Gammu SMSD

Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWindows

What Gammu SMSD is

Gammu SMSD is a free messaging service distributed as part of Gammu. It checks a GSM modem for incoming messages, saves them, and sends outgoing messages held in its queue. This makes it suited to handling large volumes of sent or received SMS and automating their processing. Incoming messages can be kept in files or databases. MySQL and PostgreSQL are supported directly, while other database options can be connected through ODBC or libdbi. The libdbi backend is unavailable in Windows builds. When a message arrives, SMSD can run a configured action or user program to process it. The package also includes gammu-smsd-inject for creating long text messages and gammu-smsd-monitor for checking daemon or phone status. Messages can be injected from C or Python programs. For a web interface to manage messages and a phonebook, the project points to Kalkun, which uses MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite3. Gammu is released under GNU General Public License version 2. The project offers community support and privately arranged commercial support. Supported setups include Linux, Windows, and self-hosted installations.

Who it suits

Gammu SMSD suits organizations or developers who need to process incoming and outgoing SMS through a GSM modem, including through configured programs or database storage. It is also relevant for teams comfortable with Linux, Windows, or self-hosted setups and, where needed, building around its C or Python injection interfaces.

What it does well

Free plan.
Stores received messages in files or databases.
Can run a configured action when messages arrive.
Includes utilities for long messages and status monitoring.
Supports two-way messaging, inbound SMS, and delivery reports.

What to know first

The libdbi database backend is unavailable in Windows builds.
Newer Symbian phones are not supported so far.
A web interface for managing messages and the phonebook is available through Kalkun.

Limits

SMSD is free and has no free-trial period. The libdbi backend is unavailable in Windows builds, and newer Symbian phones are not supported so far.

Getting started

Visit the Gammu SMSD website.
Get Gammu through source code, Windows binaries, or a Linux distribution package.
Set up a GSM modem with a phone generally capable of AT commands or IrMC.
Choose file storage or a supported database backend for received messages.
Configure message processing or inject messages through the C or Python interface.
Use gammu-smsd-monitor to check daemon or phone status.

Verdict

Choose Gammu SMSD if you need a free service to queue and send SMS through a GSM modem while storing and processing incoming messages. Consider the Windows database limitation and phone compatibility before choosing a setup; Kalkun is the suggested route for web-based message and phonebook management.

Questions

How much does Gammu SMSD cost?

It is free, with a free plan and no free trial.

Which platforms does it support?

Its listed platforms are Linux, Windows, and self-hosted setups.

Is Gammu SMSD open source?

Gammu is released under GNU General Public License version 2.

Which databases can store received messages?

MySQL and PostgreSQL are supported natively; other databases can be accessed through ODBC or libdbi. The libdbi backend is unavailable in Windows builds.

Can incoming messages be processed automatically?

Yes. SMSD can run a configured action or user program after a message arrives and is stored.

Who leads the Gammu project?

The project is led by Michal Čihař with help from contributors.

Facts from Gammu SMSD's own pages

Backend limitation: The libdbi backend is not available in Windows builds. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Distribution: SMSD is distributed as part of Gammu, and distribution-specific binary packages may provide it separately. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
File backend: The FILES backend stores data in configured filesystem folders and reads outgoing SMS files from a configured folder. · docs.gammu.org, 8 Oct 2026
Included tools: The package includes gammu-smsd-inject for creating long text messages and gammu-smsd-monitor for monitoring daemon or phone status. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Included utilities: The package includes gammu-smsd-inject for creating long text messages and gammu-smsd-monitor for monitoring daemon or phone status. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
License: Gammu is licensed under GNU General Public License version 2, and the maker says it cannot offer relicensing. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Message monitoring: During its main loop SMSD checks for received messages, sends queued messages, checks phone status, and sleeps for a configured interval. · docs.gammu.org, 8 Oct 2026
Message processing: After receiving and storing a message, SMSD can invoke a user program to process it. · docs.gammu.org, 8 Oct 2026
Phone compatibility: The phone database says phones capable of AT commands or IrMC are generally supported, while newer Symbian phones do not have support so far. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Platforms: The maker provides Windows installers and links to Linux distribution packages; the source code can be compiled for a platform with a development environment and CMake. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Processing: SMSD can execute a configured RunOnReceive action when messages arrive. · docs.gammu.org, 8 Oct 2026
Programming interfaces: Messages can be injected using the C SMSD_InjectSMS() function or Python's gammu.smsd.SMSD.InjectSMS(). · docs.gammu.org, 8 Oct 2026
Project leadership: The Gammu project is led by Michal Čihař with help from contributors. · docs.gammu.org, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: Gammu SMSD periodically scans a GSM modem for received messages, stores them, and sends messages queued in that storage. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Release: The download page lists Gammu 1.45.0, released September 16, 2026, and says its source tarball contains Gammu SMSD. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Storage: Received messages can be stored in files or databases; supported database backends include MySQL and PostgreSQL natively, plus others through ODBC or libdbi. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Support: The project offers public community support and privately arranged commercial support, with no fixed-price support packages. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Supported platforms: Gammu downloads include source code, Windows binaries, and links to Linux distribution packages. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Use case: The maker describes SMSD as a tool for managing large amounts of sent or received messages and automatically processing them. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Web interface: The maker points to Kalkun as a web interface for managing messages and the phonebook using MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite3. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026
Windows database limit: The libdbi backend is currently unavailable in Windows builds. · wammu.eu, 8 Oct 2026

Where Gammu SMSD stands on Freedom251

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