7 Tips to Choose a Chat API Provider
Blog post from Stream
As more product teams opt to buy rather than build app functionalities, a significant number of professional app developers are turning to third-party APIs for integrating complex features, driven by factors like cost efficiency, faster time-to-market, and reduced maintenance needs. The process, however, extends beyond the initial buy versus build decision, as app owners must thoroughly evaluate potential third-party tech partners. This whitepaper highlights the experiences of companies like Zumper, Freeman, Dealer-FX, and Benzinga in selecting and integrating the Stream Chat API, emphasizing essential considerations such as identifying core functionalities, understanding primary and secondary feature requirements, aligning company values with third-party providers, and assessing reliability through historical server performance. It underscores the importance of strategic questioning during the evaluation process and recommends leveraging SDKs and technical documentation to facilitate seamless integration, while also advocating for trial periods to ensure the chosen API meets the app's needs effectively.