During Travel
Airport WiFi down? Roaming in a foreign country? SMS works when data doesn't. Get alerted even when your phone can't reach the internet.
SMS Alerts When Your Website Goes Down
Get text message notifications the moment your website becomes unreachable. SMS alerts work everywhere - no internet required, no app needed. When uptime is critical, SMS is the most reliable way to get notified.
Why SMS for Critical Alerts?
- Works without internet - alerts reach you anywhere with cell signal
- No app required - works on any phone, even basic ones
- Impossible to miss - text notifications cut through noise
- Global coverage - reaches 200+ countries
- Instant delivery - typically under 5 seconds
When SMS Alerts Save the Day
For On-Call Rotation
When you're the one responsible for uptime, SMS ensures the alert reaches you - even if your phone is on Do Not Disturb for other notifications.
As Backup Channel
Use SMS as your failsafe when primary channels fail. If email is delayed or Slack is down, SMS still gets through.
The Most Reliable Alert Channel
While push notifications can be silenced and emails can be filtered, SMS messages demand attention. Studies show SMS has a 98% open rate with 90% read within 3 minutes.
For mission-critical systems where every minute of downtime costs money, SMS is the gold standard for alerting. That's why banks, hospitals, and emergency services rely on SMS when it matters most.
SMS vs Other Alert Methods
| Scenario | SMS | Push/App | |
|---|---|---|---|
| No internet connection | Works | Fails | Fails |
| Phone on Do Not Disturb | Can bypass | Silent | Silent |
| Old/basic phone | Works | Limited | No |
| International roaming | Works | Needs data | Needs data |
| Cost | Per message | Free | Free |
Who Needs SMS Uptime Alerts?
E-commerce Businesses
When your checkout page goes down during a flash sale, every second counts. SMS cuts through - even if you're away from your desk.
Healthcare Applications
Patient portals and healthcare apps need maximum reliability. SMS ensures administrators are alerted regardless of circumstances.
Financial Services
Trading platforms and payment gateways can't afford extended downtime. SMS provides the reliability these critical systems demand.
SaaS Providers
Your customers depend on your uptime. SMS alerts ensure your on-call engineers respond quickly, protecting your SLA commitments.
Related resources
Compare alert channels with our Telegram downtime alerts guide.
Read incident response tips in the AlertsDown blog.
Compare plan tiers on the pricing page.
Add SMS Alerts to Your Monitoring
Start with free email and Telegram alerts. Upgrade anytime to add SMS for critical notifications that can't be missed.
SMS Alerts FAQ
How much do SMS alerts cost?
SMS alerts are included in our paid plans with monthly quotas. The Starter plan includes 50 SMS/month, Pro includes 200 SMS/month, and Business includes 500 SMS/month. Additional SMS can be purchased if needed.
Which countries can receive SMS alerts?
AlertsDown can send SMS alerts to over 200 countries worldwide. Delivery rates and speeds may vary by carrier and region, but we use premium routes for maximum reliability.
Can I use SMS as a backup to other channels?
Yes! You can configure multiple notification channels per monitor. Many users set up email or Telegram as primary, with SMS as an escalation channel for critical alerts or after hours.
How do I add my phone number for SMS?
In your AlertsDown dashboard, go to Notifications > Add SMS. Enter your phone number with country code, and we'll send a verification code. Once verified, you can select SMS for any monitor.
Are SMS alerts instant?
Yes, SMS alerts are sent immediately when downtime is detected. Delivery typically takes 3-10 seconds depending on your carrier. This is comparable to or faster than most other alert methods.