Think Twice: What to Consider Before Building Chat with RTI

Real-time infrastructure (RTI) provides the underlying technology for instantaneous communication and data processing, often employing an event-driven architecture to ensure minimal delay. While RTI is crucial for applications like chat, its implementation can be complex and costly, necessitating significant engineering resources to maintain. Platforms like PubNub, Ably, and Firebase offer various capabilities for real-time applications, but they often lack the specialized tools needed for streamlined chat development. Stream, in contrast, focuses specifically on chat, offering robust APIs and SDKs that simplify implementation and maintenance, allowing developers to quickly create feature-rich chat experiences. Stream's approach reduces cognitive load and provides quick feedback loops, enhancing developer productivity. The text contrasts Stream's offerings with those of other real-time providers, highlighting the unique advantages of a platform tailored for chat, especially in terms of cost and developer experience.