Twilio Alternatives?: Here's 10 Communication APIs making their mark against the former

Twilio has been serving its clients well since 2008 with its robust communication API solution. From providing exceptional security to ensuring all API actions are conducted in one place. Twilio became home to all those brands seeking a reliable and powerful communication API.

However, we all know that Twilio is expensive. Our latest research about the brand revealed, many users being dissatisfied with the tool’s performance. The common issues were poor customer support, the need to learn coding, high dependency on IT teams to get started, and more.

We understand that Twilio is great, but there are well-versed communication APIs available in the market that can:

  • Be the right fit for your business
  • Fits your budget estimates

Our next category explains it all.

Top 10 Twilio Alternatives That Prove To Be Better Than The Former In 2021

The below list exhibits the top Twilio alternatives that you can get started in 2021.

1. CONTUS MirrorFly

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What is CONTUS MirrorFly?

CONTUS MirrorFly offers real-time chat, video, and audio calling for web and mobile apps. It is rated as the number 1 enterprise communication platform suitable for any kind of industry.

Top Features:

  • Chat and Messaging Video calls Secured communication Voice communication and more

Mirrorfly Vs Twilio

When it comes to providing a complete customization solution, Mirrorfly takes the game. Between Mirrofly vs Twilio, the latter doesn’t provide a 100% customization solution.

Mirrofly provides all those features which Twilio fails to offer such as on-cloud hosting, unlimited users for 1-1 private and group chat, anti-spam and more.

Pricing: Contact their sales team to find a personalized pricing solution for your brand

G2 Ratings: 4.2/5

2. Vonage SMS API

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What is Vonage SMS API?

Vonage powers efficient communications with its communication APIs. Trusted by well-known brands in multiple industries, Vonage holds a 99.999% of uptime reliability.

Top Features:

  • Communication APIs Unified communications Contact centers

Vonage SMS API Vs Twilio:

When compared to Twilio, the API solution provides two additional app support that Twilio doesn't, which is Line and Wechat. Vonage provides a unique feature called adaptive routing which Twilio doesn’t provide. The main aim of this feature is to optimize carrier routes to deliver SMS efficiently.

Pricing: SMS API- $0.0344 per message, Messages API- $0.0069 per delivered outbound message. View several other communication APIs pricing here.

G2 Ratings: 4.2/5

3. Bandwidth Messaging

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What is Bandwidth Messaging?

Bandwidth messaging offers messaging API solutions to enhance any text messaging activities. It takes only a few minutes to unleash the power of this messaging API.

Top Features:

  • Communication APIs Enterprise Cloud Direct Access Tools and Services

Bandwidth Messaging Vs Twilio:

Whether it is making an inbound call or sending an outbound text, Bandwidth messaging is relatively cheaper compared to Twilio hence letting you save up to 20%+ Bandwidth messaging has an in-house control of their voice and SMS connectivity which allows them to unleash quality experience. This feature isn’t available at Twilio as they depend on third-party or outsourced partners where the quality experience can vary.

Pricing: Voice API package starts from $0.010 per minute, Message API package starts from $0.004 per message, Video API starters from $0.0016 per stream

G2 Ratings: 4.6/5

4. GupShup

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What is GupShup?

GupShup improves the delivery of customer experience with a conversational messaging solution. It provides multiple types of API, the popular one being Whatsapp.

Top Features:

  • Messaging API Conversations

GupShup Vs Twilio:

When compared to Twilio, GupShup provides conversational marketing and API platform for the same which the former doesn’t provide. With Gupshup’s API, there is an option to add personal numbers to the go hand in hand with the users Whatsapp, but with Twilio, this process needs to be rented which causes more expenditure

Pricing: View the complete GupShup pricing list here.

G2 Ratings: 4/5

5. MessageBird

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What is Messagebird?

Another communication solution provider, MessageBird is built to cater to audiences across the globe. Whether it is for sales, marketing, or customer support, this communications API is the got to the iPhonetool.

Top Features:

  • Inbox Flow Builder Video Scheduling Omnichannel Widget

Messagebird Vs Twilio

When compared to providing better customer support, users rate Messagebird a 4.5/5 when compared to Twilio at 4/5 Messagebird provides multiple other features which Twilio doesn’t offer such as calendar management, customizable branding, help desk management, and more

Pricing: SMS- $0.006/message, Voice- $0.015/minute, Whatsapp- $0.005/message

Capterra Ratings: 4.5/5

6. EngageSPARK

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What is EngageSPARK?

EngageSpark provides an easy communication opportunity for businesses to engage with hard-to-reach audiences via SMS and IVR. No coding is required hence it is easy to get started.

Top Features:

  • APIs SMS auto-reply IVR Airtime top-ups

EngageSPARK Vs Twilio

For a beginner to get started with Twilio, it is tedious and difficult but when compared to Engagespark, the latter is much easier because the requirement of coding is nil When compared to the onboarding process of Twilio, Engagespark users can start using the application without the need of any IT teams unlike the case with Twilio

Pricing: Send + Receive SMS Texts- $0.03/SMS, $0.02/SMS, Send + Receive voice calls - $0.06/minute, $0.05/minute, Missed calls- $0.005,

Ratings Nil

7. Pubnub

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What is Pubnub?

Pubnub provides an in-app chat experience to conduct real-time engagement. From building convenient chat ups to customize each chat experience, Pubnub brings convenience and instant growth under one roof.

Top Features:

  • Automates business logic No concurrency restrictions Profanity filtering

Pubnub Vs Twilio

Pubnub is a great Twilio chat alternative as when it comes to the ease of use and value for money decision, the former takes the score with 4.8/5 for both features. With Twilio, the ease of use is 4.2/5 and 4.3/5 Twilio’s chat alternative, Pubnub supports three kinds of mobile applications which Twilio doesn’t offer which are android, iPad and iphone

Pricing: Free trial, Starter- $49/month starting pack, Pro- Contact the sales team for quotations

Capterra Ratings: 4.8/5

8. Quickblox

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What is Quickblox?

Quickblox lets you create your messenger along with a chat and video option by using its chat API and SDK. It is a complete white-label communication solution.

Top Features:

  • Voice and video calling Messenger app Push notifications and more

Quickblox Vs Twilio:

Quickblox is another example of Twilio’s chat alternative. They target an audience who want to create messengers for chat and video calling. Unlike Twilio’s target audience, the API solution is being viewed as a solution used for development platforms Quickblox provides a live chat category which Twilio doesn’t hence the former providing better communication API opportunities for its users

Pricing: Free trial, Startup- $99/month, Growth- $249/month, Hipaa Cloud- $399/month, Enterprise- Starts from $599

Trustpilot Ratings: 4.4/5

9. Getstream io

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What is Getstream io?

Getstream io lets you build in-app chat solutions as well as activity feeds in days. It focuses on providing a hassle-free API solution for businesses to get started with their communication building in a shorter time.

Top Features:

  • Chat messaging Activity Feeds Cloud Components UI Kits

Getstream io Vs Twilio:

Getstream io provides multiple standard advanced features which aren’t offered by Twilio such as webhook, chatbot interfaces, Text messaging reactions, and more Getstream io is another efficient Twilio chat alternative as when it comes to providing enough resources to developers and designers, the former’s contribution is high

Pricing: Contact their sales team for personalized pricing

G2 Ratings: 5/5

10. Wavecell

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What is Wavecell?

Wavecell focuses on helping brands provide exceptional customer experience with the use of any communication tools such as SMS, Chat Apps, Video interactions, and Voice.

Top Features:

  • Mobile Verification Whatsapp Business API 8x8 Converse and more

Wavecell Vs Twilio: Wavecell provides file sharing features that Twilio doesn’t provide While Twilio focuses on providing C language, Wavecell has more on their list apart from C such as Ruby, Java, and more

Pricing: SMS- Euro 0.0314 per outbound SMS( SMS API Free), Chat Apps- Basic subscription $500/month, Video interactions- Contact their sales team, Voice-Contact their sales team

Ratings: Nil

Final Thoughts Twilio has been capturing multiple attention towards its communication API for years now.

But with the competitive market growing at a faster pace, businesses like yours are reasonable in choosing a better solution than the former ones being used.

So, now you have the complete list of Twilio alternatives, which would you invest in first?