Bandwidth Messaging API vs Vonage SMS API
Bandwidth Messaging API
bandwidth.comVonage SMS API
vonage.comSide by side
| Figure | Bandwidth Messaging API | Vonage SMS API |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | — |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 1 |
| Spec score · SMS API services | 8.9 (#2) | 8.5 (#11) |
| Spec score · SMS APIs | 8.9 (#2) | 7.7 (#27) |
| Compliance | Bandwidth lists SOC 2 Type II compliance and says it meets HIPAA security requirements for eligible services. | Vonage lists ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA Attestation of Compliance, and CSA Star for its Core API (SMS/Voice) services. |
| Founded | 1999 | 2001 |
| Global reach | The product page says its messaging options reach 120+ countries. | Vonage says its SMS developer tools reach 6 billion people in practically every country. |
| Headquarters | Raleigh, North Carolina, United States | Holmdel, New Jersey, United States |
| Inbound webhooks | Yes | Yes |
| MMS support | Yes | No |
| SDK languages | Node.js,Python,Java,C#,PHP,Ruby | Node.js,Python,Java,Kotlin,Ruby,PHP,.NET |
| Security | Bandwidth says data is encrypted in transit and at rest using protocols including TLS, SIPS, and SRTP. | Vonage's SMS API documentation describes signing outgoing messages and verifying signatures on incoming messages to check origin and detect tampering or replay. |
| Short code support | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Messaging customers receive Signature support and can opt for Premium support packages with on-call, ongoing assistance. | Vonage's signing guide says customers can contact support to enable signatures on incoming SMS messages and delivery receipts. |
| Toll-free numbers | Yes | Yes |
| Two-way SMS | Yes | Yes |
| What it does | The Messaging API sends SMS and MMS messages over HTTP. | The SMS API lets applications send SMS and look up messages sent from an account or to its virtual numbers. |
Plans
Bandwidth Messaging API
- U.S. 10DLC SMS outboundFree
- U.S. Short code SMS outbound$0.01, paid once
- U.S. Toll-free SMS outbound$0.01, paid once
- U.S. 10DLC MMS outbound$0.02, paid once
- U.S. Short code MMS outbound$0.02, paid once
- U.S. Toll-free MMS outbound$0.02, paid once
In their own words
Bandwidth Messaging API
Bandwidth Messaging API sends SMS and MMS over HTTP, with two-way messaging, inbound webhooks, and options including 10DLC, short code, toll-free, alphanumeric, and global mobile number texting. The product page lists reach in 120+ countries. Traffic monitoring can show unregistered traffic and messages blocked by carriers or Bandwidth, with alerts by email or webhook. Registration Center can autofill customer and campaign data for Short Code and 10DLC; RCS is described as coming soon. Developer guides cover ServiceNow, Zendesk, and Salesforce integrations. New accounts have a default outbound testing limit of 1 message per second, while A2P traffic can go up to the account limit. If a webhook does not receive an HTTP 2xx response, delivery is retried multiple times over 24 hours and then stops. Bandwidth says it does not store message text and retains metadata for queries after successful webhook delivery. Pricing is on request, with a free trial but no free plan. Listed U.S. outbound rates include free for 10DLC SMS, $0.01, paid once for short code or toll-free SMS, and $0.02, paid once for listed MMS routes.
Vonage SMS API
Vonage SMS API lets applications send SMS and look up messages sent from an account or to its virtual numbers. It supports two-way messaging, inbound webhooks, short codes, and toll-free numbers, but not MMS. Pricing is usage-based and varies by country and number type; pricing is on request. There is no free plan, though Vonage offers a free trial and invites developers to start with free credit without a credit card. SDKs are listed for Node.js, Python, Java, Kotlin, Ruby, PHP, and .NET, alongside CLI tools and developer resources. Use cases include appointment and delivery notifications, customer engagement, and private communication between users. Adaptive Routing can reroute messages to optimize delivery. The API documentation describes signing outgoing messages and verifying incoming signatures to check their origin and detect tampering or replay. Vonage says its SMS developer tools reach 6 billion people in practically every country. Customers sending SMS in the USA using 10-digit geographic numbers need to follow 10DLC guidelines. Vonage was founded in 2001 and is headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey.