Best 7 CPaaS Platforms For Businesses In 2024

Check out our latest review on the best Communication platform as a service provider in the market for 2024. 

There is no app without a chat these days. Do you think you need to build these communication features all by yourself? 

No! 😶‍🌫️

There are a bunch of CPaaS platforms that offer pre-built chat APIs and call SDKs to just plug and play communication features into any web or mobile app. 

Oh, well,  if you are here looking for one such CPaaS platform, this article will help you around. 

In the next 5 minutes, you’ll get to know:

• What is CPaaS
• Why your business needs CPaaS
• Top CPaaS Platform (Don’t skip this! 🫣)
• Bonus: Which CPaaS platforms do your competitors use? 

Excited? We are, as well.  

Let’s get started! 

What is CPaaS?

CPaaS, or Communications Platform as a Service is a cloud-based platform that lets businesses integrate real-time communication features into their apps. 

They offer pre-built APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) that developers can use to add communication functionalities like messaging, video calls, and voice calls, without having to develop them from scratch. 

Let’s understand this with an example. 

Assume that you own a ride-sharing app. This app not only requires a ride booking feature. Your users will need options like messaging or calling the drivers, or vice versa to communicate about the ride details. This gives a smooth and authentic experience, rather than just having machine generated information. 

While your team can develop the ride sharing app, a CPaaS provider can install all the communication features in it, without you having to spend months on it. 

With the ready-to- integrate API, you can simply add the features to your app, within a few minutes. Doesn’t that sound exciting? 

Well there’s more you need to know if you’d like to consider going with a CPaaS platform for your business.

Why Does Your Business Need CPaaS?

1. You might launch your app quickly: The foremost reason why most businesses these days go for a CPaaS platform instead of writing codes themselves is because of the 

2. You’ll spend less than building from scratch: Since you’ll buy pre-built APIs that come with all the features you need, the cost is way lesser than the money you’ll spend on the code, supporting software and resources. 

3. You get it all maintained: You’ll still not be done yet even after you launch your app. You’ll need to maintain the entire infrastructure, take care of the performance and look out for security threats. But, with the CPaaS platform, they do all of this as a part of their process. That saves you a huge time and a ton of resources. 

4. Scale your platform just the way you want it: There’s going to be a phase when you need to expand your app’s resources as your user base explodes. If you are building from scratch, you need to handle it all by yourself, the scaling, performance monitoring and resource management. On the other hand, CPaaS platforms make it effortless to upscale your app without any technical hassles. 

5. Your customers will love the experience: If you are all geared up to implement in-app communication, you’ll pretty much need an extensive research of what your users are actually looking out for in your app. Believe us, the demands are increasing everyday and it is a challenge to meet user expectations precisely. 

Since CPaaS platforms dedicatedly work on this core need, their team will have it figured  neat and clean. Consult with the team and understand what features you need to focus on, without compromising and the ones your business model does not require. 

Top CPaaS Platforms for Businesses

Now is the time for the most important part of this article. Here is a review of the top 7 CPaaS platforms. 

We put almost 24 CPaaS providers to test to curate this list so that you’ll have a clear picture of which CPaaS platform suits your requirements best. 

We hope at the end of this review, you’ll know which one of these CPaaS providers to pick. 

1. MirrorFly – The Most Customizable CPaaS Solution

MirrorFly is a solid choice as a CPaaS platform if you are looking to create uniquely personalized communication experiences for your users. 

With its boasting 1000+ video, voice, and chat APIs 😯, MirrorFly makes sure that your users are able to communicate with each other on any web or mobile app. 

For developers, MirrorFly is in fact a great asset. The team has been in the industry for over 17+ years and they know exactly how to deliver the best communication experience to users. 😎

In fact, this is the reason why world’s top brands like Ejada, TrueID and MyN have chosen to build their communication infrastructure with MirrorFly. 

What Are The Key Features Of MirrorFly?

• Unlimited Chat & Calls
• Topic-based Chat & Calls
• Video Calling/Conferencing 
• Voice Broadcasting
• Live Streaming
• Activity Feeds
• Chatbot
• Unlimited file sharing
• Chat/Call history & backup 
• Screen Sharing
• Whiteboarding
• Profanity filters

How Much Does MirrorFly CPaaS Cost?

As the platform is extremely focused on developers, it caters to all tiers of needs with 2 different solutions

1. MirrorFly – SaaP – Available for a one-time license cost

2. MirrorFly – SaaS – Available for recurring monthly subscription, starting from $399

What We Liked About MirrorFly CPaaS? 😊

✅100% customizable APIs
✅Customizable Security
✅White-label CPaaS solution
✅Flexible hosting (On-premise/ On-cloud)
✅Lifetime access to source code 
✅Omni-channel Communication features
✅Region-specific compliances

What We Feel Could Be Improved In MirrorFly CPaaS? 🙂

❌Agenda creation feature for meetings in still in Beta
❌ Multi-camera streaming is unavailable

2. Webex Connect – A Robust Omnichannel CPaaS Platform

A lot of enterprises go with Webex Connect for its automation capabilities. The platform basically comes with a toolkit for developers to build communication apps and guide them on how to build features that are engaging. 

On the other hand, they also provide tools for non-techies to manage the communication flow, which means anyone can build a real-time communication app with Webex Connect.

Well, that’s something you must consider if you are yet to onboard expert developers 🤔

What Are The Key Features Of Webex Connect?

• Intelligent enterprise control center
• NLP, NLU and AI-powered conversation automation
• Communication channel management
• Integrations set-up and management
• Service assurance and infrastructure management
• Business logic and flow orchestration

How Much Does Webex Connect CPaaS Cost?

Webex Connect comes in 4 different pricing plans:

• Webex Free, which typical is no cost
• Webex Starter: ₹9360/ user/ year
• Webex Business: ₹12300/ user/ year
• Webex Enterprise: Custom Plan

What We Liked About Webex Connect CPaaS? 😊

✅Omnichannel communication
✅AI and automation capabilities
✅User-friendly interface
✅Enterprise-grade Scalability 

What We Did Not Like About Webex Connect CPaaS? 😢

❌Higher cost for advanced features
❌Limited customization for some channels
❌Occasional integration challenges
❌The initial set up is really complex

3. Twilio – Enterprise-grade CPaaS Platform

Twilio is a pioneer in the CPaaS market, offering a robust platform for building communication solutions. 

When it comes to in-app communication, we all know Twilio as a popular CPaaS platform. It is developer-friendly and is a great tool for making your platform reach globally through real-time conversations. 

Twilio secured a 3rd position in this list because it comprises everything you need to build communication infrastructure including SMS, in-app messaging, SIP/ VoIP calling and programmable voice communication. 

What Are The Key Features Of Twilio?

• SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, and Push
• Real-time route optimization
• Text-to-speech
• Hundreds of dialects and languages
• Proprietary mail transfer agent
• Deliverability insights

How Much Does Twilio CPaaS Cost?

Twilio offers its features and services for a monthly subscription. They’ve segregated their pricing as

• Alerts and notifications
• Marketing and promotions
• Sales and support
• Verification and identity 
• Builder tools and connectivity

Under each of these categories, they’ve allocated features that have separate pricing. You may need to check out their official pricing page for more information. 

What We Liked About Twilio CPaaS?😊 

✅A good number of APIs
✅Flexible pricing models
✅The infrastructure is truly reliable 

What We Did Not Like About Twilio CPaaS?😢

❌Twilio seems a bit expensive
❌The billing structure is complex
❌There are occasional latency issues

4. Vonage – A Reliable CPaaS Platform For Businesses 

 If you’ve put quality above all other requirements, you must definitely consider Vonage as your CPaaS provider. 

Whether it is voice, video, messaging or SMS services, Vonage slays it all with global coverage leading to audiences from any part of the world accessing your communication platform. 

Innovation in tech is another major advantage of using Vonage’s real-time communication services; the team enjoys coming up with features that meet the trend. 

What Are The Key Features Of Vonage?

• Phone number management
• Call forwarding 
• Voicemail configuration
• Call recording
• Fax service
• User access control 
• Virtual receptionist

What We Liked About Vonage CPaaS?😊 

✅Comes with a good number of APIs
✅The coverage is highly reliable
✅Strong voice and messaging capabilities
✅Offers Good customer support

What We Did Not Like About Vonage CPaaS?😢

❌Can be pricey for smaller businesses.
❌Customization is limited
❌Complexity in managing advanced feature

5. Infobip – A Secure CPaaS Platform For Mobile & Web

Established in 2006, Infobip made itself a leader in CPaaS with its operations in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. The platform became the first Croatian unicorn company in 2020, acquiring OpenMarket around the same year. 

What’s unique about the platform is its plug and play components, that lets you add email, chatbot and SMS by simply dragging and dropping them onto your platform. 

On the other hand, Infobip truly meets its claim as the best omnichannel marketing platform by offering custom solutions for communication and management. 

What Are The Key Features Of Infobip?

• Functions
• App event management 
• Profile management
• Update Person Profile
• Segment Audience
• Add or Remove Tag

How Much Does Infobip CPaaS Cost?

We’d like to let you know that you can access Infobip’s pricing information only if you create an account with them and log in. 

When it comes to pricing range, Infobip charges a minimum of $0.0020 for Columbia, and a maximum of almost $0.2774 per SMS Madagascar. 

What We Liked About Infobip CPaaS?😊 

✅It’s got omni-channel communication features 
✅High deliverability rates for messages
✅Reliable customer support and service

What We Did Not Like About Vonage CPaaS?😢

❌Limited flexibility in pricing structures.
❌Integration with some third-party systems may be challenging.
❌Reporting tools may lack customization options.

6. Podium – The CPaaS Platform For International Communication 

Increasing sales in a business can be challenging, but Podium eases that burden with its omni channel communication solution.

Podium goes one-step ahead from its competitors by adding reviews, and customer feedback to the basic omni channel communication features. 

What’s exciting about this provider is its AI-enabled capabilities that can converse with your users, without leaving them hanging on the call until your agent is available. 

What Are The Key Features Of Podium?

• Contact Profile
• Routing based on chat/ call topic
• VoIP calling

How Much Does Podium CPaaS Cost?

Podium is available for a recurring monthly/ annual subscription.

There are 3 plans:

• Core: $399 per month
• Pro: $599 per month
• Signature: Custom pricing

What We Liked About Infobip CPaaS?😊 

✅Podium is easy to use
✅The UI is super-friendly 
✅Makes customer feedback simpler
✅Supports CRMs tools

What We Did Not Like About Podium CPaaS?😢

❌The subscription packages are quite expensive 
❌Advanced features are available only in high-tier packages
❌Only three team members allowed in basic plan

7. Telnyx – The Most Scalable CPaaS Platform

Telnyx is a cloud communications platform that offers a robust set of CPaaS capabilities. With a strong focus on developer experience, Telnyx provides flexible APIs and SDKs to build custom communication solutions. Its global reach, high-quality voice and messaging services, and emphasis on network reliability make it a popular choice for businesses seeking a scalable and performant CPaaS provider. Telnyx also stands out for its commitment to security and compliance, ensuring data protection for sensitive customer interactions.

What Are The Key Features Of Telnyx?

• Global Voice and Messaging APIs: Extensive APIs for voice and messaging services.
• Number Porting: Capability to port numbers from other providers.
• Voice Call Control: Advanced call handling and management features.
• SIP Trunking: Support for SIP trunking to connect with VoIP systems.
• Messaging Services: Support for SMS, MMS, and other messaging channels.
• Real-Time Analytics: Detailed analytics and reporting for communication activities.
• Cloud Communication: Scalable cloud-based communication infrastructure.
• Security and Compliance: Enterprise-grade security and compliance features.
• Number Lookup: Services for validating and appending phone numbers.
• Integration Capabilities: APIs and tools for integrating with various applications and systems.

How Much Does Telnyx CPaaS Cost? 

Telnyx categorizes its pricing structure based on the features it offers, similar to what we came across Twilio above. 

• Voice: $0.002 per minute
• Messaging: $0.004 per message 
• Video: $0.002 per minute 

What We Liked About Telnyx CPaaS?😊 

✅Strong performance and uptime guarantees
✅Advanced Call Management: Robust features for call control and routing
✅Seamless integration with existing VoIP systems
✅Suitable for businesses of all sizes and needs

What We Did Not Like About Telnyx CPaaS?😢

❌The pricing structure is complex, just like Twilio
❌There are a feature gaps we noticed when compared to other platforms
❌Not all third-party integrations are supported

Key Features to Look for in a CPaaS Platform

Before we jump into the list of CPaaS providers, let us introduce you to the features you need to make sure that these platforms have. 

1. Core Communication Channels

• Chat: Incoming and outgoing messages, and topic-based chat for e-commerce apps. 
• Voice: Outbound and inbound calling, IVR, call recording, call analytics.
• SMS: Bulk messaging, two-way SMS, short code support, long code support.
• Video: Real-time video conferencing, video recording, screen sharing.

2. Business Essentials 

• Customization: The API which is not customizable takes up a huge chance of ruining the entire communication experience and development process as a whole. 
  Your target users will have custom expectations, you know them well and you must be able to build them for your users. An API with restrictions must not block such personalization. 
• White-labeling: Although you’ll build the entire communication system with the API, you may not prefer to use the name of the API anywhere on your app. You can do so without any mentioning, with custom white-label solutions. 
• Self-hosting Flexibility: While you build the app with an API, and prefer to host it on your own servers, the CPaaS platform must be able to allow you to host it as per your preferences. 
  You must be able to host the communication system on your own data centers, private cloud, hardware or any third-party server, just as per your business requirements. 

3. API and Integration Capabilities

• Easy to use API: Complex integration processes can turn the development process into a headache. Make sure the APIs are easy to integrate. 
• SDKs: The platform must not only provide APIs, but come with pre-built software development kits including necessary libraries, tools and dependencies. 
• Third-party Integration: Your users will look for more than basic messaging and calls. The platform must offer APIs that can integrate with CRM, marketing automation, and other tools that customers use on a daily basis. 

4. Scalability and Reliability

• Traffic Management: The APIs must have the ability to handle increasing call volume and message traffic, as your app grows. 
• High Uptime: No one prefers to use an app that hangs/ shuts down while using. The APIs must meet the minimum service level agreement of 99.999% uptime. 
• Disaster Recovery: The API must be equipped to handle unprecedented situations, without any sort of service disruptions.

5. Security and Compliance

• Data Encryption: Communicating in an online space involves threat to personal information like user account details and leakage of conversations. The API must be end-to-end encrypted to make sure not even a bit of data goes to anyone other than the authorized sender and receiver. 
• Compliance: Most APIs come with regular compliances like GDPR, HIPAA and ISO. Just make sure the once you select have them all covered, to avoid service disruptions. 
• Authentication: A good number of users are going to use your app and you cannot leave unauthorized personnel to intrude into your application with bad intentions. This is why you’ll need to set up user authentication to ensure that your users verify their identity via their email/ phone number.

Editor’s Recommendation

Well, of course, we have our favorites, and we are not hiding it from you. 

You could have sensed who has topped our charts right from the beginning of this article. MirrorFly, without any doubt is our recommendation to you, for we do not have anything big to complain about. 

There’s a lot to celebrate about this CPaaS platform, but the first reason is the customization the platform offers, which makes it stand out from others. Just as we mentioned, not only in terms of features, the freedom to customize security features is something out of the world! 

Here’s the second reason. Although MirrorFly is a CPaaS platform, it is a big relief for most companies when they find they’ve got a provider that allows them to self-host their platform. Almost 37% of the developers we interviewed find MirrorFly as their best option as the solution lets them take control of the deployment and take care of the backend infrastructure. 

Final reason – it has it all and beyond. With MirrorFly you not only build communication, you can build an entire app, with live streaming and activity feeds. Why wouldn’t your users love to stay long hours on your platform? 

While it is exciting to tell you about this amazing provider, we personally recommend you to try their demo and see it yourself. Go ahead and discuss every detail with their experts and build a world-class app with this CPaaS platform. 

It’s a good bye, until we meet you again with another interesting review. 

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