Ask HN: Any Alternatives to Twilio/Plivo?

7 pointstechlover141592y ago5 comments

I am currently using Twilio for my service that needs voice calls (outgoing and incoming).

It works well but the costs are quite high and I am looing at an alternate service that can provide programmatic Voice API.

I tried to reach Plivo but it looks like they are either dead or not taking any new clients. I wasn't able to get any response from Plivo.

What are you using other than Twilio for programmatic Voice API?

Any recommendations/suggestions for programmatic Voice API other than Twilio/Plivo?

Thanks in advance.

5 comments

toast02y ago

What do your calls scripts look like?

I stopped working in this area several years ago, but your least cost alternative to Twilio voice is most likely running calls yourself with a baseline voip provider. You'll need to go through the provider's sales team because your use case is outside the standard TOS, and your usage metrics will get you flagged quickly, unless you have no volume (but if you have no volume, you wouldn't be shopping).

Software wise, freeswitch seems like the most full featured thing to run calls, but if the calls are simple, it might be better to sit down and do the work to have a minimal sip client that only does exactly what you need.

Twilio does (or did) offer call handling on an outside sip account at a per minute fee, but I don't think that makes a lot of economic sense.

techlover14159OP2y ago

Thank you. I appreciate the detailed response.

crazymoka2y ago

Man there are lots of companies that do this. https://www.bandwidth.com/pricing/ google twilio alternative.

malfist2y ago

Check out AWS Poly, it even has AI voices

solardev2y ago

SignalWire?

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