NowSMS vs playSMS

NowSMS is a content delivery server for SMS and MMS that can serve as a message hub, operator MMSC, SMPP proxy, email gateway, and two-way application interface. It connects to SMS services through SMPP, HTTP, UCP/EMI, CIMD2, GSM modems, or Android phones, and supports MMS protocols MM1, MM3, MM4, MM7, and EAIF. Messages can be routed among SMS connections by destination patterns for least-cost routing. Applications can connect through HTTP, SMPP, SMTP, or MM7; sample APIs are available for PHP, Java, and command-line use. Its MMSC supports OMA MMS versions 1.0–1.3 and 3GPP MMS versions 5.3.0–6.13.0, with content adaptation and conversion. NowSMS is listed for Android, Linux, macOS, Windows, web, API, and self-hosted use. The Modem Edition costs £370, paid once, and server software has a free 30-day trial. Sending messages requires an SMS provider connection, GSM modem, or Android phone. Documentation, a PDF manual, and a discussion forum with free support for trial users are available.

playSMS is free, open-source SMS management software with a web interface for gateways and bulk SMS services. It sends individual or bulk text, flash, and Unicode messages, and receives private SMS that can be forwarded to email or mobile phones or routed to users and URLs. Built-in tools include automatic replies, polls, quizzes, subscriptions, SMS-to-email, and email-to-SMS through mailbox polling. It connects with Gammu, Kannel, SMS Server Tools, Jasmin, Playnet, Uplink, and several SMS providers. Web services support sending, delivery reports, credit checks, and other operations. Plugins can add features, themes, tools, and gateway modules. Routing can use prefixes or users, with destination-based rating and per-user credits. The project reports one user tested 200,000 SMS per day. playSMS itself cannot send or receive messages without a separate gateway application or service. It is available for Android, Linux, self-hosting, web, and API use under GPLv3 or later, without warranty.