Public Text Chat App Development

I want a straightforward text-based chat application that anyone can use. The core priorities are:

• Real-time one-to-one and group messaging
• Account creation and secure login
• Simple, clean interface that works smoothly on today’s common browsers and devices

I’m open to your recommended tech stack and architecture, as long as messages deliver instantly and user data stays protected. Please outline:

1. The framework or libraries you plan to use (e.g., Node.js with Socket.IO, Firebase, or another real-time solution).
2. How you’ll handle authentication and basic moderation tools.
3. A concise timeline for a working MVP.

If you have examples of similar chat projects, include those links so I can gauge user experience and performance.