Nexmo

Overview

Nexmo, rebranded as Vonage Communications APIs, offers a platform for integrating communication functionalities directly into software applications. Established in 2010, the company was acquired by Vonage in 2016 and subsequently by Ericsson in 2022, integrating its API suite into Vonage's broader communications portfolio Vonage Communications APIs homepage. The platform is designed for developers seeking to embed features such as SMS messaging, voice calls, video conferencing, and user verification.

The API suite is tailored for a range of use cases, including enhancing customer engagement through automated notifications, implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) for security, enabling in-app voice and video communication, and executing large-scale marketing campaigns. Developers can utilize various APIs, including the SMS API for sending and receiving text messages, the Voice API for programmatic control over phone calls, and the Video API for real-time video interactions. The Verify API supports multi-channel authentication flows, while the Messages API unifies communication across multiple chat platforms.

Nexmo's offerings are utilized across industries where real-time customer interaction and secure access are critical. For instance, e-commerce platforms might use the SMS API for order confirmations and delivery updates, while financial services could implement the Verify API for secure transaction authorization. The platform's pay-as-you-go pricing model, coupled with volume discounts, aims to provide scalability for businesses ranging from startups to enterprises. Compliance certifications such as SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA address data security and privacy requirements for regulated sectors.

The developer experience is supported by a well-structured portal, comprehensive API references, and SDKs available in multiple programming languages, including Node.js, Python, PHP, Java, .NET, and Ruby. This aims to facilitate rapid integration and development. Nexmo's approach aligns with the broader trend of programmable communication, where communication infrastructure is exposed as modular services that developers can embed into custom applications, a concept also explored by platforms like Twilio Twilio developer documentation.

Key features

• SMS API: Programmatic sending and receiving of text messages, supporting both short codes and long codes for global reach.
• Voice API: Enables programmable voice calls, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, call routing, and recording capabilities.
• Video API: Provides real-time video capabilities for embedding video chat, conferencing, and live streaming directly into applications.
• Verify API: Supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) and two-factor authentication (2FA) through various channels like SMS, voice, and email for user verification.
• Messages API: A unified API for sending and receiving messages across popular platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Viber.
• Number Insight API: Offers real-time intelligence on phone numbers, including type, validity, and carrier information, to improve delivery rates and reduce fraud.
• SDKs for multiple languages: Provides official client libraries for Python, Node.js, PHP, .NET, Java, and Ruby, simplifying API integration.
• Global coverage: Infrastructure designed for international reach for SMS and voice services.
• Compliance certifications: Adherence to standards such as SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and HIPAA for data security and privacy.

Pricing

Nexmo (Vonage Communications APIs) operates on a pay-as-you-go model, where costs are based on usage volume. Prices vary by product (SMS, Voice, Video, Verify) and destination/origin for messaging and calling services. Volume discounts are available for higher usage tiers. A free credit is provided to new accounts for initial testing and development.

Pricing data as of 2026-05-07.

For detailed and current pricing, refer to the official Vonage Communications APIs pricing page.

Common integrations

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems: Integrate SMS and voice for automated customer support, notifications, and outreach.
• E-commerce platforms: Used for order confirmations, shipping updates via SMS, and customer service calls.
• Marketing automation platforms: Enable bulk SMS campaigns and personalized voice messages.
• Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems: Implement two-factor authentication (2FA) and multi-factor authentication (MFA) using the Verify API.
• Helpdesk and support systems: Embed in-app voice and video for direct customer support channels.
• Logistics and delivery services: Automate delivery notifications and driver-customer communication.

Alternatives

• Twilio: A widely recognized programmable communications platform offering similar SMS, Voice, Video, and authentication APIs.
• Sinch: Provides a suite of communication APIs for voice, SMS, video, and verification, focusing on enterprise solutions.
• MessageBird: Offers APIs for SMS, voice, and WhatsApp Business, with a focus on customer communication and marketing.

Getting started

To send an SMS message using the Nexmo (Vonage) SMS API with Node.js, you first need to install the Vonage Node.js client library. Ensure you have Node.js and npm installed.

npm install @vonage/server-sdk

Next, you'll need your API Key and API Secret, which can be obtained from your Vonage API Dashboard Vonage Developer Portal. Replace the placeholders with your actual credentials, recipient number, and sender number.

const { Vonage } = require('@vonage/server-sdk');

const vonage = new Vonage({
  apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY",
  apiSecret: "YOUR_API_SECRET"
});

const from = "VonageAPI"; // Your Vonage virtual number or alphanumeric sender ID
const to = "RECIPIENT_NUMBER"; // The recipient's phone number
const text = "Hello from Nexmo (Vonage)!";

async function sendSMS() {
  try {
    const resp = await vonage.sms.send({
      to: to,
      from: from,
      text: text
    });
    console.log('Message sent successfully');
    console.log(resp.messages[0]);
  } catch (err) {
    console.error('There was an error sending the message.');
    console.error(err);
  }
}

sendSMS();

This code initializes the Vonage client with your API credentials and then calls the sms.send method to dispatch a text message. The response indicates whether the message was sent successfully or if an error occurred.