Broker Reviewed

Features ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
Overall rating
9.0
7.5
6.5
5.0
4.3
Price (out of 5) 4.5 4.0 3 2.5 1.0
Tools (out of 5) 5 4.0 3.5 3.0 3
Trust (out of 5) 4.5 3.5 2.0 3.0 2.0
Customer service (out of 5) 5 3.5 3.0 3.0 2.5
Years founded 2006 2014 2010 2001 2009
Listed or Private company Private Private Private Private Private
Head Office Perth, Australia Melbourne, Australia Melbourne, Australia Sydney, Australia Melbourne, Australia

Pricing

Price per sms ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
  • >250K+
  • >100K+
  • >10K+
  • >2000
  • 5 cents
  • 5.5 cents
  • 6.5 cents
  • 6.5 cents
  • 5.2 cents
  • 5.9 cents
  • 6.9 cents
  • 7.4 cents
  • 5.2 cents
  • 5.2 cents
  • 5.2 cents
  • 5.6 cents
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
  • N/A
Payment mode Prepaid & invoice Prepaid & invoice Prepaid & invoice Prepaid & invoice N/A
Price match
Set up fees
N/A
Monthly fees
N/A
Feature ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
Payment methods Credit Card or Direct Debit Credit Card or Direct Debit Credit Card or Direct Debit Credit Card or Direct Debit N/A
Payment mode Prepaid & invoice Prepaid & invoice Prepaid & invoice Prepaid & invoice N/A
Price match
Set up fees
N/A
Monthly fees
N/A

SMS Functions

Feature ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
API for Developers
Software needed
SMS Gateway API API API Option API
2-Way SMS
Option
WebSMS
Email to SMS
Carriers Australian Australian Australian N/A N/A
Dedicated number $20/month Not disclosed Not disclosed Available N/A
Inbound SMS Free Free Not disclosed Optional extra N/A
Money back guarantee

Reliability

Feature ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
Global coverage
No mention No mention No mention
Gateway uptime 100% 100% 99% 99.99% 99.9%
SLA guarantee 100%
No details
100%
Spam compliant
Security and Privacy policy

Customer care service

Feature ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
Free trial
- 50 Free SMS
- 25 Free SMS
- 25 Free SMS
- 10 Free SMS
Phone support
Email support
Support hours 24/7 Business hours Business hours Business hours Business hours
Reviews Trustpilot = 4.4/5 - 876 reviews No Reviews 1 Review On Product Review Trustpilot = 4.6/5 - 36 reviews No Reviews

Overall

Features ClickSend Gateway Wholesale SMS SMSTech directSMS SMS Central
Overall rating 9.0 7.5 6.5 5.0 4.3
View Review View Review View Review View Review View Review

What is SMS Gateway API?

An SMS Gateway API (Application Programming Interface) is a software interface that enables the communication between an application and an SMS gateway provider. The API provides a set of protocols and routines for building software and applications that can interact with an SMS gateway provider and send SMS messages programmatically.

The SMS Gateway API allows developers to integrate SMS messaging capabilities into their applications, allowing users to send SMS messages directly from their applications. This can be useful for businesses that need to send SMS messages to their customers, employees, or other stakeholders as part of their communication or marketing efforts.

The SMS Gateway API can be used to send SMS messages, receive SMS messages, and manage contacts and groups, among other things. It typically provides methods for sending and receiving SMS messages, as well as methods for managing contacts, groups, and message delivery reports.

The SMS Gateway API is typically provided by the SMS gateway provider and can be used with a wide range of programming languages, including Java, PHP, Python, Ruby, and others. By using an SMS Gateway API, businesses and developers can take advantage of the power and convenience of SMS messaging to communicate with their customers, employees, and other stakeholders more effectively.

When needing to use your existing CRM or e-commerce platforms to integrate into a mobile text messaging capacity, you can easily do that by sending an SMS from your current applications. By using an SMS gateway Application Programming Interface (API) from a reputable SMS gateway provider, you can ensure a reliable solution to your business messaging service will be met. It’s this software intermediary platform that ensures two different applications can speak to each other.

In computer technology terms, API provides a set of processes and tools that help build application software to make the process seamless transferring from your email to a text message format to the recipient’s mobile phone.  There are many different types of web APIs developed by SMS providers with the most common being Representative State Transfer (REST), Simple Object Protocol (SOAP) and Remote Procedure Call (RPC). Don’t be too concerned about the technology as long as you realize these program platforms will make your email transition to SMS format easy and effective.

About SMS Gateway API image

From your perspective, no software is required to be downloaded or installed. The SMS Gateway provider is totally web-based which means there is no software to crash your computer or the information on your computer. All you need is a web browser and internet access.

SMS API Text Message Gateway Some of the valuable features of SMS Gateway APIs cover:

  • Fast delivery
  • Easy integration
  • Security
  • Business continuity
  • Use of SMTP, HTTP, SMPP, WSDL
  • Automation
  • Scalability

SMS gateway API in PHP

The SMS Gateway integration process is a very simple process and it means less time is needed in this integration process.  A text message can be easily sent from a website using SMS gateway API and PHP (Hypertext pre-processor). The SMS provider can make the process of one-way messages or two-way messages or both-way message systems, it just depends on what the business wants from this type of communication.

The term HTML and PHP needs to be explained. HTML is the information technology language that is used to explain to a browser how to display text in a browser window. It is not a programming language. HTML will work on your computer. PHP is different in that it is a scripting language used to develop web pages that will be written in HTML format.

To send SMS from a PHP script you need to pick a reliable SMS gateway provider that will meet your needs. Once the SMS gateway and the way to proceed are done then the integration of the SMS gateway in the PHP script can be completed by the provider.

 

SMS gateway API integration in PHP

Millions of organisations use API integration as an easy way to improve the way business communication can effectively take place.  When distributing bulk SMS, this can happen by allowing you to connect from your own software or CRM directly into the provider’s gateway using their API platform. This way by connecting via an API you will know that the text messages you have instructed the provider to send using their platform. After the delivery of the SMS, you can request a receipt of the effectiveness of the distribution. This all takes only a few minutes, thereby saving you time and resources. Another advantage of the API system is that it can create and edit new user credentials.

By engaging a Gateway API provider you will need to see the variety of options available to integrate your mobile messaging service seamlessly into their operations. APIs should provide the client with all aspects of their business whether it is applications, websites, intranets, CRMs or other software.  Not only is integration important, but also reporting, accessibility and the ability to customise features or scripting to their APIs. About SMS Gateway API image 2

Take an example within the health sector, using an SMS gateway API, will allow health professionals to:

  • Allow appointment rescheduling, should an appointment be missed;
  • Alert for patient reminders;
  • Alerts for emergencies and incidents thereby maintain open communications;
  • Alert staff to fill shifts at short notice; and
  • Analyse traffic with real-time analytics.

Cheap SMS gateway API

Reviewing the competitive pricing schedules of a number of cheap SMS gateway API services, one needs to review a number of their features as well as their pricing. It’s one thing to look at the cost per SMS and think you have a reasonable charge but there are other factors such as delivery time, reliability, confidentiality, up-time guarantee and availability of assistance that should all be taken into consideration.

Taking only the cost factor into account and comparing pricing, it was assessed that two Australian SMS providers were relatively cheaper namely WholesaleSMS and ClickSend. Both these companies offered the cheapest rate card dependent on distribution quantity, whether it is a low volume in distribution numbers or a large volume of text messages sent out. On average it can be seen that both these companies were around 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than the remainder of other reputable Australian SMS providers.

The graphical representation of cheap SMS gateway API providers below indicates the range of pricing taking into consideration all of the above factors mentioned in this section.

Considering price is only one factor.  You need to see if there is a monthly fee, a setup fee, the type of payment modes required as well as what type of contractual agreement between the business and the provider.

 

International SMS gateway API

There are so many international SMS gateway providers that it would take pages of listings. Many of international SMS providers state that they can launch SMS text messages to over 200 countries using their SMS gateway API platform. They also outline that they can offer SMS text, voice call blasts, surveys, polls, reminders and SMS auto-reply campaigns very promptly. Their telecommunication carriers are said to integrate fully with their platforms. It’s just a matter of setting up a mobile interaction overseas via API from your website, app, and database to the international provider. About SMS Gateway API image 3

You need to check to see if international SMS gateway APIs companies have a monthly charge, minimum fees and upfront costs so you pay for what you use.

If you decide to venture into looking for a reliable international SMS gateway API provider, please make sure it will offer secure authentication, session tracking, 2-way messaging and a cost allocation that is comparable to Australian SMS providers

Many of the Australian SMS Gateway API providers offer similar features, platforms and expertise to the international provider competitors.

 

About SMS Comparison Table and Sites

The information provided in the SMS comparison table and associated site is available to you free of charge. It was developed and published to make your life easier when comparing the range of SMS providers available in Australia.

This came about when the authors realized that people reviewing these SMS providers were overwhelmed by the information and terminology provided. The authors, who were experts in the SMS field but no longer work in that area, felt they needed to provide independent, unbiased advice about the features offered by these gateway providers.

These sites allow you to compare different SMS gateway providers based on features, pricing, customer reviews, and other important factors. By using these comparison tables and sites, you can find the SMS gateway provider that best meets your needs and requirements.

It’s important to keep in mind that while these comparison sites can be helpful, you should also conduct your own research and testing to determine which SMS gateway provider is the best fit for your specific needs.

This is an ever-changing industry and should the information presented be different from what you reviewed in your search, please let the authors know so that changes can be made.

Should you use this facility and then from the author’s analysis in the table and site, engage one of the recommended SMS companies, then the authors may ask the provider for a commission. There are no advertisements or promotions on this site.

It is hoped that the SMS Comparison Table and site will be useful to you and your business.

Updated on 2 February 2023.

 

 

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