MessageBird (Bird) vs Sendbird
Converge Team
Side-by-side comparison for 2026
| Feature | MessageBird (Bird) | Sendbird |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | From $30/seat/mo | From $399/mo |
| Best For | Large enterprises with complex communication needs | Developers building custom in-app messaging experiences |
| Standout Feature | Global SMS delivery network | Comprehensive SDK with voice, video, and messaging |
| Free Plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| G2 Rating | 4.2 | 4.3 |
MessageBird and Sendbird target different aspects of customer communication. MessageBird provides omnichannel messaging solutions priced from $25-$200/month, while Sendbird offers in-app chat and messaging APIs with plans ranging from free to $999/month.
Both platforms excel in messaging, but MessageBird focuses on business communication across channels while Sendbird specializes in building chat experiences within applications and websites.
Feature Comparison
MessageBird offers a complete omnichannel messaging platform with SMS, WhatsApp Business, email, and voice capabilities. Their strength lies in unified conversation management and business communication workflows with excellent deliverability rates.
Sendbird specializes in chat SDKs and APIs for building custom messaging experiences. They provide powerful real-time chat features, moderation tools, and scalable infrastructure for applications requiring embedded chat functionality.
The fundamental difference is MessageBird's business-to-customer focus versus Sendbird's developer-centric approach to building chat experiences within applications.
Pricing Comparison
MessageBird's pricing ranges from $25/month for basic messaging to $200/month for high-volume business communication. The pricing is based on message volume and includes access to multiple channels with transparent costs.
Sendbird offers a free tier for basic usage, with paid plans from $399 to $999/month based on monthly active users and feature requirements. Enterprise pricing is available for large-scale implementations requiring custom solutions.
For business messaging, MessageBird typically offers better value. For developers building chat features, Sendbird's specialized tools justify the higher cost for complex implementations.
MessageBird (Bird)
Pros
- ✓ Strong global SMS delivery
- ✓ Comprehensive API documentation
- ✓ Good WhatsApp Business integration
Cons
- ✗ Complex pricing with hidden costs
- ✗ Limited customization options
- ✗ Steep learning curve
Sendbird
Pros
- ✓ Comprehensive SDK suite
- ✓ Excellent developer documentation
- ✓ Scalable infrastructure
Cons
- ✗ Expensive for small businesses
- ✗ Complex pricing structure
- ✗ Limited social media integrations
Verdict
Choose MessageBird if you need comprehensive business messaging across multiple channels. Choose Sendbird if you're building custom chat experiences within your application or website.
Choose MessageBird if: You need business messaging across SMS, WhatsApp, and email channels, want straightforward pricing, or focus on customer support and marketing communications.
Choose Sendbird if: You're building custom chat experiences, need advanced real-time messaging features, or require developer-friendly APIs and SDKs for application integration.
Alternative: Consider Converge at $49/month flat rate for up to 15 agents - offering business messaging capabilities without the complexity of usage-based pricing or the need for custom development.
Looking for more options? Browse all 750+ platform comparisons, or see all MessageBird (Bird) comparisons and all Sendbird comparisons.