Research
📱 Verification SMS
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Cost per SMS | Verification Fee | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plivo | $0.0055 | None | None | Cost-effective enterprise |
| AWS SNS | $0.0025 (US) | None | 100 SMS/month | Lowest cost + DIY |
| Twilio | $0.0079-$0.0083 | $0.05 | None | Feature-rich enterprise |
| Firebase | $0.01 (US) | None | 10 SMS/day | Mobile apps (limited) |
Top Recommendations
🏆 AWS SNS - Lowest Cost
- Cheapest SMS: $0.0025 per SMS (US) after 100 free monthly
- No verification fees: Pay only for SMS sent
- DIY approach: Build your own verification logic
- Perfect for: Developers prioritizing absolute lowest cost
💰 Plivo - Best Value
- Low pricing: $0.0055 per SMS with zero hidden fees
- Built-in verification: Complete verification API included
- Enterprise security: ISO 27001, SOC 2, PCI DSS compliant
- Perfect for: Balance of cost and features
🚀 Twilio - Enterprise Grade
- Total cost: ~$0.058 per verification ($0.0083 SMS + $0.05 verification fee)
- Multi-channel: SMS, Voice, WhatsApp, Email, Push, TOTP
- Advanced fraud detection and comprehensive documentation
- Perfect for: Enterprise applications needing advanced features
☁️ Firebase - Mobile-First
- Free tier: 10 SMS/day (very limited)
- US cost: ~$0.01 per SMS beyond free tier
- Easy mobile integration with auto-retrieval
- Perfect for: Small mobile apps with low volume
Cost Examples (1,000 Verifications)
| Provider | SMS Cost | Verification Fee | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| AWS SNS | $2.25 | $0 | $2.25 |
| Plivo | $5.50 | $0 | $5.50 |
| Firebase | $10.00 | $0 | $10.00 |
| Twilio | $8.30 | $50.00 | $58.30 |
Note: AWS SNS requires custom verification logic implementation
Plivo (JavaScript)
const plivo = require('plivo');
const client = new plivo.Client('AUTH_ID', 'AUTH_TOKEN');
// Send verification
const response = await client.verify.create('+1234567890');Twilio (JavaScript)
const twilio = require('twilio');
const client = twilio(accountSid, authToken);
// Send verification
const verification = await client.verify.services(serviceSid)
.verifications.create({to: '+1234567890', channel: 'sms'});Firebase (JavaScript)
import { getAuth, RecaptchaVerifier, signInWithPhoneNumber } from 'firebase/auth';
// Setup recaptcha and send SMS
const auth = getAuth();
const appVerifier = new RecaptchaVerifier('recaptcha-container', {}, auth);
const confirmationResult = await signInWithPhoneNumber(auth, '+1234567890', appVerifier);Decision Guide
Choose Plivo if: Cost is primary concern, need enterprise security at budget pricing
Choose Twilio if: Need advanced fraud detection, multi-channel verification, comprehensive docs
Choose AWS SNS if: Already using AWS services, need native cloud integration
Choose Firebase if: Building mobile apps, want quick setup, limited budget