Flex Webchat 3.x.x is currently available as a public beta product and the information contained in this document is subject to change. This means that some features are not yet implemented and others may be changed before the product is declared as generally available. Public beta products are not covered by a Twilio SLA.
Webchat 3.x.x is not a HIPAA-eligible service and should not be used in workflows that are subject to HIPAA.
This page describes the differences between Webchat 3.x.x and other Flex webchat versions, as well as how to migrate to Webchat 3.x.x from another webchat version.
Previously, Flex released two other versions of webchat for Flex:
| Webchat 3.x.x | Webchat React app | Webchat 2.0 (no longer supported) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for organizations that | Are setting up webchat for the first time Are migrating from Webchat 2.0 | Want to fully customize webchat and have development resources to build, deploy, and host it | n/a |
| Works with | Flex UI 2.x.x | Flex UI 2.x.x and 1.x.x | Flex UI 2.x.x and 1.x.x |
| App type | Flex native | Open-source | Flex native |
| Hosted by Twilio | Yes | No | Yes |
| Supported by Twilio | Yes | No | No |
| Built on… | Twilio Conversations | Twilio Conversations | Programmable Chat (legacy messaging) |
| Auto-generated embed code to add webchat to your website | Yes | No | Yes |
| Shields account information with a deployment key | Yes | No | No |
| Uses fingerprinting for enhanced security | Yes | No | No |
| Chat attachments available | Yes | Yes | Yes, if enabled |
| Requires development effort to build | No | Yes | No |
| Ability to include configurable pre-engagement form | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ability to change the theme, style, and brand of webchat | No. You can change to light or dark mode only. | Yes | Yes |
Webchat 2.0 is built on legacy messaging, which is no longer supported. Upgrade to Webchat 3.x.x, which is built on Conversations and includes enhanced security features.
If you are using Flex UI 1.x.x, you must upgrade to Flex UI 2.x.x before you can use Webchat 3.x.x.
To migrate to Webchat 3.x.x:
You'll also want to be aware of the following additional differences between Webchat 2.0 and Webchat 3.x.x:
title: Name or greeting that appears as the heading at the top of the form.description: Introductory text for the form that appears below the title.CheckboxItem field type is now available, which enables you to include checkboxes in your forms. The checkbox can include accompanying plain or HTML-formatted text, including links.pattern field attribute is now available. This attribute enables you to add custom validation to your fields.If you're using the Webchat React app, you can continue to use your existing webchat or migrate to Webchat 3.x.x. However, Twilio does not provide support for your implementation of the Webchat React app. You may want to migrate to Webchat 3.x.x if you'd like a solution that doesn't require development effort to build or maintain, is hosted by Twilio Flex, and includes enhanced security features.
To migrate to Webchat 3.x.x: