WordPress Chat Room, Group Chat Plugin 2.0

Creating a dedicated Chat Room or Group Chat on WordPress is different from standard "Live Chat" (like Tidio or Tawk.to), which is typically for customer support. For communities, social networks, or events, you need a plugin that allows user-to-user interaction and multiple rooms.

Here are the top-rated options for 2026, categorized by their best use cases:

1. Wise Chat (Best for Privacy & Simplicity)

Wise Chat is a powerful, self-hosted option. Because it doesn’t rely on an external server, your data stays on your own database.

Key Features: Multiple public/private rooms, bad word filtering, and an "anonymous" chat mode.

Best For: Small to medium communities that want a "no-subscription" model.

Pricing: Free version available; Pro is a one-time payment ($49+) for file uploads and avatars.

2. Better Messages (Best for BuddyBoss & Social Sites)

Formerly known as "BP Better Messages," this is the gold standard if you are already using BuddyBoss, BuddyPress, or Ultimate Member.

Key Features: Real-time "WhatsApp-style" interface, group video/audio calls, and seamless integration with your existing user profiles.

Best For: Social networks, online schools (LMS), and member-only directories.

Pricing: Excellent free version; Pro version for advanced calling features.

3. AtomChat (Best for High Engagement & Monetization)

AtomChat is a feature-rich, cloud-hosted solution that adds a professional-grade chat bar to the bottom of your site.

Key Features: One-on-one and group chat, collaborative whiteboards, screen sharing, and real-time language translation.

Monetization: Unique ability to charge users for "pay-per-minute" or tiered access to specific chat rooms.

Best For: Professional marketplaces (e.g., consultants), large social communities, and dating sites.

4. RumbleTalk (Best for Live Events & Webinars)

If you are hosting a one-time event or a live stream, RumbleTalk is the easiest to embed as a sidebar next to your video.

Key Features: Moderated chat (approve messages before they go live), Q&A mode, and "Experts" chat for private consulting.

Best For: Live streams, webinars, and trading groups.

Pricing: Tiered based on the number of concurrent users.

5. CometChat (The Enterprise Choice)

CometChat is a heavy-duty, scalable infrastructure used by large-scale apps. It’s less of a "simple plugin" and more of a communication engine.

Key Features: Fully white-labeled apps, voice/video broadcasting, and deep developer SDKs.

Best For: Large enterprises, massive online events, and custom-built social platforms.

🔍 Quick Comparison Table

Feature

Wise Chat

Better Messages

AtomChat

RumbleTalk

Hosting

Your Server

Your Server / API

Cloud

Cloud

Video/Audio

Pro Only

Yes

Yes

Yes

Moderation

Strong

Basic

Strong

Professional

Best Use

Privacy/Internal

Social/LMS

Monetization

Live Events

Which of these sounds most like what you're looking for? If you tell me your specific goal (e.g., "I want to charge for access" or "I need it for a school"), I can help you pick the exact one and guide you through the setup.