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Software · head to head

Twilio vs Webex by Cisco

Twilio logo

Twilio

Software

Cloud communications platform for SMS, voice, and video

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Webex by Cisco logo

Webex by Cisco

Software

A simpler, smarter way to work

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Twilio pricing becomes unpredictable with carrier fees and additional charges for compliance, recordings, and phone number rentals; Webex by Cisco listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)
  • They diverge on capability: Twilio covers SMS messaging, Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Twilio and Webex by Cisco actually diverge.

Attributes where Twilio and Webex by Cisco differ
AttributeTwilioWebex by Cisco
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWeb, APIs, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, PHP, C#Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20081984

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Twilio

  • SMS messaging
  • Voice calls
  • Video conferencing
  • Programmable communication
  • HubSpot
  • Zapier
  • Web support
  • Mobile support

Only in Webex by Cisco

  • Video and audio conferencing
  • Screen sharing and annotation
  • Virtual backgrounds
  • Recording and playback
  • Meeting transcription
  • Chat and messaging
  • Calendar integration
  • Breakout sessions

Both cover

  • Slack
  • Salesforce

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Twilio

  • Customer engagementnot Webex by Cisco
  • Lead generationnot Webex by Cisco
  • Customer supportnot Webex by Cisco
  • Sales automationnot Webex by Cisco

Webex by Cisco

  • Video conferencingnot Twilio
  • Webinarsnot Twilio
  • Virtual eventsnot Twilio
  • Trainingnot Twilio
  • Enterprise communicationnot Twilio

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Twilio

  • Pricing becomes unpredictable with carrier fees and additional charges for compliance, recordings, and phone number rentals
  • Phone number rentals are required for every number used, with carrier fees varying by region and billed separately
  • Dashboard is not optimized for mobile use and logs are difficult to access

Webex by Cisco

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £6 per user per month for Cisco Webex, via reseller Conscia Group UK Ltd (ITGL)

Pricing, plan by plan

Twilio

Free
  • Pay-as-You-Go$undefined/mo
    • Usage-based pricing
    • No monthly minimum
    • SMS, voice, video, messaging

Webex by Cisco

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited 1:1 meetings
    • Group meetings (40 min limit, 100 participants)
    • HD video
  • Pro$13.5/month
    • Unlimited meetings (500 participants)
    • Cloud recording and storage
    • Advanced scheduling
  • Business$18/month
    • Everything in Pro
    • Custom branding
    • Advanced security
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Unlimited everything
    • Dedicated account manager
    • Custom deployment

Which should you pick?

Choose Twilio if

  • You need sms messaging.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, APIs, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, PHP, C#.
  • You also want voice calls.
Twilio review

Choose Webex by Cisco if

  • You need video and audio conferencing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want screen sharing and annotation.
Webex by Cisco review

Questions people ask

Is Twilio or Webex by Cisco better?
Neither clearly leads. Twilio starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Twilio or Webex by Cisco?
Twilio starts at Free and Webex by Cisco at Free.
Does Twilio or Webex by Cisco run on more platforms?
Twilio runs on Web, APIs, Python, JavaScript, Ruby, Java, PHP, C#. Webex by Cisco runs on Web, Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Twilio for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Twilio best used for?
Twilio is most often used for customer engagement, lead generation, customer support, sales automation. Of those, customer engagement and lead generation are not what Webex by Cisco is typically brought in for.
What can Twilio do that Webex by Cisco cannot?
Twilio covers SMS messaging, Voice calls, Video conferencing, Programmable communication. Webex by Cisco covers Video and audio conferencing, Screen sharing and annotation, Virtual backgrounds, Recording and playback. Both handle Slack, Salesforce.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Twilio: What is Twilio's pricing model?

Twilio uses pay-as-you-go usage-based pricing with no monthly minimums or contracts. SMS costs $0.0083 per US message, voice calls cost $0.014 per minute, phone numbers cost $1.15 per month.

Source
Twilio: Does Twilio offer a free tier?

Yes, Twilio offers a free trial indefinitely with no credit card required for limited usage, plus a 7-14 day free trial period on paid plans.

Source
Twilio: What communication channels does Twilio support?

Twilio supports SMS, WhatsApp, RCS, MMS for messaging; Voice API and SIP Trunking for voice; Email via Twilio SendGrid; Video API; and Chat via Conversations API.

Source
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Related pages

More on Twilio

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