Businesses these days have become fast-paced and communication is the key in reaching out to customers, engaging with clients or connecting with colleagues. Having effective communication channels helps in making a business great and successful in this digital age. There is a plethora of platforms and solutions available for communicating. Twilio and Plivo are the popular ones. These are known as A2P communication platforms. These are also being considered as the best A2P messaging platforms for businesses of all nature. Features of Plivo and Twilio and basically aimed at enhancing A2P (Application-to-Person) communication. Which one is best for you? Let us explore the two below and help you make an informed decision.
Understanding Twilio vs. Plivo
Twilio is based in San Francisco, California, and was established in 2008. It has emerged as a trusted customer engagement platform. It provides businesses and developers some helpful tools including building of personalized communication solutions or A2P SMS API. The other channels provided are voice calls and video calls.
Plivo was launched in 2011. It offers similar communication solutions like A2P SMS API, voice calls and SIP trunking. It serves more than a billion API requests per month and has become a popular choice among businesses who are seeking reliable communication platforms.
Feature Comparison
Twilio and Plivo are two leading A2P communication platforms and offers distinct features catering to diverse business needs. The comprehensive messaging options and advanced video capabilities of Twilio stand out while Plivo excels in developer tools as well as affordable customer support plans. Below are these discussed in details:
Messaging
Twilio stands out in the messaging arena with its expansive array of communication options. It encompasses SMS, WhatsApp, LiveChat, MMS and seamless integration with Google & Facebook Business Messages as well. The comprehensive suite of it enables businesses to engage with customers across various platforms. It ensures effective communication tailored to diverse preferences.
Plivo offers a robust A2P SMS API and A2P MMS API as well. It facilitates some important functions such as two-factor authentication, alerts, notifications and SMS marketing. Its offerings are more versatile and capable of meeting a wider array of communication needs for businesses.
Voice
Both Twilio and Plivo excel in providing robust voice solutions which are tailored to the needs of businesses seeking effective communication channels. Twilio is equipped with programmable voice features having extensive customization options such as software development kit (SDK), speech recognition capabilities and interactive voice response functionalities. Plivo, on the other hand, offers a comprehensive voice API that seamlessly integrates voice calls into various business applications. It supports several features such as conference calls and voicemail. Both are considered as best A2P messaging platforms in the industry.
Video
Twilio distinguishes itself in the video communication segment by offering a dedicated platform for building high-definition real-time video applications. It comes with customizable features and software development kits (SDKs). It enables businesses in creating tailored video solutions to meet the specific needs. Plivo meanwhile does not provide a native video API. It supports WebRTC via browser SDK for voice calls. It is a viable option for integrating voice communication within applications. However, video platform of Twilio provides more advanced capabilities and it is the preferred choice for many businesses.
Developer Tools
While discussing features of Plivo and Twilio, the developers tools segment is important to take note by businesses. Both are well equipped with their respective tools which are designed to facilitate the creation of communication solutions. Twilio provides Twilio Flex, which is a programmable cloud contact center platform. It also offers a wide range of comprehensive APIs that offer the flexibility in building tailored communication applications. Plivo offers Plivo High Level Objects (PHLO), which is a user-friendly drag-and-drop builder that simplifies the process of constructing communication channels. Alongside PHLO, it also provides developer-friendly APIs and empowers developers to integrate communication functionalities seamlessly into their applications.
SIP Trunking
Both the A2P communication platforms emerge as strong contenders in the SIP Trunking solutions world. The two offers reliable services which are tailored to meet the communication needs of businesses. Twilio’s Elastic SIP Trunking service stands out with its global connectivity as well as flexible pricing options. It provides businesses the scalability and adaptability to support their communication infrastructure.
Plivo offers cloud-based SIP Trunking service called Zentrunk. It ensures seamless connectivity across various regions. Both the platforms offer robust SIP Trunking solutions which are equipped with global connectivity.
Reporting
Both the A2P communication platforms provide businesses reporting solutions to track and analyze their communication data. Twilio offers integrated reporting system, real-time dashboards and historical reports that can be accessible from a centralized dashboard. This approach helps businesses to monitor and analyze their communication metrics efficiently in one cohesive platform. Plivo provides separate call and SMS/MMS reports which are accessible from different sections. However, businesses need to navigate multiple interfaces with it for a complete view of their communication data.
Phone Numbers
Twilio and Plivo are two prominent platforms in the telecommunications industry. Each offers a diverse array of phone numbers. Twilio has a presence in more than 100 countries and provides a comprehensive selection of toll-free, mobile as well as local numbers. Plivo has a reach to more than 65 countries and offers a variety of number types including local and toll-free options. This means Twilio has a wide coverage and emerges as the frontrunner. It offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility in choosing the right phone numbers.
Account Security
Both A2P communication platforms prioritize account security. They have implemented various measures to safeguard data and communications of users. Twilio employs robust security protocols like the TLS encryption. It holds ISO/IEC 27001 certification in the segment and this shows that it is commitment to maintaining high standards of security.
Plivo offers a suite of security features like password protection, 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) and compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), which is crucial for safeguarding sensitive information in healthcare environments. The efforts of both the platforms in account security highlight their dedication to ensur the integrity and confidentiality of user accounts and data.
Mobile Support
Both are dedicated to providing robust support for mobile platforms. Both ensures seamless integration of their services into mobile and web-based applications. Twilio offers Software Development Kits (SDKs) for iOS, Android and web browsers. These enable developers to easily incorporate its features into their mobile applications. Such support allows smooth communication functionalities across various mobile devices as well as web environments. Hence, user experience is enhanced due to its versatility. Similarly, Plivo provides SDKs for Android and web browsers, coupled with a dedicated Browser SDK tailored for web-based communication needs. However, Plivo’s support does not extend to the iOS devices. Its focus is mainly on Android platforms and web-based solutions.
Customer Support
Both Twilio and Plivo prioritize customer support. They understand the value of supporting their respective customers in order to remain popular in the world of A2P communication platforms. The two offers a range of resources to assist users in navigating their platforms effectively. Twilio provides users with access to a comprehensive help center and FAQ section as well. These serve as valuable self-service resources for troubleshooting common issues. Moreover, it offers premium support plans that provide users with 24/7 assistance to ensure prompt resolution of any technical challenges that may arise. Plivo on the other hand offers support through tickets and extensive documentation. It basically empowers users to find solutions to their queries efficiently. It simultaneously also offers premium support plans to cater to various needs of different customers.
Pricing
Twilio offers pricing plans for SMS, voice calls, SIP Trunking and a couple of more services. The prices vary based on the usage. Plivo features competitive pricing for SMS, voice calls, SIP Trunking and phone number rental. It is often seen as more affordable than Twilio. It tends to be more budget-friendly and especially for those businesses which have high communication volumes.
Pros & Cons
Twilio has a wide range of messaging and voice APIs, comprehensive reporting, extensive phone number options, robust customer support. However, it has higher cost and beginners usually find its process complex.
Plivo comes with competitive pricing policy, drag-and-drop console (PHLO), good customer support and Android SDK. However, it is limited to SMS and MMS messaging and has no support for video. It comparatively has fewer phone number options.
Verdict
By now we have understood both the A2P communication platforms and let us wrap with a positive note as these two are considered as the best A2P messaging platforms in the industry. Considering the comprehensive features of Plivo and Twilio, it is learned that both have extensive phone number options and robust customer support as well. However, Twilio emerges as the preferred choice for businesses which are seeking a versatile communication platform. While Plivo offers competitive pricing and user-friendly features like PHLO, but limitations in video support and messaging options. In short, it can be said that Twilio is the better option for businesses with diverse communication needs.
