Short Message Service (SMS) is the most widely used form of text messaging—leveraging both wireless and traditional telecom infrastructure to transmit—while being universally accessible across mobile devices. Any software developer can use an SMS application programming interface (API) to easily integrate messaging (both sending and receiving) into their software without complicated telecom infrastructure or knowledge.

How does an SMS API work?

An SMS API works similarly to any other application programming interface that triggers API calls to utilize a functionality like sending or receiving a text message. These SMS API callbacks, also called webhooks, are extremely robust, allowing for customization of messaging services within an application, limited only by the imagination.

How do I integrate an SMS API?

A successful integration to Bandwidth’s SMS API is usually managed by a software developer programming in a modern programming language. Traditionally, an integration involves some level of testing, data modeling, and server configuration to communicate with Bandwidth’s texting API. Most web developers are able to build a test integration in under a day, with production integrations scaling in time with the complexity of the messaging service.

What languages can I integrate the Bandwidth SMS API with?

The best SMS APIs can integrate with most modern programming languages that have the ability to reach the web. Bandwidth provides SDKs for PHP, C#, NodeJS, Java, Ruby, and Python.

Yes, for NodeJS, Java, Ruby, Python, PHP, and C#.

Do you offer a free SMS API?

No. If you need access to our SMS API for proof of concept development or testing, please request a trial account.

What is an SMS gateway?

An SMS gateway allows you to use your existing SMPP servers to send messages without having to migrate your infrastructure to the cloud. You can learn more about Bandwidth’s SMS Gateway.

What are the benefits of using SMS API?

Using a texting API allows you to add the ability to send and receive text messages to your application or software without the need for expensive telecom infrastructure. With just a few lines of code your customers can be texting from within your application.

Do you pay for every message you send over SMS?

Yes. Every message you send costs money, which is why having a high message deliverability rate is so important for getting a good ROI. Visit our Message Deliverability page to learn more about what impacts deliverability, how to calculate ROI, and how to improve your deliverability.

Do you have an out-of-the-box SMS solution?

No, but our SMS API allows you to build the solution that’s right for you and your customers. Whether that includes sending, receiving, or both, our texting API enables you to power the right solution for you.

Can I send images, video, or other rich media with your SMS API?

Yes. Bandwidth supports both plain text messaging (SMS) and rich media texting (MMS).

Do you provide a REST API?

Yes. Visit our Docs for Developers to learn more.

Do you have limits on messages sent via API?

Depending on the type of number you use, there are limitations to the number of messages that can be sent per second (also known as MPS). Talk to a member of our team to learn more and to find out how Bandwidth can meet your messaging needs.

Bandwidth MESSAGING API

API for SMS Messaging

Take your business further with SMS messaging using Bandwidth’s easy SMS API service and unparalleled support.

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API SMS messaging that delivers

When you’re ready to scale, turn to Bandwidth for high-throughput SMS messaging that gives you the control, flexibility, and insight that you crave.

Put Bandwidth’s position as both a CPaaS leader and network operator to work for your business and get deeper insights into SMS deliverability and ROI.

The best SMS API support in the industry

Get real SMS messaging support from real people. We’re ready to answer every question you have and help you every step of the way, from Day 1 to Day 36,500.

Unlimited flexibility

Group messaging? More than 160 characters? Need to interact with bots or pin codes? If you can dream it, you can build it thanks to our endlessly flexible SMS API service.

Messaging capacity that won't run out on you

Our SMS Messaging API is built for companies who’ve outgrown beginner tools. When you have a large base of opted-in users who want your messages, our API for SMS messaging will help you reach all of them.

Industry-leading SMS message delivery insights

Did you know that you pay for every SMS message you send, even the ones that aren’t delivered? Our SMS API service insights help you ensure your end users receive your messages at the highest possible rate.

“No other provider offered the same level of hands-on support or cost savings that Bandwidth has been able to deliver. Their flexible APIs made it simple for us to get up and running without missing a beat.”

Phillip Kimmy , Co-founder & Director of Software Dev

Powerful API with SMS features that get you going fast

Bring your communications into the future with our full-featured tier 1 network and cutting edge APIs for SMS Messaging,

High throughput capacity for 10DLC, toll-free, and short code numbers
Bring your own number capabilities
Reliable delivery with insights to help you maximize your ROI
Bi-directional unicode and emojis
Redundant network for better reliability
Real-time delivery receipts
100+ MPS capabilities

*NEW* Messaging Health Alerting

Stop wondering how your SMS traffic is performing. Get proactive alerts that keep you in the know.

Watch the demo →

Send more, save more

As your throughput grows, you’ll benefit from Bandwidth’s value-focused API SMS service pricing structure.

	Bandwidth*	Typical Competitor	Savings
Inbound Messaging per message	FREE	$0.0075	100%
Outbound Messaging per message	$0.0040	$0.0075	47%
Phone Number per line per month	$0.35	$1.00	65%

*Based on average competitor prices as of July 2021.

More value as your business scales

Use our pricing estimator to understand what your costs could be, including carrier fees and monthly number costs.

Messaging cost prediction

10DLC

Toll-free

SMS

SMS Outbound Messages (Monthly)

SMS Inbound Messages (Monthly)

MMS

MMS Outbound Messages (Monthly)

MMS Inbound Messages (Monthly)

Misc Values

Number of Phone Numbers

Number of Brands

Disclaimer: This is only an estimate of what you could expect to pay and does not represent actual pricing. This does not include a monthly $20 fee per 10DLC campaign. Carrier fees are representative and subject to change based on the carriers. Speak with a Bandwidth representative to get a more detailed look at what 10DLC or toll-free pricing for your specific needs could be.

See latest Bandwidth Carrier Surcharges

require ‘bandwidth’



include Bandwidth

include Bandwidth::Messaging



bandwidth_client = Bandwidth::Client.new(

    messaging_basic_auth_user_name: ‘username’,

    messaging_basic_auth_password: ‘password’

)



messaging_client = bandwidth_client.messaging_client.client



account_id = ‘1’

body = MessageRequest.new

body.application_id = ‘1-2-3’

body.to = [‘+17777777777’]

body.from = ‘+18888888888’

body.text = ‘Hello from Bandwidth’



messaging_client.create_message(account_id, :body => body)

SMS Messaging APIs built for developers

Our SMS API service gives you carrier-grade features like delivery receipts and error codes that help you increase deliverability, reduce costs, and build a better product.

One SMS service, limitless ways to create better customer experiences

There are limitless possibilities for using SMS in service, support, operations, and marketing. Here are just a few of the most common customer use cases.

Text alerts & notifications

Send appointment reminders, account notifications, and time-sensitive alerts directly to your customers’ text inboxes.

Learn more

Two-factor authentication

Quickly add 2FA to your application with one simple SMS API that utilizes carrier-grade voice and messaging to deliver peace of mind to your customers.

Learn more

SMS marketing

Get the right message to the right customers at the right time, with promotions and ads delivered instantly to your customers’ mobile phones.

Learn more

SMS surveys

Find out how your team did, what you can do better, and follow-up on any outstanding problems with surveys delivered directly to your users over SMS messaging.

Learn more

Take the next step to learn how your business can benefit from smarter SMS

Request a trial Talk to an expert

Learn more about how SMS can
build your business

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Put our SMS Messaging API to work in your industry

Finance, Fintech, & Finserv

Bandwidth powers communications for some of the largest companies in finance and finserv today. Find out how you can leverage our industry-specific messaging capabilities.

Finance Solutions

Ecommerce & Retail

Get more products in carts and through checkout with smart SMS marketing. Learn about Bandwidth’s retail expertise.

Ecommerce and Retail Solutions

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Healthcare

Patient communications are evolving, and leading healthcare platforms are turning to Bandwidth for SMS. Learn more about our leadership in healthcare communications.

Healthcare Solutions

Get started with SMS

Fill in the form to get in touch with one of our messaging experts today.

API for SMS Messaging