Looking for the best Textlocal alternatives?
If you currently use Textlocal in India, chances are you’ve received an email from Webex stating that Textlocal is now Webex Interact and that you should upgrade or lose access.
But the truth is, you don’t want to upgrade.
Probably because:
- Webex is expensive
- You don’t like the migration process
- You just want better, faster textlocal alternatives (without headaches).
Yes?
Then you’re in the right place.
For this guide, I’ve reviewed 20 SMS platforms people switch to from Textlocal (or Webex Interact, as I’ll use interchangeably in this post).
| Want to migrate to SMSCountry? Book a demo so our team can help you migrate TODAY, or visit our pricing page to get customised pricing for your business. |
Why SMSCountry is the Best Textlocal Alternative
SMSCountry has been helping small, medium, and large businesses in India connect with their customers via SMS since 2003. With 200+ network carriers worldwide and a smart routing system, SMSCountry’s customers enjoy:
- 99% deliverability
- 5-second delivery rate,
- 24/7 customer support even on holidays (in English, Hindi and Arabic)
There are multiple ways to send bulk SMS with SMSCountry:
- Via the SMS API: If you want to connect SMS to your app, CRM, ERP, or website, SMSCountry offers a flexible and powerful REST API you can integrate in 30 minutes.
- Via web portal: Want an app? No problem. You can easily log in to the SMSCountry web dashboard, upload your contacts, create a message, and hit send.
- Via plugins: Use easy-to-install plugins to send messages straight from Excel, WooCommerce, Outlook, or even your Gmail.
How easy is it to start using SMSCountry to send SMSes to your customers?
Three things set SMSCountry up for a fast and stress-free migration.
- Easy software flow: Whether you want to use the API, web portal or plugins, SMSCountry is designed for fast and easy onboarding.
- Empathetic support team: We have an army of support team members who can help you with anything, whether setting up your account, API, or DLT registration.
- Lots of documentation and guides: From API docs to articles on how to get started using SMSCountry.
In addition, SMSCountry has been providing bulk SMS services in India since 2003. This means you can rely on their stability for your business’s stability.
SMSCountry offers direct-to-operator routing, enterprise-grade security, 24/7 support in English and Arabic (even during holidays), a smart failover system, custom sender ID, and a high-speed REST API. These ensure that your messages are delivered on time.
What about pricing?
With SMSCountry, you pay for only messages that are delivered. Also, SMSCountry does not offer different plans; you get a custom pricing that suits your budget and business needs.
With SMSCountry, you can send alerts, OTPS, transactional messages, promotional offers, 2-way SMS, email-to-SMS, MMS, group SMS, reminders, and announcements via text or voice.
| Here’s what you get with SMSCountry: – 5-second delivery and 99% deliverability, your customers will love – Easy-to-use API, web app and plugins to make your team’s lives easier – Customer support from Indian-based reps that understand you well “We were frustrated with Twilio’s SMS API services until we found SMSCountry. SMSCountry provides fast OTP SMS delivery and great customer support. Much recommended” – Gaurav Aggarwal, Kavya Digital Solutions Book a demo so our team can help you MIGRATE TODAY, or visit our pricing page to get customised pricing for your business. |
How does this compare to Webex Interact (the new version of Textlocal)?
SMSCountry vs Webex Interact (Textlocal)
Let’s compare them using vital factors like ease of use, migration, pricing, and more.
1. Ease of migration
Webex Interact involves transitioning to a new platform with different APIs and a new interface. This migration may require additional setup and familiarisation with the broader Cisco ecosystem.
With SMSCountry, setup is straightforward. Whether you want to use the SMS API, web portal, or direct plugins, you can start sending messages from day one.
2. Ease of use
Webex Interact provides an omnichannel interface to support SMS, WhatsApp, email, and chat campaigns.
SMSCountry has a modern interface but keeps it simple and focused on SMS, with a portal and API designed for busy teams and quick SMS campaigns.
3. Pricing and pricing model
SMSCountry offers pay-as-you-go pricing for businesses in India, the U.S., the UK and worldwide. Prices reduce as you send higher volumes of SMS. Meanwhile, Webex Interact’s current SMS pricing is approximately £0.039/SMS.
4. Customer support
Webex Interact offers centralised support, including a help desk and ticket-based systems, where users typically wait in a queue for responses.
SMSCountry provides a dedicated account manager and a local support team—human agents who understand your needs, language, and time zone.
5. Speed and deliverability
Both platforms are fast, but SMSCountry is optimised for local delivery.
SMSCountry’s deep integrations with Indian and US telecom providers mean messages are delivered faster, especially during peak times. With a delivery rate of 99%, your messages are delivered in 5 seconds.
6. Value for money
Webex Interact includes a broader suite of communication tools, which may suit businesses looking for omnichannel functionality.
SMSCountry offers better value across every tier. You pay for what you use, and you don’t need to pay extra for features you’ll never touch.
7. Free trial
Webex Interact provides credits for trial use, though support details during the trial may vary.
SMSCountry offers free credits with full support to help you test before you commit.
8. Business stability
Webex Interact represents a shift from the original Textlocal platform and is now part of the Cisco product suite, which may evolve as part of a broader roadmap.
SMSCountry, on the other hand, has been running stable for over two decades. There have been no acquisitions and no platform pivots.
Let’s show everything on a table.
| Feature | Webex Interact (Textlocal) | SMSCountry |
| Ease of migration | A complex upgrade may be required | Quick setup, human help available |
| Ease of use | Multi-channel learning curve | Focused on SMS, simple, and easy to navigate |
| Pricing and model | Global pricing, £0.039/SMS | Transparent, pay-as-you-go |
| Customer support | Ticket-based | local-based, dedicated manager |
| Speed & deliverability | Good, depending on the channel | 5-second delivery + 99% deliverability, telecom-optimised for India |
| Value for money | More features, higher pricing | Focused features, better value |
| Free trial | Free trial | Free trial + dedicated support |
| Business stability | New product, recent shift | 20+ years of stable service |
| Parent company + headquarters | Cisco (USA) | Telebu Communications (India/UAE) |
How can you get started with SMSCountry?
Whether you’re new to SMS or just trying to escape the whole Webex Interact upgrade, getting started with SMSCountry is super simple. We’ve made the process easy for anyone to follow, even if you’ve never used an SMS service.
First-time user? Here’s your step-by-step guide:
- Sign up at smscountry.com and complete the registration process.
- Explore your dashboard. Once inside, you’ll see an easy-to-use control panel where you can manage your contacts, create message templates, run campaigns, and track everything in one place.
- Choose how you want to send SMS—straight from your browser via the web portal, via the SMS API, or via plugins like Excel or WordPress.
- Add your sender ID, upload your contacts, type your message, and click send.
That’s it; you’re up and running.
Already using Textlocal and want to migrate? Here’s how to make the switch smooth:
- Sign up and confirm your registration
- Explore the API (you might need this API documentation for it)
- Export your contacts and templates from Textlocal (Excel formats, Word, etc), and
- Import them into SMSCountry.
For international users: Don’t forget—sender ID registration is mandatory. If your sender ID is already registered, it might work right away. If not, you may need to resubmit it for approval. Our team will help you through this process.
And that’s it. No complex migration steps. No hefty onboarding fees.
| Migrate to SMSCountry, TODAY! Book a demo so our team can help you migrate TODAY, or visit our pricing page to get customised pricing for your business. |
Still curious and want to consider a few more options before making the final call?
Here are four other Textlocal alternatives you can choose from.
Other Textlocal alternatives to choose from
Here are 4 more top-rated Textlocal alternatives (from 20 reviewed):
- Twilio
- Plivo
- SimpleTexting
- SlickText
Let’s talk about each of them.
1. Twilio
Twilio excels in programmable, high-volume SMS with deep, developer-friendly features. Their strength lies in:
- Global reach (supporting 180+ countries).
- Flexible API
- Two-way messaging (handling replies, alerts, and customer interactions).
- Scalability (handling millions of messages with high deliverability).
Twilio suits developers and tech-inclined businesses that need a programmable SMS backbone rather than an outbound SMS tool.
Their key differentiator is:
- API-first approach: Developers can build custom SMS workflows.
- Carrier-grade infrastructure: Direct relationships with telecom providers.
- Multi-channel flexibility: you can combine SMS with voice, email, and WhatsApp in a single API.
Twilio’s key SMS features include Programmable Messaging API, short and long codes, toll-free numbers, scheduling and drip campaigns, error handling, number pooling, and geographical targeting.
What Twilio does better than Textlocal (Webex Interact)
Twilio is built for custom, high-scale messaging solutions and has the following key advantages over Textlocal:
- API depth: Textlocal offers basic APIs, but Twilio allows for complex logic (conditional routing, multi-step flows).
- Global scalability: Textlocal is UK-focused, whereas Twilio supports worldwide messaging with local numbers.
- Enterprise-grade reliability: Twilio’s direct carrier connections mean fewer delays or filtering issues.
- Multi-channel integration: Textlocal is SMS-only, while Twilio blends SMS with WhatsApp, voice, and email.
Twilio pricing and pricing model
Twilio operates on a pay-as-you-use model. It costs $83.2 to send 1000 SMS messages with Twilio (£0.0832/SMS).
In the end, Twilio wins for custom SMS integrations, while Webex Interact is better for contact centre messaging within Cisco’s ecosystem.
2. Plivo
Plivo started in 2011 as a cloud communications platform. And just like Twilio, it’s designed to help developers and businesses in need of programmable SMS and voice services.
One thing that sets them apart is their 10DLC speed. You can set up and send messages faster than many other providers besides SMSCountry.
Plivo also handles throttling and retries, letting you send messages with just one API call. They also make it easy to auto-redact sensitive data and manage opt-outs automatically.
Unlike Textlocal, Plivo is a developer-first SMS service provider. It’s best for tech teams and SaaS platforms.
Some of Plivo’s main features include programmable API, number pooling, Unicode & GSM support, and Lookup API.
What Plivo does better than Textlocal (Webex Interact)
Plivo is ideal for businesses that need to send a large number of text messages and want full control over how those messages are sent.
- Plivo is tailored for developers. Non-technical users may find it a bit difficult to use.
- Global reach: Textlocal was UK-focused, and still is after becoming Webex Interact. Like SMSCountry, Plivo operates globally, with local number support in many countries.
- Reliability: Plivo’s direct connections with carriers increase delivery speed. Webex Interact is focused on networks in the U.S. and the UK.
Plivo’s pricing and pricing model
Plivo uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model.
SMS messages via long codes, toll-free, and short codes are priced at $0.0070–$0.0072 per message, while MMS is priced at $0.0180 across all routes.
Phone number rentals start at $0.50/month for long codes, $1.00/month for toll-free, and up to $1,000/month for vanity short codes (plus a $1,500 setup fee).
3. SimpleTexting
SimpleTexting started in the late 2000s as one of the earlier players in SMS marketing. It’s mainly built for small to mid-sized businesses that want to send promotional texts, reminders, and also have two-way conversations with their customers. They’re based in the U.S., and most of their focus is on North America.
Over time, they’ve positioned themselves as a platform that’s easy to use and doesn’t require a lot of tech knowledge. They aren’t trying to be everything to everyone—they just focus on texting.
SimpleTexting offers features like mass texting, 2-way messaging, automation, keyword-based opt-ins and built-in compliance tools.
There are also some lightweight integrations (Mailchimp, Zapier, etc.), and they provide support if you’re not sure how to set things up.
Compared to Webex Interact, SimpleTexting is mainly for small businesses and marketers who don’t want complex software.
It’s not really designed for enterprise-scale operations or teams looking for deep API-level customisations.
What SimpleTexting does better than Textlocal (Webex Interact)
Not necessarily better or worse—just different:
- Text-based data capture: You can collect info through automated replies, like asking a customer for their name or email and saving it to your contact list.
- SMS + Chat: It’s set up for both broadcasts and one-on-one convos, using the same dashboard.
- Quick onboarding: Most users can get started without needing dev support.
They also offer tools to help you with messaging content (like templates or an AI assist), but those are more add-ons than core features.
SimpleTexting pricing and pricing model
Pricing is credit-based:
- Starts at $29/month for 500 texts.
- One credit = one SMS segment (160 characters).
- Incoming messages are free.
- Credits roll over if you don’t use them all.
There’s no separate charge for things like custom keywords or extra users, but sending MMS or longer texts costs more credits.
4. SlickText
SlickText began in 2012, aiming to simplify SMS marketing for small to mid-sized businesses, particularly in the U.S. and Canada.
Their platform is designed for sending promotional messages, reminders, and 2-way customer interactions.
Over time, they’ve focused on creating a user-friendly experience that doesn’t require extensive technical knowledge.
Key features include mass texting, two-way messaging, automation workflows, keyword-based opt-ins, and compliance tools.
They also offer integrations with platforms like Shopify, Mailchimp, and Zapier.
Compared to Webex Interact, SlickText is more suited for small businesses and marketers seeking straightforward SMS solutions without the complexities of enterprise-scale operations or deep API customisations.
What SlickText does better than Textlocal (Webex Interact)
SlickText offers a simpler user interface, faster onboarding with minimal setup, better customer support on chat, more intuitive SMS automation tools, and built-in compliance features for US and Canadian regulations.
In contrast, Webex Interact offers a broader range of features tailored for larger enterprises, which might be more than necessary for smaller/medium-sized businesses. It provides a suite of campaign management and customer engagement features, of course. However, it focuses on various channels rather than just SMS marketing.
However, one aspect I found limiting in SlickText was the customisation options for message templates, which felt restrictive compared to other platforms like SMSCountry.
SlickText pricing and pricing model
SlickText operates on a tiered subscription model. Plans start at $29 monthly for 500 message credits, with higher tiers offering more credits and additional features.
Unused message credits roll over to the next billing cycle, ensuring businesses can maximise their subscription value.
Higher-tier plans come with features like one-on-one onboarding and dedicated customer success managers.
| Migrate to SMSCountry TODAY! Book a demo so our team can help you migrate TODAY, or visit our pricing page to get customised pricing for your business. |
Textlocal alternatives comparison table
Here’s a comparison table of Webex Interact and its 4 alternatives besides SMSCountry.
| Feature | Webex Interact (Textlocal) | Twilio | Plivo | SimpleTexting | SlickText |
| Ease of migration | Complex upgrade required | Developer setup needed | Requires dev skills | Easy web setup | Simple setup |
| Ease of use | Multi-channel learning curve | API-heavy, developer-first | API-first, less friendly for non-devs | Beginner-friendly UI | User-friendly dashboard |
| Pricing & model | High base cost, unclear billing | $0.0832 per 1,000 messages | $0.0070–$0.0072 per SMS | Flat monthly + per message pricing | Subscription-based + credits |
| Customer support | Ticket-based, slow | Limited to docs and dev forums | Email-based, business hours only | Chat and phone support | Live chat, SMS support |
| Speed & deliverability | Good, depends on the channel | Excellent via carrier-grade infrastructure | Fast delivery via direct carriers | Great for U.S. audiences | Strong U.S. delivery rates |
| Value for money | Feature-packed, high price | Costly for small businesses | Better for large-scale messaging | Best for U.S. marketers | Great for U.S. brands |
| Free trial | Limited trial, unclear onboarding | Free trial with limited credits | Free trial with API access | Free trial with support | Free trial available |
| Business stability | New product, evolving | Public company, very stable | 10+ years in the market | Established, U.S.-based | Established, U.S.-based |
| Best for | Large companies need omnichannel | Developers & high-volume apps | Developers & SaaS platforms | Marketers & small businesses in the U.S. | Local businesses in U.S. |
| Parent company + HQ | Cisco (USA) | Twilio Inc. (USA) | Plivo Inc. (USA) | Postscript Holdings (USA) | Slick Innovations (USA) |
We reviewed 20 platforms, shortlisted the top 5, and compared them across every metric that matters to your business: ease of migration, usability, pricing, support, speed, and long-term stability.
Get started on SMSCountry, the best Textlocal alternative
While Webex Interact tries to fit everyone into a one-size-fits-all enterprise mould, SMSCountry is built for real businesses—small, medium, and large—who want powerful messaging without the bloat, complexity, or hidden fees.
Ready to make the switch? Sign up at SMSCountry.com and start sending bulk SMSes today. Do you have questions or large volumes to send? Talk to our sales team for tailored support.
Frequently asked questions about Textlocal alternatives
1. Did Textlocal shut down?
Not exactly. Textlocal has rebranded as Webex Interact, a product under Cisco. While the core service still exists, it now operates with a different interface, pricing, and feature set, mainly targeting enterprise clients.
2. What happens to existing customers of Textlocal?
Existing customers are being asked to upgrade to Webex Interact. This involves new APIs, learning a new system, and adjusting to a more complex, multi-channel platform—often with higher costs and limited support during migration.
3. What is Webex Interact?
Webex Interact is the new version of Textlocal, built for omnichannel engagement (SMS, WhatsApp, email, chat). It’s part of the Cisco ecosystem and is primarily designed for large enterprises rather than small or mid-sized businesses.
4. What happens to my existing credits on Textlocal?
You should be able to use your existing credits for a limited time. However, once you move to Webex Interact, the pricing structure changes, and your previous balance may not transfer as it is. It’s best to clarify this with the support team before migrating.
5. How do I migrate from Textlocal to Webex Interact?
Migration involves creating a new account, setting up Webex APIs, and moving your data manually.
6. Can I still use Textlocal for SMS in India?
Yes, although you would have to discontinue using your previous Textlocal account and migrate to their new portal. Existing Textlocal India accounts will be active until October 2025, but any new sign‑ups or messaging should be done via the new Webex Interact portal.
7. Is SMSCountry only for businesses in India?
Not at all. SMSCountry serves businesses in 195 countries, including India, UAE, UK, USA, and more. It supports multiple languages and offers APIs for global SMS delivery.
8. Do I need to be a developer to use SMSCountry?
No. You can either send messages directly from the SMSCountry web portal without writing any code or connect our SMS plugins to your CRM. If you are a developer, powerful APIs (REST, HTTP, SMPP) are available for integration.
9. Does SMSCountry support WhatsApp, voice, or email messaging?
Yes. Besides SMS, SMSCountry offers voice messaging, email-to-SMS, 2-way SMS, and WhatsApp Business solutions through its TelebuSocial platform—perfect for businesses that need more than just plain text.
