Chert alternatives

8 other ways to reach iMessage, each with the one thing that changes if you move off Chert. Ordered by how close they are to what you already have, not by anything we were paid: nothing on this site is.

If you are moving off Chert

Linq Blue
Managed API
The deepest published feature set of any provider here, and no published price at all.
Claims SOC 2 Type II and 99.95% uptime SLA
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
Blooio
Managed API
Cheapest published entry at $39/month, but that tier puts you in a shared number pool.
Publishes a price, from $39/mo
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
Claw Messenger
Managed API
The only metered provider here: $5/month for 250 messages, scaling to $50 for 15,000.
Publishes a price, from $5/mo
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
LoopMessage
Managed API
From $59.99/month, but the ability to message someone first is a $30/month add-on.
Publishes a price, from $59.99/mo
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
Photon
Managed API
Cheapest route to a dedicated line's alternative: $25/month on a shared pool, $250 for a dedicated one.
Publishes a price, from free
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
Sendblue
Managed API
Dedicated line at $100/month with no per-message fees, but outbound messaging is Enterprise-only.
Publishes a price, from $100/mo
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
Tuco AI
Managed API
Sells the Mac bridge openly: $335 buys a dedicated Mac mini, an Apple ID and carrier KYC.
Publishes a price, from $149/mo
Both are managed APIs into iMessage.
Apple Messages for Business
Official Apple
Apple's official programme. Not a general agent API, and you cannot use it directly.
Apple's own programme, through an approved provider, customer-initiated only
Both reach iMessage.

Every figure here comes from the provider’s own pricing page with the date we checked it, and a provider that publishes none is recorded as publishing none rather than estimated. What Chert costs and what the headline leaves out, or filter the whole set.