What to know about Chat APIs and SDKs.

In today's world, developing an app and adding real-time interaction for users to boost the user experience with pre-built Chat APIs and SDKs have become common. Thanks to their high level of compatibility with most platforms.

The aforementioned can be used for several use cases such as e-commerce websites, health platforms, finance platforms, video games, social networks, and so on.

With this, you might be wondering what Chat APIs and SDKs are. In this post, we explore the meaning of both terms.

What Is A Chat API?

A Chat API is a standardized way for developers to build conversational interfaces into their apps to enable interaction between users. A Chat API allows you to connect third-party messaging services like Robin directly into your application instead of having it hosted on a different service. With that said, a Chat API is a function that enables businesses to provide a chat interface on their mobile app or web app that customers can use while they access the platform.

The Chat API integrated provides features like, sending messages in either direction, security and compliance, real-time events such as typing indicators, read receipts etc, it is usually compatible with any platform or software. It is an extremely easy and powerful way to build conversational capabilities into your product with all the features users love.

As a conversational interface, it can also be used for building chatbots. A chatbot is a computer program designed to simulate a human in written or spoken form for conversational purposes. Since chatbots have become increasingly popular with advancements in artificial intelligence, Chat APIs like Robin help developers to integrate chatbots into any existing service or app. The Chat API function allows developers and even businesses to create a chatbot in the form of an automated response which can help with customer service. It provides information to the users that are looking for it and can also answer questions like “how much does this item cost?” or “can I see a price list?”.

However, in order to create a chatbot, developers first need to decide whether they want it to be conversational or transactional.

Now! Let's get to the meaning of a Chat SDK and how it differs from a Chat API.

What Is A Chat SDK?

Chat SDKs enable developers to add instant messaging on websites and applications. It is a tool packed with all the necessary features that simplify the process of instant messaging for developers. A typical Chat SDK will include; multiple message types like texts, voice, images, URL, and reactions, private chats, group chats, and so on. Basically everything you will need to create a messaging app, and with Robin’s pre-built Chat SDK, all you have to do is integrate without building from scratch to save development time and cost.

Chat SDKs are designed to help those who are not experts in coding create their own in-app chats with minimal effort and all it takes is to install the Chat SDK on your platform. Chat SDKs can be used for a variety of use cases, including:

• Social Networking.
• Customer service engagement i.e streamlining the customer support process and receiving feedback.
• Online Communities
• Collaboration
• Entertainment.

With a Chat SDK like Robin, developers and businesses can integrate instant messaging on their platforms in less than 5 minutes while being fully secure and compliant.