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APIs · head to head

PubNub vs RapidAPI

PubNub logo

PubNub

APIs

Realtime communication platform for chat, IoT, and live data apps

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
RapidAPI logo

RapidAPI

APIs

API marketplace and management platform for discovering and publishing APIs

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: PubNub free plan storage history is limited to 7 days, which is short for apps needing longer message retention.; RapidAPI rapidAPI Enterprise Hub minimum seat requirement is 5 seats per the embedded pricing page configuration (SEATS_MINIMUM: 5).
  • They diverge on capability: PubNub covers Pub/sub messaging, RapidAPI covers API Marketplace.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which PubNub and RapidAPI actually diverge.

Attributes where PubNub and RapidAPI differ
AttributePubNubRapidAPI
Platformsweb, ios, android, apiWeb, Mobile, Desktop
FoundedUnknown2015

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (APIs).

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.

Only in PubNub

  • Pub/sub messaging
  • Presence tracking
  • Message persistence
  • Serverless Functions
  • File sharing
  • Encryption and access controls

Only in RapidAPI

  • API Marketplace
  • API Management
  • Testing Tools
  • Multiple third-party APIs
  • Webhooks
  • REST APIs
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

What people use each for

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

PubNub

  • Building realtime chat applicationsnot RapidAPI
  • Streaming live IoT sensor datanot RapidAPI
  • Adding presence indicators to collaborative appsnot RapidAPI
  • Running edge logic with serverless Functions on realtime eventsnot RapidAPI

RapidAPI

  • API Developmentnot PubNub
  • API Gatewaynot PubNub
  • API Testingnot PubNub
  • API Documentationnot PubNub
  • Microservicesnot PubNub

Where each one falls short

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

PubNub

  • Free plan storage history is limited to 7 days, which is short for apps needing longer message retention.
  • MAU-based pricing means costs scale directly with user growth, which can be less predictable than flat message-based pricing.
  • Pro-tier custom pricing above 50,000 MAU requires contacting sales rather than self-serve checkout.

RapidAPI

  • RapidAPI Enterprise Hub minimum seat requirement is 5 seats per the embedded pricing page configuration (SEATS_MINIMUM: 5).
  • RapidAPI places a $0.50 USD temporary credit card authorization hold when subscribing, refunded only if no overage charges occur within 7 days.

Pricing, plan by plan

PubNub

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 200 MAU or 1M transactions
    • 1GB data storage (7 days)
    • 5 test Serverless Functions
  • Starter$98/month
    • 1,000 MAU included
    • User management
    • Insights
  • Pro$undefined/month
    • Custom MAU packages
    • Volume discounts
    • Enterprise-scale configurations

RapidAPI

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Access to APIs
    • Basic management
    • Testing tools
  • Pro$50/monthly
    • Advanced features
    • Analytics
    • Dedicated support
  • Enterprise$undefined/monthly
    • Custom solutions
    • SLA
    • Custom integration

Which should you pick?

Choose PubNub if

  • You need pub/sub messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, ios, android, api.
  • You also want presence tracking.
PubNub review

Choose RapidAPI if

  • You need api marketplace.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile, Desktop.
  • You also want api management.
RapidAPI review

Questions people ask

Is PubNub or RapidAPI better?
Neither clearly leads. PubNub starts at Free and RapidAPI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, PubNub or RapidAPI?
PubNub starts at Free and RapidAPI at Free.
Does PubNub or RapidAPI run on more platforms?
PubNub runs on web, ios, android, api. RapidAPI runs on Web, Mobile, Desktop.
Can I use PubNub for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is PubNub best used for?
PubNub is most often used for building realtime chat applications, streaming live iot sensor data, adding presence indicators to collaborative apps, running edge logic with serverless functions on realtime events. Of those, building realtime chat applications and streaming live iot sensor data are not what RapidAPI is typically brought in for.
What can PubNub do that RapidAPI cannot?
PubNub covers Pub/sub messaging, Presence tracking, Message persistence, Serverless Functions. RapidAPI covers API Marketplace, API Management, Testing Tools, Multiple third-party APIs.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

PubNub: What does PubNub cost?

PubNub offers a free plan for up to 200 MAU or 1 million transactions, a Starter plan at $98/month for 1,000 MAU, and custom Pro pricing for larger volumes, e.g. around $550/month for 10,000 MAU.

Source
PubNub: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes, the free plan supports up to 200 monthly active users or 1 million transactions, includes 1GB of data storage retained for 7 days, and requires no credit card.

Source
PubNub: How is usage metered?

PubNub bills primarily by Monthly Active Users, defined as a unique user who connects at least once in a billing cycle; messages are bundled into MAU pricing with no separate per-message fees, and overage is billed proportionally.

Source
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