46elks

Overview

46elks, from 46elks AB in Sweden, is a communications API for SMS, MMS, voice calls and virtual phone numbers. Developers use a REST API and webhooks to send and receive messages, place and route calls, and stream live calls to AI models.

Key features

• One-way and two-way SMS, with incoming messages and delivery status changes posted to your webhooks
• MMS to send and receive images and long texts, including GPS location markers
• Automated calls, call forwarding controlled by code, programmable IVR and call recording
• Realtime Voice: a WebSocket audio stream of any call for OpenAI, LiveKit, ElevenLabs or your own model
• Virtual phone numbers, Sender ID Protection and a shared SMS inbox web app
• Ready-made prompts for adding SMS to Lovable apps

Pricing

Pay as you go with no monthly minimum. Rates depend on the country: for the United States, the pricing page lists SMS at €0.02 per part, calls at €0.02 a minute and virtual landline numbers at €3 a month.

How it compares to Linq

46elks has no iMessage or RCS, so iPhone users receive plain SMS or MMS. Linq sends iMessage with RCS and SMS fallback from real phone numbers. 46elks places and answers calls and can stream them to an AI model, while Linq's API docs say its API does not place or answer calls. Linq bills a flat fee from $260 a month; 46elks bills per message and per minute.

Best for

Developers who want simple pay-as-you-go SMS, MMS and voice APIs, including AI phone agents, without a monthly commitment.

Sources

• 46elks.com
• 46elks.com/pricing
• 46elks.com/products/realtime-voice
• 46elks.com/docs
• 46elks.com/lovable
• 46elks.com/about-46elks