Top Group Video Chat Software for 2025: Features (Tested and Reviewed)

Finding the right chat software for a website is no easy task—trust me, I’ve been there. As someone who spent months scouring the web for the best chat software, I quickly realised how difficult it is to find reliable solutions for group chat rooms rather than live chat tools for customer support. The decline of chat room platforms and the rise of live chat software only add to the confusion, making it hard to uncover options for true community-driven communication.

If you’re like me and use WordPress, you might have already noticed how thin the plugin options are for chat rooms. A simple search often floods you with results for free live chat tools for businesses, which is frustrating when your focus is on building chat rooms for engagement, not handling customer queries. The challenge is real, but after extensive research and testing, I’ve compiled this guide to showcase the 2025 best options for chat room software.

This list is specifically designed for those looking to add group chat rooms, video chat, or even unique features like random chat (think Chatroulette) to their websites. While I haven’t personally tested every single tool, I’ve ensured they are active, available, and diverse enough to suit different needs. Whether you’re after free chat software or a premium solution, you’ll find something here to fit your project.

Unlike the overwhelming number of live chat software reviews, this guide focuses solely on chat rooms and chat messenger programs. Some platforms on this list may offer live chat features, but I’ve deliberately avoided reviewing them to keep the spotlight on community-focused tools.

If you’re tired of searching for the perfect solution, this page saves you time and frustration. Whether you need a good software-free chat option, advanced video chat rooms, or something niche like random chat, you’ll find the best choices here to move your project forward in 2025.

Here’s a summary table of all the chat solutions and their overall scores:

Chat Software	Percentage	Price	Comments
CodyChat	94%	$49 (one-time) + optional $10/month support	Feature-rich platform with monetisation tools and customization.
AtomChat	68%	$49–$299/month	Affordable, highly customizable with plugins, and excellent value.
Html5 Video Chat	89%	VIP (€16.99), Super VIP (€35.00), Supreme VIP (€50.00)	Works, but has poor usability and no support. Still takes payments despite ignoring emails.
RumbleTalk	88%	Free to $59/month	Versatile for different use cases, good engagement tools.
Chatwee	60%	Free to $69/month	Works, but poor usability and no support. Still takes payments despite ignoring emails.
Minnit Chat	68%	Free to £430/month	Basic, expensive, and looks outdated. It works and may suit some people, but I’d never use it.
html5chat.com	86%	Free to €99/year	Customizable and powerful, but a steep learning curve.
Wise Chat Pro	85%	$61 one-time + 3rd-party costs	Decent value but confusing setup for beginners.
CometChat	74%	$298.75–$423.75/month	Loaded with features, but overpriced and support is hit or miss.
Roomlio	40%	$29–$299/month + $13/user overages	Poor value, basic feature set, overpriced.
Better Messages WP	0%	Pricing unclear	Confusing interface, unclear pricing, and poor support.
ArrowChat	0%	Free to $395 (one-time)	Unusable on mobile, buggy, and support is bad.
IFlychat	N/A	Discontinued	No longer supported.

Key Takeaways:

Affordable Options:
- CodyChat ($49 one-time) and Wise Chat Pro ($61 one-time) stand out for their budget-friendly, no-subscription pricing.
- Minnit Chat and Chatwee offer flexible plans, starting free with affordable scaling for more users.
Premium Choices:
- AtomChat and Html5 Video Chat offer advanced tools and scalability but require higher investments.
- CometChat is expensive and best suited for enterprise users.
Avoid:
- ArrowChat and Better Messages WP due to usability, pricing, and support issues.
- Roomlio for its high cost and limited features.

Wise Chat Pro Features

1. Overview

Wise Chat is a lightweight WordPress plugin designed to add chat rooms to your website effortlessly. It’s particularly suited for small communities and niche websites, offering group chat and private messaging functionalities.

Setting up Wise Chat is straightforward, but certain features, like the Facebook-style chat widget (which is more of a messenger program rather than a chat room), are only available to Pro members. This lack of clarity can lead to confusion; for example, I struggled to get the Facebook chat feature working until I realized it required a Pro subscription.

The Pro version has a one-time fee of $61—no monthly payments—making it a budget-friendly option. Wise Chat looks great on both mobile and desktop, with plenty of customisation options. However, while the plugin offers a variety of features, the interface can be confusing at first. I had to contact the developer for help, who, while responsive, took some time to reply.

Another feature worth noting is video chat, which can be set up using Twilio, a pay-per-minute service. While affordable, video chat isn’t included for free unless you host it on your own server, it does also have a live chat facility if you want a shop kind of setup, but I did not use that, so I cannot tell you if that is any good

2. Key Features

Real-time group chat and private messaging.
It can function as a chat room or chat messenger and be embedded into pages or sites, or both at the same time!
Customizable design to match your website.
Moderation tools include banning users and deleting messages.
Integrates with WordPress user roles.

3. Pros and Cons

Pros:

Easy to set up and integrate with WordPress.
Lightweight and won’t slow down your website.
One-time payment with no monthly fees.
Works well on both mobile and desktop.

Cons:

Facebook-style chat widget requires a Pro membership, which isn’t immediately clear.
Video chat setup requires a third-party service (Twilio) with additional costs.
The interface can be confusing for beginners.
Support is available but not always prompt.

4. Pricing

Free Version: Basic chat features with limited customisation.
Pro Version: $61 yearly fee for updates, with access to additional features like the Facebook-style chat widget and expanded customisation.

The Pro version offers good value for those on a budget, though it may not be suitable for users needing more advanced features or free video chat.

5. Rating

Features: 4/5 (Good options but lacks advanced functionality without Pro or additional services.)
Ease of Use: 5/5 (Straightforward setup, though advanced features need guidance.)
Customisation: 4/5 (Plenty of options, but the interface can be confusing.)
Pricing: 4/5 (Reasonable one-time fee, but extra costs for video chat add up.)
Support: 4/5 (Developer responds, but not quickly.)

Total Score: 20/25 (85%)

6. Final Thoughts

Wise Chat is an excellent choice for those seeking a budget-friendly chat solution for WordPress; however, I found it more useful as a messenger program than a chat room itself. Its lightweight design and ease of setup make it appealing, especially for small communities and niche websites. However, advanced features like video chat and Facebook-style widgets may require additional costs and setup, which could deter users looking for an all-in-one solution. For its price and functionality, it’s a solid option for most website owners. The support for me was a little slow as it was email only, but it was fine, the developer got back to me within a few days or so.

html5 chat.com enhancing user experience

1. Overview

This platform offers a customizable video chat solution for various needs, from casual video chats to advanced setups like chat roulette, messenger-style chats, shout boxes, and even pay-per-view options. While the interface can be a bit confusing initially, the extensive options available make it a powerful tool for anyone looking to create a tailored chat experience.

2. Key Features

Highly customizable chat types (video chat, messenger, chat roulette, pay-per-view, etc.).
WebRTC-based for efficient streaming.
Multiple chat modes: private, public, and invitation-only.
Tab and window modes for managing multiple chats.
Conference mode for webinars or shows.
No streaming limits in premium versions.
Admin tools for user, room, and gender management.
Draggable webcams and full-screen support.
Moderation tools (kick, ban, warn).
Auto-login integration with existing databases.
Source code option for full customisation.

3. Pros and Cons

Pros:

Highly customizable and versatile.
Supports various chat styles for different use cases.
Affordable options for basic and advanced features.
Source code option for self-hosting.
Extensive admin and moderation tools.

Cons:

Initial setup can be confusing for new users.
Limited features in the free version.
Requires a paid subscription for full functionality.

4. Pricing

Free Version (€0): Limited to 4 webcams, 3 rooms, 50 users, and low streaming quality.
Full Registered Version (€20/month or €99/year): Unlimited webcams, rooms, no ads, and WebRTC streaming.
Source Code Version (€1990): Full source code with 12 months of updates and support, ideal for hosting on your own server.

The pricing offers good value for the features provided, especially for those requiring advanced customisation or large-scale usage.

5. Rating

Features: 4.5/5
Ease of Use: 3.5/5
Customisation: 5/5
Pricing: 4/5
Support: 4.5/5

Total Score: 21.5/25 (86%)

6. Final Thoughts

This video chat platform is a robust solution for anyone looking to create a customizable chat experience. While the learning curve can be steep, its wide range of features and scalability make it well worth exploring. Whether you need a casual chat setup or a professional-grade solution, this platform offers flexibility and functionality to meet your needs.

Html5 video chat Platform(similar name as above but different software)

1. Overview

CST Software Corp offers an innovative video chat platform designed for seamless, secure, and customizable communication. Built on Node.js and sockets, it’s compatible with all major browsers and offers advanced features for video chat, instant messaging, and online streaming. From personalised room creation to monetisation tools like credit systems and donation integration, CST provides powerful solutions for businesses and communities alike. Whether you’re hosting a camgirl site, music streaming platform, or private video chats, CST enables you to deliver an engaging, interactive experience.

2. Key Features

Video Chat System: Cam-to-cam interactions with public and private chat options.
Room Creation: Fully customizable rooms with themes, rules, and moderators.
Audio Messaging: Send voice messages for a more personal touch.
Guest Access: Allow non-registered users to join public chats.
User Profiles: Personalised profiles with photos and descriptions.
Full Admin Panel: Manage users, rooms, and settings efficiently.
Credit System: Tokens for user interactions, whispers, or accessing premium features.
Monetisation Options: Direct donations and profile chat earnings.
Custom Games: Quiz and Scribble Game to keep users engaged.
Language Support: Includes English, Spanish, Chinese, and more.
Streaming Radio Integration: Bring your broadcast directly into chats.
Fake Users: Automatically generate activity for dynamic interactions.
Full Webcam Support: High-quality, full-screen streaming.

3. Pros and Cons

Pros:

Wide range of features, including monetisation tools.
Fully customizable chat rooms and user profiles.
Multi-language support for global accessibility.
Innovative tools like fake users and integrated radio.
Games and interactive features for engagement.

Cons:

Some features may be overwhelming for beginners.
Limited options in the basic pricing tier.
Advanced monetization tools require higher-tier plans.

4. Pricing Plans:

VIP (€16.99): Basic license with standard support and camera quality.

Super VIP (€35.00): Comprehensive control, free plugins, and improved camera quality.
Supreme VIP (€50.00): All features, including social network integration and superior camera quality.

The pricing is competitive for the extensive feature set, with scalable plans suitable for different needs and budgets.

5. Rating

Features: 5/5
Ease of Use: 4/5
Customisation: 5/5
Pricing: 4.5/5
Support: 4.5/5

Total Score: 23/25 (92%)

AtomChat

Overall Score: 68%

Price: $49–$299/month or discounted annual plans
Comments: Looks great and packed with features, but pricing model is absurd limits you to 2,500 chat interactions on the starter plan, making it useless for busy communities. A stripped-down clone of CometChat (by the same company). You’ll end up broke or building your own.

Overview

AtomChat is a visually polished, feature-rich real-time chat solution targeting online communities and businesses. On paper, it sounds perfect: video chat, monetisation, whiteboards, file sharing, collaborative tools, games — you name it. But behind the sleek design is a brutal pricing model that punishes growth and makes it nearly unusable for high-traffic sites.

Key Features

Text, Voice, and Video Chat
Screen Sharing and Whiteboard
Stripe Pay-per-Minute Video Calls
Real-Time Language Translation
Custom Chat Rooms with Themes
File Sharing (up to 20MB depending on plan)
Single Player Games
CMS Integration (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)

Pros

Beautiful design, lots of built-in features
Good monetisation tools
Powerful collaboration functionality
Integrates well with most platforms

Cons

You’re better off building your own for that price if your site’s even remotely busy

Pricing is ridiculous: only 2,500 chat interactions on the starter tier, not users, interactions

Higher tiers are insanely expensive for what you get

It’s basically a stripped-down version of CometChat, made by the same company

Support is fine, but not great did not reply to me asking about their pricing structure.

Rumbletalk

Overview:
RumbleTalk is a feature-rich cloud-based group chat platform designed to enhance real-time communication for websites, events, and virtual communities. It supports various chat types, including social chats, private conversations, moderated Q&A sessions, and member-exclusive chats. With easy integration, extensive customization options, and multimedia-sharing capabilities, RumbleTalk provides an intuitive and engaging user experience. From startups to enterprises, it caters to businesses of all sizes by offering scalable pricing plans and robust features tailored to diverse needs.

Key Features of RumbleTalk:

Multiple Chat Types: Includes social chats, private chats, moderated queued chats, members-only chats, and expert chats.
Multimedia Sharing: Supports file uploads, YouTube/Vimeo video embedding, audio/video messages, and screen sharing (beta).
Engagement Tools: Offers polls, pin messages, custom emoticons, mentions, and welcome messages.
Advanced Moderation: Features include muting users, banning by IP, message screening, and exporting transcripts.
Custom Design: Pre-made themes and skins, along with custom CSS capabilities.
Integration Options: REST API and libraries for Angular, React, WordPress, Joomla, Moodle, Wix, and more.
Monetisation Features: Tailored solutions with support for social media login, secure SSO, and paid access features.
Security: SSL encryption ensures secure data transmission.
Admin Tools: Includes full admin control to moderate and manage users in real time.

Pros of RumbleTalk:

Scalable Plans: Offers options for individuals, businesses, and enterprises.
Customization: Full control over design and branding with CSS and templates.
Engagement Features: Includes polls, multimedia sharing, and interactive tools for user interaction.
Easy Integration: Works seamlessly with popular CMS platforms and APIs for advanced use cases.
Flexible Usage: Suitable for websites, virtual events, e-learning platforms, and more.

Cons of RumbleTalk:

Limited Free Plan: Only 5 seats and basic features are included.
Simultaneous User Limit: Plans are capped by the number of active users.
Pricing for Large Scale: Higher costs for businesses needing multiple rooms or participants.

Pricing Details:

Free Plan ($0/month):
- 5 seats
- 1 chat room
- Unlimited messages and private chats
Professional Plan ($34/month, paid annually):
- 50 seats
- 1 chat room
- File and image sharing
- 1 chat admin
Business Plan ($59/month, paid annually):
- 100 seats
- 1 chat room
- File and image sharing
- 1 chat admin
Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing):
- Tailored solutions for high-traffic businesses
- Multiple rooms and customizable options
- Premium support and professional onboarding

Conclusion:
RumbleTalk is a versatile chat solution for businesses and communities looking to engage their audiences effectively. Its extensive features and integration options make it a powerful tool for fostering communication during events, on websites, or within virtual communities. While its free plan is limited, the platform offers scalable and affordable options as you grow, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a customizable, feature-packed chat experience.

Minnit Chat: Clean & Scalable but Limited Visual Appeal

Overview:
Minnit Chat is a cloud-hosted group chat tool designed for simple integration via an iframe. It’s mobile-friendly, supports SSO, offers decent moderation, and can scale to large audiences. However, it lacks the polish and deep feature set of competitors. While it’s functional and reliable, its interface feels basic, and many essential features (like AI moderation or extra rooms) cost extra.

Pros:

Easy to embed and scale
Useful moderation tools
Wide integration options (OAuth, SSO, etc.)
Responsive across devices

Cons:

Poor value for money compared to alternatives like CodyChat or AtomChat

Very basic design and user interface

Feature-rich only on expensive plans

Key tools (extra rooms, AI mod, branding) require costly add-ons

Final Verdict Update (Minnit Chat):

While Minnit Chat does function reliably and may suit some low-maintenance community sites, its outdated design, uninspiring user experience, and nickel-and-dime pricing model make it hard to recommend. Honestly, it’s ugly, clunky, and not something I’d ever use even though it technically works. If design and experience matter to you, look elsewhere.

Chatwee: At a Glance

If you’re still curious, here are the core features it claims to offer:

Multiple Display Modes: Embedded, full-screen, pop-out, and fixed tab.
Customizable UI: Change colors, layout, CSS, language.
Moderation Tools: Ban users (IP/shadow/temporary), filter profanity, pre-approve messages.
SSO Support: Single sign-on for user login integration.
Media Sharing: Images, GIFs, file uploads (up to 1GB).
Mobile Friendly: Works across desktop, tablet, and mobile.
Multi-Language: 20+ language options.
Analytics: Basic chat usage tracking.
No Ads: Clean interface, even on free plans.

Plans & Pricing (As Listed):

Plan	Users	Rooms	Uploads	History	Price
Free	5	1	10MB	14 days	$0/month
Standard	25	3	150MB	14 days	$19/month
Pro	150	10	300MB	30 days	$29/month
Ultimate	300	25	1GB	90 days	$69/month
Enterprise	Custom	Custom	Custom	Custom	Custom Plan
Pay-per-use	Event-based pricing, custom limits, short-term use

Chatwee has some solid features on paper, but without real support, it’s a risky choice for any serious project.

Unless they fix their customer service and infrastructure, I don’t recommend using it for a live, public-facing chat room.

My Experience:

I paid for a plan, and when I had issues, they ignored my support emails.
Their “Contact Us” page is completely dead. You can fill it out, but when you click submit, it just hangs
They’re still charging for subscriptions even though there’s no working support at all.
No replies, no updates, and no accountability.

Honestly, I have no idea how they’re still operating. This isn’t just bad support, it’s nonexistent, either update it or close it!

CodyChat

1. Overview

CodyChat is a highly popular and affordable chat room software solution known for its simplicity, lightweight design, and flexibility. It is widely used for online communities and platforms due to its one-time license fee and absence of monthly charges. CodyChat offers a robust foundation with extensive customisation options through plugins, making it one of the most versatile and powerful chat solutions available.

2. Key Features

Affordable Licensing: A one-time license costs $49, with optional support renewal plans ($10 for 1 month or $20 for 3 months).
Customizable Functionality: Purchase and install plugins from the CodyChat store to extend functionality, similar to an app store.
Ease of Installation: Lightweight and easy to integrate into websites, even for users with minimal technical expertise.
Community Support: Access live chat support rooms and email assistance for troubleshooting and advice.
Adaptable Plugins: Choose from a wide range of plugins for video chat, voice chat, and other features to tailor your chat experience.
No Monthly Fees: A standout feature for budget-conscious users, offering cost-effective ownership.

3. Pros and Cons

Pros:

Low Cost: One-time licensing fee with no recurring charges.
Highly Customizable: Wide range of plugins to meet unique requirements.
Lightweight: Minimal impact on website performance.
Active Community: Access to live chat rooms and responsive email support.

Cons:

No Built-In Video Chat: Requires additional plugins for video or voice chat.
Dependent on Plugins: Advanced features require plugin purchases.
Limited Out-of-the-Box Features: Some basic features may require customisation.

4. Pricing

CodyChat License:

$49 for a regular license.
$10 for 1 month of support.
$20 for 3 months of support.

Custom Licensing: Discounts available for multiple license keys—contact CodyChat for a custom quotation.

5. Rating

Features: 4/5
Ease of Use: 5/5
Customisation: 5/5
Pricing: 5/5
Support: 4.5/5

Total Score: 23.5/25 (94%)

6. Final Thoughts

CodyChat is a standout chat software due to its affordability, ease of installation, and extensive customisation options through plugins. While it lacks built-in video or voice chat, its plugin ecosystem allows users to add these features and more, making it adaptable to nearly any use case. The absence of monthly fees and active community support makes it a cost-effective solution for individuals and organisations looking for a reliable, scalable chat platform.

Comet Chat

Overview:
CometChat is a feature-rich but extremely expensive in-app messaging platform designed for developers to integrate chat, voice, and video calling into web and mobile applications. It provides robust infrastructure, enterprise-grade security, and a comprehensive suite of tools like SDKs, APIs, and UI kits for customization. While it boasts a wide range of features, its pricing model and inconsistent support have led to mixed reviews. It is primarily geared toward businesses and developers with substantial budgets for communication solutions.

Features of CometChat:

In-App Messaging: Support for one-on-one and group chats, file sharing, message threads, and custom structured messages.
Voice & Video Calling: Includes individual and group calling, pay-as-you-go pricing for extended usage, and call recording.
AI Moderation: Rule-based and context-based moderation tools to detect spam, profanity, and toxicity.
Customisation: UI kits, SDKs, and APIs allow developers to personalise user experiences.
Integration: Supports multiple frameworks like React, Angular, Vue, Flutter, and WordPress.
Enterprise Features: Advanced insights, multi-tenancy, 99.999% SLA, and HIPAA compliance for healthcare applications.
Notifications: Push, email, and SMS notifications with customizable templates.

Pros of CometChat:

Feature-Rich: Comprehensive tools for messaging, voice, and video.
Scalability: Suitable for enterprise-level needs with high concurrency and uptime guarantees.
Customizability: SDKs and APIs provide flexibility for developers.
Wide Framework Support: Integrates with numerous technologies, from JavaScript to Flutter.

Cons of CometChat:

High Cost: Plans start at $298.75/month, making it prohibitively expensive for small businesses or individual developers.
Support Issues: Many users report unreliable or slow customer support.
Overpriced Add-Ons: Features like AI moderation and context-based insights increase costs significantly.
Complex Pricing Model: Usage-based fees for MAUs (Monthly Active Users) and concurrent connections can lead to unpredictable costs.
Underutilised: Despite its capabilities, many potential users avoid CometChat due to its pricing and better alternatives.

Pricing details:

Build Plan ($0/month):
- Up to 100 users
- Free forever, limited to testing and integration
Basic Plan ($298.75/month):
- Up to 1,000 MAUs
- Rich in-app chat and push notifications
- Global EDGE network and advanced moderation
Advanced Plan ($423.75/month):
- AI moderation, SMS/email notifications
- Multi-tenancy and advanced search
- Up to 10,000 MAUs
Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing):
- Tailored solutions for 10,000+ MAUs
- Zero overages, advanced analytics, and top-tier support
- Includes Gold support and 10% concurrency

Additional Costs:

$0.10/MAU for overages
$1/concurrent connection for overages in non-enterprise plans

Conclusion:
While CometChat offers an impressive array of features and integrations, its exorbitant pricing and inconsistent support make it a less attractive option for many developers and businesses. The platform is most suitable for enterprises with significant budgets that require a high level of customisation and scalability. However, for small to medium-sized projects or businesses, there are more affordable and reliable alternatives available.

Their pricing is stupid, you would have to be very desperate for a solution to use Comet Chat, their support is terrible and the pricing is even worse

Arrow Chat

Overview:
ArrowChat is a private group chat platform that claims to offer a robust set of features at a one-time cost with no recurring fees. However, despite its competitive pricing, the software is plagued with critical issues, including poor mobile compatibility, unreliable performance, and a lack of effective customer support. These problems overshadow its feature list, making it an impractical choice for most users.

Features of ArrowChat:

Private and Group Chat: Includes support for both private messages and group chatrooms.
Voice & Video Chat: Features basic and advanced options, including mobile video chat and screen sharing (on higher plans).
Customization: Supports custom colours, white labeling, and API access for integration.
Moderation Tools: Includes blocking, banning, and word censoring capabilities.
Media Sharing: File transfers, GIFs, and YouTube embeds are supported.
Notifications: Real-time notifications for site updates and messages.
Mobile Support: Available only on higher-priced plans, with additional costs.
One-Time Payment: Packages include a one-time fee with no monthly charges.

Pricing details:

Free Plan ($0):
- Unlimited users
- Limited updates
- No technical support
- Basic features like private/group chat, moderation, and file transfers
Starter Plan ($95):
- Unlimited users
- 12 months of updates
- 30 days of support
- Basic video chat and mobile support
Premium Plan ($195):
- Unlimited users
- 12 months of updates
- 45 days of support
- Advanced video chat, mobile video chat, and spam protection
Business Plan ($395):
- Unlimited users
- 12 months of updates
- 365 days of support
- Professional installation, advanced features, and early access

Strengths of ArrowChat (Theoretical):

Affordable Pricing: Competitive one-time fees with no recurring costs.
Customizable: Open-source code allows users to make changes.
Store Access: Buy and sell themes, apps, and mods to extend functionality.

Weaknesses of ArrowChat (Practical Experience):

Doesn’t Work on Mobile: Critical mobile compatibility issues require additional payment for basic functionality.
Terrible Support: Customer service is unhelpful, with numerous complaints about refund refusals and unresolved issues.
Performance Issues: Features often fail to work as advertised, especially on mobile.
Hidden Costs: Essential features like mobile support and spam protection are locked behind higher-priced plans.
Negative Reputation: Widely regarded as unreliable, with poor reviews and user experiences.

Conclusion:
ArrowChat is a poorly executed product that fails to justify even its low price point. The additional costs for mobile support and unresolved performance issues render it unsuitable for modern websites that require reliable, mobile-friendly communication tools. Its terrible reputation for customer support and refund practices only worsens its appeal.

If you are considering chat software, it is highly recommended to explore better alternatives with proven track records for functionality, support, and mobile compatibility. ArrowChat is not worth the investment.

Basically took my money and ripped me off, don’t use them EVER, it doesn’t work on mobile anyway, so practically useless in the 2020s.

Better Messages WP

Overview:
Better Messages WP is a WordPress messaging plugin that offers a range of features like real-time messaging, file sharing, video calls, and group chats. However, the plugin suffers from poor usability, a convoluted interface, and minimal support. The lack of transparency regarding pricing and unclear feature documentation makes it frustrating for users to understand what they are paying for or even how to get started.

Features of Better Messages WP:

Real-time messaging: Powered by AJAX or WebSocket for instant message delivery.
Voice and video calls: HD 1-to-1 and group calls, including screen sharing.
File sharing: Supports GIFs, images, and file uploads.
Group chats: Unlimited participants with customisation options.
Mobile-friendly layout: Claims enhanced designs for mobile users.
Advanced features: Includes emoji/sticker support, mentions, role-based access control, and custom API hooks.
Customizability: Options to adjust colors, integrate with BuddyPress, Ultimate Member, and PeepSo.
WebSocket version: Promises faster and more secure messaging.

Pricing concerns:
The website does not clearly display pricing details or specify what is included in each package. This lack of transparency makes it difficult to evaluate the value of the product or what users are actually purchasing.

Strengths of Better Messages WP:

Feature-rich (theoretical): Offers a comprehensive list of messaging and engagement tools.
Integration options: Supports major WordPress plugins like BuddyPress and Ultimate Member.
Customizability: Allows CSS customisation and white labeling.

Weaknesses of Better Messages WP:

Confusing interface: The design is overly complex, making it difficult to set up or use.
Lack of support: Poor customer service, even through their Facebook page, with users reporting no responses.
Transparency issues: No clear pricing or explanation of what is included in paid plans.
Overwhelming options: The sheer number of settings and features can make the plugin feel bloated.
Bad reviews: Consistently receives negative feedback from users due to usability and support issues.

Conclusion:
Better Messages WP fails to deliver on its promises, with a convoluted interface and no clarity regarding pricing or included features. The lack of support and guidance further exacerbates the user experience, making it an unreliable choice for anyone looking to implement messaging on their WordPress site.

If you’re considering a WordPress messaging solution, it’s strongly advised to explore better alternatives with clearer documentation, transparent pricing, and responsive customer support. Better Messages WP is best avoided.

Instead of focusing on being a simple, solid chat app with a good mobile experience, they’ve crammed in too many pointless features to please everyone. The result? A cluttered layout, terrible colour scheme, and a frustrating admin panel. It could be good but only if they stripped out half the unnecessary options and focused on core functionality, it’s a missed opportunity

Roomlio

Overview:
Roomlio is an embeddable chat platform designed for integration into existing websites and applications. Its primary focus is on providing “Twitch-style” embedded chat rooms with additional features for management and customisation. However, its offering is very basic, the pricing is high, and the value for money is questionable. Despite its niche use case, Roomlio lacks the robustness and support to justify its cost, especially compared to other platforms.

Features of Roomlio:

Embedded chat: Easily add chat rooms to websites, portals, or apps using embed codes or JavaScript API.
Dynamic rooms: Automatically create rooms for specific purposes, such as customer support or class discussions.
Unlimited rooms: No limits on the number of rooms that can be created.
Notifications: Includes browser notifications for new messages.
White label widget: Remove Roomlio branding on higher-priced plans.
Cross-device support: Provides a lightweight Progressive Web App for chat management.
Moderation tools: Includes basic management features for chatrooms.

Pricing details:

Starter plan ($29/month):
- 3 app users.
- Up to 10 active embed users at a time.
- Unlimited rooms and bandwidth.
- No white label or priority support.
Professional plan ($99/month):
- 10 app users.
- Up to 100 active embed users.
- Unlimited rooms and bandwidth.
- No white label or priority support.
Business plan ($299/month):
- 30 app users.
- Up to 330 active embed users.
- Unlimited rooms and bandwidth.
- Includes white label widget and priority support.
Overage costs:
- $13 per additional app user.
- $13 for every 10 additional embed users.

Strengths of Roomlio:

Embed capability: Easy to integrate chat into existing pages.
Dynamic rooms: Customizable for unique use cases like support or collaboration.
Unlimited rooms and bandwidth: No limits on the number of chat rooms or traffic.

Weaknesses of Roomlio:

High pricing: Expensive plans for very basic features, with additional costs for overages.
Basic functionality: Lacks advanced features found in similarly priced platforms.
Poor value for money: Overpriced for what is essentially an embeddable chat widget.
Limited support: No priority support in lower tiers, and responses are reportedly slow.
Steep learning curve: Setup and management can be confusing, especially for non-technical users.
Limited user base: Capped at 10, 100, or 330 active embed users, depending on the plan.

Conclusion:
Roomlio is an overpriced chat platform that provides basic functionality without offering significant value. While its embeddable approach may appeal to specific use cases, its limited features, high costs, and lack of advanced capabilities make it a poor choice for most users. Better alternatives are available at more competitive prices, offering more features and better support. Roomlio is best avoided unless it fits a very specific niche need that cannot be fulfilled by other platforms.

Arena – Group Chat looks pretty slick. I need to request a demo and pretty much $49 a month which is expensive I did not get time to review this one as yet, if you find any more email me and I will add them to the list

Chat software that seemed to be discontinued or nulled, affecting support systems

IFlychat – I really used to love Iflychat and had it on my site for a few years, I was pretty shocked to see their site seems to be dead and their WordPress plugin has not been updated, you also cannot contact them anymore, so this is a non-starter now.

123 Flash chat – Long time nulled but still on the market somehow.