Overview

Founded in 2013 and based in Tallinn, Estonia, Messente combines a web dashboard with APIs for business messaging. Its Omnichannel API sends and receives SMS, WhatsApp and Viber messages, and the company also offers RCS. Messente says it can send SMS to 197+ countries through partnerships with close to 1,000 mobile operators, a useful reach for businesses communicating across markets.

The service also covers two adjacent jobs: Verigator sends one-time passwords worldwide, and the number lookup API uses HLR checks to determine whether mobile numbers are active. That combination makes Messente a more natural fit for teams linking customer communication, authentication and number validation than for those needing only a basic SMS sender.

Key features

Two-way SMS, inbound webhooks and short code support give developers options for replies and event-driven workflows. SDKs are available for Python, Node, PHP, Java, Ruby and .NET. Zapier connections and native integrations with Salesforce, Optimove, user.com and SalesManago broaden the integration choices beyond direct API work.

Messaging controls include custom validity times, traffic priority, GSM-friendly character replacement and the option to hide message content from Messente. These controls are relevant to teams managing message delivery behavior and content handling. Messente lists GDPR, DORA and ISO 27001:2022 compliance, with data hosted in Germany and Finland. Security controls include Google OAuth SSO, custom message-retention periods, IP whitelisting for API keys and multi-factor authentication; SCIM is not supported, which may rule it out for organizations that require that provisioning control.

Pricing

Pricing spans free-entry options, usage charges and plans with custom pricing. Pay-As-You-Go is 0.00 USD per free, with no monthly fees and payment only for messages sent. It includes full channel access to Viber, WhatsApp and RCS, plus basic support and onboarding. The pricing page describes this option as suited to teams starting with SMS, although the entry also gives a Pay as you go plan with one account and a 25K messages per month minimum alternative; teams should clarify which terms apply to their purchase.

Essential and Professional have custom pricing. Essential includes SMS, WhatsApp and Viber access, dashboard and API access, basic support and onboarding, and unlimited accounts. It suits teams needing core messaging without a published price to compare. Professional adds advanced analytics and statistics, premium support and onboarding, a dedicated account manager and RCS; it is the more complete option for teams that value those services and channel access. Enterprise also has custom pricing and adds custom SLAs and reporting, a dedicated success team and integrations, a technical account manager and quarterly business reviews, making it the tier aimed at businesses needing a more structured service relationship.

The Commitment plan uses committed-volume terms and custom pricing, with the lowest price per message on committed volume, dedicated support and an Account Manager, and full Viber, WhatsApp and RCS access. The pricing page positions it for businesses scaling beyond Pay-As-You-Go. Its volume commitment and terms make it a better fit for predictable, growing usage than for teams that need to keep spend fully flexible.

Number Lookup costs 199.00 EUR per month, plus 0.002€ per number charge; it includes no hidden fees and lets customers track and manage lookup costs. The Viber Business and WhatsApp Business plans each show 0.00 EUR per once, with a stated price from 0.001€ and one global registration plus branded images and buttons. Toll-free numbers are supported.

Platforms

Messente supports web and API access, with the SDK choices noted above. The listed integration options make it accessible both to developers connecting services directly and teams using Zapier or supported native integrations.

Who it's for

Messente fits businesses that need international messaging across several channels, or want OTP delivery and number validation alongside messaging. Pay-As-You-Go lowers the barrier for starting teams, while committed-volume pricing and account support are aimed at higher, more predictable usage. It is less suitable where a buyer needs published plan costs before engaging, or requires SCIM.

Pros and cons

Pros: SMS, WhatsApp, Viber and RCS support gives businesses channel breadth; SMS reach across 197+ countries suits international communication.
Pros: OTP and HLR-based number lookup add authentication and validation to the messaging platform.
Pros: API, SDKs, webhooks, Zapier and native integrations provide several routes into existing systems.
Cons: Most plans use custom pricing, so teams cannot readily compare full costs before discussing volume and terms.
Cons: The Commitment plan requires committed volume, which is a poor match for uncertain or sporadic demand.
Cons: SCIM is not supported, limiting fit for organizations that require that access-provisioning control.

Alternatives

Choose playSMS if free, open-source software and self-hosting matter more than an included messaging gateway; it requires a separate SMS gateway to send and receive messages. SMSBOX is another paid API and web option, with free one-off test credits and a listed toll-free number plan for the US and Canada. Consider Textmagic if a free trial and published Essential pricing are priorities; its rates vary by destination country and its Essential plan bills 100% prepaid.

Android SMS Gateway may suit teams looking for a freemium service tied to Android devices, with a free tier capped at 300 lifetime SMS and 300 contacts. D7 Networks is an API and web alternative with usage-based local and international SMS API and broadcast plans. OpenVox SMS Gateway is a freemium API, Linux, self-hosted and web option. simhook offers freemium Android, API, self-hosted and web plans, including a free self-hosted option. Telerivet is a freemium Android, API and web alternative with a free tier and a paid Starter plan.

For broader browsing, see SMS Gateway Software and Transactional SMS Software.

Verdict

Messente is a strong choice for businesses that need international, multi-channel messaging together with OTP or number validation, and its APIs and integrations support varied implementation paths. Its main drawback is commercial opacity across many plans; buyers should confirm pricing and any volume commitments, and look elsewhere if published costs or SCIM are essential.

	BulkGate	Messente
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	—	—
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Android, api, Web	api, Web
Free plan	No	No
Pay-as-you-go	Yes	—
SMS API	Yes	—
Delivery status	Yes	—
Webhooks	Yes	—
Two-way messaging	Yes	—

BulkGate vs Messente

BulkGate

Messente