Don't Buy SendMS for $21.1K - Build It for $6K Instead

Thinking about acquiring SendMS, a simple SMS delivery service built to handle legacy systems?
Before you spend $21,100 on it, let's explore why building your own version might cost less than $6,000 — giving you full control, scalability, and ownership from day one.

What Is SendMS?

SendMS is a UK-based SaaS SMS delivery platform designed for brittle legacy systems that can’t easily integrate modern APIs. It offers three main methods for sending SMS messages:

• API integration
• Email-to-SMS
• CSV upload to SFTP

Its core value lies in supporting clients (like government institutions) that depend on outdated infrastructure, enabling them to send text notifications without extensive technical upgrades.

Key metrics:

• Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR): $8K
• TTM Revenue: $11.3K
• Profit: $4.2K
• Growth Rate: ~10%
• Customer Base: <10 (mostly long-term government clients)

While it’s a lean operation with stable revenue and automated billing, it’s tied to one sticky but limited-use case. That limits scalability — and poses risk if the main client churns.

Hidden Costs of Acquisition

At first glance, $21.1K for a turnkey SMS SaaS looks like a solid deal.
But add in the hidden costs of acquisition, and the price grows quickly.

Cost Item	Estimated Amount	Notes
Purchase Price	$21,100	Initial investment
Due Diligence	$5,000	Financial & technical review
Legal Fees	$10,000	Contracts, IP, compliance
Technical Audit	$8,000	Code quality & security review
Integration & Migration	$20,000	Adaptation to your systems
Total	$64,100+	True cost of ownership

You could end up paying over 3× the headline price once you factor in professional fees and technical integration.

Building a Better Alternative

Instead of buying someone else’s code and customer risk, you can build your own SendMS-style platform — tailored exactly to your business needs and tech stack.

Core Features

• RESTful SMS API with authentication tokens
• SFTP & CSV file upload processing
• Email-to-SMS conversion gateway
• Telco integration (via APIs like Twilio or MessageBird)
• Delivery tracking & reporting dashboard
• Automated invoicing and billing

Modern Tech Stack

• Backend: Python (FastAPI or Django)
• Frontend: React / Next.js (for dashboard)
• Database: PostgreSQL
• Infrastructure: AWS or Azure
• Messaging Integration: Twilio or Vonage APIs

Development Timeline

• MVP build: 6–8 weeks
• Full product: 10–12 weeks
• Monthly maintenance: < $200 for hosting and monitoring

Cost Breakdown: Build vs Buy

Option	Initial Cost	Maintenance (Annual)	Ownership	Scalability
Buy SendMS	$21,100 + fees (~$64K total)	$1K–$2K	Limited (existing code constraints)	Low
Build Custom Platform	$6K–$8K MVP / $12K–$20K full product	<$200/mo	Full	High

You could save over 70% upfront and end up with a more scalable architecture that directly serves your use case.

Industry Analysis

The SMS notification market remains strong due to demand from healthcare, logistics, and government agencies — but it’s also highly commoditized.
With robust providers like Twilio, Plivo, and Nexmo offering reliable APIs, small resellers like SendMS must rely on niche integrations or “legacy bridge” features to compete.

That means acquisition value mainly lies in existing relationships, not technology.
If you don’t benefit from that government client connection, you’re essentially buying a lightweight API wrapper around telco services — a commodity you can build yourself.

When Acquiring Makes Sense

Buying SendMS could make sense if:

• You need immediate access to a UK government client
• You lack software development resources
• You want a small, stable revenue stream with minimal oversight

But for most businesses or developers looking to scale an SMS product, the proprietary tech isn’t sophisticated or unique enough to justify paying a multiple of profit.

The DontAcquire Advantage

At DontAcquire, we specialize in helping entrepreneurs build — and own — their own SaaS alternatives.

Here’s what we offer:

• Full-cycle design, build, and deployment for 10–40% of acquisition costs
• Scalable architectures using modern frameworks
• Engineering transparency and zero vendor lock-in
• Post-launch support and feature extensions

Instead of inheriting someone else’s limitations, you’ll launch a product designed for growth and flexibility.

Making Your Decision

Before acquiring, ask yourself:

• Do I want someone else’s code, or my own platform?
• Will buying this actually accelerate my growth, or limit it?
• Am I paying for IP or just customer goodwill?
• How much risk is tied to one client relationship?
• What happens if that client leaves?

Red Flags

• Single major customer = fragile business
• Outdated tech with integration challenges
• Low scalability due to legacy dependencies

Next Steps

Ready to explore the smarter path?

👉 Book a Free Consultation
👉 Learn More About Custom Builds

FAQ

How long does it take to build a similar platform?
Most MVPs launch in 8–10 weeks, depending on integration complexity and design needs.

Is building really cheaper?
Yes. Most SMS platforms can be built for 10–40% of the acquisition price while maintaining modern standards and scalability.

What if I want to use Twilio or another existing SMS provider?
We can integrate any provider’s API seamlessly, avoiding the need for direct carrier contracts.

Can I get the same functionality as SendMS?
Absolutely — plus improved performance, analytics, and admin controls.

What post-launch support is available?
We offer technical support, include monitoring setups, and optional maintenance retainers at a fraction of the typical SaaS cost.

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Book a Free Consultation
Learn More About Custom Builds