Textbelt

Free plan APISelf-hosted

What Textbelt is

Textbelt is an SMS API for developers building software that sends text messages. Its public API key, “textbelt,” can send one free text per day, and the service also offers paid SMS credits through one-time purchases. Textbelt says there is no recurring billing or minimum spend; credit prices depend on destination. Examples on the homepage cover Curl, Python, Ruby, Node.js, JavaScript, PHP, C#, Java, PowerShell, and Go. The API reports statuses such as SENT, DELIVERED, SENDING, FAILED, and UNKNOWN, while noting that carrier delivery statuses are not standardized. Replies for U.S. phone numbers can be handled through a customer-configured webhook. An OTP API sends a one-time verification code and checks a submitted code. A chart API turns supplied data into a chart and delivers it by MMS; one chart per day is free, and chart MMS is limited to U.S. and Canadian numbers. Textbelt also offers a free, open-source self-hosted server that relies on email gateways. The service was founded in 2012. Its privacy policy says API request IP addresses, phone numbers, and, when applicable, message text are retained for up to 60 days.

Who it suits

Textbelt suits developers who need an SMS API, OTP verification, or a self-hosted server that relies on email gateways. It provides examples in several programming languages.

What it does well

One free text per day through the public API key.
Includes an OTP API for verification codes.
Paid SMS credits are one-time purchases.
Offers a free self-hosted open-source server.
Provides examples in ten listed languages.

What to know first

No two-way SMS, inbound webhooks, or MMS support are listed.
No short code or toll-free number support.
Chart MMS is limited to U.S. and Canadian numbers.
URL messages require additional permissions.

Limits

The public API key sends one free text per day. One free chart can be sent daily, while chart MMS uses two credits plus credits for the text and only reaches U.S. or Canadian numbers.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	1 text per day	Free
Pay as you go	Usage-based SMS API	On request
Pay as you go	Usage-based SMS API	On request
Paid SMS credits	One-time charge; price depends on destination · SMS credits; custom packages available through sales	On request

As textbelt.com lists them, read 24 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Open the Textbelt website
Choose the public API or self-hosted server
Use an example in a supported programming language
Configure a webhook endpoint for U.S. inbound replies
Request extra permissions before sending messages containing URLs

Verdict

Textbelt provides SMS sending, OTP verification, and a self-hosted option, with one free daily text and one-time paid credits. Note the listed feature limits, chart MMS restrictions, and retention period when considering it.

Questions

Is Textbelt free?

Yes. The Free plan costs nothing and allows one text per day. A free self-hosted open-source server is also available.

How are paid messages billed?

Pay as you go uses a usage-based SMS API. Paid SMS credits are one-time charges, with pricing depending on destination and custom packages available through sales.

Which platforms does Textbelt support?

Textbelt is available as an API and a self-hosted service. Its examples cover Curl, Python, Ruby, Node.js, JavaScript, PHP, C#, Java, PowerShell, and Go.

Can it receive replies?

Replies are supported for U.S. phone numbers through a webhook endpoint configured by the customer.

Does Textbelt support MMS?

Standard MMS support is listed as no. Its chart API can deliver charts by MMS to U.S. or Canadian numbers.

How long may data be retained?

The privacy policy says API request IP addresses, phone numbers, and applicable message text may be retained for up to 60 days.

Facts from Textbelt's own pages

Billing: Purchases are one-time charges, and the site says it has no recurring billing or minimum spend. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Chart MMS: The chart API renders supplied data as a chart and delivers it by MMS; one free chart can be sent per day. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Chart MMS limits: Chart MMS can only be sent to U.S. or Canadian phone numbers and costs two credits plus credits for the text content. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Daily free use: The public API key "textbelt" can send one free text per day. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Delivery status: The API can report statuses including DELIVERED, SENT, SENDING, FAILED, and UNKNOWN, and notes that carrier delivery statuses are not standardized. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Founded: 2012 · textbelt.com, 28 Sept 2026
Free plan: Yes · textbelt.com, 24 Sept 2026
Inbound replies: Replies are supported for U.S. phone numbers through a webhook endpoint configured by the customer. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Inbound webhooks: No · textbelt.com, 24 Sept 2026
Languages: The homepage provides examples for Curl, Python, Ruby, Node.js, JavaScript, PHP, C#, Java, PowerShell, and Go. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
MMS support: No · textbelt.com, 24 Sept 2026
OTP verification: The OTP API generates and sends a one-time verification code, then checks the code submitted by the user. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Payment handling: The purchase page says Stripe processes credit cards and that card details are not stored on Textbelt's servers. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Privacy and retention: The privacy policy says API request IP addresses, phone numbers, and message text when applicable are retained for up to 60 days. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Refund policy: Textbelt offers a 30-day guarantee and refunds unused text messages if requested within 30 days of purchase. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Self-hosted option: Textbelt offers a free, self-hosted open-source server that relies on email gateways. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Short code support: No · textbelt.com, 24 Sept 2026
Support: Textbelt directs customers to [email protected] and says its team supports both the free and paid versions. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
Toll-free numbers: No · textbelt.com, 24 Sept 2026
Two-way SMS: No · textbelt.com, 24 Sept 2026
URL messages: SMS messages containing URLs require additional permissions granted through a form. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026
What it does: Textbelt is an SMS API for developers to send and receive text messages. · textbelt.com, 7 Oct 2026