📑 Table of Contents
In the race to engage customers faster and smarter, messaging has taken center stage. Text messages don’t just get delivered—they get read. That’s why businesses rely on platforms like Nexmo, now part of Vonage Communications APIs, to scale their customer communication through SMS and MMS.
But how did Nexmo become part of Vonage? What features does it offer? And more importantly, is it still a top choice for enterprises and developers today?
Let’s break it down.
The Origins of Nexmo
Nexmo started its journey in France in 2010, founded by entrepreneurs aiming to simplify cloud communication. The goal? Make it easy for developers to integrate voice, SMS, and messaging into any app or platform—without dealing with telecom headaches.
Quickly gaining popularity, Nexmo became one of Twilio’s main competitors. By 2016, its success caught the attention of Vonage—a US-based cloud communications giant. Vonage acquired Nexmo for $230 million, rebranding it as Vonage Communications APIs. Despite the name change, many still refer to the platform by its original identity: Nexmo.
Today, it powers messaging solutions for companies around the globe.
Nexmo’s Core Strength: SMS and MMS Messaging
Though Vonage’s API suite includes voice, video, and chat, messaging remains the platform’s core focus. Let’s explore its SMS and MMS capabilities.
1. Global SMS Messaging
Nexmo’s SMS API lets businesses send and receive text messages across 200+ countries. It’s fast, reliable, and developer-friendly.
Key Features:
- Two-way Messaging: Engage in conversations, not just one-time alerts. Nexmo supports two-way SMS in dozens of countries.
- Delivery Insights: Know exactly when your messages land. Nexmo offers real-time delivery receipts and tracking.
- High Throughput: Need to send thousands of texts? Nexmo can scale up to 2.5 million messages daily without delay.
- Smart Routing: Messages are routed through direct-to-carrier connections, reducing latency and improving reliability.
- Unicode & Multi-language Support: Send messages in any language, including emojis and non-Latin scripts.
2. Rich MMS Functionality
While SMS is perfect for short messages, MMS takes engagement a step further. With Nexmo’s MMS API, businesses can send:
- Images (JPG, PNG, GIFs)
- Videos
- Audio clips
- PDFs or documents
Perfect for promotions, product previews, appointment confirmations, and more.
Why MMS Matters:
- More Visual Impact: A picture often says more than 160 characters. MMS messages drive higher engagement.
- Extended Character Limits: Unlike SMS, which limits you to 160 characters, MMS allows for longer, richer content.
- Better Branding: Send branded visuals, QR codes, or promotional banners directly to users’ phones.
How It Works: Developer-Friendly Integration
Vonage (formerly Nexmo) was built with developers in mind. It provides simple RESTful APIs, SDKs, and clear documentation.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Easy setup with API keys
- Webhooks for message status and inbound messages
- Language support: JavaScript, Python, PHP, Ruby, Java, and .NET
- Sandbox testing and message simulation
- Ready-to-use code samples
You can integrate it with websites, CRMs, mobile apps, or even WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for a multi-channel strategy.
Pros and Cons of Nexmo (Vonage)
Pros
- Reliable Global Reach – Connect with customers across continents instantly.
- Two-Way SMS – Build real conversations, not just send alerts.
- MMS Support – Share rich content and boost user engagement.
- Scalable Infrastructure – Handle campaigns of any size without performance issues.
- Strong Developer Tools – Friendly API docs, SDKs, and code snippets.
- Secure and Compliant – Built-in support for GDPR, HIPAA (for healthcare), and enterprise-grade security.
Cons
- Complex Pricing – Rates vary by destination and message type. You’ll need to study the pricing tables carefully.
- Learning Curve – First-time users may need extra time to set up routing, webhooks, and callback URLs.
- Occasional Delays in Support – Some users report slower-than-expected response times from the support team.
Use Cases Across Industries
Nexmo’s APIs aren’t just for one type of business. Enterprises across industries use its SMS and MMS capabilities daily.
- Retail & eCommerce: Flash sales, order updates, and loyalty rewards via text.
- Healthcare: Appointment reminders, prescription refills, and lab result notifications.
- Banking & Fintech: Fraud alerts, transaction updates, and secure OTPs.
- Logistics: Shipment tracking, delivery notifications, and driver coordination.
- SaaS: Trial expiration notices, product onboarding, and support ticket updates.
Pricing Overview
Vonage (Nexmo) uses pay-as-you-go pricing. You’re billed per message, with costs varying by destination, message type (SMS vs. MMS), and delivery method (shortcode, long code, or toll-free).
- SMS to US: Starting around $0.0065/message
- MMS to US: Starts near $0.01/message
- Two-way messaging and number leasing are additional costs
Volume discounts are available. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all pricing, so it’s best to request a custom quote for enterprise-level needs.
What Real Users Are Saying
“We switched to Nexmo for its global SMS reliability. The delivery success rate has been rock-solid.”
— Priya N., Tech Product Manager
“We love the API structure, but onboarding was tricky at first. Took us a few days to fully understand webhooks.”
— James L., Full Stack Developer
“Our marketing team saw a 32% uplift in campaign responses after using MMS. Worth every penny.”
— Elena D., Digital Marketing Lead
Final Verdict: Is Nexmo Still a Leader in Messaging?
Yes—Nexmo, now Vonage Communications APIs, continues to be a strong contender in the messaging API space.
It combines global SMS coverage with rich MMS capabilities, two-way engagement, and seamless developer tools. While the pricing and setup may require a learning curve, the platform’s reliability, scalability, and feature set make it a go-to choice for enterprises and growing businesses alike.
Whether you’re launching a product, sending alerts, or building a chatbot, Nexmo delivers the power and flexibility to keep your customers engaged—right where they are.