversation read in a calendar month (UTC), counted once across all of your apps. People who only receive messages aren't counted.
Stream Chat is a trademark of its owner.