TextBee
TextBee: A low-cost, self-hosted SMS API for teams comfortable with Android gateways. Ranked #19 of 32 in SMS APIs by our editors (7.6/10); pricing: Open source; best for budget-conscious teams wanting self-hosting.
At a glance
- Editor score7.6 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forBudget-conscious teams wanting self-hosting
- Paid fromFree
- Two-way SMSYes
- Facts checked24 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free plan includes REST sending, receiving, and webhooks
- Open-source, self-hosted deployment with Android gateway support
- Bulk, scheduled, templated, and multi-device SMS capabilities
Where it doesn't
- Requires an Android phone with an SMS-capable SIM
- Free plan is limited to 50 messages per day and 300 per month
- SMS-focused; MMS, short-code, and toll-free needs are not a fit
Our verdict on TextBee
TextBee turns an Android phone with a SIM card into a programmable SMS endpoint. It is aimed at developers, small businesses, nonprofits, and hobbyists that want to send and receive messages through a REST API or dashboard while retaining the phone’s mobile plan and number. The product supports individual and bulk SMS, inbound message retrieval, scheduled sending, message templates, signed webhooks, and multiple Android devices. Its open-source code and self-hosted option also suit teams that want more control over deployment and messaging infrastructure.
Pricing is straightforward across the published plans. Free costs $0 per month and includes one active device, 50 messages per day, 300 messages per month, send-and-receive SMS, and webhook notifications. Pro costs $9.99 per month and adds up to five active devices, unlimited daily messages, 5,000 messages per month, templates with variables, and priority support. Scale costs $29.99 per month and raises the allowance to 25,000 messages per month with up to 15 active devices. Custom adds tailored message limits, white labeling, custom integrations, an SLA with uptime guarantees, and a dedicated account manager.
The main trade-off is the gateway model: teams must provide an Android phone and SMS-capable SIM, and iOS is not supported. That makes TextBee a practical choice for organizations that already manage Android hardware or prefer self-hosting over a shared messaging number. It connects with n8n, Zapier, Make, MCP, and a JavaScript/TypeScript SDK, giving developers several automation paths. Choose it for programmable SMS, device-based control, and modest-to-medium message volumes; choose another approach when the requirement centers on MMS, short codes, toll-free numbers, or avoiding phone-based infrastructure.
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TextBee pricing
TextBee fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Two-way SMS | Yes |
| Inbound webhooks | Yes |
| MMS support | Not verified |
| Short code support | Not verified |
| Toll-free numbers | Not verified |
| SDK languages | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Mobile, Cloud |
| Platforms | Web, Android |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | textbee.dev |
| Facts checked | 24 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to TextBee
- Twilio Programmable MessagingA mature, developer-focused API for programmable SMS and MMS messaging.9.4
- Bandwidth Messaging APIA broad, API-first messaging stack for enterprise U.S. applications.9.2
- Sinch SMS APIA developer-focused SMS API for two-way messaging, scheduled batches, and delivery reporting.9.1
See all TextBee alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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