📄️ Instant delivery
WebSocket version delivers messages instantly with persistent connections. Up to 200x faster than AJAX polling. Single shared connection across all browser tabs on desktop via SharedWorker.
📄️ Secure connection
WebSocket connections use WSS over TLS, authenticated with server-generated tokens on every connection. The relay relays encrypted event data only — never has access to decrypted content.
📄️ Encrypted transit
Everything your WordPress site sends through the WebSocket relay is encrypted on your server, each conversation with its own key that only its members get. The relay can neither read nor change it.
📄️ Load reduction
WebSocket version replaces AJAX polling with one persistent connection per user, dramatically reducing HTTP request volume, CPU, and database load on your WordPress server.
📄️ Data ownership
Better Messages stores all message data in your WordPress database. The WebSocket relay routes encrypted events and keeps only the routing data real-time delivery needs — never message content. Full data portability.
📄️ No usage limits
The Better Messages WebSocket service has no caps on concurrent connections, monthly active users, or message volume. Same flat pricing whether your site has 100 or 100,000 users.
📄️ Mini chats
Bottom-of-screen popup chat windows. Multiple simultaneous chats, Combined Mode for panel-inside chats, Bubble Chat Heads for recently closed conversations.
📄️ Message status
Real-time message status indicators on every message. Three states — sent, delivered, seen — updated instantly across all participants. WhatsApp-style read receipts.
📄️ Typing indicator
Real-time "is typing", "is recording voice", and "is uploading file" indicators in WordPress chat. WebSocket-powered, low-latency, works in 1-on-1 and group conversations.
📄️ Mini conversations list
Compact conversation list fixed to the bottom of any page. Real-time unread counts. Click any conversation to open a mini-chat popup without leaving the current page.
📄️ Presence
Real-time online / away / do-not-disturb dots next to user avatars throughout the WordPress messenger. Updates instantly via WebSocket. User-selectable status.
📄️ Priority support
WebSocket-version license holders receive priority support with faster response times — covering all Better Messages topics, not just WebSocket-specific features.
📄️ Audio calls
Initiate HD audio calls in any WordPress conversation. WebRTC peer-to-peer for low latency. Available in 1-on-1 conversations on the WebSocket version.
📄️ Video calls
Initiate HD video calls from any WordPress conversation. WebRTC peer-to-peer for low latency. Includes screen sharing. Available on the WebSocket version.
📄️ Screen sharing
Share your screen or a specific app window during any voice or video call — 1-on-1 or group. WebRTC-based, works in Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.
📄️ Group video chat
Host HD group video calls for up to 32 participants in any WordPress conversation. WebRTC + media server SFU, per-role restrictions, screen sharing included.
📄️ Group audio chat
Host HD group voice calls for up to 50 participants in any WordPress conversation. WebRTC-based, low-latency, with media-server multi-party routing.
📄️ Live streaming
Broadcast live into a Better Messages chat room with the Live Stream plugin. The stream shows beside the messages like a group video call, and the room is its chat, with history, moderation and export.
📄️ Web push
Send browser push notifications to WordPress chat users when they're away from your site. Works on Chrome, Firefox, Edge — desktop and Android — with the WebSocket version.
📄️ Browser cache encryption
Encrypt the local IndexedDB chat cache with AES-256 on the user's device. Protects offline message data on shared / public computers. Transparent to users.
📄️ End-to-end encryption
Opt-in end-to-end encryption for Better Messages private conversations. AES-256-GCM encryption with ECDH P-256 key exchange — server never sees plaintext, even administrators can't read encrypted messages.
📄️ Cloud AI
AI-powered moderation, message translation, and voice transcription included with the Better Messages WebSocket license. No third-party API keys, no separate accounts, no per-token billing.
📄️ Continuous Fallback Mode
Continuous Fallback Mode keeps AJAX polling running for visitors whose WebSocket connection cannot be established. It is disabled by default and not recommended — enable it only when a significant part of your audience is behind networks that block WebSocket traffic.
📄️ Where messages are stored
All message content is stored only in your WordPress database. The Better Messages cloud relay routes messages in real time, cannot read them and persists none of them — it keeps ids and unread counts only.
📄️ Servers location
The Better Messages realtime relay runs in Frankfurt, Germany. Calls and live streams use media servers in several regions, each member on the nearest one.
📄️ WordPress multisite
How Better Messages licenses work on WordPress Multisite networks. One license per subfolder network, one site on a license per subdomain subsite.
📄️ DPA (GDPR Article 28)
The WebSocket version's realtime servers are run by WordPlus Cloud, whose Data Processing Agreement under GDPR Article 28 is part of its terms. Read it, and download a copy signed by both sides from your WordPlus Cloud account.
📄️ User limit
There is no per-user, per-message, or per-connection cap on the Better Messages WebSocket subscription. Flat-rate pricing regardless of community size.
📄️ Cancel subscription
You can cancel your Better Messages WebSocket subscription any time in your WordPlus Cloud account. Your license stays active until the end of the period already paid for.
📄️ Your licence
How the WebSocket version's licence works from Better Messages 3.1 — where to enter the key, how a licence moves over from earlier versions, moving it to another domain, WordPress networks, and the Voice and Video Messages add-on's own licence.
📄️ Reset license
Move your Better Messages WebSocket license to a different WordPress domain. Take the old site off the license in your WordPlus Cloud account, then activate the key on the new site.
📄️ End user license
Better Messages End User License Agreement. The full EULA is hosted by Freemius (the merchant of record) — this page summarizes the key terms covered there.
📄️ Refund policy
Better Messages WebSocket subscriptions include a 14-day money-back guarantee on first purchase. Read the refund policy terms and eligibility criteria.