Vonage (previously Nexmo) is an Australian and international gateway service provider with high SMS delivery ability and reasonable call success rates.
A review and comparison of its services with other similar Australian gateway providers is presented on this site.
Latest update in March 2025
Vonage is a well-known provider of cloud communications services, including SMS services. Here’s an overview of its strengths and weaknesses as an SMS provider:
Global Reach: Vonage offers a broad global reach, allowing businesses to send SMS messages to customers in various countries. This is particularly useful for companies looking to expand their international presence.
API Integration: Vonage provides robust API options for SMS, which enables easy integration with existing systems and applications. This is beneficial for businesses looking to automate and streamline their communication processes.
Feature-Rich Services: Beyond basic SMS, Vonage offers a range of features, such as MMS, programmable messaging, and the ability to create omnichannel communication strategies.
Reliability and Uptime: Generally, Vonage is known for its reliability and high uptime, ensuring that messages are delivered promptly and without significant delays.
Support and Documentation: They offer comprehensive documentation and support, which can be invaluable for businesses setting up their SMS services or encountering issues.
Scalability: Vonage’s services cater to small and large businesses.
Cost: Vonage’s pricing can be higher than that of some of its competitors, which might concern small businesses or those with tight budgets.
Complexity for Beginners: The wide array of features and the API-driven approach can overwhelm beginners or small businesses without a dedicated IT team.
Customer Service Issues: Some users report issues with customer service, including response times and resolution effectiveness.
Limited Free Tier: Vonage’s free tier or trial options might be more restricted than those of other providers for businesses looking to test the waters.
Occasional Technical Glitches: Like any tech service, users might occasionally face technical glitches or downtimes, although these are generally well-managed.
Integration Complexity: While API integration is a strength, it can also challenge businesses that lack technical expertise.
Vonage is a strong choice for businesses seeking a reliable, feature-rich SMS service with global reach and robust API capabilities. However, its cost and complexity might deter smaller companies or those without much technical expertise. As with any service, potential users should evaluate their needs and resources to determine if Vonage fits their SMS communication requirements.
Vonage, previously known as Nexmo, was selected as a suitable SMS gateway provider due to its local and international network distribution system, its high delivery ability and good call success rates within the text message service industry. It has the capability and scalability of increasing the volume of your API calls or extending your global reach.
View the full Vonage review focusing on price, features, reliability, customer service and compare to other SMS Gateway providers below.
The pricing schedule presented by Vonage (previously known as Nexmo) depends on the type of service, whether it is SMS, Voice, Verify, Virtual number or Phone number. The details of the charges can be seen on their site. Sending text messages cost per SMS is not evident on their website, so cannot be compared to other competitors in the gateway service arena.
It displays some of its prices in USD (not AUD).
The voice service cost to call a mobile number in Australia is around 7 cents per minute, and to receive a call from any number in Australia is around 4 cents a minute. Toll-free calls are more expensive. One can rent a virtual phone number for SMS and Voice.
On the Vonage website, there appears to be no detail on contractual arrangements’ set-up or monthly fees. However, it does state that the client is only charged for what is used and has no long-term contracts.
Vonage’s infrastructure platform is designed to provide a consistent response time, meaning the client must pay only for what they use. Their conversion API can measure success rate using real-time, confirmed conversion data. This data collected assists them in maintaining high delivery rates for efficient processes. There is no requirement to change any of the client’s IT configurations.
This SMS provider has a direct relationship with multiple Tier 1 telecommunication carriers worldwide and has integrated the technology with their API system. Therefore, they are always compliant, and the result is that a faster and more secure connection route is offered.
Regarding timing, Vonage adaptive routing provides an optimal path delivery so clients do not have to wait for a result. When a carrier experiences significant traffic, there are queues. Its patented algorithm reduces these problems by selecting the fastest and most secure alternative carrier route.
Other significant features include their powerful Voice API, which allows the client to build apps that scale with the web technologies the client already uses. A set of call control features allows for complex voice use. It can record and store inbound and outbound calls, with a text-to-speech engine in over 23 languages. Customers’ identities are protected by masking their numbers with a voice proxy solution.
This SMS Gateway provider offers a range of customer support services, rated as standard and premium. Standard support is free of charge and offered during business hours, with assistance provided between two and four hours of the request, depending on the day of the week and the seriousness of the service disruption. There is usually a 6-hour wait for minor or scheduled problems. Alternatively, premium support is available at a monthly cost and is available 24/7 with minimal wait time.
Responses are available through email, an online Q&A, and service status notifications for Standard support (Lite Plan) and full contact status for Premium support (BestPlan).
Voyage claims to have more SMS, Voice, and Toll-free numbers in more destinations than any other provider, including traditionally tricky countries.
They offer a free trial with a small welcome credit; no credit card is required. To build a cloud communication solution, you must use the API credentials and start testing.
Vonage’s flexible platform can accommodate millions of API calls without changing anyone’s infrastructure. Its data platform infrastructure boasts a reliability uptime of 99.99%. Interestingly, the daily uptime is transparent, which is impressive and not seen in other comparable gateway provider sites.
It has built its direct-to-telecommunication carrier network and heightened its security, avoiding any unwarranted text messages travelling through multiple systems before reaching its destination. It manages all the global regulatory requirements, so each country spends no time programming and enforcing them.
They have ultra-high throughput, allowing the client to send up to 2.5 million messages daily, like sending 30 SMS in a second, with virtually no upper limit. They provide detailed reporting about delivery so that the quality and performance of the distribution can be assessed.
When reviewing the reliability of this provider’s gateway service, it was pleasing to note that it has a Service Level Agreement (SLA) that guarantees 99.95% uptime, indicating its reliability in disseminating text messages efficiently and effectively. If a server goes down or another problem occurs, this provider assures the clients that they will receive an alert and will act on the issue immediately. If a message is not delivered, it will provide the client with a breakdown of why it was not distributed.
An SMS Gateway Comparison Table and associated sites were developed to assist companies and organisations in selecting the best-suited provider for their needs appropriately.
This Table was initiated and formulated by authors working in the SMS field who realized the demand from potential clients to understand better what is required when selecting a gateway provider to send text messages efficiently and effectively to their customers, employees, or specific groups of people.
The authors no longer work in SMS, so they felt it best to provide an unbiased, independent review of SMS gateway providers. As you will note, no advertisements or promotions exist on the table or site.
While the SMS Gateway Australia Comparison Table is free for the public, the authors wish to disclose that some affiliate relationships exist. Such relationships do not impact the rates and fees users of the site will receive from these providers.
As the information comes from the provider’s website and not through an API feed, there is the risk that the data may become outdated without prior notice. As such, you should note below when the page was last updated. Before signing up, check with the SMS gateway provider’s website account.
If your review leads to the engagement of one of the providers outlined on the table and sites, the authors may ask the provider for a commission. If there are any inaccuracies in the content, please let the authors know; changes will be made immediately.
The authors hope this Comparison Site and the information provided will benefit you.
The latest update is on 28 March 2025.
4.3 – 2904 reviews (UK)