Updated July 4, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Twilio 2026: Benefits, Features & Pricing
Written by Bruno Peláez
Senior Content Analyst
Edited by Lindsay Page
Editor
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- Our Summary
- Pricing and Plans
- Features
- Integrations
- Key Sentiments
- User Reviews
- Frequently Asked Questions
Our Summary
Pros:
- Integration
- Mass messaging
Cons:
- Pricing
- Customer support response time
Pricing
Starting at $15.00 per month
What is Twilio:
Twilio is a cloud-based customer engagement platform that allows companies to send and receive messages, phone calls, and other communications using APIs. Twilio’s tools allow businesses to connect with customers via SMS, voice calls, video calls, email, and chat, all through custom-built workflows.
Why we like Twilio:
On Software Advice’s Best SMS Marketing Software of 2025, Twilio received the highest rating for best value for money. Reviewers recognize the platform for its SMS and email automation tools and consider it developer-friendly with easy integration to common platforms and programming languages.
Who should use Twilio:
Twilio is a good pick for companies seeking an engagement tool for marketing or customer service. The platform offers a wide range of functionality at a low price point, making it valuable for smaller budgets. Around 60% of reviewers on our site indicate they work for companies with between two to 50 employees.
Twilio Screenshots

Twilio Overview
Twilio is a cloud communications platform that enables businesses to build, scale and operate their own customized communication solutions. The platform is designed to be customizable and easy to use, which means that businesses can tailor it to their specific needs.
Whether it's adding new communication channels, creating custom workflows or integrating with third-party tools, Twilio makes it easy for businesses to create a communication solution that works for them. Additionally, the platform offers a serverless environment and visual builder, making it easy for busines...
ses to build, deploy and run applications.Twilio Pricing and Plans
SMS
$0.01
Plan includes:
- Long Codes
- Toll-Free
- Short Codes
Twilio SendGrid Marketing Campaigns
$15.00
Plan includes:
- SMTP and API
- Interactive API Docs
- Setup Guide
- Comprehensive Client Libraries
- Knowledge Center
- Technical Support
WhatsApp Business API
$0.01
Plan includes:
- Utility Conversion
- Authentication Conversation
- Marketing Conversation
- Service Conversation
Voice APIs
$0.01
Plan includes:
- Local Calls
- Toll-Free Calls
- Browser/App Calling
- SIP Interface
- Secure Media
- Application Connect
Twilio SendGrid Email API
$19.95
Plan includes:
- 1 Teammate Permission
- APIs SMTP Relay
- 2 Event Webhooks
- Delivery Optimization
- Dynamic Template Editor
- Insightful Analytics
- Guaranteed Response Times on Ticket & Chat Support
- Deliverability Insights
Lookup
$0.01
Plan includes:
- Formatting and Validation
- Inbound Caller Identifaction
- Identity Match
- Reassigned Number Risk
- Phone Number Routing
- Phone Number Risk Assessment
- SMS Swap and Call Forwarding

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Our Analysis of Twilio's Pricing Plans
Here's a detailed pricing plan analysis for Twilio, based on the latest information from their official pricing page. Twilio offers a modular, pay-as-you-go pricing model across a wide range of communication APIs and services. This analysis breaks down the most prominent offerings to help you determine which services align best with your technical and business needs.
Programmable Messaging (SMS, MMS, WhatsApp)
Twilio’s messaging APIs a...
llow you to send and receive SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp messages globally. **Key pricing:** - __SMS:__ Starts at $0.0083 per message segment (sent or received) - __MMS:__ Pricing varies by country and media size - __WhatsApp:__ Starts at $0.005 per message; conversation-based pricing applies **Pros:** - **Global reach:** Supports messaging in over 180 countries. - **Omnichannel support:** Easily integrate SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp through a unified API. - **Scalable:** Volume discounts available as usage increases. - **Programmable messaging API:** Enables automation and personalization at scale. **Cons:** - **Carrier fees:** Additional passthrough fees may apply depending on the destination. - **Complex pricing structure:** Varies by region, message type, and use case. - **No bundled plans:** All usage is billed individually, which may be harder to predict for budgeting. **Programmable Voice** Twilio’s Voice API enables developers to make, receive, and control voice calls programmatically. **Key pricing:** - **Outbound calls:** From $0.014/minute - **Inbound calls:** From $0.0085/minute **Pros:** - __Call control:__ Full programmability for call routing, recording, and transcription. - __Global coverage:__ Make and receive calls in most countries. - __SIP trunking and WebRTC support:__ Flexible integration options for VoIP systems. __Cons:__ - __Per-minute billing:__ Costs can accumulate quickly with high call volumes. - __Advanced features (e.g., transcription):__ May incur additional charges. __Twilio SendGrid Email API__ A robust platform for transactional and marketing email delivery. __Key pricing:__ - __Free tier:__ 100 emails/day - __Essentials plan:__ Starts at $19.95/month for up to 50,000 emails/month - __Pro plan:__ Starts at $89.95/month with dedicated IP and subuser management __Pros:__ - __High deliverability:__ Trusted infrastructure for reliable email delivery. - __API and SMTP support:__ Easy integration with applications. - __Analytics and templates:__ Built-in tools for performance tracking and design. __Cons:__ - __Limited free tier:__ Only suitable for very low-volume use. - __Advanced features gated:__ Dedicated IPs and subuser management only in higher tiers. __Twilio Flex (Cloud Contact Center)__ A fully programmable contact center platform. __Key pricing:__ - $1 per active user hour, or - $150 per named user/month - 5,000 free hours to start __Pros:__ - __Highly customizable:__ Tailor workflows, UI, and integrations. - __Omnichannel support:__ Voice, chat, SMS, WhatsApp, and more. - __Real-time analytics:__ Built-in dashboards and reporting. __Cons:__ - __Developer-heavy setup:__ Requires technical expertise to customize. - __Pricing model:__ May be unpredictable with fluctuating usage. __Twilio Segment (customer data platform)__ A CDP for collecting, unifying, and activating customer data. __Key pricing:__ __Team plan:__ Starts at $120/month for up to 10,000 visitors/month __Pros:__ - __Unified customer profiles:__ Centralizes data from multiple sources. - __Real-time data pipelines:__ Enables fast, actionable insights. - __Integrations:__ Connects with hundreds of tools and platforms. __Cons:__ - __Entry-level pricing:__ May be high for small startups. - __Learning curve:__ Requires time to fully leverage its capabilities. __Conclusion__ Twilio’s pricing model is designed for flexibility and scalability, making it a strong choice for developers and businesses building communication solutions. For startups and developers: The free tiers and pay-as-you-go structure offer a low barrier to entry. __For growing businesses:__ Services such as SendGrid and Programmable Messaging scale well with usage, offering robust APIs and global reach. __For enterprises:__ Twilio Flex and Segment provide powerful, customizable platforms for customer engagement and data management, though they require more investment and technical resources. Choosing the right Twilio services depends on your communication needs, technical capacity, and growth trajectory.Twilio Features
Drawn from insights across 500 verified reviews, we've outlined Twilio's best and worst rated features and how they stack up against the average rating.
Twilio's Best Rated Features
Call Conferencing
4.83 category average
Call Logging
4.09 category average
Call Monitoring
3.98 category average
Twilio's Worst Rated Features
Third-Party Integrations
3.99 category average
VoIP Connection
4.15 category average
Contact Management
4.23 category average
- Popular features found in SMS Marketing2-Way MessagingCampaign PlanningCampaign SchedulingCommunication ManagementContact ManagementEngagement TrackingMessage PersonalizationMobile CouponsReporting/AnalyticsScheduled MessagingShortcodes
- More features of TwilioAccess Controls/PermissionsAlerts/EscalationAlerts/NotificationsAPIArchiving & RetentionAudio/Video ConferencingAutomated AttendantAutomated ResponsesAutomated RoutingAutomatic Call DistributionAutomatic Outbound DialerBlended Call CenterCall Center ManagementCall ConferencingCall LoggingCall MonitoringCall RecordingCall RoutingCall ScriptingCall TaggingCall Tracking MetricsCampaign ManagementChat/MessagingCollaboration ToolsCompliance ManagementComputer Telephony IntegrationCRMData ManagementEvent Triggered ActionsFax ManagementInbound Call CenterIVRLive ChatManual DialerMass TextingMulti-Channel CommunicationMultiple ScriptsOn-Demand RecordingOnline Voice TransmissionOutbound Call CenterPBXPerformance ManagementPhone Key InputPolls/VotingPurchasing & ReceivingQueue ManagementReal-Time ChatRecordingRemindersReporting & StatisticsROI TrackingScheduled RecordingSIP TrunkingSMS MessagingStatus TrackingText to SpeechText-to-WinThird-Party IntegrationsUnified CommunicationsVideo ConferencingVoice CustomizationVoice MailVoicemail TranscriptionVoIP ConnectionWorkflow Management
Twilio Integrations
Based on 500 verified reviews, we've identified products most frequently integrated with Twilio.
See all 72 integrations
Twilio Key Sentiments
We analyzed 500 verified reviews for Twilio to find out what actual users really think.
Most Positive Sentiments
APIs
Users recognize Twilio's API functionality for its reliability and enterprise-grade features, which accelerate development timelines. They find the API integration smooth and easy, allowing for seamless incorporation into web or mobile applications. Additionally, users appreciate the user-friendly nature of Twilio's APIs, which simplifies the setup process and enhances overall usability.
Integration ease
Users appreciate how seamlessly Twilio integrates with their systems, making it easy to incorporate into existing workflows. They find the setup process straightforward and benefit from the support provided by Twilio's team during integration. Additionally, users highlight the ease of integrating Twilio with other platforms, which enhances its utility and flexibility.
SMS messaging
Users find Twilio to be a reliable platform for SMS messaging, making it an essential tool for many businesses. They appreciate its functionality for sending text message notifications, which enhances communication with customers and improves marketing efficiency. Additionally, users value Twilio's telephony functionality, which supports various uses such as community surveys and customer inquiries.
Least Positive Sentiments
Phone integration
Users appreciate Twilio's ability to integrate with other web applications and quickly acquire phone numbers, which enhances their communication capabilities. They find the pricing for phone number acquisition reasonable and the setup process relatively easy for non-coders. However, some users face challenges with phone support and phone number assignment, as well as issues with phone number blocking by multiple phone companies.
Setup complexity
Users find Twilio's setup process straightforward, with helpful documentation and tutorials available. They appreciate the ease of installation and configuration once they understand the platform's layout. However, some users find the initial setup complex and requiring technical knowledge, with tutorials not always being beginner-friendly.
Twilio User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.4
Ratings Breakdown
5
61%
4
27%
3
5%
2
2%
1
4%
Secondary Ratings
Ease of Use
4.1
Value for money
4.2
Customer support
4.0
Functionality
4.5

Matthew K.
Verified reviewer
Religious Institutions
51-200 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed September 2025
Works great for our needs!
5
Overall it has been a very good experience. We use this with our CHMS system to text the congregation. It works well, and is relatively inexpensive.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Twilio
Quick and easy to implement with built-in integration.
Read More
William S.
Verified reviewer
Marketing and Advertising
2-10 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed July 2025
Best low cost call tracking with unlimited customisation
5
Twilio operates on the backend of Dialhawk which is a call tracking software I use in my marketing agency. Without Twilio I wouldn't have the tech to run my business as effectively.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Twilio
twilio is far cheaper at scale compared to anything I could find
Reasons for switching to Twilio
twilio is far cheaper at scale than call rail
Read More
Darryl F.
Verified reviewer
Computer Software
2-10 employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed April 2019
Fantastic platform with easy SDKs
5
Ratings Breakdown
Read More
Justin B.
Verified reviewer
Real Estate
2-10 employees
Used weekly for less than 6 months
Review sourceReviewed April 2025
Unnecessarily Complicated Verification Process for Simple Use Case
1
I attempted to set up a simple Twilio phone system for a family cabin gate entry solution. After successfully creating the flow and purchasing a number, I was met with an endless loop of verification requests from their support team. Despite providing complete information about my LLC, my role, and intended use case in my FIRST response, I received identical verification requests from THREE different support representatives [sensitive content hidden], each asking for the exact same information I had already provided multiple times. The phone number I purchased has been unusable (returning busy signals when called) while this verification process drags on. When I attempt to test my configured flow, it doesn't work, likely because the account verification is pending. For a company that promotes itself as developer-friendly with seamless integration, the customer support experience has been anything but smooth. Simple implementation has turned into days of frustration and repeated emails. If you need a quick communications solution, I strongly recommend looking elsewhere.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Twilio
Name Recognition and use case scenarios.
Read More
Mario T.
Verified reviewer
Capital Markets
2-10 employees
Used daily for less than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed October 2025
Bad experience.
1
Bad experience, after many years: I got hacked by them. They are charging me for services I never used and previously blocked, such as long-distance and regular calls. I even had a spending limit that was exceeded by $710, and they will not refund or waive the charges.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Twilio
The only option I thought, but there are more now.
Read More
Nallely R.
Verified reviewer
Food & Beverages
10000+ employees
Used daily for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed April 2025
Flexible and robust SMS solution
4
I have been working and using Twilio since 2021 and they are very competitive vendors with strong commitment and flexible solutions. My requirements were out of standard and we became one of the biggest and most important Customers. We were always supported with honesty and reliability.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for choosing Twilio
Flexibility for invoicing and account management
Read More
Computer Software
11-50 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed June 2025
Great platform if you're have a talented technical team
5
Great tools, and clear docs but their business isn't for everyone. You need to be quite technical and know what you're doing. Otherwise you will be taken advantage of.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for switching to Twilio
Twilio has a stronger API and better custom options for building more sophisticated omnichannel campaigns.
Read More
Information Technology and Services
11-50 employees
Used daily for less than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed December 2024
Twilio - Seamless Communication for Developers and Business
5
Very good choice for developers, start-ups and enterprises looking for robust cloud communication services.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for switching to Twilio
Wide range of communication channels that twilio provides.
Read More
Diana B.
Verified reviewer
Computer Software
2-10 employees
Used weekly for more than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed January 2025
Best overall omnichannel messaging app
4
The application is hands down the best, but their sales team is a bit pushy. The customer service is fairly good.
Ratings Breakdown
Reasons for switching to Twilio
Although Burst SMS and SMSGlobal was cheaper and easier to use, their platforms were very outdated. My client decided to move their business away from both platforms in favor of Twilio. Twilio has a much wider selection of omnichannel comms to choose from as well.
Read More
Information Technology and Services
10000+ employees
Used monthly for less than 2 years
Review sourceReviewed January 2026
Great platform to build calling solutions
5
Anytime I have issues or questions with twilio development, I can easily reach out to the support and they will respond with solutions quickly.
Ratings Breakdown
Read More
Twilio FAQs
- What exactly does Twilio do?
Twilio is a cloud communications platform that provides developers and businesses with access to various communication channels through application programming interfaces (APIs). Twilio essentially sits between traditional telecommunication networks and software applications and allows a company to communicate with customers via text messages, phone calls, video calls, emails, and chat.
- What is Twilio best for?
Twilio is best for enabling fast, scalable communication between a business and its customers across channels such as SMS, voice, email, and chat without necessitating traditional telecom infrastructure. It excels at SMS and text messaging at scale, two-factor authentication, custom call routing, email, and WhatsApp integration. It is a versatile platform popular when a business wants to design custom communication workflows.
- Is Twilio a chatbot?
Twilio is not a chatbot, but it can power chatbots. Twilio is a communications platform that provides APIs, which can then be used to enable chatbots or integrate with existing tools. Twilio does not come with a chatbot feature “out of the box,” but it does provide developers with the infrastructure to build one.
- How does Twilio work?
Twilio works by acting as a middle layer between software and communication networks. A business will tell Twilio what to do via coding, such as sending an SMS or an email to a customer. Twilio takes this coded request and passes it to the correct network, such as a mobile carrier or an email server. The message is then passed on to the customer immediately.

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