Open-source, Go-based real-time messaging server for pub/sub and live updates; supports WebSocket, SSE, gRPC and brokers (Redis, NATS) with official SDKs.
10.7k stars728 forksApache-2.0last commit Actively maintained
5 self-hosted PubNub Chat alternatives
Cloud-hosted real-time messaging infrastructure and SDKs that provide pub/sub messaging, presence, typing indicators, message history and delivery guarantees to implement in-app chat across web and mobile applications.
Alternatives to PubNub Chat
#2
ejabberd is an Erlang/OTP-based messaging server providing XMPP chat and presence, MQTT broker capabilities for IoT, and SIP services for real-time communications.
6.7k stars1.5k forkslast commit Actively maintained
#3
AnyCable is a realtime server for reliable two-way communication over WebSockets and SSE, designed to power chats, notifications, presence, and streaming updates for any backend.
2.4k stars124 forksMITlast commit Actively maintained
A protocol gateway that bridges users across different instant messaging networks using libpurple adapters, enabling cross-network chat and presence.
419 stars92 forkslast commit Slowing down
Scalable, modular XMPP/Jabber server written in Java supporting TCP, BOSH, WebSockets, federation, components, HTTP API and push notifications.
359 stars110 forksAGPL-3.0last commit Actively maintained
What replacing PubNub Chat actually involves
Every option on this page is open source and free to run on your own hardware, so you own the data and there is no subscription to cancel. 4 of 5 shipped a commit in the last six months. Licences in this list: Apache-2.0, MIT, AGPL-3.0. In exchange you take on hosting, backups and updates yourself.
Browse everything in Messaging & Event Streaming (Brokers/Queues).
