If you’re involved in communication and messaging services, chances are you’ve encountered Twilio. With its suite of tools and APIs, Twilio has established itself as a leading player in the SMS and communication API industry.
But, although Twilio is famous for its robustness and personalisation capability, it’s not a perfect fit for everyone.
If you’re a developer with a big budget for communication solutions, Twilio may be an attractive option.
But, if you’re a developer or business owner looking for low-cost options or want a platform that’s easy to use and provide more tools beyond APIs, you must consider options other than Twilio.
In this article, we’d discuss what Twilio does that makes people like them. As well as their drawbacks that make people look for Twilio alternatives.
Then we show you five Twilio alternatives, how they work, how they compare with Twilio and how to get onboard using them.
So let’s get into it.
See Top 10 Bulk SMS Service Providers in the Market
What does Twilio do well?
Twilio is a communication platform that stands out in many ways.
But their best offering is their versatile API integration options. Their API integrations let businesses create personalised communication experiences.
Twilio is also easy to scale for enterprises. This makes Twilio a powerful tool for seamless and engaging communication.
Here’s a short list of the core strengths of Twilio:
- Diverse API integration options
- Scalability for growing businesses
- Rich analytics to track campaigns
- Diverse communication channels options
Let’s take a look at each strength individually.
Diverse API integration options
One of the most powerful features of Twilio is its diverse APIs for multiple channels.
Twilio provides a robust set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces). Developers can use these APIs to connect different channels. Like voice calls, text messages, and videos to their apps or websites.
Twilio offers 4 primary integrations to developers:
- Messaging
- Voice
- Verification
These API capabilities with documentation make it easy for developers to integrate them.
Commenting on Twilio’s use cases on GetApp, a user said that Twilio is key to unlocking the full potential of communication.
Scalability for growing businesses
You need to reach customers worldwide when you’re trying to grow your business. And for that, you need a communication platform that can connect you globally.
With Twilio’s scalable options, you can do it easily.
Here’s a screenshot of Twilio’s pricing page:
Rich analytics to track message delivery
Twilio’s rich analytics make it easy to analyse and understand your communication efforts.
Their reporting tools let you view your performance easily and make smarter decisions to improve your strategies.
With Twilio’s messaging insights dashboard, you can easily track the following:
- Delivery rates of your messages
- Opt-out rates
- OTP conversions
- Number of incoming messages
- Number of outgoing messages
- Messages with errors
- Failed Messages
This allows you to filter messaging insights with multiple options.
Here’s a screenshot of Twilio’s filtering options in their dashboard:
Diverse communication channels options
Twilio has a wide range of communication tools.
You can use Twilio to build multiple communication options in your apps, including:
- Text messaging (SMS)
- Voice messaging
- Multimedia messaging (MMS)
- Video messaging
- Chatbot messaging
Equipped with all these options, you can choose your communication channels.
Ahmed A., an IT industry Twilio user labels Twilio as the “ultimate communication solution for businesses” for its wide range of communication options.
This flexibility lets you choose the channels that best suit your communication objectives. And you can tailor them according to your customer’s preferences.
Here’s a screenshot of Twilio’s top tools used by businesses.
But, with all that said, Twilio still isn’t perfect. That is why you’re reading this article.
And it’s certainly not the best platform for all businesses.
Also read: Compare Twilio vs Msg91 vs Smscountry
So what are the drawbacks of Twilio that should make you look for an alternative?
What are Twilio’s most significant drawbacks?
As a platform primarily targeting developers and big enterprises, Twilio includes as many features as possible.
But being a big enterprise comes with its challenges.
While Twilio may be significant, it is not the ideal platform for all businesses.
Based on their user reviews, Twilio comes with quite a few drawbacks.
Most Twilio users report the following drawbacks on software review websites:
- High cost and complicated pricing
- Complex for non-technical users
- Limited direct customer support
- Unnecessary features compromising simplicity
Let us take a look at each of these drawbacks of Twilio.
Twilio’s high cost and complicated pricing
When exploring a service provider, you need to consider the one that aligns with your budget and long-term goals.
Twilio’s services can dent your wallet if you’re low on budget.
Although Twilio offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, it has its complications. Twilio’s pricing is intricate to understand and manage.
Different services like voice calls, SMS, and video have varying pricing models and associated costs. This complexity can make it challenging to accurately estimate and control your communication expenses.
On GetApp, Boaz D., a Twilio user, says Twilio is “not the most cost-effective” option.
Complex for non-technical users
Twilio primarily optimises its services for developers. This means you need to be technically advanced to use the platform.
Their interface will be overwhelming if you’re a first-time user.
Although there is documentation available, going through the documentation is daunting.
You’d hope that you can get some hands-on support from Twilio. But if you’re on a free trial, you’re not eligible for hands-on support.
“ Twilio is great, but the learning curve is greater”.
This is what Sam B., a logistics and supply chain specialist, says about Twilio’s complex platform.
Limited direct customer support
One of the biggest problems you will face with Twilio is its limited customer support. Twilio has different support tiers for its customers.
If you’re exploring their platform with a free trial, the only support you’ll receive is documentation and blogs on their website.
You must spend at least $250 on their platform if you need live chat support. And if you need phone support, you must spend at least $1500.
Unlike other service providers who provide this, you’re not eligible for a technical account manager unless you spend $5000 on Twilio.
This makes it impossible for you to use the platform effectively.
Because if you’re not an advanced developer, there’s a little chance you can use the platform effectively without hands-on support.
Here’s a quick screenshot of Twilio’s support tiers.
As you can see, Twilio prefers supporting businesses that pay more.
So if you’re a startup or a small business, your best shot at getting any support is their free documentation.
If you want an actual human to help you out, there’s an actual threshold you need to cross in monthly-spend with Twilio.
And this can get you frustrated as a customer.
Like it did for Or. M, a health and wellness expert, who didn’t like their support.
Here’s what Or said about Twilio on GetApp.
This brings us to the next drawback of Twilio.
Unnecessary features compromising simplicity
Twilio caters to big enterprises with complex communication needs. To cater to their needs, Twilio offers a wide set of features for them to choose from.
Unfortunately, the additional features come at the price of simplicity. If you’re looking for a specific feature to use in the platform, you’ll find it hard to navigate to that feature.
If you’re a small business, these complex features may not be helpful for you. And if you were to use Twilio still, you’d be paying a premium for useless features.
Here’s what a user wrote about their experience of Twilio’s unnecessary features on GetApp:
What are the top 5 Twilio alternatives?
Here are the top 5 Twilio alternatives.
- SMSCountry – Cost-effective platform with free lifetime customer support
- Kaleyra – Omnichannel communication solution
- Vonage API – Explicitly built for developers
- Sinch – Recognised for voice quality
- Plivo – Robust APIs for business communication
Let’s walk you through each of them so you know which is the best for your business.
1. SMSCountry – Cost-effective platform with free lifetime customer support
SMSCountry has been a pioneering platform for SMS delivery since 2003. With 60,000+ brands using their services worldwide and their famous free lifetime 1-on-1 support offer, they have established a winning position in the SMS industry.
SMSCountry provides a comprehensive API documentation that enables you integrate and use the SMSCountry SMS API. In addition to SMS, they also provide a voice and WhatsApp API.
| Use our dev-friendly and secure WhatsApp API to delight your customers with fast OTP. See how it works with a FREE demo. |
Where does SMSCountry beat Twilio?
When you explore SMSCountry, you will discover that it fixes most of Twilio’s drawbacks. The best thing about the SMSCountry platform is it’s tailored to businesses of all sizes.
Here’s a short breakdown of areas SMSCountry is better at compared to Twilio:
- Low and simplified pricing: With SMSCountry, you only pay for the credits you use and get significant discounts for high volumes.
- Free personalised lifetime support: SMSCountry offers free 1-on-1 support for a lifetime. And unlike Twilio, you don’t have to pay $5000 for this privilege. You also get a free demo with an actual human agent who explains how the platform works.
- Easy-to-use platform: Unlike Twilio, SMSCountry isn’t designed for developers only. With its SMS web platform and FREE SMS plugins, it’s designed for ease of use for an everyday user. And even if you still need help despite how easy the platform is to use, they provide free phone support and explain anything you need to know.
- SMS plugins made for small businesses: One of the best features of SMSCountry is its SMS plugins for MS Excel, Google Sheets, Tally, CRMs and e-commerce software. Businesses that don’t use pricey CRMs can easily send SMS from customer data spreadsheets.
- Free SMS templates for every industry: Most businesses don’t know how to send compliant SMS that convert well. SMSCountry offers 200+ templates to customers – so they don’t have to worry about how to write high-quality SMS.
Check out SMSCountry FREE SMS templates
Gaurav Aggarwal, the director of Kavya Digital Solutions, said this about SMSCountry:
But Twilio also has some areas where they win over SMSCountry easily.
Where does Twilio beat SMSCountry?
Although SMSCountry seems to be a clear choice over Twilio because of its lifetime customer support, all-in-one platform, and lower pricing, there are still some areas where Twilio has the upper hand.
Here are some of the areas where Twilio takes advantage of SMSCountry.
- Number of integrations: Twilio offers integrations with many CRMs.
- Features for big enterprises: Twilio is a complex platform with advanced features for big enterprises. SMSCountry offers a simple interface with the key communication features businesses of all sizes need.
And that’s probably all the advantage Twilio has over SMSCountry.
See Twilio vs SMSCountry: Which Should You Choose For Your Business in 2022
Who is SMSCountry best for?
SMSCountry is an ideal choice for businesses primarily interested in delivering SMS.
SMSCountry suits businesses of all sizes because of its free 1-on-1 lifetime customer support, dedicated account manager, and cost-effective SMS pricing.
Along with it, SMSCountry’s SMS plugins for platforms like MS Excel, Google Sheets, Tally accounting software, and eCommerce stores make it the best choice for small businesses.
2. Kaleyra – Omnichannel communication solution
Kaleyra is an API-based platform that lets users communicate with their customers on multiple channels. Their product range is wide and almost matches that of Twilio in terms of options.
Where does Kaleyra beat Twilio?
Pricing is one of the top reasons Kaleyra wins over Twilio.
But it’s not just pricing.
Users at software review sites rate Kaleyra above Twilio in several areas.
This includes:
- Ease of Integration
- API Call Speed
- Communication Varieties
- Documentation
- Community Support
- Professional Support
Here’s a screenshot of user ratings from G2.com.
But there are still some areas where users do prefer Twilio.
Let’s take a look.
Where does Twilio beat Kaleyra?
When it comes to reports and analytics, Twilio still beats Kaleyra. If you want to monitor your customer campaigns and make a data-driven decision, Twilio should be your preferred choice.
Also read: Kaleyra vs Twilio vs SMSCountry: Which is the Best SMS Service?
When you look at reviews on G2.com, you will discover that users prefer Twilio to Kaleyra for:
- Ease of use
- Ease of administration
Here’s a screenshot of the comparative reviews from g2.com:
Who is Kaleyra best for?
The product direction of Kaleyra leans towards big enterprises.
Based on that, Kaleyra is best recommended for large enterprises like banks and financial institutions that need multiple communication solutions to connect with customers.
3. Vonage API – Explicitly built for developers
Vonage API is a platform made specifically for developers to build communication APIs.
One of their best offerings is their free trial for each API.
Vonage is a great option if you want to explore an SMS, Voice, or Video communication API on a free trial.
Where does Vonage beat Twilio?
Easy of Management is the prime edge of Vonage API over Twilio.
Based on reviews on software review sites like G2.com, Vonage API wins in areas like:
- Ease of use
- Ease of setup
- Ease of Administration
Here’s a screenshot from G2.com showing the user preference towards Vonage API in these areas.
Since Vonage API is primarily for developers, you can see clear prompts from Vonage API asking you if you’re a developer.
This helps the Vonage team tailor your experience as a developer.
There are also areas where Twilio easily surpasses Vonage.
Let’s take a look.
Where does Twilio beat Vonage API?
Twilio being a bigger player compared to Vonage API, offers APIs for almost every communication channel along with a cloud-based contact centre.
But their biggest selling point over Vonage API is probably their pricing.
Twilio charges $0.0075/ SMS, while Vonage API charges $0.1661. That’s a difference of $0.158/SMS.
Now, that might not seem much for a small SMS quantity, but for a higher quantity, say 10,000, that’s a difference of $1586.
Along with that, Twilio is also a clear winner in terms of the number of features. As illustrated by the trusted software review app, the following features are where Twilio beats Vonage APi by a mile:
Who is Vonage API best for?
Vonage API is best for developers looking for easier ways to develop communication solutions into their Apps than Twilio.
4. Sinch – Recognised for voice quality
Sinch is a communications platform with SMS, voice, and API services. They have coverage in over 160 countries and a network connection of over 900 networks.
Where does Sinch beat Twilio?
Sinch’s exceptional voice quality and reliability are well-known. Their advanced routing algorithms and optimised network pathways result in superior call quality.
This gives them a prominent competitive advantage compared to Twilio in terms of voice quality.
Here are the most prominent areas Sinch holds an advantage over Twilio:
- Voice quality and reliability
- Easy access to customer support
- Dedicated account manager availability
- Simplified pricing model
But the best thing about Suinch is it’s not just made for developers.
Sinch even makes an effort to collect data on who is trying to use their platform.
This is probably why their platform is not technical.
And you can easily use it without any coding/developing experience.
Here’s a screenshot from the Sinch interface when you first try to use the platform:
Where does Twilio beat Sinch?
While Sinch is a great alternative to Twilio, it cannot beat Twilio in all areas.
Here are some areas where Twilio shines above Sinch.
- Developer friendliness
- Scalability
- Range of communication channels
- Number of enterprise solutions
In short, both Sinch and Twilio have their advantages. Your decision to choose either one depends on which features you most need.
And if Sinch doesn’t look like the one for you, there are more options you can consider.
Like SMSCountry, which we’ll discuss already.
Who is Sinch best for?
Sinch is best for businesses whose primary requirement is high-quality voice solutions.
5. Plivo – Robust APIs for business communication
Plivo is a communications platform with SMS, voice, and API services. They have coverage in over 160 countries and a network connection of over 900 networks.
Where does Plivo beat Twilio?
If you go through the reviews on G2.com, you’ll find that Plivo beats Twilio in many categories.
This includes:
- Ease of use
- Ease of setup
- Quality of support
- Price
Here’s a screenshot of users’ reviews for Twilio compared to Plivo on g2.com.
As you can see, most users say that Plivo meets their needs better than Twilio.
But does Twilio beat Plivo in some aspects?
Let’s take a look.
Where does Twilio beat Plivo?
Apart from the perception that their price and customer service are inferior to Plivo’s, Twilio does have some advantages over Plivo.
One of the most significant drawbacks of Plivo compared to Twilio is its limited coverage.
Now, if you’re not in one of the supported countries, you won’t even be able to test the platform.
On your first login, you’d have to face this screen:
And that’s not it.
There are other areas as well where Twilio holds an advantage over Plivo.
Here are some of the most prominent ones:
- Supports more communication channels than Plivo
- Offers more features than Plivo
- Has more API solutions than Plivo
Overall, Plivo beats Twilio in most aspects, but Twilio holds an advantage in scalability and integrations.
Who is Plivo best for?
Plivo is best for Twilio users looking for an alternative solution that’s cheaper and has better customer support than Twilio.
Why is SMSCountry the best Twilio alternative?
If you’re considering Twilio alternatives, SMSCountry is the best alternative.
The free lifetime support, dedicated account manager, SMS plugins and free SMS templates are simply too good an incentive to ignore.
Here are some more reasons why SMSCountry is the best Twilio alternative:
- Competitive pricing: SMSCountry offers competitive pricing compared to Twilio. SMSCountry’s pricing model is pay-as-you-use, with no hidden fees or charges.
- Robust API: SMSCountry provides a robust API that integrates into any application. The API is well-documented and provides developers with features and functionalities.
- Global coverage: SMSCountry offers global coverage with over 200+ networks across 180+ countries. This allows you to send SMS to your customers globally.
- Dedicated support: SMSCountry provides dedicated support to all their customers. You get a dedicated account manager and 24/7 access to a responsive customer support team.
- Advanced features: SMSCountry offers advanced features. These features can help your business to create personalised and effective SMS campaigns.
- Trusted by businesses: Thousands of businesses globally trust SMSCountry. We have a track record of delivering reliable and secure SMS services to our customers.
Choosing the best Twilio alternative
Well, there you have it.
You learn that there’s more than one alternative to Twilio that’s better in many areas.
If you need 1-0n-1 customer support for a lifetime, cost-effective SMS pricing, free support for compliance registration, and a dedicated account manager, SMSCountry is an excellent option.
You can sign up for free and o you can book a free demo to see how easy the platform is and what it offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a free alternative to Twilio?
While there may be no completely free Twilio alternatives, these Twilio alternatives give you free SMS to test out their platforms:
- SMSCountry
- Wazo
- Unistock
- Bitrix24
- MessageBird
Who is Twilio’s biggest competitor?
Twilio’s biggest competitors include SMSCountry, Vonage, Infobip, Plivo, Sinch, Bandwidth, Microsoft, RingCentral, SendGrid, Jajah, Sipgate, Simplify360, Zapier, Zoho SalesIQ, Customer.io, Iterable, Emarsys, AppsFlyer, Salesforce, MirrorFly, Agora, GetStream, PubNub, Cometchat, Telnyx, MessageBird, Wazo, Fonoster, and Rocket.Chat.
What is the alternative to Twilio?
There are other awesome alternatives to Twilio that will suit your business needs:
- SMSCountry
- Infobip
- Plivo
- Sinch
- Bandwidth
- Microsoft
- RingCentral
- SendGrid
- Simplify360
- Zapier
- Zoho SalesIQ
- Customer.io
- AppsFlyer
- Salesforce
- MirrorFly
- MessageBird
- Wazo
- Fonoster, and Rocket.Chat
Is there anything cheaper than Twilio?
Yes, there are several free alternatives to Twilio, such as SMSCountry, UniStack, Plivo, Wazo, and Tellephant.
Is Twilio free to send SMS?
Twilio offers a free trial, but its services are not entirely free. Businesses can sign up for a free trial on the Twilio website and get access to a limited number of services for a specified period. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
Does Twilio receive SMS?
Yes, Twilio can receive SMS messages.
Can Twilio send SMS to another country?
Yes, Twilio can send SMS messages to other countries.
Is WhatsApp built on Twilio?
No, WhatsApp is not built on Twilio. However, Twilio and SMSCounty do offer a WhatsApp API that businesses can use to send and receive messages on the platform.
Can I use a Twilio number for WhatsApp?
Yes, you can use a Twilio number for WhatsApp by integrating Twilio’s WhatsApp API into their communication platform.
Is Twilio shutting down?
No, Twilio is not shutting down. However, it is discontinuing Zipwhip software, a business texting platform acquired in July 2021. Zipwhip’s business texting service will permanently shut down on December 1, 2023. This shutdown only applies to Zipwhip and does not affect Twilio as a whole. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
Is Twilio free for WhatsApp?
Twilio’s WhatsApp messaging service is not completely free. The first 1,000 conversations are free, but there are costs beyond that: Meta’s conversation-based fee (billed every 24 hours after the first message), and Twilio’s per-message fee.
For unlisted countries, fees remain the same. Check Twilio’s documentation for current pricing details. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
Is Uber still using Twilio?
Yes, Uber continues to rely on Twilio.
How long is Twilio free?
Twilio’s free trial period has a specific duration. Your phone number will be deleted from your trial project if you haven’t used it for more than 30 days. However, if you decide to return, you can easily choose a new phone number. As soon as you upgrade your project, you’ll retain your trial number, charged at the current Voice and SMS rates. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
How many SMS are free in Twilio?
You can make up to 25 calls per day and send up to 35 SMS messages per day using the Authy or Verify API endpoints. These limits ensure smooth and efficient communication through the APIs. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
Does Twilio charge for failed SMS?
Twilio does not charge for failed SMS messages. If your API request returns an HTTP error or if the message status is marked as “failed,” you will not be charged. Twilio only charges for messages where delivery was attempted, such as messages with statuses like “sent,” “delivered,” “undelivered,” or “delivery unknown.” Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
How much does Twilio P2P cost?
Participants pay $0.0015/min.
What is the call limit in Twilio?
Twilio’s default call limit allows each account to make 1 outgoing call per second (CPS). This applies to both Programmable Voice calls made through the Outbound API and Elastic SIP Trunking calls. While you can have multiple concurrent calls based on your server capacity, the rate of placing calls is limited to one per second. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
How does Twilio work with WhatsApp?
When your customers send you WhatsApp messages, Twilio sends an HTTP request to a URL of your choice. You can configure this webhook URL within the Twilio Console, either on the Sandbox page or on the page specific to your WhatsApp-enabled numbers. Check out Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
Does Twilio use my own phone number?
Yes, Twilio allows you to bring your own numbers.
Why is Twilio number not working on WhatsApp?
Twilio numbers may not work on WhatsApp for several reasons. It could be due to the number not being SMS-capable or issues with delivering SMS pin codes. In some cases, Twilio might temporarily disable the webhook URL for incoming calls to enable pin code delivery via voice. You can try other Twilio alternatives like SMSCountry.
