This site and comparative table review a range of reputable UK SMS Gateway providers that can ensure a reliable solution to your business messaging needs.
Updated on 12 February 2024
Current is in $$$
When needing to take advantage of your existing CRM or e-commerce platforms to integrate marketing or communication messages into a mobile text messaging capacity, you can easily do that by sending an SMS from your current applications. By using an SMS gateway platform known as API (Application Programming Interface) you can ensure a reliable solution to your business messaging needs will be catered. It’s this software intermediary platform that ensures two different applications can speak to each other.
In computer technology terms, API provides a set of processes and tools that help build application software to make the process seamless from the transferring of your email into a text message method that the recipient’s mobile phone will receive.
There are many different types of web APIs developed by reliable and credible SMS providers with the most common being Representative State Transfer (REST), Simple Object Protocol (SOAP) and Remote Procedure Call (RPC). Don’t be too concerned about the technology as long as you realize these program platforms will make your email transition to SMS easy and effective.
From your perspective, the big advantage is that no software is required to be downloaded or installed. The SMS Gateway provider is totally web-based so no software to crash your computer or the information to be lost or damaged in your computer. All you need is a web browser and internet access.
Some of the valuable features of SMS Gateway APIs cover:
The SMS gateway integration process is very simple and it means less time is required in this total integration process. A text message can be easily sent from your website using the SMS provider’s SMS gateway API and PHP (Hypertext Pre-processor). The SMS gateway provider can make the process either a one-way message or a two-way message or both ways if you wish, it just depends on what you as a business want from this type of communication.
The terms HTML and PHP need to be explained. HTML is the information technology language that is used to explain to a browser how to display text in a browser window. It is not a programming language. HTML will work on your computer. PHP is different because it is a scripting language used to develop web pages written in HTML format.
To send SMS from a PHP script you need to pick a reliable SMS gateway provider that will meet your needs. Once the SMS gateway process is done then the integration of the SMS gateway in the PHP script can be completed by the SMS provider.
In the UK, many thousands of businesses and organisations use API integration as an easy and safe way to improve the way communication can effectively take place. Distributing a large number of text messages at any one time can be done by allowing you to connect from your software or CRM directly into the provider’s SMS gateway using their API platform. By connecting via an API you will know that the text messages you have instructed the SMS provider to distribute using their platform will be followed through as instructed.
After the delivery of the text messages, you can request a receipt of the effectiveness of the distribution. This all takes only a few minutes, thereby saving you time and resources. Another advantage of the API system is that it can create and edit new user credentials.
By engaging a gateway API provider you will see the variety of options available to integrate the mobile messaging service seamlessly into their operations. APIs should provide the client with all aspects of the business whether it is applications, websites, intranets, CRMs or other software. Not only is integration important, but also reporting, accessibility and the ability to customise features or scripting to their APIs.
Take an example within the health sector, using an SMS gateway API, will allow health professionals to:
Reviewing the competitive pricing schedules of some cheap SMS gateway API services, one needs to review the range of features as well as their charges. It’s one thing to look at the cost per SMS and think you are reasonably charged but there are other factors such as delivery time, reliability, confidentiality, uptime guarantee and availability of assistance. All these factors should be taken into consideration.
Taking only the cost factor into account and comparing pricing, it was assessed that two British SMS providers were cheaper namely WholesaleSMS and ClickSend. Both these companies offered the cheapest rate dependent on quantity whether the distribution numbers are low or whether a large volume of text messages need to be sent out. On average it can be seen that both these SMS companies cater well and are around 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than the remainder of other reputable providers.
The graphical representation of cheap SMS gateway API providers shows the range of cost-effectiveness taking into consideration all of the above factors mentioned in this section.
It needs to be emphasised that considering cost is only one factor. You need to see if there is a monthly fee, a setup charge, the type of payment modes required as well as what type of contractual agreement between the business and the SMS provider.
There are so many international SMS gateway providers that it would take pages and pages of listings on this site to present to you. Many of these international SMS providers state that they can launch SMS text messages to over 200 countries using their SMS gateway API platform. They also outline that they can offer SMS text, voice call blasts, surveys, polls, reminders and SMS auto-reply campaigns very promptly. Their telecommunication carriers are said to integrate fully with their platforms. It’s just a matter of setting up a mobile interaction overseas via API from your website, App, and database to the international SMS provider. You need to check to see if international SMS gateway API companies have a monthly charge, minimum fees and upfront costs so you pay for what you use.
Having said all this, if you decide to venture into looking for a reliable international SMS gateway API provider, please make sure the company will offer:
Many of the British SMS Gateway providers offer similar or nearly the same features including API platforms and expertise as the international provider competitors.
The information provided in the SMS Comparison table and associated sites are available to you free of charge. It was developed and published to make your life easier when comparing the range of SMS Gateway providers in the UK.
This came about when the authors realized that people reviewing numerous SMS providers were overwhelmed by the detailed information and terminology used. The authors, who were experts in the SMS field for a long time (but no longer work in that area) felt there was a real need to provide independent advice to you about the features offered by UK SMS gateway providers.
Text messaging service is an ever-changing industry and should the information presented be different from what you reviewed in your search, please let the authors know so that changes can be made. Should you use this facility and then from the author’s analysis in the table and site, and then engage one of the recommended SMS companies, the authors may ask the provider for a commission.
It is hoped that this SMS Comparison table and the associated site will be useful to you and your business.