In this blog post, we compare Azure Bot Framework – Standard vs Premium channels to understand the differences objectively.
Standard vs Premium Channels Comparison
Criteria | Standard Channels | Premium Channels |
Definition | Includes Microsoft first-party services (e.g., Skype, Cortana, Microsoft Teams) and services with publicly available Bot APIs (e.g., Facebook, Slack). | Enables communication within your own application or website. |
Communication Scope | Provides a range of established channels for interaction. | Offers reliable communication tailored to your application or site. |
Client Customization | Limited customization options for the client experience. | Allows customizing the client experience using open-source clients. |
Availability | Standard channels are widely accessible. | Premium channels offer a more controlled communication context. |
Bot Service Docs | Refer to the Bot Service documentation for a complete list. | Consult the Bot Service documentation for comprehensive details. |
Channel Reference details are available here: Channels reference – Bot Service | Microsoft Learn
The comparison between Standard and Premium Channels reveals distinct characteristics for each category. Standard Channels encompass Microsoft first-party services like Skype, Cortana, and Microsoft Teams, as well as publicly available Bot APIs like Facebook and Slack.
These channels offer a variety of established interaction platforms. In contrast, Premium Channels enable communication within your own application or website, providing a more tailored and reliable communication experience.
While Standard Channels have limited client customization options for the user experience, Premium Channels offer customization flexibility using open-source clients. Standard channels are widely accessible, whereas Premium Channels offer a controlled context for communication.
For a comprehensive list of available channels and further details, one can refer to the Bot Service documentation, specifically the “Channels reference” section on Microsoft Learn.