A Bandwidth alternative for developers who want their own number

Bandwidth is a direct-carrier platform built for enterprise US messaging. SimGate is the leaner path: send and receive SMS from your Android SIM via a REST API at a flat monthly rate.

Your own SIM and number

No carrier approval process

Flat monthly pricing

Up in minutes

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Direct-carrier CPaaS vs your own SIM

Bandwidth owns network spectrum directly, which gives it strong US deliverability and low carrier-level pricing at scale. The catch is that enterprise-grade access comes with enterprise-grade onboarding: business verification, A2P registration, and pricing that's opaque until you're in a sales conversation.

SimGate skips that model entirely. Connect an Android phone you already own, and your SIM's number becomes the API endpoint. Setup takes minutes, pricing is a flat monthly plan posted publicly, and there's no carrier approval required because you're sending as a consumer from your own line.

For teams that need reliable SMS for OTPs, alerts, or two-way conversations — without the overhead of a carrier-tier platform — SimGate is the faster, more predictable choice.

SimGate vs Bandwidth

	SimGate	Bandwidth
Pricing model	Flat monthly plan, public pricing	Per-message, sales-negotiated
Sender number	Your own SIM/number	Provisioned number (US-focused)
Onboarding	Install app, generate API key	Business verification + A2P registration
Geography	Wherever your SIM works	Primarily US carriers
Inbound SMS	Signed webhooks, included	Inbound webhooks available
Best for	Developers, indie teams, low-mid volume	Enterprise US A2P at scale

Start sending in minutes

bash

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curl -X POST https://api.simgate.app/v1/sms/send \
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  -H "x-api-key: YOUR_API_KEY" \
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  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
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  -d '{
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    "deviceId": "android-5q15b182f2704gbz",
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    "phoneNumber": "+1234567890",
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    "message": "Hello from SimGate!"
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  }'

One POST with your API key — no carrier registration, no approval wait.

Why developers switch from Bandwidth

No sales process — sign up and use the API immediately
Predictable flat pricing visible before you commit
Send from your real number without provisioning a new one
Works wherever your Android phone's SIM has coverage
Inbound automation rules included without extra configuration

When Bandwidth still wins

Bandwidth's direct carrier connections make it the right call for high-volume US A2P traffic, programmatic number provisioning, or toll-free and short-code messaging at scale. SimGate is a focused tool for own-number sending — it's not a replacement for carrier-grade infrastructure when you genuinely need it.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need any carrier approval to use SimGate?

No. Because messages are sent from your own consumer SIM rather than a carrier A2P route, there's no separate registration process. You're responsible for complying with local messaging laws and consent requirements, but there's no platform approval gate.

Does SimGate work outside the US?

Yes — SimGate sends through whatever SIM you connect, so coverage is wherever your carrier's network reaches. This makes it useful for teams outside the US who found Bandwidth's US-centric model a poor fit.

What's the setup time compared to Bandwidth?

SimGate is typically live in under ten minutes: install the Android app, connect your device by scanning a QR code, generate an API key, and start sending. No business verification or A2P registration steps.

Can I receive replies?

Yes. Inbound SMS arrives as a signed webhook payload, and you can set automation rules to auto-reply or forward based on sender or content.

Turn your phone into an SMS API

Send and receive SMS from your own SIM at a flat monthly price. Install the app, connect a device, and call the API in minutes.

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