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Plivo

Create custom greetings, automate messaging, manage contacts and communication flows.

  • Freemium
  • Web, API
  • Other
  • Free plan available
  • No credit card
Plivo screenshot

What is Plivo?

Plivo is a cloud communications platform that helps you add voice and SMS capabilities to your applications and business processes. You can set up custom voice greetings and interactive menus that guide callers through options, automate message delivery via SMS or phone calls, store and organise contact details with custom fields and tags, and design communication workflows that handle incoming calls and messages according to your rules. The platform is designed for developers and businesses who want telephony capabilities without needing to understand telecom infrastructure. You can build fairly complex call flows using Plivo's visual workflow tools, which can route calls, record interactions, trigger outbound messages, and integrate with your other systems through webhooks. Plivo offers a freemium model, so you can test the platform free before paying for higher volumes. It works well for services like appointment reminders, customer support automation, two-factor authentication, survey platforms, and any business that sends regular SMS or voice messages to customers.

Key features

Voice API

make and receive calls, build interactive voice response systems with custom menus

SMS API

send and receive text messages with delivery tracking

Visual workflow builder

design call and message automations without writing code

Contact management

store contacts with custom fields, tags, and searchable metadata

Call recording

capture phone conversations for compliance, training, or record-keeping

Phone number management

rent local and international phone numbers

Webhooks and integrations

trigger actions in your other systems when calls or messages arrive

Multi-channel support

handle voice calls, SMS, and USSD text menus for feature phones

Pros & cons

Advantages

  • Straightforward API with good documentation and SDK support for multiple languages
  • Visual workflow builder allows non-technical users to create automations
  • Access to phone numbers in many countries with local and international options
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing starts free and scales with actual usage
  • Works well for both small projects and larger operations
  • Fast to prototype and test telephony features without commitment

Limitations

  • Pricing can escalate quickly with high call or message volumes
  • Free tier has strict usage limits for testing
  • Complex scenarios still require developer expertise or support
  • Smaller platform compared to major competitors with fewer pre-built integrations
  • Phone number rental costs vary significantly by country
  • Limited built-in analytics and reporting on call and message data
  • Steeper learning curve for developers new to telephony APIs

Use cases

Appointment reminders: send SMS or voice reminders for upcoming bookings

Customer support automation: route inbound calls with interactive voice menus

Two-factor authentication: deliver one-time codes via SMS or voice call

Survey collection: gather feedback through interactive phone menu responses

Marketing campaigns: send bulk SMS for time-sensitive offers or announcements

Emergency notifications: broadcast alerts to large contact lists

Contact centre operations: automate call routing and queuing

Transactional messaging: order confirmations, shipping updates, password resets

Interactive learning platforms: quiz or language lessons delivered via phone

Ready to try Plivo?

Pricing

Free

Free

Limited usage for testing and development. Free credits for exploring the platform, restricted call and SMS volume, single phone number, basic API access, workflow builder access.

Pay as you go

Variable based on usage

Pay only for calls, SMS sent, phone numbers, and additional services. No monthly minimum or commitment. Full API access, unlimited numbers, advanced features, higher rate limits.

Enterprise

Contact sales

Custom pricing for large volumes and dedicated support. Volume discounts, dedicated account management, SLA agreements, custom configurations and features.

Get started with Plivo

Click through to Plivo and start using it now.

  • Free plan available
  • No credit card