CometChat React UI Kit icon

CometChat React UI Kit

CometChat React UI Kit is a prebuilt React chat component library for adding in-app messaging, with optional voice and video calling. It supports React.js, Next.js, React Router, and Astro and is designed to reduce the amount of setup and state handling needed to launch chat UI.

CometChat React UI Kit

Overview

CometChat React UI Kit is a prebuilt set of React chat components for building in-app chat experiences, with optional voice and video calling. It is positioned for teams that want to add real-time chat without manually wiring SDK setup, state management, and message handling from scratch.

The kit supports React.js, Next.js, React Router, and Astro, and the documentation says it is SSR-safe and compatible with Next.js App Router. Setup is designed around installing the package, connecting a CometChat app with dashboard credentials, and assembling selected components into the layout your product needs.

Key capabilities

Prebuilt chat components

Drop prebuilt React components into a chat layout and let the kit handle data fetching, real-time listeners, and component state for you.

Composable, extensible UI

Use compound components and a plugin system to compose the parts you need and customize how messages render, including custom bubble types.

Plugin-rendered message bubbles

Start with built-in support for text, image, video, audio, polls, stickers, and custom message types, with shared chat chrome handled automatically.

Optional calling support

Add voice and video calling as an optional part of the integration through the CometChat calls package.

Framework and SSR support

Work across React.js, Next.js, React Router, and Astro, with SSR-safe behavior and no browser-only APIs at module scope.

Chat UI building blocks

Use built-in theming, localization, unread counts, presence, read receipts, threaded messages, reactions, and message composer features.

Common use cases

  • Ship in-app chat faster

    Add a chat interface to a React product without building the messaging UI, state handling, and real-time updates from the ground up.

  • Customize a chat experience

    Use the component set to design a chat layout that fits your app, then adjust styling and composition as requirements change.

  • Integrate across React-based stacks

    Build a framework-compatible implementation for apps using Next.js, React Router, or Astro while keeping the integration path consistent.

  • Support full-featured messaging

    Enable richer messaging workflows with conversations, messages, users, threading, unread counts, and reactions in one UI kit.

  • Extend chat into calling

    Add optional voice and video calling to an existing chat experience when your product needs communication beyond text.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Prebuilt components reduce the amount of chat UI and state management work required.
  • Components handle their own data fetching, real-time listeners, and state.
  • Supports several React-based frameworks, including Next.js and React Router.
  • Includes extensibility through compound components, theming, and a plugin system.
  • Offers built-in chat features such as presence, read receipts, unread counts, threading, and reactions.

Cons

  • The documentation points to a structured integration flow, so teams still need to configure credentials, layout, and styling rather than relying on a one-click embed.
  • Some capabilities, such as voice and video calling, are optional and depend on additional packages.

FAQ

What is the React UI Kit for?

The React UI Kit is a prebuilt set of React components for chat, voice, and video calling. It is designed to be dropped into a React app so teams can assemble an in-app chat experience without wiring the full UI from scratch.

Which React-based frameworks does it support?

The documentation says the kit supports React.js, Next.js, React Router, and Astro. It is also described as SSR-safe and compatible with Next.js App Router.

How does setup work?

The docs describe a package install flow using npm, CometChat credentials from the dashboard, and automatic initialization for SDK setup, login, real-time events, and theming.

Does it support voice and video calling?

Yes. The overview pages describe calling as optional via `@cometchat/calls-sdk-javascript`, and the homepage says the kit includes built-in calling features.

Is there a free tier or paid plan?

The pricing page shows a free build plan for testing and integration, along with paid Basic, Advanced, and Enterprise plans. It also offers contact-us flows for higher tiers and support plans.

Quick Facts

Category
Developer Tool
Product type
React chat UI kit
Framework support
React.js, Next.js, React Router, Astro
Package
@cometchat/chat-uikit-react v7.0.x
Calling
Optional voice/video via @cometchat/calls-sdk-javascript
Source domain
cometchat.com