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A SMS API is well-defined software interface which enables code to send short messages via a SMS Gateway. As the infrastructures for SMS communications and the internet are mostly divided, SMS APIs are often used to 'bridge the gap' between telecommunications carrier networks and the wider web.
A free SMS API allows you to set up an SMS gatewayto send SMS messages directly from a software or application solution. Thus, the integration of SMS sending requests in the heart of your algorithms allows you to automate the sending, receiving and control of SMS messages from your website or your business software.
Clickatell is a popular SMS gateway, which covers 819 networks in over 220 countries.
The API offers a choice of connection options via: HTTP/S, SMPP, SMTP, FTP, XML, SOAP and COM.
To give a few examples, the HTTP method would be as simple as requesting the following URI from your application:
http://api.clickatell.com/http/sendmsg?to=NUMBER&msg=Message+Body+Here
The SMTP method would consist in sending a plain-text email to [email protected], with a body as in the following example:
user: xxxxx
password: xxxxx
api_id: xxxxx
to: NUMBER
text: Message Body Here
The other methods are similarly easy to interface with, in my opinion. You can check out the full details from the Clickatell API Guide.
As for message costs, Clickatell uses a credit based system. 1 credit will generally mean 1 message, but some destinations may charge a bit less (usually 0.8 of a credit) and some may charge more (usually 1.5 or 2). Apparently this depends on the network operators in the particular region. (Source)
1 credit is currently priced at USD 0.03 / EUR 0.022 / GBP 0.02. There is a minimum requirement of 400 credits, so the initial investment can be of just USD 12. (Source)
You may also want to test the gateway for free from your browser: Clickatell: Test SMS Gateway.
We've been using MxTelecom for a few years and are very happy with them.
I've used clickatell (www.clickatell.com) for sending msgs to Europe, US and AsiaPac destinations. Prices are cheap, depending on destination & quantity - there is an online calculator you can use to estimate costs. The API is simple (HTTP REST). They also support two-way, bulk and MMS messaging service, but I have not used these.
I have had trouble getting messages sent to some carriers in Malaysia, but their support team was responsive and this issue was resolved within about 10 days.
I also like the online reporting tools which provides graphs of messages sent / success rates etc over time.
Panacea Mobile offers HTTP, SMPP and SMTP API connectivity. They, too, have global coverage and offer the cheapest rates with such an advanced API. Have a look at this PHP script featured here: bakery.cakephp.org/articles/view/component-to-send-sms-text-messages
You can also view the Panacea Mobile API Guide on the support site - look under the API guides.
You can view their pricing by volume and country on the sms gateway page.
Clickatell is pretty good.
I would suggest looking into OpenMarket for SMS, Premium SMS as well as MMS, they offer several SDK's in a number of languages.
FYI: MX Telecom was purchased by OpenMarket/Amdocs
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