Looking for the right SMS gateway for UK businesses?
The competition in the UK’s economy is so fierce that you can’t rely on a single communication channel for marketing and customer support.
You must take advantage of an omnichannel strategy, including SMS, social media, and email, to reach out to highly targeted audiences and keep them loyal to your brand.
SMS has some exceptional records, like a whopping 98% open rate and a super-fast delivery. As a result, you need it for time-sensitive alerts, OTPs, last-minute promotional campaigns, and appointment reminders.
Of course, you need advanced tools to maximize the ROI of your SMS campaigns. One of the most important tools you have to think of is an SMS gateway in the UK to connect your computer to mobile carriers and automate your SMS messaging.
In this blog post, we’ll list the best UK SMS providers to help you choose the right one according to your requirements and budget. We’ll also explain how you can integrate these gateways into your WordPress website to manage your campaigns directly from your dashboard.
1. TheSMSBuddy
- Supported Regions: Global
- Best For: International messaging on a budget
- WordPress Plugin Support: WP SMS
Overview of TheSMSBuddy
TheSMSBuddy is a cost-effective SMS gateway provider based in India, offering reliable services across multiple countries, including the UK.
It’s ideal for freelancers, NGOs, and global eCommerce. It has reliable SMPP connectivity for bulk messaging and provides fast delivery in all covered countries.
Additional features include delivery reports, real-time balance tracking, and 99.95% uptime, making it a reliable choice for international SMS communication.
Key Features of TheSMSBuddy
- Multi-country delivery
- Easy signup with free credits
- Supports bulk messaging
- WordPress/WooCommerce-ready
TheSMSBuddy Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go |
| Starting Price | ~£0.033 per SMS (UK) |
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Dashboard-based |
Pros of TheSMSBuddy
✅ Affordable global SMS
✅ Simple to use
✅ WordPress ready
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of TheSMSBuddy
⚠️ Fewer advanced tools
⚠️ Smaller brand presence
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
TheSMSBuddy Installation and Setup
Now it’s time to learn how to set up TheSMSBuddy on the WordPress dashboard so that you can send SMS WP SMS plugin.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide to get you started:
1. Get the Credentials from TheSMSBuddy
Each SMS gateway gives you credentials and other details of its APIs to let you configure it.
2. Connect the Gateway to WP SMS
Now, you have two options to configure the SMS gateway on your dashboard. You can set it up manually or use the setup wizard for configuration.
In the first option, navigate to SMS on your WordPress dashboard, and then go to Settings → SMS Gateway.
You must choose your SMS gateway from the list and paste the required credentials. Finally, click Save Changes.
To do it using the setup Wizard (WP SMS v7.0 +), you need to go to the same path and click Re‑run Setup Wizard and follow the guided steps to configure the SMS gateway.
3. Verify Activation
Finally, try to double-check everything using the Gateway Overview panel and make sure that the SMS gateway status shows as active.
2. FireText
- Supported Regions: UK
- Best For: SMEs and local businesses
- WordPress Plugin Support: WP SMS
Overview of FireText
FireText is a UK-only SMS gateway with a strong emphasis on ease of use and responsive customer support. This makes it so popular among UK businesses, especially small and medium-sized ones.
FireText has a clean and intuitive dashboard, so your marketing team can send and manage text campaigns without any technical issues.
Moreover, FireText is ISO 27001 certified and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) in the UK.
So, you can be sure about its strong data security standards, especially in regulated sectors like healthcare, finance, and education.
Key Features of FireText
- Real-time delivery tracking
- Contact management and tagging
- Scheduled campaigns
- Team collaboration features
FireText Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go or plans |
| Starting Price | ~£0.045 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Clear and detailed pricing |
Pros of FireText
✅ UK data storage
✅ ISO 27001 certified
✅ User-friendly dashboard
✅ Great support
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of FireText
⚠️ No global support
⚠️ Lacks voice and chatbot options
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
3. TextAnywhere
- Supported Regions: UK & Global
- Best For: Enterprises and healthcare providers
- WordPress Plugin Support: Custom API and WP SMS support
Overview of TextAnywhere
TextAnywhere is a trusted UK messaging provider that offers services in many other countries, especially in Norway, Poland, Spain, and Sweden.
It’s well known for its security, scalability, and compliance with GDPR and ISO 27001. It offers reliable message delivery, encrypted data handling, and attentive customer support. That’s why organizations and regulated sectors like healthcare and financial services are looking for this SMS gateway in the UK.
Key Features of TextAnywhere
- ISO 27001-certified infrastructure
- GDPR-compliant messaging
- SMS, MMS, and voice options
- Multi-user management
TextAnywhere Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go |
| Starting Price | ~£0.04 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Transparent rate calculator |
Pros of TextAnywhere
✅ Enterprise-grade security
✅ Excellent support and SLA
✅ Scalable for NHS and large organizations
✅ Data stored in the UK
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of TextAnywhere
⚠️ Not suited for low-budget projects
⚠️ The interface is not suitable for non-expert users
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
4. Textplode
- Supported Regions: UK
- Best For: Small businesses and schools
- WordPress Plugin Support: WP SMS
Overview of Textplode
Textplode is a UK-based SMS gateway founded in 2013. It is built with a focus on simplicity, which makes it ideal for users without technical backgrounds.
It’s especially popular among schools, charities, and small local businesses that are looking for an easy way to stay in touch with their communities.
A good aspect of Textplode is that the platform is web-based and requires no setup. It includes useful features like contact grouping and message scheduling.
Key Features of Textplode
- Easy-to-use dashboard
- Contact grouping
- Quick message composer
- CSV import/export
Textplode Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Prepaid bundles |
| Starting Price | ~£0.019 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Clear package prices online |
Pros of Textplode
✅ Beginner-friendly
✅ Flexible and affordable pricing
✅ Ideal for schools and clubs
✅ UK support
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of Textplode
⚠️ Fewer advanced features
⚠️ Not good for API-heavy use
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
5. The SMS Works
- Supported Regions: UK
- Best For: Businesses seeking cost-efficiency
- WordPress Plugin Support: Custom API integrations
Overview of The SMS Works
SMS Works is a UK-based SMS gateway founded in 2017. It stands out for its straightforward, cost-effective pricing approach.
The platform charges only for messages that are actually delivered. This pay-for-success model is especially great for businesses with limited budgets that don’t want to sacrifice reliability.
SMS Works is also GDPR-compliant and offers a great API service that can easily integrate with a wide range of applications.
Key Features of The SMS Works
- Pay-on-delivery pricing
- Detailed delivery reports
- GDPR compliant
- Developer-friendly REST API
The SMS Works Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-delivered message |
| Starting Price | ~£0.037 per delivered SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Transparent and fair pricing |
Pros of The SMS Works
✅ Only pay for delivered SMS
✅ Transparent UK focus
✅ Developer-friendly API
✅ GDPR & TCPA compliant
Cons of The SMS Works
⚠️ UK-only messaging
⚠️ No WhatsApp or voice integration
⚠️ Not supported by WP SMS
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
Don’t worry about its integration with your WordPress website. You can add the SMS gateway’s API manually. Of course, you need an expert developer to set it up and configure the SMS gateway on your website.
6. Voodoo SMS
- Supported Regions: UK & Global
- Best For: Bulk SMS and marketing campaigns
- WordPress Plugin Support: Voodoo SMS Extension for WooCommerce
Overview of Voodoo SMS
Voodoo SMS is also a UK-based SMS messaging platform, but it’s active in many other countries. It’s designed to help businesses send large volumes of texts and run international SMS campaigns.
It has easy-to-use tools like personalized message templates, delivery tracking, and campaign scheduling features. You can have all of these features at a competitive price and based on a volume-tiered pricing model.
Voodoo SMS is ISO 27001 certified and registered with the ICO. As a result, you can be sure about its commitment to data security and privacy.
Many of its users are satisfied with its responsive customer support and fast setup process. Overall, you can rely on it as an effective SMS gateway and use it for campaigns of all sizes.
Key Features of Voodoo SMS
- Bulk SMS with personalization
- SMS API & web-based sending
- Data cleansing tools
- SMS surveys & shortcodes
Voodoo SMS Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go with tiered pricing |
| Starting Price | ~£0.021 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Full pricing is available online |
Pros of Voodoo SMS
✅ Affordable pricing
✅ Easy to scale for bulk
✅ Two-way SMS support
✅ Detailed reporting
✅ Compliance with TCPA
Cons of Voodoo SMS
⚠️ Interface could be modernized
⚠️ Limited omnichannel options
⚠️ Not supported by WP SMS
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
7. SMS Tools
- Supported Regions: UK
- Best For: Developers and small UK software teams
- WordPress Plugin Support: Custom API
Overview of SMS Tools
SMS Tools is another SMS gateway for UK small businesses and developers. It offers easy-to-use API solutions for integrating SMS, WhatsApp, and voice messaging into your custom applications.
It has over 20 years of experience and a client base of more than 10,000 businesses. Some famous brands like Viessmann and KFC use this SMS gateway due to its reliability and simplicity.
It has set a great record in SMS marketing. For example, you can expect a 99.9% uptime and 99.3% delivery within 10 seconds.
It offers a clean RESTful API, which supports features like delivery tracking, virtual mobile numbers for two-way messaging, and email-to-SMS conversion.
Key Features of SMS Tools
- RESTful API
- Real-time SMS delivery
- UK routing optimization
- Secure HTTPS integration
SMS Tools Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based |
| Starting Price | ~£0.025 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | You need to request a quote |
Pros of SMS Tools
✅ Great uptime
✅ Simple, developer-first
✅ Ideal for SaaS apps
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of SMS Tools
⚠️ No GUI or dashboards
⚠️ API access only
⚠️ Not supported by WP SMS
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
8. TextMagic
- Supported Regions: UK & Global
- Best For: SMEs and enterprises looking for a full-featured, reliable SMS solution
- WordPress Plugin Support: WP SMS & custom API integrations
Overview of TextMagic
TextMagic is a famous SMS gateway that provides world-class services in 200+ countries, including the UK.
It’s particularly popular among businesses in sectors like finance, retail, and education in the country.
Using TextMagic, you can send text messages through various channels, including online portals, email, APIs, and mobile applications.
It has a user-friendly interface suitable for all types of users, especially non-experts. Also, it has shown acceptable delivery rates, making it a reliable SMS gateway in the UK.
It offers all types of features, from two-way messaging to segmentation, and helps you increase your engagement rates using personalized bulk messaging.
Key Features of TextMagic
- Two-way SMS chat
- Bulk SMS and contact list management
- Email-to-SMS
- Reporting and analytics
- iOS & Android mobile apps
TextMagic Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go |
| Starting Price | ~£0.039 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Full pricing on the dashboard |
Pros of TextMagic
✅ Reliable UK delivery
✅ Easy-to-use interface
✅ Great documentation and support
✅ Integrates with email and mobile
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of TextMagic
⚠️ Not ideal for high-volume discount seekers
⚠️ Limited automation features
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
9. ClickSend
- Supported Regions: Global (including UK)
- Best For: Omnichannel messaging across SMS, email, and more
- WordPress Plugin Support: WP SMS + Zapier
Overview of ClickSend
ClickSend is a global SMS gateway and a versatile communication platform that offers much more than just SMS.
If you need an all-in-one messaging platform with advanced features, ClickSend is the best option for you. It supports email, voice, fax, and rich messaging and lets you reach out to customers from across the world.
It has a cloud-based setup that allows you to integrate it with CRMs and marketing platforms easily. As a result, ClickSend is a great option to have efficient use of multiple channels.
Key Features of ClickSend
- SMS + Email + Voice + Fax
- Drag-and-drop campaign tools
- Zapier integrations
- High delivery SLA (99.95%)
ClickSend Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go with volume-based discounts |
| Starting Price | ~£0.0197 per SMS: < 2,000 messages ~£0.0103 per SMS: > 1 million messages |
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Public pricing and calculator |
Pros of ClickSend
✅ Multi-channel tools
✅ Integrates with CRMs and WordPress
✅ API and dashboard options
✅ Real-time analytics
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of ClickSend
⚠️ Complex for SMS-only users
⚠️ Pricing is slightly higher for voice/email
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
10. BulkSMS
- Supported Regions: Global
- Best For: Budget-friendly SMS for SMBs
- WordPress Plugin Support: WP SMS
Overview of BulkSMS
BulkSMS is an affordable messaging platform widely used by small businesses around the world. It has a strong presence in the UK and is widely used by startups to send bulk texts with ease.
Its focus is on simplicity, but it offers very useful features like message templates, contact management, and scheduling.
It’s also compliant with local regulations, and as a result, it’s trusted by thousands of SMEs that are satisfied with its non-stop SMS delivery.
Key Features of BulkSMS
- Bulk message upload
- Message scheduling
- Detailed delivery reports
- Unicode and multi-language support
BulkSMS Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Prepaid credits |
| Starting Price | ~£0.0285 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Yes |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Online pricing tool |
Pros of BulkSMS
✅ Budget-friendly
✅ Quick setup
✅ Strong delivery in the UK
✅ Prepaid, no commitment
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of BulkSMS
⚠️ Limited automation features
⚠️ No voice or multichannel
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
11. Cequens
- Supported Regions: Global
- Best For: A2P messaging and enterprise integration
- WordPress Plugin Support: Custom API
Overview of Cequens
Cequens is an SMS gateway provider with direct connections to 900+ mobile operators in 190 countries. It offers fast and reliable message delivery and is great for enterprise-level SMS campaigns.
Sectors like government, telecom, and fintech are among its customers, and they use it for high-volume messaging.
Cequens is compliant with global standards like ISO 27001 and GDPR and supports critical communication needs such as OTPs, alerts, and regulatory messaging.
Key Features of Cequens
- Smart routing and fallback
- Secure APIs
- Multi-channel integrations (SMS, WhatsApp, RCS)
- SLA and delivery monitoring
Cequens Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Custom quote |
| Starting Price | Variable by vol/location, ~£0.01-0.03 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | Contract-based |
| Transparency | Quotation only |
Pros of Cequens
✅ Enterprise-grade uptime
✅ Global telco partnerships
✅ API-first flexibility
✅ Compliant with GDPR, TCPA, and CITC
Cons of Cequens
⚠️ No open pricing
⚠️ Best suited for enterprise
12. Messente
- Supported Regions: Global
- Best For: Fintechs and regulated markets
- WordPress Plugin Support: Custom API & WP SMS
Overview of Messente
Messente is the last item on our list of SMS gateways for UK businesses. This one is based in Estonia but has good coverage in the UK and many other countries.
It’s a secure A2P (Application-to-Person) messaging service that is famous for high delivery accuracy and strong compliance.
Messente is a great choice for financial services and other regulated industries in the UK. It also supports 2FA messaging, OTP, and great API solutions.
Key Features of Messente
- 2FA and OTP support
- Smart message routing
- Fraud detection and alerts
- Global messaging API
Messente Pricing Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Pricing Model | Pay-as-you-go |
| Starting Price | ~£0.038 per SMS |
| Free Trial | Available |
| Minimum Commitment | None |
| Transparency | Transparent pricing |
Pros of Messente
✅ Trusted in fintech
✅ High delivery accuracy
✅ Data and fraud safety tools
✅ Compliance with GDPR and TCPA
Cons of Messente
⚠️ Not ideal for marketing campaigns
⚠️ Advanced setup may need the tech team
⚠️ Not compliant with CITC
What UK SMS Gateway Is Best for Your Business
Choosing the right SMS gateway for UK businesses might be a bit tricky. You must consider many factors, including your budget, requirements, and the scale of your campaigns.
The following table provides a good UK SMS gateway comparison to help you find your best option:
| Provider | Best For | Key Features | WP SMS Support | Compliance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TheSMSBuddy | Low-cost global SMS | Multi-region, WhatsApp, WooCommerce-ready | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| FireText | Local SME use | Scheduled campaigns, UK data storage | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| TextAnywhere | Secure enterprise environments | ISO 27001, GDPR, SMS/MMS/voice | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| Textplode | Simplicity for schools/charities | Grouping, CSV import, and low-tech users | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| The SMS Works | Cost-efficient UK-only use | Pay-per-delivered, GDPR compliant | ❌ | GDPR, TCPA |
| Voodoo SMS | Bulk campaigns | Personalization, surveys, and data cleansing | ❌ | TCPA |
| SMS Tools | Developers building UK SMS apps | REST API, uptime, secure delivery | ❌ | GDPR, TCPA |
| TextMagic | Full-featured UK/global messaging | Two-way SMS, API, mobile apps | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| ClickSend | Omnichannel platforms | Email, voice, SMS, fax, drag-and-drop builder | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| BulkSMS | Budget SMS for small business | Prepaid credits, simple dashboard | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
| Cequens | Enterprise and A2P integrations | Tier-1 SMS, routing, SLA monitoring | ❌ | GDPR, TCPA, CITC |
| Messente | Compliance-sensitive industries | 2FA, OTP, fraud protection, GDPR ready | ✅ | GDPR, TCPA |
Overall, we can recommend the following selections, but you need to consider other factors in your business:
- Small Businesses / SMEs: FireText, BulkSMS, Textplode
- Enterprise / Large Scale Use: TextAnywhere, Cequens
- Developers / SaaS Platforms: SMS Tools
- Marketing / Campaigns: Voodoo SMS, TextMagic, TheSMSBuddy
- Compliance-Sensitive Industries: Messente, The SMS Works
- Omnichannel Communication: ClickSend
FAQs
Which SMS gateway is best in the UK?
It depends on your needs. For example, TheSMSBuddy is best for developers and global reach. Also, TextAnywhere is great for secure enterprise use.
What is the cheapest bulk SMS in the UK?
FireText and Textplode are among the most cost-effective for bulk messaging in the UK.
Is Twilio an SMS gateway?
Yes, Twilio is a powerful cloud-based SMS gateway. It’s mainly used by developers for building custom messaging solutions via APIs.
What is the difference between an SMS gateway and an SMS API?
An SMS gateway is the service that you use to send messages to mobile networks. However, an SMS API is the tool developers use to connect their apps or systems to that gateway. In sum, the API sends the message request, and the gateway delivers it.
How many SMS gateway does WP SMS support?
WP SMS supports more than 350 SMS gateways.