Liveblocks vs PubNub

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Pricing, plan by plan

Which should you pick?

Questions people ask

Is Liveblocks or PubNub better?

Neither clearly leads. Liveblocks starts at Free and PubNub at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.

Which is cheaper, Liveblocks or PubNub?

Liveblocks starts at Free and PubNub at Free.

Does Liveblocks or PubNub run on more platforms?

Liveblocks runs on web, api. PubNub runs on web, ios, android, api.

Can I use Liveblocks for free?

Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.

What is Liveblocks best used for?

Liveblocks is most often used for adding live cursors and presence to a collaborative editor, building threaded comments on documents or designs, sending realtime notifications tied to collaborative actions, restoring previous versions of collaborative content. Of those, adding live cursors and presence to a collaborative editor and building threaded comments on documents or designs are not what PubNub is typically brought in for.

What can Liveblocks do that PubNub cannot?

Liveblocks covers Realtime presence and cursors, Comments, Version history, Custom notifications. PubNub covers Pub/sub messaging, Presence tracking, Message persistence, Serverless Functions.