Gammu SMSD
Gammu SMSD is a free messaging tool distributed as part of Gammu.
What Gammu SMSD is
Gammu SMSD is a free messaging tool distributed as part of Gammu. It periodically checks a GSM modem for received messages, stores them and sends messages held in its outgoing queue. It is designed for managing large volumes of incoming and sent messages and automating processing. Received messages can be stored in files or databases: MySQL and PostgreSQL are supported natively, with other database options available through ODBC or libdbi. The libdbi backend is unavailable in Windows builds. SMSD can run a configured program when messages arrive. The package includes gammu-smsd-inject for creating long text messages and gammu-smsd-monitor for checking daemon or phone status, and messages can be injected through C or Python interfaces. For web-based message and phonebook management, the project points to Kalkun, which uses MySQL, PostgreSQL or SQLite3. Gammu is released under GNU General Public License version 2. It supports Linux, Windows and self-hosted setups; the project offers public community support and privately arranged commercial support.
Good
- Free plan is available.
- Stores received messages in files or databases.
- Can run a program when messages arrive.
- Includes utilities for message injection and monitoring.
- Supports inbound SMS and delivery reports.
Watch out
- The libdbi backend is unavailable in Windows builds.
- A web interface requires the separate Kalkun option.
- Commercial support is privately arranged.
Who it suits
Gammu SMSD suits people or organisations managing SMS through a GSM modem and comfortable with file or database storage. It may suit workflows that need automated message processing or programmatic message injection.
Verdict
Gammu SMSD provides a free way to queue, store and process SMS using a GSM modem. Note the Windows database-backend limit and the separate Kalkun web interface.
The facts
Each one read from Gammu SMSD's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Backend limitation
- The libdbi backend is not available in Windows builds.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- SMSD is distributed as part of Gammu, and distribution-specific binary packages may provide it separately.checked 8 Oct 2026
- File backend
- The FILES backend stores data in configured filesystem folders and reads outgoing SMS files from a configured folder.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Included tools
- The package includes gammu-smsd-inject for creating long text messages and gammu-smsd-monitor for monitoring daemon or phone status.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Included utilities
- The package includes gammu-smsd-inject for creating long text messages and gammu-smsd-monitor for monitoring daemon or phone status.checked 8 Oct 2026
- License
- Gammu is licensed under GNU General Public License version 2, and the maker says it cannot offer relicensing.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Message monitoring
- During its main loop SMSD checks for received messages, sends queued messages, checks phone status, and sleeps for a configured interval.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Message processing
- After receiving and storing a message, SMSD can invoke a user program to process it.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Phone compatibility
- The phone database says phones capable of AT commands or IrMC are generally supported, while newer Symbian phones do not have support so far.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Processing
- SMSD can execute a configured RunOnReceive action when messages arrive.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Programming interfaces
- Messages can be injected using the C SMSD_InjectSMS() function or Python's gammu.smsd.SMSD.InjectSMS().checked 8 Oct 2026
- Project leadership
- The Gammu project is led by Michal Čihař with help from contributors.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Gammu SMSD periodically scans a GSM modem for received messages, stores them, and sends messages queued in that storage.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Release
- The download page lists Gammu 1.45.0, released September 16, 2026, and says its source tarball contains Gammu SMSD.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Storage
- Received messages can be stored in files or databases; supported database backends include MySQL and PostgreSQL natively, plus others through ODBC or libdbi.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project offers public community support and privately arranged commercial support, with no fixed-price support packages.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Use case
- The maker describes SMSD as a tool for managing large amounts of sent or received messages and automatically processing them.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Web interface
- The maker points to Kalkun as a web interface for managing messages and the phonebook using MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQLite3.checked 8 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The maker provides Windows installers and links to Linux distribution packages; the source code can be compiled for a platform with a development environment and CMake.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Gammu downloads include source code, Windows binaries, and links to Linux distribution packages.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Windows database limit
- The libdbi backend is currently unavailable in Windows builds.checked 8 Oct 2026
Alternatives to Gammu SMSD
- 1
Textmagic
Free planAndroidiOSWebAPI8.2Free plan - 2
Android SMS Gateway
Free planAndroidWebAPI7.6From $50 a year - 3
SMSGatewayCenter
AndroidiOSWebAPI7.6From ₹999 a month - 4
ASPSMS
iOSWebAPImacOS7.5 - 5
D7 Networks
Free planWebAPI7.5$0.01 one-time - 6
Ozeki SMS Gateway
AndroidWebAPILinux7.4€1,490 one-time