7 Best SMS Gateway API to Send Text Messages (2023)

Delivering SMS messages across multiple countries is tricky, as you may encounter unreliable carrier networks, delayed sending, inaccurate sending addresses, and un-delivered messages, amongst many other problems.

SMS APIs overcome these problems and allow your business to send bulk SMS messages to various networks.

We have researched over 40+ SMS gateway API and selected the top 6 tools based on pricing, integration, security, customer support, and other parameters.

Top Pick
EZ Texting

EZ Texting offers a Text Messaging REST API with extensive features and functionality that adhere to industry practices. The API returns JSON responses for all endpoints and can be easily consumed by any HTTP client.

Visit EZ Texting

Best API For Text Messaging

Name Free Trial Global Coverage SMS Gateway API Link
👍 EZ Texting 14 Days Free Trial Yes Yes Learn More
Mobile Text Alerts 14-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) Yes Yes Learn More
Textedly 14 Days Free Trial Yes Yes Learn More
BirdEye Free Demo Yes Yes Learn More
TextLine 14-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) Yes Yes Learn More
Pro Tip:

Its prudent to select an SMS API Provider that has robust documentation and an active developer community. You should also consider the API endpoints offered and service reliability.

1) EZ Texting

Best Overall API for Text messaging

EZ Texting offers a Text Messaging REST API with extensive features and functionality that adhere to industry practices. The API returns JSON responses for all endpoints and can be easily consumed by any HTTP client.

EZ Texting supports automated text replies for enhanced customer interaction. You will get SMS Analytics on messages sent, click-through rates (CTRs), messages received, campaign reports, and engagement spikes.

#1 Top Pick
EZ Texting
5.0

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Plans start at $20 a month. 16% Discount on Yearly Payments.

Free Trial/Refund: 14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)

Visit EZ Texting

Features:

  • Quickly scale SMS sending from 1 contact to 1 million with its robust infrastructure.
  • Very helpful 24/7 support.
  • Out-of-the-box Compliances.
  • Two-factor authentication based on OAuth2
  • It enables you to send SMS and MMS.
  • API has fast response times with high availability & limited downtime.
  • Provides support for Text Forwarding and 2-Way SMS.
  • Offers feature for Auto Replies.
  • It allows you to set up polls.
  • Offers Integration HubSpot, Zapier, Mailchimp, and other popular apps.
  • Supported platforms: Android and iOS.

Pros

  • It offers Dedicated Short Codes.
  • It provides the option to send recurring messages.
  • This app allows you to customize messages based on a customer’s profile.

Cons

  • As the number of customers increases, the cost will increase.
  • It is not possible to segment customers based on their categories.
  • You can’t embed links into text.

Visit EZ Texting >>

14 Days Free Trial


2) Mobile Text Alerts

Easiest to Use SMS Service with API

Mobile Text Alerts is an online SMS platform and REST API that lets you get started with sending mass texts in 5 minutes or less – no hassle or complicated setup necessary.

The intuitive platform and HTTP client-compatible API make managing your messages a breeze. Enjoy automated reply options, drip campaign capabilities, and delivery status reporting. Plus, get all the help you need as you go about your texting efforts with live chat support, robust support & API documentation, and a FREE 1-on-1 video consultation.

#2
Mobile Text Alerts
4.9

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Plans start at $19/month. A 25% discount is available on annual plans.

Free Trial: 14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)

Visit Mobile Text Alerts

Features:

  • Out-of-the-box platform & REST API that let you get started in 5 minutes or less
  • Automations, so that you can let the system handle the work automatically
  • Reports and analytics, so you can monitor your texting campaigns to evaluate ways to improve
  • SMS and MMS capabilities, so you can engage your audience with images
  • Simple, intuitive web dashboard for an easy user experience
  • Friendly live support available at your beck and call for easy help whenever you need it
  • Robust documentation for both platform and API, so you can have everything you need to get started
  • Mobile app for iOS or Android, so you can manage your account whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the go
  • Integrations for saving time and hassle
  • Easy list importing, so that you don’t have to start from scratch
  • Multiple opt-in methods including text-to-join, QR codes, and customizable web forms, so you can give people an easy way to join your text list

Pros

  • Desktop, mobile app, and REST API capabilities
  • Easy setup with robust documentation
  • Friendly, available customer support & live 1-on-1 consultation.
  • Delivery reporting
  • Intuitive dashboard
  • No carrier fees

Cons

  • Most of the 1,000s of integrations are handled via Zapier.com
  • While basic features are easy to use, more advanced features may be missed if a user isn’t aware of them

Key specs:

Customer Support: Live chat, contact form, 1-on-1 video consultation. 100% human interaction, no bots.
Pricing: Plans start at $19/month. A 25% discount is available on annual plans.
Free Trial/Refund: 14-day free trial (no credit card required) and 30-day money back guarantee on all purchases

Visit Mobile Text Alerts

14-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)


3) Textedly

Best SMS Marketing

Textedly helps you easily manage message campaigns and user analytics from its clean web interface. It enables businesses to manage complimentary incoming messages and up to 300 characters in a message.

It is one of the best APIs for text messaging that helps you to create conversations as customers reply to text messages. It provides support for API for Developers, 2-Way SMS MMS Photo Library, Auto replies, and Text Forwarding. It also provides easy online documentation and training.

#3
Textedly
4.7

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Plans start at $24 per month. 20% Discount on Annual Plan.

Free Trial/Refund: 14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)

Visit Textedly

Features:

  • It offers 50 SMS credits for outbound messages.
  • Support for two-factor authentication.
  • It provides analytics for subscriber activity feed, total user history, activity time stamp, and performance metrics.
  • This SMS service provider offers dedicated toll-free phone number.
  • It has global coverage.
  • Provide customer support via Contact Form, Chat, Phone, and Email.
  • Offers Easy Integration with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zapier, Pipedrive, Mailchimp, and Google Sheets.
  • Supported Mobile Phones: Android and iOS.

Pros

  • It offers unlimited subscriber limits.
  • It offers easy online documentation and training
  • It provides SMS analytics on subscriber time stamps, activity feeds, and performance metrics.

Cons

  • You can’t downgrade to an existing pricing plan.
  • It can be an expensive API texting app for a start-up business.
  • Customer services need lots of improvement.

Visit Textedly >>

14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)


4) BirdEye

Best Omni-Channel communication API

BirdEye is one of the best APIs for text messaging that helps you to design, create and deploy customer engagement experiences with a low-code conversation design tool. Instantly provision a virtual phone number to send and receive SMS.

It also provides an option for short-code messaging. It does not require any additional hardware or apps to be operated.

#4
BirdEye
4.6

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Custom

Free Trial/Refund: Free Demo

Visit BirdEye

Features:

  • Adaptive Routing will pro-actively re-routing messages to avoid congestion.
  • Use the BirdEye Verify API to instantly authenticate customers across the globe using their patented 2FA.
  • Offers Private SMS that ensures complete data privacy.
  • Offers timely notifications using SMS, SMS, or social chat apps like facebook messenger.
  • It keeps long messages readable and actionable without the need to split URLs and emails.
  • You can connect with virtually anyone in the world via a single API.
  • You will get detailed insights into your campaign.
  • Provides customer support via email and Chat.

Pros

  • You need to pay only for successful conversions or a flat monthly fee for frequent logins.
  • It allows you to test and measure campaigns.
  • It provides an enhanced end-user experience with advanced reporting.

Cons

  • Does not offer good customer service.
  • Does not offer good call quality.

Visit BirdEye >>

Free Demo


5) TextLine

Best for sending two-way API messages

TextLine is an SMS API service provider that enables you to communicate with your customers through SMS. Your customers can opt-in to receive business messages. You can also send one-way or two-way messages with TextLine.

It provides powerful features, like automated responses, message templates, and APIs for text messaging.

#5
TextLine
4.6

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Plans start at $59.97 a month.

Free Trial/Refund: 14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)

Visit TextLine

Features:

  • The TextLine API is based on the REST framework and has an active discord community of developers.
  • It provides sample API integration code in GitHub with extensive API documentation
  • This SMS API provider is Spam complaint.
  • You can send and receive SMS messages
  • Provides analytics tools that enable teams to manage customer communication.
  • Two-factor authentication.
  • It includes API support for developers, a photo library for MMS, two-way SMS, and auto-reply to capabilities.
  • It captures online reviews, automated review invitations, customized branding options, etc. Its API has endpoints for all these features.
  • It provides global SMS delivery coverage.
  • Supported platforms: Android and iOS.

Pros

  • Simple Payment Gateway
  • It helps you to capture online reviews instantly.
  • Provides support for 2-way SMS.
  • Offers support for segmentation capabilities and text marketing campaigning.

Cons

  • You need a Facebook/google account for customers to leave reviews.
  • Does not provide a text-forwarding feature.
  • Does not provide quality customer support service.

Visit TextLine >>

14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)


6) SimpleTexting

Best User Interface

SimpleTexting is one of the best API services for text messaging that enables you to send and receive text messages to your customers. Their enterprise-level service offers a dedicated account manager for those sending 50,000 SMS messages each month.

The SimpleTexting API can be used for Two Factor Authentication, Lead Follow-ups, Appointment reminders, Marketing, Surveys, or creating your own text-enabled mobile apps.

#6
SimpleTexting
4.8

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Plans start at $29 a month. 20% Discount on Yearly Payments.

Free Trial/Refund: 14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)

Visit SimpleTexting

Features:

  • API has a 99.95% uptime guarantee
  • Offers Carrier Delivery Reports and searchable API Transactions.
  • It helps you create recurring Campaigns that fire on advanced trigger options.
  • You can send rich media like photos, videos, GIFs, etc., using its MMS API.
  • Easily extend the Text Message character limit to 306 characters.
  • With this service, you will receive unlimited incoming SMS messages and a free, dedicated phone number.
  • It offers customer support via Phone, email, and chat.
  • Real-time SMS Analytics with link tracking.
  • It also offers features like group messaging, contact management, and analytics via its web-based interface and mobile app.
  • Offers Integration: Salesforce, Zapier, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Instagram, etc.
  • Supported platforms: Android and iOS.

Pros

  • Very affordable service
  • Easy to set up campaigns
  • It offers analytic features like click-through, delivery, and subscriber.
  • Robust features allow all members of your team to work seamlessly.

Cons

  • It cannot assign multiple people in billing roles in its dashboard.
  • Does not support direct messaging.
  • The FROM field of text messages cannot be emulated.

Visit SimpleTexting >>

14 Days Free Trial (No Credit Card Required)


7) Plivo

Best Global Coverage, 190+ Countries

Plivo allows you to programmatically send and receive text messages. You can interact with your customers globally using SMS APIs. It helps you to secure your applications at scale by sending dynamic verification codes.

You can send and receive SMS using toll-free numbers in the US and Canada. SMS-enabled local numbers are available in 14 countries. Offers robust compliance features like message body pruning, sensitive data protection, and automatic opt-out handling.

#7
Plivo
4.6

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: The pricing plan starting at $35 per month.

Free Trial/Refund: Yes, Free Credit after signing up.

Visit Plivo

Features:

  • Supports more than a billion transactions every month while maintaining 99.99% API uptime.
  • Engage with prospects and customers throughout their journey.
  • Offers Number pooling, message queuing, SMS sending in local languages, and message feedback API.
  • You can send and receive an SMS message to conduct surveys.
  • Long messages are automatically concatenated across global networks seamlessly.
  • You will receive real-time delivery status notifications of messages.
  • Send multiple SMS messages in a single API request.
  • It offers a lower cost of Ownership.
  • Provides 24×7 premium support and a consultative customer success team.
  • You can send and receive photos, videos, and audio clips.
  • Two-factor authentication with an option to set Alphanumeric Sender ID.
  • It offers a dedicated API for Developers.
  • Receive incoming messages in 14 countries.
  • Supported platforms: Windows and Mac.

Pros

  • You can customize your sender ID to your brand by using alphanumeric characters.
  • Send and receive high throughout and large volumes of SMS messages using short codes in the US and Canada.
  • Offers transparent Pay as you go, model.
  • It is Privacy Shield and a GDPR Compliance platform, so it is highly secure with data privacy and security.

Cons

  • Does not offer detailed API documentation.
  • The dashboard is complex

Link: https://www.plivo.com/sms/


8) Sinch

Best for providing limitless global scalability

Sinch is a pioneer in API SMS messaging that allows you to send messages straight to your customer’s inbox. You can also create unique and relevant content for every individual customer.

Sinch has an intelligent routing engine that prioritizes the cost and speed of message delivery to suit your needs. It offers easy integration and in-depth documentation.

#8
Sinch
4.5

SMS Gateway API: Yes

Pricing: Contact Customer Care for pricing

Free Trial/Refund: Yes - (No credit card required)

Visit Sinch

Features:

  • Offers best-in-class SMS delivery.
  • Send SMS in 196 countries.
  • Provides complete access to carefully tested local virtual numbers and short codes for two-way SMS in 60+ countries.
  • Allows you to conduct two-way messaging.
  • It provides limitless global scalability.
  • You can send bulk SMS messages.
  • It helps you to engage the right customer with the correct number.
  • It integrates with WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Boost.ai, and Slack, among others.
  • Provide support for SMS, MMS, and Voice Calling.
  • Supported platforms: Windows, Mac,iOS, and Android.

Pros

  • Offers Short Codes
  • Provides number Lookup
  • Prevent fraud with verified SMS
  • Offers rich media-guided responses.

Cons

  • Does not provide premium features in the free version.

Link: https://www.sinch.com/products/apis/messaging/sms/

FAQ:

SMS API is a type of API that enables you to send text messages from your computer. Using a software integration interface, you can use the SMS API to send text messages to any number across the globe.

An SMS Application Programming Interface(API) helps developers to automate text notifications, send 2FA codes, and perform many other tasks related to text messaging.

Here are some important SMS APIs for Business Use Cases:

  • Promotions and Announcements: Connect your SMS API to a product inventory list or database, triggering automatic customer notification.
  • Product Delivery and Tracking Updates: You can integrate your SMS API with product tracking schedules to provide updates about package delivery.
  • Passwords and Authentication: SMS API is also used for Text one-time passwords or two-factor authentication methods to ensure user identity.
  • Discounts or Coupons: SMS API also send by companies to send Discounts and Coupons to their clients.
  • Surveys: You can automate outbound customer satisfaction surveys after appointments.

Here are steps to access SMS APIs:

Step 1) Sign up for a free SMS API account

Step 2) Find any available SMS API (and subscribe if necessary).

Step 3) Test the Endpoints

Step 4) Grab the Code Snippet for your preferred programming language

Step 5) Integrate into your app

Here are certain criteria which help you select the Best API for messaging:

  • Features: You need to select the SMS API, which offers a wide range of essential features like sending SMS/MMS, global coverage, Auto-reply, Free credits, etc.
  • Multiple integrations: use an SMS text API app that easily integrates with several tools.
  • Security: 2FA or two-factor Authentication is an important feature, so it must be there in your selected tool.
  • Cost: You should select a website with the lowest costs for mass SMS text messaging. Ideally should provide a Pay as you go, model..
  • Speed and Reliability. It is also important that your selected API can deliver SMS reliably, quickly, and at scale.

Best API For Text Messaging

Name Free Trial Global Coverage SMS Gateway API Link
👍 EZ Texting 14 Days Free Trial Yes Yes Learn More
Mobile Text Alerts 14-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) Yes Yes Learn More
Textedly 14 Days Free Trial Yes Yes Learn More
BirdEye Free Demo Yes Yes Learn More
TextLine 14-Day Free Trial (No Credit Card Required) Yes Yes Learn More