---
title: "How Much Does It Cost to Build Real-Time Chat? | UniqueSide"
description: "Building real-time chat costs $2,400-$7,000 in ~9 days. Cost breakdown and recommended tech."
url: "https://www.uniqueside.io/feature-cost/real-time-chat"
canonical: "https://www.uniqueside.io/feature-cost/real-time-chat"
type: "feature-cost"
date: "2026-05-30"
lastmod: "2026-06-12"
---

# How Much Does It Cost to Build Real-Time Chat?

Adding real-time chat to a product typically costs between $2,400 and $7,000, and takes about 9 days. Building live messaging with presence typing indicators and persistent conversation history.

## Cost & Timeline

- Managed service integration: from $2,400
- Custom build: up to $7,000
- Timeline: ~9 days
- Complexity: High

## Recommended Tech

- Pusher
- Node.js
- PostgreSQL

## Build It with UniqueSide

UniqueSide builds features like real-time chat as part of a 15-day MVP, or as a standalone add-on. Fixed price, direct engineer access, 100% code ownership.

[MVP development services](https://www.uniqueside.io/mvp-development-services) · [Pricing](https://www.uniqueside.io/pricing) · [Start a project](https://tally.so/r/wdaQ1N)