iMessage API providers compared: Sendblue, Linq, LoopMessage, Blooio, Photon and Comms
Apple has no public iMessage API, so businesses send blue-bubble messages through hosted providers. As of 18 October 2026, the cheapest dedicated line on each provider’s published plans ranges from $59.99 to $289 a month, depending on whether outbound messaging and a phone number are included.
What is an iMessage API?
Reviewed . Current product facts
Apple has no public iMessage API, so businesses send blue-bubble messages through hosted providers that operate the Apple-side infrastructure and expose it as a REST API with webhooks. As of 16 October 2026, the main options are Sendblue, Linq, LoopMessage, Blooio, Photon and Comms by Osis.
They differ mainly in four ways: the price of a dedicated line, whether outbound messaging is included at that price, SMS and RCS fallback, and whether there is a hosted MCP server for AI assistants. A provider’s iMessage API is different from Apple Messages for Business, which is Apple’s own branded business channel.
Pricing and capabilities
Every figure below comes from the provider’s own pricing page or documentation, checked on 16 October 2026. Where a provider does not publish a figure, the table says so; ask them for a quote.
| Provider | Cheapest dedicated line | Outbound at that price | SMS / RCS fallback | Hosted MCP server |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comms by Osis | $200/month per line, $0 setup | Included | iMessage and SMS; RCS on eligible lines | Yes (OAuth or API key) |
| Sendblue | $100/month per line (AI Agent plan) | Inbound-first; full outbound on Enterprise by quote | Yes / Yes | No (local package) |
| Linq | Pro from $260/month (unit not published) | No restriction published | Yes / Yes | No (local package) |
| LoopMessage | Light from $59.99/month plus a $15/month number add-on | Needs a $30/month add-on, warm-up and opt-in | Paid add-on | No (docs search only) |
| Blooio | $98/month reply-only; $289/month per line with outbound | Included on Commercial Dedicated, within outbound limits | Yes / Yes | Yes |
| Photon | $250/month per line (Business) | Up to 50 new contacts a day | Yes / Yes | No (docs search only) |
Free options
Yes, with limits. Comms Free is $0 on a shared line with 100 messages a day and no card. Sendblue has a free sandbox without outbound or webhooks, Linq has a free Hobby tier with 20 contacts and a 7-day Pro trial, LoopMessage has a 5-contact sandbox, Blooio has 20 free messages on a shared number, and Photon has a free shared plan.
Apple Messages for Business
An iMessage API sends from an ordinary phone number, so the message arrives like a text from a person. Apple Messages for Business is Apple’s branded channel: customers start the conversation from your website, app or Maps listing, and you need Apple business registration through an approved messaging provider. Twilio’s Apple Messages for Business integration has been in private beta since 7 May 2026.
How to choose
If your traffic is mostly inbound replies, an inbound-first plan such as Sendblue’s $100 line or Blooio’s $98 reply-only line can cost less. If you start conversations, compare plans that include outbound: Comms Dedicated at $200, Photon Business at $250, Blooio Commercial Dedicated at $289, or a Sendblue Enterprise or Linq quote.
If you want Claude, Cursor or ChatGPT to send messages, check for a hosted MCP server; Comms and Blooio have one. If you need a team inbox and human handoff alongside the API, Comms includes them. Whatever you choose, run the same test on each: send, receive a signed reply, replay a webhook and confirm a delivery receipt.
Get a dedicated line.
Dedicated is $200/month with $0 setup. Book a call to scope lines for your team, or start on a free shared line to test.