The Vonage Alternative — SMS at Just 3¢
Vonage (formerly Nexmo) charges about 7.9¢ per SMS in Australia. Texto's 3¢ flat rate is less than half the price — without the enterprise complexity.
About Vonage
Vonage started as a VoIP provider before pivoting to cloud communications APIs. They acquired Nexmo in 2016 to add messaging capabilities, and were themselves acquired by Ericsson (Sweden) in 2022 for $6.2 billion. Vonage's SMS API targets developers building communications into their apps, but their Australian pricing at 7.9¢ per message reflects global enterprise rates rather than local market competition.
Vonage Pricing vs Texto
Here's what you'd actually pay at different volumes. No tricks, no hidden tiers.
| Messages | Texto (3¢) | Vonage (~7.9¢) | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $15.00 | $39.50 | $24.50 (62%) |
| 1,000 | $30.00 | $79.00 | $49.00 (62%) |
| 5,000 | $150.00 | $395.00 | $245.00 (62%) |
| 10,000 | $300.00 | $790.00 | $490.00 (62%) |
| 50,000 | $1,500.00 | $3,950.00 | $2450.00 (62%) |
Optional Texto Dedicated Number: $15/month. Vonage pricing is based on published tiers. Prices shown exclude GST; longer messages may use more than one SMS part.
Why choose Texto over Vonage
- 62% cheaper — Texto's 3¢ vs Vonage's 7.9¢ per SMS
- Texto includes an inbox for receiving replies — Vonage's basic tier doesn't
- No enterprise complexity — just sign up and start sending
- Automatic 90-day data deletion — once messages are no longer needed for replies and reporting, your customer data is removed, reducing your exposure if a platform is ever breached
Where Vonage might suit you
- Full communications platform with voice, video, and messaging APIs
- Part of Ericsson's telecom infrastructure, offering carrier-grade reliability
What you actually need
Both platforms send SMS. But here's where they differ.
Using AI to get work done?
Texto has an MCP server for connecting AI agents to SMS workflows. See the setup guide for supported tools.
If you're building with AI tools like Claude, Cursor, or your own agents, Texto's the platform built for that.
Aussie owned and operated
Texto's built and run right here in Australia. Vonage is owned by Ericsson, based in Sweden. No overseas head office, no currency conversion dramas.
The verdict
Vonage is a serious communications platform for developers building complex apps. But for straightforward Australian SMS, you're paying 7.9¢ for a platform designed for global telecoms. Texto's 3¢ rate and included inbox make it the practical choice for Aussie businesses.
Frequently asked questions
Already got credits with Vonage?
We might be able to sort that out for you.
Other SMS provider comparisons
Start sending at 3¢
No contracts. No volume tricks. Just 3¢ per SMS, from your very first message.
Get Started FreeTexto has no affiliation with Vonage or Ericsson. Pricing information may change without notice. Last reviewed March 2026.