httpSMS Alternative With a Full Inbox and No Monthly Cap
httpSMS and Android Texter both send texts through your own Android phone and number, controlled by an API. httpSMS is open source, can be self-hosted and offers end-to-end encryption, with monthly message caps on each plan. Android Texter costs the same $10 a month but has no message cap from us, and adds a two-way web inbox with folders, contacts, broadcasts up to 500, an official Zapier app and an MCP server for AI assistants.
Android Texter vs httpSMS
| Android Texter | httpSMS | |
|---|---|---|
| How texts are sent | Your Android phone's SIM, your number | Your Android phone's SIM, your number |
| Price | Free 100 texts a day; Pro $10/month per phone, no message cap from us | Free 200 a month; Pro $10/month for 5,000; $20/month for 10,000 (sent and received combined) |
| Web inbox | Conversations with folders, archive and spam, contacts, leads pipeline, auto-reply | Message threads, contacts, bulk messages |
| Bulk sending | Broadcasts up to 500 with per-contact personalization | CSV or Excel upload, up to 1,000 recipients |
| Integrations | Official Zapier app, webhooks, Python and Node SDKs, MCP server | Zapier guide, webhooks, SDKs in six languages |
| Encryption | Signed media links, sealed media files, encrypted backups | End-to-end encryption (AES-256) |
| Open source and self-hosting | SDKs and MCP server are open source; the service is hosted | Open source (AGPL-3.0), Docker self-hosting |
When httpSMS is the better choice
- You need end-to-end encrypted message content
- You want to self-host the gateway
- You send under 200 texts a month and want it free
When Android Texter fits better
- You send more than 5,000 texts a month and want one flat price
- Your team answers customers from a web inbox with folders, contacts and a leads pipeline
- You want auto-replies, forwarding to Telegram, or an MCP server for Claude and Cursor
Switching from httpSMS
- Install Android Texter on the same phone and pair it from the dashboard
- Swap the API base URL and key in your code, or use the Python or Node SDK
- Point your received-message webhooks at your endpoint from the Webhooks page
Questions
Is it the same price as httpSMS Pro?
Yes, $10 a month per phone. The difference is the cap: httpSMS Pro covers 5,000 sent and received messages a month; Android Texter Pro has no message cap from us.
Does Android Texter encrypt messages end to end?
No. Pictures are served through signed links and stored sealed, and backups are encrypted, but message text is readable by the service so the web inbox can show it. If you need end-to-end encryption, httpSMS offers it.
Try it on your own phone
Free for 100 texts a day on one phone; Pro is $10/month per phone with no message cap from us.
Get started free