Twilio

Overview

Twilio is a large communications platform (CPaaS). Its Programmable Messaging and Conversations APIs cover SMS, MMS, RCS, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger and in-app chat. Twilio does not offer an iMessage API. It offers Apple Messages for Business as a private beta that you apply to join.

Key features

• SMS and MMS, with reach in 180+ countries
• RCS Business Messaging and the WhatsApp Business API
• Apple Messages for Business private beta, with list and time pickers, Apple Pay, rich links and OAuth sign-in
• Flex for contact centers and Studio for low-code flows
• Voice, SIP trunking, Verify and SendGrid email on the same platform
• 4,800 carrier partners, according to Twilio

Pricing

Pay as you go. Twilio's US page, current as of October 2026, lists:

• SMS on long codes: $0.0083 per segment, outbound or inbound
• MMS: $0.022 outbound and $0.0165 inbound
• RCS rich messages: $0.0083 per segment, outbound or inbound

Carrier fees are extra. US A2P 10DLC traffic has registration fees. Failed messages cost $0.001 each.

How it compares to Linq

Twilio charges per message segment plus carrier fees. Linq charges a flat monthly fee and sends iMessage, which Twilio does not. Twilio covers more channels, including WhatsApp and Messenger, and more countries. Twilio states 99.95%+ monthly API uptime and 167 billion messages sent and received yearly. Linq states 99.95% uptime backed by a contractual SLA.

Best for

Teams that need SMS, RCS and WhatsApp at global scale, or that already run on Twilio.

Sources

• twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels
• twilio.com/en-us/sms/pricing/us
• twilio.com/en-us/messaging/channels/apple-messages-for-business