Best NowSMS Alternatives in 2026
The top NowSMS alternatives are CM.com SMS, Sinch Engage and Textmagic: 15 SMS gateway software our editors would look at instead of NowSMS, in our ranking order.
NowSMS: A broad SMS/MMS gateway for enterprise, operator, and self-hosted messaging workflows. Where it falls short: no free plan is offered.
Switching from NowSMS? For most sms gateway software buyers the best NowSMS alternative is CM.com SMS, built for established businesses needing analytics and integrations. Smstools has a free plan, which NowSMS does not. Telerivet offers the most included user seats (2).
Why People Look for a NowSMS Alternative
- No free plan is offered
- The £370 entry price excludes EU VAT
- Message and connectivity charges may be separate
- No free plan — 5 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallCM.com SMS9.3
Established businesses needing analytics and integrations
Visit CM.com SMS - Best free optionSmstools8.3
Has a free plan (NowSMS has none)
Visit Smstools - Most included user seatsTelerivet7.8
2
Visit Telerivet
All 15 NowSMS Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Sponsored alternatives to NowSMS Sponsored alternative
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Best forEstablished businesses needing analytics and integrations
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 7.6
A mature SMS gateway for two-way messaging, analytics, APIs, and business integrations.
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
- Delivery reports
9.3/10★★★★★Visit CM.com -
Best forMarketing teams using multichannel campaigns
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 7.6
A broad engagement platform for marketing teams, with higher entry pricing than basic gateways.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Sinch Engage -
Best forPermission-based marketing and conversational SMS
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 7.6
A messaging platform for permission-based SMS operations beyond basic gateway connectivity.
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit Textmagic -
Best forBusinesses wanting broad SMS integrations
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.6
A flexible SMS gateway for bulk, transactional, marketing, and authentication messaging.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
8.6/10★★★★☆Visit SMSAPI -
Best forCost-conscious API and bulk SMS users
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.6
A prepaid SMS gateway with two-way messaging, reporting, routing, and commerce integrations.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit SMSLink -
Best forSmall businesses needing contacts and desktop SMS
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.6
A practical SMS gateway for small businesses that need contacts, desktop apps and automation.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit BulkSMS.com -
Best forDevelopers wanting a freemium API platform
- Better than NowSMS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 8.3 vs 7.6
A flexible SMS API platform with strong automation and two-way messaging tools.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Smstools -
Best forDevelopers needing simple pay-per-message SMS
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.2 vs 7.6
A straightforward pay-per-message SMS gateway with APIs, campaigns, and delivery analytics.
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Bird SMS -
Best forTeams combining SMS with voice and email
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.1 vs 7.6
A paid web and API platform for teams coordinating SMS with voice and email.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit Esendex -
Best forMature API messaging with number provisioning
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 8.0 vs 7.6
A mature SMS API with two-way messaging, provisioning, callbacks, and enterprise integrations.
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Clickatell -
Best forBulk SMS teams needing credits and inbound tools
- Better than NowSMS:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 7.6
A prepaid SMS gateway for bulk campaigns, inbound messaging and developer integrations.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SMSBOX -
Best forTeams wanting free entry and workflow automation
- Better than NowSMS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.8 vs 7.6
A flexible SMS gateway with free entry, automation, routing, and broad API coverage.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Telerivet -
Best forSelf-hosted teams needing enterprise administration
- Better than NowSMS:
- Free plan
- Editor score 7.7 vs 7.6
A self-hosted SMS console with routing, APIs, delivery records and enterprise administration.
- Contact management
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit OpenVox -
Best forFree open-source gateway administration
- Better than NowSMS:
- Free plan
A free, self-hosted SMS management layer for teams comfortable operating gateway infrastructure.
- Inbound SMS
- Two-way messaging
- Delivery reports
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit playSMS -
Best forOpen-source routing and carrier-grade deployments
- Better than NowSMS:
- Free plan
A configurable SMS gateway for teams that need routing control and self-hosted deployment.
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Jasmin
NowSMS Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to NowSMS?
CM.com SMS: #1 in our SMS Gateway Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.3 out of 10. A mature SMS gateway for two-way messaging, analytics, APIs, and business integrations.
Is there a free alternative to NowSMS?
Yes. Smstools, Telerivet, OpenVox SMS Gateway, playSMS and Jasmin SMS Gateway have a free plan or a free tier.
Why do people look for NowSMS alternatives?
No free plan is offered; The £370 entry price excludes EU VAT; Message and connectivity charges may be separate.
Which NowSMS alternative has the most included user seats?
Telerivet, with 2.
How do I switch from NowSMS?
Export your data from NowSMS (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NowSMS.
How to Switch from NowSMS
- Export your data from NowSMS (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel NowSMS.
NowSMS vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Two-way messaging | Delivery reports | Inbound SMS | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | NowSMS | No | £370/device one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 1 | CM.com SMS | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 2 | Sinch Engage | No | 9.1 | ||||
| 3 | Textmagic | No | $0.05/unit usage-based | 8.8 | |||
| 4 | SMSAPI | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.6 | |
| 5 | SMSLink | No | €4.90 one-time | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 6 | BulkSMS.com | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 7 | Smstools | Yes | $0.03/unit usage-based | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 |
| 8 | Bird SMS | $0.0035 usage-based | 8.2 | ||||
| 9 | Esendex | 8.1 | |||||
| 10 | Clickatell SMS API | 8.0 | |||||
| 11 | SMSBOX | No | €25/device/mo | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 12 | Telerivet | Yes | $490/yr | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 13 | OpenVox SMS Gateway | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | |
| 14 | playSMS | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 15 | Jasmin SMS Gateway | Yes | Free | 7.4 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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