PubNub Review: Is It The Right Cloud Communication Platforms For Your Team?
Best for SMB teams · Mid-market · Enterprise
Free Trial Available
GDPR
SOC 2
HIPAAStarts from $49 / Month
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Overview
Pricing
Features
Buyer feedback
Alternatives
Customers
Media
Security & Compliance
Support
FAQ
Blogs
What is PubNub?
Pubnub is a global, real time Data Stream Network (DSN) service that enables device-to-device communications such as messaging and remote control of mobile applications. Our super-fast, easy to use cloud-based Data Stream Network (DSN) APIs are specifically designed for devices and machines. They reduce the complexity of real time data synchronization by simply adding a few lines of code.
Pricing
Starts from $49 / Month
Free Trial available
Best For
Suited for solo users, small teams, SMBs, and enterprise
Security & Compliance
SOC 2GDPRHIPAASSO & MFA supported
Data residency:Global
Platform
Web + mobile app (iOS & Android)
PubNub Software Demo
PubNub was reviewed internally using user feedback, in-house testing, and market research to assess its performance, reliability, and user experience. Learn how we review products and our evaluation process.
Who should consider PubNub
- Use cases
- IoT device communication, Real-time messaging applications, Mobile app remote control
- Team types
- Mobile app developers, IoT engineers
- Company size
- 51-500 employees, 500+ employees
- Workflow style
- Simple and streamlined
- Setup complexity
- Medium
Why teams choose PubNub
Super-fast real-time data synchronization
Easy to integrate with minimal code
Global Data Stream Network reliability
Is PubNub right for you?
Best for fast, reliable real-time device-to-device communication and messaging.
Choose PubNub if
- You need super-fast, global real-time data synchronization for IoT or mobile apps.
- Your team requires easy integration with minimal coding effort.
- You want a cloud-based Data Stream Network optimized for device and machine messaging.
Consider alternatives if
- Your project is very small or simple, where PubNub’s complexity may be unnecessary.
- You require extensive on-premises infrastructure or highly customizable deployment options.
What buyers should know before shortlisting PubNub
PubNub provides a powerful Data Stream Network for real-time communication between devices. Its simplicity and speed make it ideal for developers, but it may not cater to non-technical users.
PubNub pros and cons
- PubNub pros
Super-fast real-time data synchronization
Easy to integrate with minimal code
Global Data Stream Network reliability
- PubNub cons
Limited pricing transparency
Potentially complex for very small projects
Ready to try it?
Get started with PubNub
Start your free trial — no credit card required.
Still comparing?
See how it stacks up
Compare PubNub side-by-side with top Cloud Communication Platforms alternatives.
What is the pricing of PubNub?
PubNub Pricing Plans
Weighing your options?
Not sure if PubNub fits your budget?
PubNub reviews and ratings
Buyer sentiment
Overall positive sentiment highlights PubNub's speed and ease of integration, with some concerns about pricing clarity and documentation.
What buyers like
- Speed of real-time data delivery
- Ease of integration
- Network reliability
Common complaints
- Pricing transparency
- Documentation detail
Are you using PubNub?
What users are saying
AJ
Anmol J
11/12/19
The Faster ,not just better but versatile
What do you like best? PubNub is an amazing platform for data streaming for a variety of devices such as IoT devices . Smart devices and much more . ...
Read more
BV
Brijesh V
09/29/19
Lightweight Micro-service for Data transmission
What do you like best? Pubnub is fastest available lightweight micro service for data streaming. you can transfer your messages in a flash like 250 ...
Read more
UI
User in Computer Software
06/03/19
PubNub Data Stream Network Review
What do you like best? It is very helpful service that you should use in development. It gives turn around time of 250 milliseconds that is 1/4 of ...
Read more
AI
Administrator in Internet
02/20/19
Easy to use!
What do you like best? Building a chat for our application was pretty fast! What do you dislike? Definitely the pricing, it can sneak up on you ...
Read more
JT
Jette Thrane
06/23/17
Stabilt samt pris- og brugervenligt
Stabilt samt pris- og brugervenligt. Deres admin interface er ekstremt brugervenligt og de har meget fokus på vejledninger og læring. Kan klart ...
Read more
- See if PubNub fits your business
- Real pricing — no sales pressure
- A demo or quick answers, your call
Step 1 of 4
How big is your team?
We tailor recommendations to companies your size.
What are the features of PubNub?
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Scalability refers to the system's ability to grow and adapt to increased demands without sacrificing performance. A scalable system can add…
PubNub security and data handling
Key compliance certifications and security features for IT and security teams evaluating PubNub.
Certifications
Security features
Developer & data
Alternatives to PubNub
PubNub Customers
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PubNub Support Options
Frequently Asked Questions About PubNub
Common questions buyers ask before choosing PubNub.
PubNub is a Cloud Communication Platforms. PubNub offers Real-time Chat, Chat (Messaging), Push Notifications, Scalability and many more functionalities.
PubNub is a strong fit if: You need super-fast, global real-time data synchronization for IoT or mobile apps.; Your team requires easy integration with minimal coding effort.. Consider alternatives if: Your project is very small or simple, where PubNub’s complexity may be unnecessary.; You require extensive on-premises infrastructure or highly customizable deployment options..
Buyers commonly note the following limitations of PubNub: Limited pricing transparency; Potentially complex for very small projects; Lack of detailed use case documentation.
Some top alternatives to PubNub includes CometChat, Pusher Channels, Socket.IO, Plivo and Messenger Communication Platform.
PubNub offers Free Trial, Subscription pricing models
The starting price of PubNub is $49/Month
Ready to try it?
Get started with PubNub
Start your free trial — no credit card required.
About the reviewer
Rajat Gupta is the founder of Spotsaas. Over the past two years, he has reviewed 2,000+ tools across CRM, HR, AI, and finance — applying hands-on product research and a background in commerce and the CFA program to evaluate software through a business and ROI lens. His goal: help teams make software decisions they won't regret.
Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].