Our Philosophy
At OpenPhone, we believe in transparent and fair pricing. Sometimes it can be hard to understand the true cost of something when it’s buried in the fine print. We are committed to helping you clearly understand and manage your costs when using our platform.Pricing Structure
Our pricing is based on a per-segment model for API-powered outgoing text messages. With this model, pay only what you use. By keeping messages to a single segment, you can reduce your costs. Here’s a clear breakdown of our current rates:Local (US and Canada) SMS
$0.01 per segment
International SMS
$0.01 + destination-specific rate* per segment
*International rates vary by country. Please refer to our International Pricing Guide for current rates.
Pricing Details
What is a segment?
What is a segment?
A segment is a unit of measurement for text messages. For SMS, one segment is generally up to 160 characters. Longer messages are split into multiple segments. This is a standard all companies use when determining text messaging fees, but we want to make sure you’re fully aware of it.For a detailed understanding of how messages are segmented, you can use this Segment Calculator. This tool helps you estimate the number of segments for your messages, allowing for more accurate cost projections.
What are API-Powered Messages?
What are API-Powered Messages?
API-powered messages are text messages sent using our API, either directly or through integrations built with it. This term covers:
- Direct API Usage: Messages sent by interacting directly with the OpenPhone API.
- Integration-Enabled: Messages sent via third-party applications or services that utilize the OpenPhone API.
Any hidden fees?
Any hidden fees?
Billing and Credit System
We use a straightforward credit-based system for API-powered messaging charges. Here’s how it works:1
Add Funds
Add funds to your account’s credit balance under the “Plans & Billing” tab.
2
Send a Message
When you send a message via the API, we deduct the appropriate amount from your credit balance based on the number of segments and the message destination (local or international).
3
Replenish as Needed
You can continue sending messages as long as you have sufficient credits in your account. We recommend turning on the auto-charge feature to prevent interruptions in service.
If a message costs more than your available credit balance, the API will return an error for insufficient funds and the message will not be sent.Partial credits cannot be used. If your credit balance is insufficient for the full cost of the message, an error will be returned.
Important Notes
- MMS Support: MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) is not supported in the current version of the OpenPhone API.
- Subscription Requirement: To use the API, you must have an active OpenPhone subscription in addition to purchasing API credits.