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Stop renting phone numbers from Twilio. I open-sourced a project that lets your SMS bot use your own.
r/SideProject
7/21/2025
Content Summary
The author discusses the challenges of using personal phone numbers for SMS bots and the high costs associated with renting numbers from services like Twilio. They developed an open-source Android app that allows users to use their own phone numbers for SMS bots, eliminating the need for monthly fees and per-message charges. The app is available on GitHub and has received positive feedback from the community.
Opinion Analysis
The mainstream opinion is supportive of the author's solution, praising the open-source Android app for its cost-effectiveness and ability to use personal phone numbers for SMS bots. However, there are some concerns about the app's limitations, such as its incompatibility with iOS and potential risks of using personal numbers for bot activities. There is also a debate about the realistic costs of renting phone numbers and sending/receiving SMS, with some users questioning the actual price.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twilio | https://www.twilio.com | A2P Service | Rent phone numbers, pay per message |
| Vonage | https://www.vonage.com | A2P Service | Rent phone numbers, pay per message |
| Google's Dialogflow | https://cloud.google.com/dialogflow | AI Platform | Create AI bots for messaging |
| Automate | - | SMS Gateway | Android app to use your own phone number for SMS bots |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- High costs for renting phone numbers and per-message fees
- Corporate gatekeeping in using personal phone numbers for bots
Problems to Solve:
- Automating routine messages with personal phone numbers
- Avoiding corporate gatekeeping in SMS bots
Potential Solutions:
- Open-source Android app to use your own phone number for SMS bots
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Building open-source tools to address specific user needs
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Leveraging community feedback and contributions to improve and promote the tool
Monetization & Product:
- Offering a cost-effective alternative to existing SaaS services by eliminating monthly fees and per-message charges
User Engagement:
- Engaging users through open-source collaboration and encouraging them to contribute to the project