8x8 Communications APIs vs Airtel IQ

8x8 Communications APIs provide programmable messaging, voice and video for applications. Listed messaging channels include SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, Viber, LINE and Zalo, alongside voice and video. The APIs support phone numbers, and SDK platforms include iOS and Android; the service is listed for Android, iOS and web. The free Developer plan costs nothing and covers 25 users. Monthly plans include Basic at $99 a month for 300 users, Standard at $499 a month for 1.5K users and Business at $999 a month for 3K users. Video Interaction plans are seat-based: Basic costs $99 a month, Pro costs $109 a month and Enterprise costs $119 a month, each for 100 to 249 users. Other listed options are pay-as-you-go, customized subscription pricing and tailored enterprise pricing; no prices are stated for these options. The pricing note lists paid plans from $99/mo.

Airtel IQ combines voice, SMS, and WhatsApp communications through web and API access. Its WhatsApp Business APIs support lead generation, customer support, bill payment, and orders or transactions. Businesses can run customized campaigns, personalized ad creatives, and cart-abandonment campaigns, while chats can move between bots and live agents with rich media. The service describes UPI payments in WhatsApp, ONDC merchant onboarding, WhatsApp order management, and a plugin that works with any POS system for digital invoicing. Messaging includes verified business profiles, delivery and read receipts, two-way conversations, end-to-end encryption, and automatic fallback among SMS, WhatsApp, and voice. Airtel states support for 250 WhatsApp transactions per second and access to more than 60 solution partners. Cloud Telephony adds a unique business number, click to call, IVR, outbound dialing, caller-ID options, toll-free calling, and number masking. Airtel IQ also supports embedded communications and programmable voice, messaging, and video.