Clickatell

Overview

Clickatell is a chat commerce and messaging company that says it created the first SMS API 20 years ago. Its platform comes in three packages: Connect (outbound messaging at scale), Interact (two-way conversations) and Transact (payments in chat), across SMS, WhatsApp, USSD in some regions and Apple Messages for Business.

Key features

• Global SMS with long numbers, short codes and 10DLC, plus read and delivery receipts
• WhatsApp Business with templates, interactive buttons and product catalogs
• Apple Messages for Business on Interact and Transact, with list and time pickers, forms, quick replies, iMessage apps, tapbacks and typing indicators
• Chat Desk for live agents and Chat Flow for automated journeys; Apple requires both
• Chat 2 Pay for payments inside conversations
• Webhook callbacks with custom security headers

Pricing

SMS is priced per country, with an online calculator. Packages are sold through sales, and Connect offers a free trial.

How it compares to Linq

Clickatell offers Apple Messages for Business, not iMessage from a phone number: customers message a verified brand in Apple's Messages app, and SMS or WhatsApp covers other phones. Linq sends iMessage, RCS and SMS from real phone numbers through one API for a flat fee from $260 a month with no per-message fees; Clickatell bills SMS per message. Both take payments in chat: Clickatell through Chat 2 Pay, Linq through Apple Pay requests on its Pro plan.

Best for

Enterprises that want SMS, WhatsApp and Apple Messages journeys with live agents, bots and payments.

Sources

• clickatell.com
• clickatell.com/products/sms-platform
• clickatell.com/pricing-and-coverage/message-pricing
• clickatell.com/packages
• help.clickatell.com/llms.txt
• help.clickatell.com/platform-capabilities/messaging-channels.md
• help.clickatell.com/platform-capabilities/messaging-channels/apple-messages-for-business.md