Software Alternatives & Startups

textbee.dev VS Roll20

Compare textbee.dev VS Roll20 and see what are their differences

textbee.dev

Turn your Android device into a powerful SMS gateway for your applications

No screenshot yet
Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source Freemium $9.99 / Monthly (Pro ( 5 devices, 5,000 messages/mo, Priority Support))
Roll20

Roll20 is a suite of easy-to-use digital tools that expand pen-and-paper gameplay.

Rating
2.0 · 2 reviews
Pricing
Open source
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Roll20 seems to be a lot more popular than textbee.dev. While we know about 334 links to Roll20, we've tracked only 1 mention of textbee.dev.

social mentions
1 vs 334
SMS Gateway popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
57 vs 122

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

textbee.dev
Roll20
Website textbee.dev roll20.net
Pricing
Open source Freemium $9.99 / Monthly (Pro ( 5 devices, 5,000 messages/mo, Priority Support)) Official pricing
Open source
Company 2024 —
Listed in

About textbee.dev and Roll20

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

textbee.dev
Roll20

Send and receive SMS online from your applications using your Android device - no expensive third-party gateway fees. Perfect for notifications, authentication, and two-way text messaging.

Read more about textbee.dev

No description of Roll20 yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

textbee.dev 5 features
Roll20 6 features
  • Open Source
    textbee.dev is an open-source SMS gateway platform, meaning users can inspect the code, contribute to its development, and self-host it without vendor lock-in. This transparency builds trust and allows for community-driven improvements.
  • Use Your Android Phone as SMS Gateway
    The platform allows users to turn their existing Android phone into an SMS gateway, eliminating the need for expensive dedicated SMS hardware or third-party SMS API services. This significantly lowers the barrier to entry for sending SMS messages programmatically.
  • Simple REST API
    textbee.dev provides a straightforward REST API for sending and managing SMS messages, making it easy for developers to integrate SMS functionality into their applications without dealing with complex protocols or configurations.
  • Self-Hosted Option
    Users can deploy textbee on their own infrastructure, giving them full control over their data and messaging pipeline. This is ideal for privacy-conscious users or organizations with strict data governance requirements.
  • Cost-Effective
    By leveraging an existing Android device and the user's own mobile plan for sending SMS, textbee.dev can be significantly cheaper than commercial SMS API providers, especially for small-to-medium volume messaging needs.
  • Accessibility
    Roll20 runs within a web browser, making it accessible on almost any device without needing special software installations.
  • Integrated Tools
    The platform offers built-in tools like character sheets, dice rollers, and rule sets that streamline game management.
  • Large Community
    A vibrant community provides extensive resources, including user-generated content, guides, and support forums.
  • Dynamic Lighting
    Advanced features like dynamic lighting enhance immersion by simulating realistic light and shadow effects in game maps.
  • Multimedia Integration
    Allows integration of music, sound effects, and visual aids to provide a richer game environment.
  • Versatility
    Supports multiple game systems such as Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, and many others.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    New users may find the platform overwhelming due to its vast array of features and settings.
  • Performance Issues
    Some users experience lag or slow performance, particularly during intense gameplay or when using advanced features like dynamic lighting.
  • Pricing
    While the free tier is functional, many advanced features require a subscription, which can be costly over time.
  • Complex Setup
    Setting up games, especially those with multiple systems or custom content, can be time-consuming and tedious.
  • Limited Native Content
    Although user-generated content is extensive, officially licensed material often requires additional purchase or subscription.
  • Internet Dependence
    A stable internet connection is required to use the platform, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

textbee.dev
Roll20

Overall verdict

  • TextBee.dev is a solid, cost-effective solution for sending SMS through your own Android device, turning your phone into an SMS gateway via a simple API. It's especially appealing for developers and small businesses who want to avoid the recurring costs of traditional SMS providers like Twilio, and its open-source nature adds transparency and flexibility.

Why this product is good

  • Lets you use your own Android phone as an SMS gateway, avoiding per-message fees charged by commercial SMS APIs
  • Open-source, giving you transparency and the ability to self-host or customize the platform
  • Simple, developer-friendly REST API for sending and receiving SMS programmatically
  • Cost-effective for low-to-moderate volume messaging since it leverages your existing mobile plan
  • Good for use cases like OTP delivery, notifications, and alerts without complex telecom setup

Recommended for

  • Developers building apps that need affordable programmatic SMS sending
  • Small businesses and startups wanting to avoid expensive SMS gateway subscriptions
  • Projects requiring OTP, verification codes, or notification delivery
  • Hobbyists and self-hosters who prefer open-source, controllable tools
  • Users in regions where traditional SMS APIs are costly or poorly supported

No analysis of Roll20 yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

textbee.dev 1 video + Add
Roll20 3 videos + Add

textbee.dev intro

Roll20 Overview 2019 (Play 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons Online)

More videos

  • - Why I Quit Roll20
  • - Roll20 Vs Fantasy Grounds | Which is REALLY the Cheapest?

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
textbee.dev
Roll20
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using textbee.dev and Roll20. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

textbee.dev no reviews yet
Roll20 2.0 · 2 reviews

We have no reviews of textbee.dev yet. Be the first one to post

  • When it works, its mediocre
    SaaSHub review
    · Jul 2020

    As a DM for homebrew games, I used Roll20 for 2+ years. When it works, its OK. When it doesn't, its frustrating. I use a lot of custom rules and they are simply not supported due to a lack of modularity within the...

  • Not very easy to learn
    SaaSHub review
    · Jun 2020

    Not easy to learn, not friendly controls

  • 10 Best Sites Like Roll20 Alternatives For Tabletop Gaming
    grabtrending.com · Mar 2020

    These tools aide gamers during online games. Both Roll20 and the Roll20 alternatives can be best described as table-top games. Launched in 2012, Roll20 has received a lot of positive feedback.

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

textbee.dev 1 mention
Roll20 334 mentions
  • We turned Android phones into an open-source SMS API. Here's how textbee works.
    Hi, we're the team behind textbee, an open-source SMS gateway. - Source: dev.to / 23 days ago
  • Friend screwed 3/4 of the table out of 1/2 the game.
    There are other options: https://roll20.net/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Looking for a DND/TTRPG group
    I've used roll20.net up until now. They have a find group feature and a virtual table top with character sheets and dice roller included, so everything you need to play virtually is all on the one site. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • I’m here to giveaway $1,500 in RPG goodies to celebrate 1 Year of Roll20 x DriveThruRPG! [Mod Approved]
    1 Year Roll20 Pro Subscription ($109 value!) – use it yourself or give it to your GM! Source: about 3 years ago

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Alternatives to textbee.dev and Roll20

When comparing textbee.dev and Roll20, you can also consider the following products.