SMS API Pricing
Simple, transparent, pay-as-you-go SMS gateway pricing. No setup fees, no monthly commitments. Get started for free and then pay only for what you send.
SMS Service Pricing per Country
| Country | Local price / SMS | International price / SMS |
|---|---|---|
United States | $0.0229 | $0.0229 |
United Kingdom | $0.0495 | $0.0495 |
Germany | $0.0825 | $0.0825 |
France | $0.0742 | $0.0742 |
Italy | $0.0616 | $0.0616 |
Spain | $0.0495 | $0.0495 |
Brazil | $0.0246 | $0.0246 |
Australia | $0.0456 | $0.0456 |
Bahrain | $0.0335 | $0.0335 |
United Arab Emirates | $0.0202 | $0.0847 |
Morocco | $0.0428 | $0.16 |
South Africa | $0.0167 | $0.1026 |
Thailand | $0.0177 | $0.0177 |
Japan | $0.0333 | $0.077 |
South Korea | $0.0203 | $0.0203 |
What Affects SMS Pricingby Country
SMS pricing varies by country due to differences in carrier fees, telecom regulations, sender registration requirements, and local messaging infrastructure. Costs are also influenced by route quality, with premium carrier-approved routes generally offering better deliverability and reliability than lower-cost alternatives. Click here to learn more about what shapes SMS pricing.
SMS Service PricingSummary
SMS API and Gateway Pricing With Dexatel
Transparent Pricing
Pay only for the messages you send with a straightforward, usage-based pricing model and no hidden fees.
Pay-As-You-Go Flexibility
Scale messaging activity up or down without long-term contracts or fixed subscription commitments.
Predictable Costs
Estimate SMS expenses more accurately based on destination country, message volume, sender type, and routing requirements.
Volume-Based Discounts
Benefit from discounted rates as your messaging traffic and campaign volume increase.
How SMS Gateway Pricing Works
SMS gateway pricing is usually based on a per-message rate, but the final cost varies depending on the destination country, carrier fees, and delivery route. Different countries have unique pricing structures due to telecom regulations, carrier agreements, and local messaging costs. Mobile operators may also apply additional surcharges for business messaging, including marketing, authentication, and transactional traffic.
Phone Number Pricing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
Random short codes | $1,000 per month |
Vanity short codes | $2,000 per month |
Long code brand registration | $4 (one-time) |
Long code campaign registration | $10 per month |
Toll-free number setup | $2 (one-time) |
Toll-free number fee | $2 per month |
SMS API PricingComparison
SMS API pricing differs from one provider to another. Most SMS API providers offer pay-as-you-go pricing, while others use tiered SMS API pricing. Another approach is bundled pricing, where SMS credits are packaged into monthly plans. The table below compares the different pricing models in detail.
| Pricing model | How it works | Best for | Key advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
Pay-as-you-go | You pay only for the messages you send, with no fixed monthly commitment. | Businesses with fluctuating traffic, seasonal campaigns, or unpredictable OTP volume. | Maximum flexibility and easy scaling without long-term commitments. |
Tiered pricing | Message costs decrease as your monthly messaging volume increases across predefined usage tiers. | Businesses with stable or growing SMS traffic volumes. | Lower per-message pricing at higher volumes. |
Bundled pricing | Messaging volume, support, analytics, verification tools, or multiple channels are combined into one package. | Enterprises managing large-scale or multi-channel communication operations. | Simplified budgeting and centralized platform management. |
Dexatel's SMS Pricing Structure
Pay-as-You-Go
Only pay for messages you actually send.
No Hidden Fees
No setup costs, monthly fees, or surprise charges.
Save as You Scale
Higher volumes unlock discounted rates/
Global Transparency
Clear pricing by country of destination
Flexible Payment Options
Pay via bank transfer (preferred for enterprise customers), PayPal for quick and secure online payments, or credit card—we accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express.
Bank Transfer
Paypal
Credit Card
Why Choose Dexatel for SMS
Global Reach and Reliability
Built-in Security and Compliance
Flexible Payment Options
What You Get
Complete Platform Access
REST and SMPP API with documentation, a web application for campaigns, contact management, and analytics, and webhooks for delivery receipts and error handling.
Team Collaboration
Subaccounts to add team members with role-based permissions and a unified dashboard to monitor all accounts from your main console.
Advanced Features
Two-way messaging via API and dashboard, scheduling and campaign automation, Contact segmentation, and URL shortening with click tracking.
Access comprehensive API guides for SMS and omnichannel texting. We also offer code examples in multiple programming languages and a public API status page for real-time monitoring.
Integrations and Webhooks
Take advantage of real-time webhooks for delivery status and inbound messages, CRM integrations with Pipedrive, Customer.io, and Zapier, and customized integrations via our flexible API.
Trusted by Industry Leaders
Got Questions? We've Got Answers
How does SMS gateway pricing work?
Dexatel uses a pay‑as‑you‑go model, meaning you pay only for SMS messages you send, with no setup fees, sign‑up fees, or subscription commitments.
Are there any hidden costs?
There are no hidden fees. You only pay for the SMS service and phone number usage (short codes or toll‑free numbers).
Are volume discounts available?
Yes. Dexatel’s pricing is designed to become more cost-effective at higher volume, and committed usage may qualify for loyalty discounts—just reach out to support.
Is SMS API pricing different for short codes, toll-free, or 10DLC numbers?
Yes. While the SMS cost per message is standard, using short codes, toll‑free numbers, or 10-digit long codes may incur setup or usage fees on top of messaging costs.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. A free version is available with no credit card required at sign-up, allowing you to explore Dexatel’s features and pricing before committing to a paid plan.
Can I cancel anytime?
Absolutely. Since Dexatel operates on a pay‑as‑you‑go basis, there’s no subscription or contract. You can cancel your account or remove payment details at any time.
Do unused SMS credits get refunded?
Generally, no. Unused credits are not refunded. Refunds are only considered in special cases and must be requested through support with relevant details.
Does the SMS API cost more than the platform?
No. The cost for sending or receiving SMS is the same whether you use the web-based platform, the SMS API, or a gateway.
How does VAT impact SMS service pricing?
VAT depends on your company’s location and whether you have a valid VAT number. For example, EU customers with a VAT-registered company can avoid VAT by entering their VAT number into their Dexatel account.
What is the cheapest SMS gateway price?
The cheapest SMS gateway price depends on the destination country, carrier fees, routing quality, and message type. Some providers offer extremely low rates through unofficial or low-quality routes, but businesses sending OTPs, alerts, or transactional traffic usually prioritize delivery reliability and compliance alongside pricing. Final costs also vary based on monthly message volume and sender registration requirements.
How does SMS API pricing compare to traditional SMS gateways?
Modern SMS APIs typically offer more flexible pricing, automation tools, analytics, and integration capabilities than traditional SMS gateways. While pricing structures may look similar on a per-message basis, SMS APIs often include features like webhooks, delivery tracking, authentication support, intelligent routing, and multi-channel expansion. Traditional gateways may focus primarily on basic message delivery without the same level of developer tooling or automation infrastructure.
How much does bulk SMS cost per message?
Bulk SMS pricing varies by country, carrier, route quality, and monthly sending volume. In many markets, businesses sending high message volumes can access lower per-message pricing through volume-based agreements or optimized routing. Authentication traffic, marketing campaigns, and international delivery may also have different pricing structures depending on local telecom regulations and carrier policies.
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