React Native Chat SDK: Cross-Platform Messaging Component

Q: How do I integrate Ethora Chat SDK into my React Native app?

Install the SDK via npm (npm install @ethora/react-native-sdk), import the <ChatScreen /> component, and pass your App ID and Secret as props. The SDK works with both Expo managed workflow and bare React Native — no ejecting required for Expo. For bare projects, run cd ios && pod install after npm install. You'll have a working chat app with messaging, push notifications, and file sharing in under 10 minutes.

Q: What pricing options are available for Ethora Chat SDK?

Ethora offers three plans: Free (1,000 MAU, all chat and AI features, community support), Small Business at $99/month (5,000 MAU, tech support, 99.9% SLA, custom domain), and Enterprise (unlimited MAU, 24/7 phone support, self-hosted/on-premises deployment, end-to-end encryption, HIPAA and SOC2 compliance). All chat features are included on every plan — you only pay for scale and enterprise requirements. No credit card is required for the free tier.

Build cross-platform chat apps with Ethora’s React Native chat component. Works with Expo and bare React Native — includes 1:1 and group messaging, AI chatbots, file sharing, push notifications, and full UI customization out of the box.

Start Free

Expo & bare RN Open-source (AGPL) 1,000 MAU free

Ethora React Native chat SDK running on iOS and Android

Cross-platformOne codebase — iOS & Android

AI chatbots includedWith push notifications built in

Secure by default, at every layer.

End-to-end encryptionSelf-hostableHIPAA-ready

Key Benefits of Ethora Chat SDK

Ethora’s Chat SDK is designed to make building cross-platform chat apps intuitive, no matter what you build them for.

Pre-built components

Components

Ethora’s SDK ships every essential chat element — message lists, user avatars, typing indicators, and more — for quick and easy integration.

Custom message component

Customizable

A flexible chat component adapts seamlessly to your app’s design and behaviour — feature extensions, layout changes, and theming included.

Live chat experience

Realtime

React Native live chat boosts engagement across platforms. Instant delivery, typing indicators, read receipts, and presence create a natural conversation.

Advanced chatbox

Scale

Built for performance and scale — group messaging, media attachments, and moderation tools that keep a smooth user experience at any size.

Scalable, moderated React Native chatbox

One codebase, both platforms

Cross-platform

Ship iOS and Android from a single React Native codebase, then drop to native Swift or Kotlin per screen when you need it — same backend, same data.

One React Native codebase for iOS and Android

Why Choose Ethora Chat SDK for React Native?

Our extensive React chat library integrates easily into your app’s ecosystem, making Ethora a perfect choice for any React Native messaging app.

Comprehensive library

A wide range of ready-to-use components lets you build solutions with minimum code and maximum flexibility.

Seamless integration

Develop quickly and save months of work using your existing React Native devtools.

Scalability and security

Ethora’s backend delivers real-time communication for any number of users, with enterprise-level security keeping conversations private.

Full customization

Ready-to-use UI components are easily customized to match your brand identity and UX.

Everything Included Out of the Box

Whether you’re building a simple messenger or a full support platform, Ethora’s React Native chat SDK ships with every feature you need. Select any feature to see the details.

Instant 1:1 and group message delivery with notifications across iOS and Android, without any friction.

Create private conversations, group chats, and invite-only rooms with member and admin controls.

Native push on both platforms — Apple Push Notification service on iOS and Firebase Cloud Messaging on Android — keeps users engaged.

Let users share images, videos, and documents directly within a conversation for richer, more engaging communication.

Real-time activity indicators make conversations flow naturally and feel immediate.

Let users react to messages with emoji for quick, expressive feedback and a fun, open environment.

Local caching queues messages offline and syncs full history across devices once the connection is restored.

Chat window, message list, input field, and channel selector — drop them in and customize to match your brand.

Get started

Ship cross-platform chat with Ethora’s React Native SDK.

Add secure, real-time messaging to your iOS and Android apps today — no credit card required.

Free tier available Enterprise SLA No vendor lock-in

Quick Start: Build a React Native Chat App

Get a fully functional chat app running on iOS and Android in minutes. Ethora’s React Native SDK works with both Expo managed workflow and bare React Native projects.

Create a new React Native project

bash

# With Expo (recommended for quick start)
npx create-expo-app my-chat-app
cd my-chat-app

# Or with bare React Native CLI
npx react-native init MyChatApp
cd MyChatApp

Install the Ethora SDK
bash
```
npm install @ethora/react-native-sdk
```
The SDK handles all native dependencies for XMPP connectivity, push notifications, and file uploads. For Expo projects, the managed workflow is fully supported — no ejecting required.

Add the chat screen to your app

tsx

import { ChatScreen } from "@ethora/react-native-sdk";

export default function App() {
  return (
    <ChatScreen
      appId="YOUR_APP_ID"
      appSecret="YOUR_APP_SECRET"
    />
  );
}

Run on iOS and Android
bash
```
# iOS
npx expo start --ios
# or: npx react-native run-ios

# Android
npx expo start --android
# or: npx react-native run-android
```
Your chat app launches with full messaging — 1:1 chats, group conversations, file sharing, push notifications, and typing indicators. To connect your own backend, sign up at app.chat.ethora.com and use your App ID.

The source code is available on GitHub. For enterprise deployments, you can deploy Ethora on your own infrastructure.

Expo and Bare React Native: Both Fully Supported

Whether your team uses Expo’s managed workflow or a bare React Native setup, Ethora’s chat SDK integrates seamlessly. The SDK API is identical in both environments — no code changes when you migrate.

Expo managed

Install with npm only — native modules auto-link via the Expo config plugin. Push through the Expo Notifications API, files via Expo DocumentPicker, plus built-in OTA updates. The fastest way to start.

Bare React Native

Full native access with npm install + pod install. Firebase (Android) and APNs (iOS) push, react-native-document-picker uploads, CodePush updates, and custom native code whenever you need it.

Native fallback, shared backend

Need platform-specific performance? Switch individual screens to Ethora’s native Swift or Kotlin SDK — same backend, so users and message history carry over seamlessly.

Feature Matrix: What’s Included

Ethora’s React Native chat SDK includes everything you need for production-ready mobile messaging. All chat and AI features are on every plan — you only pay for scale.

Feature	Free $0/mo	Most popular Business $99/mo	Enterprise Custom
1:1 and group messaging	Included	Included	Included
Push notifications (iOS + Android)	Included	Included	Included
File, image & video sharing	Included	Included	Included
Typing indicators & read receipts	Included	Included	Included
Emoji reactions	Included	Included	Included
Offline message queue	Included	Included	Included
AI chatbot integration	Included	Included	Included
Monthly active users (MAU)	1,000	5,000	Unlimited
Tech support	Community	Email & chat	24/7 phone
SLA guarantee	Not available	99.9%	99.99%
Self-hosted / on-premises	Not available	Not available	Included
End-to-end encryption	Not available	Not available	Included
HIPAA / SOC2 compliance	Not available	Not available	Included

Included Included Not available

How Ethora Compares to Other React Native Chat SDKs

Evaluating React Native chat SDKs for your mobile app? Here’s how Ethora compares to the main alternatives:

Ethora

Open-source · self-hostable

StreamCloud only

CometChatCloud only

SendbirdCloud only

Open source

Yes (AGPL)

Partial (UI kit)

Self-hosted option

Yes (AWS, on-prem)

Free tier

1,000 MAU

Trial only

AI chatbot built-in

Yes

Add-on

Expo support

Yes (managed)

Partial

Bare only

Native iOS & Android SDKs

Yes (Swift, Kotlin)

Yes

Web SDK (React)

Yes (npm)

Yes

Protocol

XMPP (ejabberd)

Proprietary

Starting price

Free / $99/mo

$499/mo

$149/mo

$399/mo

Where Ethora wins

6 of 9 categories

2 / 9

1 / 9

The bottom line

Cross-platform with native fallback. Start with React Native to ship iOS and Android from one codebase, then switch individual screens to Ethora’s Swift or Kotlin SDK for platform-specific performance — same backend, so users and history carry over. Unlike cloud-only vendors, Ethora also offers self-hosted deployment for regulated industries like healthcare and finance.

Use Cases for a React Native Chat SDK

Ethora’s React Native chat component runs in production mobile apps across industries.

Healthcare

HIPAA-compliant patient messaging, telehealth chat, and care-team coordination (see the Atom Connect case study).

Explore healthcare

Financial services

Secure advisor-client messaging with audit trails and compliance-ready records.

Explore finance

Marketplaces

Buyer-seller chat, order updates, and dispute resolution in commerce apps.

Explore marketplaces

Gaming

In-game chat lobbies, team communication, and community channels.

Explore gaming

Education

Student-teacher messaging, classroom chat, and study-group collaboration.

Explore education

On-demand services

Driver-rider chat, delivery updates, and customer support in field-service apps.

Explore on-demand

Social apps

Community messaging, content sharing, and user-to-user connections.

Explore social

Architecture and Technology

Ethora’s React Native chat SDK connects to a robust backend built on battle-tested open-source technologies. The full source is on GitHub under the AGPL license.

Chat protocol

XMPP via ejabberd — the same protocol behind WhatsApp’s messaging. Real-time delivery with presence, typing indicators, and read receipts over persistent connections.

Backend

Node.js API server for authentication, sessions, file storage (MinIO/S3), push dispatch (APNs + FCM), and app configuration.

Frontend

React Native component library with TypeScript support — compatible with Expo managed workflow, bare React Native, and Expo dev client, using native modules for optimal performance.

AI layer

Optional AI chatbots supporting OpenAI GPT-4, Meta Llama, Mistral, and custom models via a RAG pipeline — intelligent assistants living inside your mobile chat.

Database

MongoDB for message persistence, user profiles, chat room metadata, and app-level configuration.

File storage

MinIO (S3-compatible) for images, documents, and media attachments with automatic thumbnail generation.

Feature Availability & Customization

Chat / Messaging

Real-time communication in 1-on-1 or group chats — typing indicators, read receipts, emojis, media sharing, and more.

Available Customizable

Social Sign-On

Simple user onboarding via Google, Apple, Facebook, and other providers.

Available Customizable

Push Notifications

Instant cross-platform alerts — APNs on iOS, FCM on Android — for new messages and in-app activity.

Available Customizable

Theming and Styling

Match chats with your branding quickly and easily through configuration and theming settings.

Available Customizable

AI Capabilities

Enhanced user experience with personalized replies, chatbots, and smart content moderation.

Available Customizable

Explore Related Solutions

Ethora offers native SDKs for every platform, plus backend and AI capabilities.

Native iOS SDK

Swift-native messaging for the best iOS performance.

Native Android SDK

Kotlin & Java library for Android apps.

React Chat SDK

Open-source chat component for web apps.

Self-hosted chat server

Deploy on AWS, Azure, GCP or on-premises with full data control.

Self-hosted LLM AI agent

Add AI chatbots to your app with full data privacy.

AI chat widget

Embed an AI assistant on any website or portal.

See pricing plans to get started.

FAQ

How do I integrate Ethora Chat SDK into my React Native app?

Install the SDK via npm (npm install @ethora/react-native-sdk), import the <ChatScreen /> component, and pass your App ID and Secret as props. The SDK works with both Expo managed workflow and bare React Native — no ejecting required for Expo. For bare projects, run cd ios && pod install after npm install. You'll have a working chat app with messaging, push notifications, and file sharing in under 10 minutes.

How can I customize the chat interface and components?

Ethora provides flexible configuration options and theming settings. You can adjust colours, fonts, layouts, and functionality to match your brand and user needs. Additionally, you can extend or replace components using the available APIs or SDKs for deeper customization.

What features does Ethora Chat SDK offer out of the box?

Out of the box, Ethora's React Native SDK includes: 1:1 and group messaging, push notifications (iOS APNs + Android FCM), file and image sharing, typing indicators, read receipts, emoji reactions, message history with offline sync, user authentication with role-based permissions, AI chatbot integration, user presence indicators, and pre-built UI components (chat window, message list, input field, channel selector). All features are available on every plan, including the free tier.

Is Ethora Chat SDK suitable for building a live chat support system?

Absolutely. Ethora was built for different use cases, including live chat support systems. Its React Native live chat components enable instant messaging and notifications, and support for multiple channels or departments. Also our AI capabilities allow you to create a more efficient and personalized user experience.

What pricing options are available for Ethora Chat SDK?

Ethora offers three plans: Free (1,000 MAU, all chat and AI features, community support), Small Business at $99/month (5,000 MAU, tech support, 99.9% SLA, custom domain), and Enterprise (unlimited MAU, 24/7 phone support, self-hosted/on-premises deployment, end-to-end encryption, HIPAA and SOC2 compliance). All chat features are included on every plan — you only pay for scale and enterprise requirements. No credit card is required for the free tier.

Get started

Start Building with Ethora

Ship your cross-platform chat experience today — free to get started.

Start building

Free tier available Enterprise SLA No vendor lock-in

React Native Chat SDK: Cross-Platform Messaging Component

Key Benefits of Ethora Chat SDK

Pre-built components

Custom message component

Live chat experience

Advanced chatbox

One codebase, both platforms

Why Choose Ethora Chat SDK for React Native?

Comprehensive library

Seamless integration

Scalability and security

Full customization

Everything Included Out of the Box

Ship cross-platform chat with Ethora’s React Native SDK.

Quick Start: Build a React Native Chat App

Create a new React Native project

Install the Ethora SDK

Add the chat screen to your app

Run on iOS and Android

Expo and Bare React Native: Both Fully Supported

Expo managed

Bare React Native

Native fallback, shared backend

Feature Matrix: What’s Included

How Ethora Compares to Other React Native Chat SDKs

Use Cases for a React Native Chat SDK

Healthcare

Financial services

Marketplaces

Gaming

Education

On-demand services

Social apps

Architecture and Technology

Chat protocol

Backend

Frontend

AI layer

Database

File storage

Feature Availability & Customization

Chat / Messaging

Social Sign-On

Push Notifications

Theming and Styling

AI Capabilities

Explore Related Solutions

Native iOS SDK

Native Android SDK

React Chat SDK

Self-hosted chat server

Self-hosted LLM AI agent

AI chat widget

FAQ

How do I integrate Ethora Chat SDK into my React Native app?

How can I customize the chat interface and components?

What features does Ethora Chat SDK offer out of the box?

Is Ethora Chat SDK suitable for building a live chat support system?

What pricing options are available for Ethora Chat SDK?

Start Building with Ethora

Talk to our team about your project

Book a call