# Text messaging with Ruby on Rails **URL:** \ **Category:** Rails\ **Created:** [September 21, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152 "2007-09-21T02:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/chirag)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2007, 2:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152/1 "2007-09-21T02:58:15Z")
I want to create a text messaging system with my RoR web site. Anybody know of any good plug-ins or gems? I found this which is about 6 cents per text message: [http://www.lukeredpath.co.uk/2007/8/29/sending-sms-messages-from-your-rails-application](http://www.lukeredpath.co.uk/2007/8/29/sending-sms-messages-from-your-rails-application) Anything else out there that is reliable? Thanks Chirag ---
**Author:** ![chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/chirag)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2007, 4:59pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152/2 "2007-09-21T16:59:11Z")
Hi there, I’m the author of the Ruby Clickatell gem. There are plenty of SMS gateways out there; I chose Clickatell because they are one of the bigger gateways who provide services for plenty of big names (BBC, CNN etc.). There rates aren’t too bad. You might be able to find one thats a bit cheaper I guess, but not that much. Remember that if you buy credits in bulk you’ll get a better rate. Cheers Luke ---
**Author:** ![chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/chirag)\ **Post date:** [September 21, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152/3 "2007-09-21T21:44:06Z")
chirag wrote: > I want to create a text messaging system with my RoR web site. Anybody > know of any good plug-ins or gems? > > Thanks > Chirag I’ve worked with a couple of gateways in the UK; MXTelecom and Quinsy (who are actually in Holland). They both deal with large volumes, and end up costing you the same amount. (we’re talking happily handling a million messages a day) I’ve always coded it by hand. But, if all you want to do is send “uncharged” messages, then give the clickatell gem a try. If you need something more flexible, then you’ll find that their APIs are generally pretty easy… it’s just a hassle holding onto the necessary information to send a “charged” message. In any case, good luck. ---
**Author:** ![chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/chirag)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152/4 "2007-09-22T20:44:21Z")
chirag wrote: > Matthew, > Thanks everyone including you for the great feedback! What do you mean > by “charged” and “uncharged”? And also are these gateways (MXTelecom > and Quinsy) good only in Europe? We’re based in the States. > Chirag > > On Sep 21, 2:44 pm, Matthew R. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) Firstly… everything i say is based on the uk system, it may be different in the US. by “uncharged” I mean – doesn’t cost the receiver any money (in the uk this normally will cost you 5p a time to send – if you do it in bulk) by “charged” I mean – does cost the receiver. You can charge the receiver up to £5($10) for receiving a message from you, you’ll get all of this money, but the network will take a fee of around 20% (depending on the deal you make) you’ll also probably have to pay a high monthly fee for this service the problems with sending charged messages are; 1. you need to know which network the receiver is on … else you can’t charge them 2. there are a whole load more regulations on charged messages 3. you need to make a special arrangement to send messages internationally. I don’t think either MXTelecom or Quinsy operate in the US, but my current employer has an arrangement with a company called SinglePoint([http://www.gosinglepoint.com/](http://www.gosinglepoint.com/)) I don’t know what their rates are like, but take a look. ---
**Author:** ![chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/chirag)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 2:34am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152/5 "2007-09-22T02:34:09Z")
Matthew, Thanks everyone including you for the great feedback! What do you mean by “charged” and “uncharged”? And also are these gateways (MXTelecom and Quinsy) good only in Europe? We’re based in the States. Chirag On Sep 21, 2:44 pm, Matthew R. [removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid](mailto:removed_email_address@domain.invalid) ---
**Author:** ![chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/c/ecccb3/32.png) [@chirag](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/chirag)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2007, 10:18pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/text-messaging-with-ruby-on-rails/115152/6 "2007-09-22T22:18:10Z")
You don’t need any API or framework to send sms messages. All you have to do is send an email to the person’s phone and the carrier’s gateway will convert it to an SMS message. It works almost instantly. Eg. #{10\_digit\_number\_@#{carrier\_gateway} Here’s a cingular/att example: removed\_email\_address@domain.invalid You just have to serach google for the list gateways for the other carriers…