Hardware SMS Gateway vs. Online SMS Gateway

Hardware SMS Gateways and Online SMS Gateways are two options for businesses and organizations to send and receive SMS messages. Here we compare the key differences between these two options to help you determine which solution is best for your business needs.

Criteria

Initial Investment
Fixed Costs
(allows to use SIM card with
convenient plans for SMS)
Works Offline
(works without Internet)
Sensitive data security
(sensitive data is kept on-prem)
Speed
API
Rich Set of Additional Features
& Automations
Customization
(allows custom features)
Easily integrated
via Email To SMS
Accessibility
(accessed from anywhere in the Internet)
Sender ID change

Hardware SMS Gateway

Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
30-240 SMS/min
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No

Online SMS Gateway

No
No
No
No
>2000 SMS/min
Yes
Yes/No
No
No
Yes
Yes

Here’s a table criteria description of Hardware SMS Gateway and Online SMS Service.

Initial Investment: Hardware SMS Gateway requires an initial investment for purchase and low usage cost, whereas Online SMS Service doesn’t need initial investment, and usage fee is included in the price of each sent SMS.
Fixed Cost: Hardware SMS gateway device uses your SIM card. This allows you to have a SIM contract with your own carrier that bests suit you. Online SMS Gateway has a pricing per each sent SMS and subscription fee per phone number for incoming SMS.
Works Offline: Hardware SMS Gateway uses UMTS/LTE modem(s) that allow it to function without an internet connection.
Sensitive data security: Hardware SMS Gateway provides greater security compared to Online SMS Service. As hardware SMS gateways are under the control of the organization and send data directly to cellular carriers, they can ensure a higher level of security compared to Online SMS Service, which is dependent on the provider’s security measures as well as an Internet connection.
Speed: Hardware SMS Gateway provides sending/receiving speed that depends on a number of built-in modems. This is usually 30-240 SMS/min. Online SMS Gateway doesn’t have such limitations and offers high throughput > 2000 SMS/min.
API: A hardware SMS gateway API is a software interface that allows applications to send and receive SMS from external systems or software. Modern Hardware SMS and Online SMS Gateways both offer API interfaces.
Rich Set of Additional Features & Automations: Hardware SMS Gateway provides greater customization options compared to Online SMS Service. As hardware SMS gateways are dedicated to the organization, they can be configured and customized to suit their specific needs.
Customization: Hardware SMS Gateway offers software customization. This allows to adjust of the software to the specific needs of a customer.
Easily integrated via Email To SMS: Email To SMS allows you to convert an email to SMS message (email to text). Hardware SMS Gateway usually offers built-in email-to-SMS functionality. This varies for Online SMS Gateway (some services have this in the offer, some do not).
Accessibility: Online SMS Service is more accessible compared to Hardware SMS Gateway. As Online SMS Service is hosted on the cloud, it can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection, whereas Hardware SMS Gateway is restricted to the organization’s premises.
Sender ID change: Online SMS Gateway offers to change of a sender ID to a textual name. This prevents two-way communication but can improve brand recognition.

Create the right solution for your company

Your obstacles are unique, and the solutions for them should be too.
SMSEagle allows you to incorporate hardware SMS gateway into your workflow in a way that makes sense to you. To find out how SMSEagle will allow you to create the solution you need, get in touch with our team.

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