views:

11657

answers:

13
+13  Q: 

Free SMS API

Anyone know of a free SMS API I can integrate in my web application that will enable my users to send a limited amount of free SMS messages?

+4  A: 

You can send SMSes via e-mail. No need for an API.

ceejayoz
He probably wants a real SMS gateway though.
FlySwat
That's only if you know the provider.
ina
Only a few countries provide SMS-to-email gateways, typically those countries where there are charges for incoming messages.
Colin Pickard
A: 

http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=Free+SMS+gateway&btnG=Google+Search

Returns tons of options.

Perhaps check out these guys: http://www.valuesms.com/index.php/00065da124bda0622b335ad96d3ea79173939ff5

I'd use a SMS Service that works using SOAP or REST for really easy integration.

FlySwat
+1  A: 

I doubt you'll find one for "free", as this is a horrendous gaping hole that spammers will gladly rush through. Horrendous, because the spam-ee gets to pay for getting spammed.

I remember not too long ago that Google had something similar to this, but they shut it down due to abuse.

Will
+11  A: 

Depends on your country.

America is an odd exception, as some (maybe all) of the carriers charge the message reciever. This means that most carriers have an email-to-SMS gateway, and this is probably your best bet. Any free gateway you find is probably only wrapping the carriers email-to-SMS, and you can't be sure they're not recording your phone numbers for resale.

Most other countries, carriers charge only the sender. If you send enough messages, the carriers will only take a small cut, and there a million and 1 middlemen that resell SMS on this basis. Sometimes you might find one who will send SMS for free, trying to make money by inserting adverts on the message or interface, reselling your phone numbers, or by giving a free sample; in my experience these people tend to disappear fast. If you want a real service, expect to pay on a per message basis.

As other commenters have pointed out, anything that does exactly what you want is an open hole for spam.

(there are a couple more questions on this topic here and here)

Colin Pickard
Really? They charge the reciever? And what if someone bombs you with a million SMSes?
Tamás Szelei
@sztomi, yes, in America both sender and receiver get charged. Is horrible, especially since you have no control over receiving message (although you can usually opt-out of the e-mail to SMS gateway, which I've done).
Sam
+4  A: 

You could try to hook up a mobile phone to your server. Text SMS is fairly simple to send if the phone supports the AT+CMGF=1 command.

http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.php/Using_AT_commands_to_send_and_read_SMS

epatel
I can make my own device for just sending sms. But hooking it to my server will be a bit of a pain, my server being on the other end of the globe.
Vasil
+2  A: 

Hello, I have been using Wadja.com SMS API, it enables you to send free SMS to almost anywhere as far as I am concerned. At least it works fine for me;)

+1  A: 

ZeepMobile

A: 

You had better use an SMS gateway software instead. I found this on Google: SMS gateway

+5  A: 

You could also look at Ericsson labs send-and-receive. They have a free SMS API that allows you to send 1000 texts and receive unlimited texts. Well worth a look. I have been using it for a school project.

Twiztidtwig
This service has now been down for a couple of months. I imagine it's not coming back. I suspect they had spam problems, although they claim technical difficulties.
pakeha
A: 

hi..try out the new smsjive.com for sending unlimited sms to any part of the world for absolutely free! you can also make calls to everyone anywhere with this service. and the best part is they don't charge any money. its a free and unlimited service and we can access it through our mobile phones too, provided we can internet facility in our phones.no network congestions,no balance hassles.its really cool..m loving it!

+2  A: 

Here's a big list of e-mail to SMS gateways if you'd like to send your messages via that route:

http://basicstate.com/htm/page.htm

Jon
Only a few countries provide SMS-to-email gateways, typically those countries where there are charges for incoming messages.
Colin Pickard
A: 

hi.. try out the new http://www.freesmsapi.com for sending sms in India for absolutely free!. Moreover they provide us with free API, which can be integrated with our websites or webapps to send free sms. Its really cool.

Mosh
+1  A: 

I'm considering using my Google Voice account with pygooglevoice to send SMS messages. This is still untested for my project, but so far docs appear to support the idea, and the Google Voice account was free. I may just use this to prove my concept, and refactor later with a fee-for-service option -- depending on SMS volume.

luking