Comparing 6 Popular SMS API Gateways in the Philippines, in 2024

2G is almost dead, but somehow SMS is still very reliable in the Philippines despite the spam messages there are being sent almost everyday.

My SMS messages are the only notifications that I didn't turn off deliberately. So I still prefer to receive SMS since I also turn off my internet when I'm not using it (for the purpose of reducing EMF).

Anyhoo.. My old SMS API gateway was acting up, so I had to research all over again which companies I should go into next. The options are not so close so I think it's good to document them.

Generally, international companies like Infobip and Twilio charge a lot higher because they're probably not direct.

Let's explore our options.

Prices will be displayed in peso with P59 as the exchange rate.

Txtbox - P0.30 / sms

Made by a local company called Multisys. It looked affordable so I signed up for an account, and within 24 hours someone got back to me for the account set up.

I didn't push through at once because I'm not using it so much to justify the subscription cost for the sender name.

• Price: P0.30 / sms
• Reliability: untested
• On Sender names (copied from their email) - Php 250 / mo
  • Sender Names have a validity of one (1) year
  • On the first year, you will enjoy a discount of PHP 600 should you choose to pay a year's worth of subscription.
  •  For the succeeding years, PHP 250 will automatically be deducted monthly from your balance as a continued subscription for the sender name requested.
  • Should the balance not be enough, the sender name will be disabled temporarily until a sufficient balance is provided.
• Support: Good support, responds fast via email

M360 - P0.20 - P0.40 / sms

Subscription looked promising but so far they're not responding. I've already messaged via WhatsApp and email, it's been a week. Sadly, it was promising.

Infobip - P0.413 - P8.44 / sms

I'm not sure when I encountered this company but it used to be affordable. Now the price, especially Globe's jacked up already and it's not usable. Still, I put it here

• Price: P0.413 for Dito, P8.44 for Globe, P7.02 for Smart
• Reliability: 3/5, there are times where Smart or Globe is not sending properly
• Payment plan: Prepaid in USD, auto-top ups when it's below your set threshold
• Sender names: Free, which is quite rare
• Support: Via ticket, responds fast. Sometimes they are online via chat as well.

Twilio - P11.80 / sms

I've tried Twilio about 10 years ago, but wasn't able to stick with it because of the cost and better alternatives turned up. Still, it's a big global company and one of the top APIs for communication (including API phone calls) so it's worth the comparison.

• Price: P11.80 / sms
• Reliability: Reliable
• Payment plan: Prepaid in USD, auto-top ups when it's below your set threshold
• Sender names: Based on their pricing page, additional P11.80 / sms
• Support: It's a big global company, good support

Message Central - P12.68 / sms

I just got this as a recommendation from Reddit. Didn't explore it any further because of its price - P12.68 / sms.

ClickSend - P14.26 / sms

Even worse .. P14.26 / sms. Haha

TLDR;

Well, that's that, the only responsive support and affordable in this lot is Txtbox. I'm still hopeful that M360 will get back to me but as of July 6, 2024, no response for a week.

I will edit this post in case they respond.