Tinode is an open source instant messaging platform that provides a backend server, WebSocket API, and multi-platform client SDKs for teams building private messaging features into web and mobile applications without paying Sendbird or Twilio per-message fees.
The Problem
Sendbird and Twilio Conversations charge per message or per monthly active user, which becomes expensive for applications where messaging is a core feature rather than an occasional notification. Building a custom chat backend from scratch requires designing a WebSocket protocol, message storage, push notification routing, and client state synchronization, months of engineering work that does not differentiate the product.
How Tinode Solves It
Tinode provides a complete messaging backend with WebSocket API, persistent message storage (MySQL, MongoDB, PostgreSQL, RethinkDB), and pre-built clients for Android, iOS, web, and desktop. Push notifications route through APNS and FCM. The server runs in Docker and the gRPC API supports custom server-side bots and integrations. GPL-3.0 for the server; Apache-2.0 for client libraries.
Key Features
- Real-time messaging over WebSocket with persistent history stored in your own database
- Multi-platform clients: Android (native), iOS (native), web (React), and desktop (Electron)
- Push notifications via Apple APNS and Google FCM for mobile delivery when the app is in background
- Group topics, peer-to-peer chats, and broadcast channels with fine-grained access control
- gRPC API for custom server-side bot and backend integration
- GPL-3.0 server license; Apache-2.0 client libraries; self-host via Docker
Who It's For
Tinode is best for development teams adding private messaging to an existing application (social platforms, marketplace apps, or enterprise tools) who need a complete messaging backend without paying per-message fees or building the protocol layer themselves.
Compared to Sendbird
Unlike Sendbird, Tinode is self-hosted with no per-message or per-MAU fees. Sendbird offers a richer feature set including video calls, moderation tools, and enterprise-grade scalability with managed infrastructure; Tinode provides core messaging functionality at no variable cost for teams that can manage their own server.
