PubNubvs
Ably
Ably: Ably offers comparable realtime pub/sub infrastructure with a global edge network and connection-based pricing.
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Overview
PubNub is a realtime communication platform providing pub/sub messaging, presence tracking, file sharing, and mobile push notifications for chat, IoT, and live data applications. It offers unlimited channels and devices across all plans, with serverless Functions for edge logic. Pricing is based on monthly active users (MAU), with a free tier supporting up to 200 MAU or 1 million transactions and paid Starter and Pro plans above that.
The honest half
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Cross-shopped
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Ably: Ably offers comparable realtime pub/sub infrastructure with a global edge network and connection-based pricing.
Pusher: Pusher provides similar hosted realtime channels with simpler flat-tier plans.
Pricing
Taken from the vendor's own pricing page. Prices move, so check before you buy.
Free
Free
Starter
$98 /mo
Pro
On request
Capabilities
Pub/sub messaging
Send and receive messages across unlimited channels and devices
Presence tracking
Detect when users join or leave channels in realtime
Message persistence
Store and retrieve message history for a configurable window
Serverless Functions
Run custom logic at the edge in response to realtime events
File sharing
Share files between connected clients
Encryption and access controls
Secure channels with encryption and granular access permissions
Answered, with sources
Each answer names the page it came from, so you can check it rather than take our word for it.
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.
SourceYes, 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.
SourcePubNub 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.
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