Receiving SMS online with SMS Expat (+ promo code)
If you’d like to sign up for SMS Expat, use the promo code TDM5C
Travelers quickly ask themselves: what’s the best way to keep receiving SMS while abroad?
This is mainly an administrative consideration, since receiving SMS is hardly used for anything other than getting validation codes from banks or other apps.
The solution I use is to have a subscription Free Mobile : the rate is ultra-competitive, €2/month. However, there are a few drawbacks:
- SMS cannot be viewed online; you must insert the SIM card into a phone (which requires having a second phone, or having a dual-SIM phone, or swapping SIM cards every time you’re expecting an SMS—not practical…).
- If your phone isn’t set up properly, you risk roaming charges when switching SIM cards, and that can get very expensive.
- If you need to reply to an SMS, you’ll pay a rate based on your current country, and that rate often exceeds €1 (for one SMS…).
- It’s possible that receiving SMS with Free doesn’t work in some countries (China seems to be a case in point).
I’ve also mentioned the incredible offer for OVH’s virtual phone number. This offer is for a landline number. OVH also offers a virtual mobile number, but it costs nearly €10/month—a bit steep for occasionally receiving an SMS.
On my article about the OVH offer, the founder of the solution SMS Expat , which I didn’t know about, reached out in the comments. He suggested I try it, and I find this solution very interesting.
SMS Expat: what is it?
SMS Expat is a virtual mobile number solution. Interestingly, you can request a new number or keep your current one (by porting it to SMS Expat).
SMS Expat then provides an online interface that lets you:
- View your SMS
- Send SMS
- Listen to voicemail messages left on your answering machine (and soon, you’ll even be able to personalize the voicemail greeting)
You can choose to receive each incoming SMS by email.
SMS Expat: how much does it cost?
SMS Expat’s rates decrease based on your commitment period.
If you sign up for 6 months, it costs €4.17/month. For 2 years, it’s €3.13/month.
You can then add credit to send SMS (you get €5 of credit included upon sign-up). SMS costs are:
- For a message to France: 12 cents/SMS
- For a message to a European country: 7 cents/SMS
- For a message to another zone: 30 cents/SMS
These rates are very competitive and, above all, don’t depend on where you are geographically.
SMS Expat: my review
I really think the service is top-notch. I got to test it, and it works perfectly. The web interface is simple, minimalist, and efficient.
I’m pondering whether to port my long-standing phone number.
The two small points that make me hesitate:
- Free Mobile is still slightly cheaper (though less convenient for SMS management)
- When I’m back in France, it’s handy to receive calls on my number, which SMS Expat doesn’t offer.
