# Ilian, author of UnlimitedMessaging guides | UnlimitedMessaging > Ilian is the senior software engineer who builds UnlimitedMessaging and writes its guides on WhatsApp, email, SMS, MCP and APIs. All his articles. Source: https://unlimitedmessaging.app/authors/ilian ![Ilian, senior software engineer](https://ilianazz.com/images/iliazz.png) Author # Ilian Senior Software Engineer Ilian builds UnlimitedMessaging and writes every article on this site. Each guide comes from building and running the product: real API requests, real limits, real numbers. A senior software engineer, he founds and runs several tech companies. He builds products around messaging APIs, automation and AI integration, and shares here what he learns while building. * [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilianAzz/) * [Personal website](https://ilianazz.com/) ## Articles by Ilian * [Free SMS API: what is really free, and what is a trial?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/free-sms-api) Twilio's trial, Textbelt's free key, and Android gateways that send on your own plan: the honest comparison. Published November 9, 2026 * [Free unlimited WhatsApp: is there really no catch?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/free-unlimited-whatsapp) What is free on WhatsApp in 2026, what a free plan with unlimited messages includes, and its conditions. Published November 9, 2026 * [Free bulk WhatsApp senders: which ones get numbers banned?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/free-bulk-whatsapp-sender) Extensions, broadcast lists, the official API and a paced sender on your number: what is free and what is safe. Published November 9, 2026 * [Cheapest SMS API in 2026: what does an SMS really cost?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/cheap-sms-api) Seven SMS APIs priced to France and the US, the hidden fees, and the free route. Published November 9, 2026 * [Brevo alternative: still worth it for WhatsApp and SMS?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/brevo-alternative) Brevo's SMS credits and $499 WhatsApp plan next to a flat plan on your own accounts. Published November 9, 2026 * [Free WhatsApp API in 2026: which ones are really free?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/free-whatsapp-api) Meta's free tier, GREEN-API, WAHA, Evolution API, Baileys and a free hosted plan, next to the APIs that are only trials. Published November 9, 2026 * [whatsapp-web.js vs Baileys: which one still works in 2026?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whatsapp-web-js-vs-baileys) whatsapp-web.js, Baileys, whatsmeow or a hosted API: RAM per session, stability, ban risk and maintenance. Published November 9, 2026 * [Evolution API alternative: is self-hosting really free?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/evolution-api-alternative) Evolution API vs WAHA vs a hosted API: licences, servers, updates and the hours self-hosting takes. Published November 9, 2026 * [Garages: free "your car is ready" texts and MOT reminders](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/car-garage-repair-shop-sms-whatsapp) Quotes approved on WhatsApp, a text when the car is ready, MOT reminders a month ahead, from the garage's own number. Published November 9, 2026 * [Event organizers: free WhatsApp and SMS guest reminders](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/event-organizer-whatsapp-sms-reminders) Confirmations, day-before reminders and last-minute changes reach every guest by WhatsApp, SMS and email, from your number. Published November 9, 2026 * [Agencies: WhatsApp for every client, no Meta setup](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/marketing-agency-whatsapp-api-clients) Each client scans a QR code, then one API, n8n node or MCP server sends WhatsApp, email and SMS from their own number. Published November 9, 2026 * [Landlords: rent reminders that go out on time, politely](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/property-manager-landlord-tenant-messages) Rent reminders by SMS, check-in details on WhatsApp, visit notices by email, from your own number. Free plan, no card. Published November 9, 2026 * [Sports clubs: call-ups every player actually reads](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/association-sports-club-whatsapp-email) Match call-ups on WhatsApp, renewals by email, volunteers by SMS, from the club's own number. Free for small clubs. Published November 9, 2026 * [Driving schools: the night-before text that saves lessons](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/driving-school-whatsapp-sms-reminders) Lesson reminders by SMS, test dates on WhatsApp, cancellations and payment reminders, from the school's own number. Published November 9, 2026 * [Gyms and coaches: which members are about to quit?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/gym-coach-whatsapp-members) Class reminders, renewal notices and a check-in for members who stopped coming, by WhatsApp, SMS or email from your own accounts. Published November 9, 2026 * [Salons: free WhatsApp reminders, so what's the catch?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/hair-beauty-salon-whatsapp-reminders) Confirmations, day-before reminders, re-booking nudges and last-minute openings from the salon's own WhatsApp number. Published November 9, 2026 * [Dentists: how many chairs did no-shows empty this week?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/dentist-appointment-reminders-whatsapp-sms) Day-before reminders by WhatsApp or SMS from the practice's own number, time and place only, replies in one inbox. Published November 9, 2026 * [GREEN-API vs UltraMsg vs us: which one holds up in 2026?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/green-api-vs-ultramsg-vs-unlimited-messaging) Unofficial WhatsApp APIs compared: price per number, free plans, SDKs, MCP, email and SMS. Published November 8, 2026 * [WATI alternative: is WATI really worth it?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/wati-alternative) WATI pricing, seats and Meta fees vs a flat plan on your own number. Published November 8, 2026 * [Twilio alternative: is Twilio really worth the price?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/twilio-alternative) Twilio's per-message WhatsApp, SMS and SendGrid fees next to a flat plan on your own accounts. Published November 8, 2026 * [Can Claude or ChatGPT send SMS for you? Yes, here is how](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/ai-agent-send-sms) An AI assistant texts from your own Android phone and number over MCP, and asks before each send. Published November 7, 2026 * [What is the best Android SMS gateway? 2026 comparison](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/android-sms-gateway-comparison) SMSGate, httpSMS, textbee and Unlimited Messaging: self-hosting, MMS, dual SIM, encryption, MCP. Published November 7, 2026 * [Private tutors: 5 parent messages to automate in 2026](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/private-tutor-messages-parents) Lesson reminders, progress reports, payments: your messages to parents go out on their own, by WhatsApp, email or SMS. Published November 7, 2026 * [Freelancers: let Claude answer your WhatsApp in 2026](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/freelance-claude-answers-whatsapp) Claude or ChatGPT reads your client messages, drafts replies with your rates and sends them once you approve. Published November 7, 2026 * [Tradespeople: SMS appointment reminders and quotes, free](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/tradesman-sms-quotes-appointment-reminders) Quotes from your own mailbox, a text the day before, an "on my way" message: fewer no-shows, from your own phone. Published November 7, 2026 * [Real estate agents: follow up every lead with AI](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/real-estate-agent-whatsapp-follow-up-ai) Buyers and tenants write on WhatsApp and email. Claude or ChatGPT drafts, you approve, and visits confirm themselves. Published November 7, 2026 * [Restaurants: fewer empty tables with SMS reminders](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/restaurant-sms-reservation-reminders) A reminder text the day before, from the restaurant's own phone, and guest confirmations in one inbox. Published November 7, 2026 * [E-commerce: 5 WhatsApp and SMS order updates, free](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/ecommerce-order-notifications-whatsapp-sms) Order confirmed, shipped, out for delivery: notify customers by WhatsApp, SMS and email from your own accounts, no per-message fee. Published November 7, 2026 * [Sell on WhatsApp: never lose a customer chat again](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/sell-on-whatsapp-follow-up-customers) Order confirmations, payment reminders, "your order is ready": follow up every customer from your own number, for free. Published November 7, 2026 * [Hotels: confirm every booking on WhatsApp, automatically](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/hotel-whatsapp-booking-confirmations) Confirmation, check-in details, day-before reminder: your guest messages go out on their own, from your own number. Published November 7, 2026 * [Sales: WhatsApp and email in one inbox, free](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/sales-whatsapp-email-one-inbox) Prospects reply on WhatsApp, email and SMS. One inbox, your own accounts, follow-ups that send themselves. Published November 7, 2026 * [Is ChatGPT still on WhatsApp in 2026? What changed](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/chatgpt-on-whatsapp) The January ban, the EU return of 1-800-CHATGPT, and how to connect ChatGPT to your own number. Published November 6, 2026 * [How to give your AI agent WhatsApp and email in 2026](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/ai-agent-email-whatsapp) One MCP server for Claude, ChatGPT, Claude Code, Cursor and n8n, from your own accounts. Published November 6, 2026 * [Looking for an OpenClaw alternative for WhatsApp? Try this](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/openclaw-whatsapp-alternative) OpenClaw runs a WhatsApp gateway on your machine. A hosted MCP server gives your usual assistant WhatsApp and email instead. Published November 6, 2026 * [WhatsApp third-party AI agents: how they work in 2026](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whatsapp-third-party-ai-agents) Up to five agents, an API key each, no end-to-end encryption: how they work and what a connector adds. Published November 6, 2026 * [I let Claude plan 3 weeks in Malaysia over WhatsApp](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/claude-whatsapp-trip-malaysia) A story: Claude, plugged into my WhatsApp, found, negotiated and booked the whole trip. Published October 31, 2026 * [Why your own mailbox and number beat a shared sender](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/send-from-your-own-mailbox-and-number) Why sending from your own address and WhatsApp number beats a shared sender: your reputation, your identity, your replies, free on every plan. Published September 27, 2026 * [Connect Gmail by IMAP/SMTP in 3 steps with an app password](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/gmail-imap-smtp-app-password) Connect your own Gmail over IMAP/SMTP in three steps with a Google app password, free on every plan. Published September 27, 2026 * [One API request, two channels: email and WhatsApp at once](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/email-whatsapp-single-api-request) Send the same message by WhatsApp and email in one call, from your own number and mailbox, free on every plan. Published September 27, 2026 * [How to avoid a WhatsApp ban: the practices that really work](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/avoid-whatsapp-ban) The concrete practices that reduce the risk of a ban on automated WhatsApp usage. Published August 29, 2026 * [Whapi vs Maytapi vs us: which WhatsApp API wins in 2026?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whapi-vs-maytapi-vs-unlimited-messaging) A comparison of unofficial WhatsApp APIs: pricing, unlimited use, SDKs, MCP and hosting. Published June 30, 2026 * [WhatsApp Business app or API: which one do you need in 2026?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whatsapp-business-or-api-choose) WhatsApp Business app, official API, or Unlimited Messaging: how to choose for your use case. Published June 30, 2026 * [Send WhatsApp messages from Python with one pip install](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/python-sdk) Send WhatsApp messages from Python with pip install unlimited-messaging. Published June 24, 2026 * [Send WhatsApp from Node.js with a fully typed SDK](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/typescript-sdk) Fully typed npm package for Node.js, Next.js, and any JS environment. Published June 24, 2026 * [Automate WhatsApp in n8n with one community node](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/n8n) Automate WhatsApp workflows with the n8n-nodes-unlimited-messaging node. Published June 24, 2026 * [How to connect ChatGPT to your WhatsApp in 2026](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/mcp-chatgpt) Connect ChatGPT to WhatsApp via the MCP protocol. Published June 24, 2026 * [How to connect Claude to WhatsApp (2026 guide)](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/mcp-claude) Use Claude.ai or Claude Desktop to send and read WhatsApp messages. Published June 24, 2026 * [SMS, WhatsApp or email: which one should you use in 2026?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/text-messages) Compare the three text message channels, then send on all of them in one API request. Published June 22, 2026 * [How to send SMS by API from your own number (free app)](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/sms) Send SMS from your own SIM and plan with a free Android app, through the same API as WhatsApp and email. Published June 22, 2026 * [Unlimited SMS by API: use the plan you already pay for](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/unlimited-sms) Use your plan's unlimited texting from code, through your own phone, within fair use and Android limits. Published June 22, 2026 * [Order confirmations on WhatsApp: the 2026 setup guide](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/notifications) Send order confirmations, alerts, and receipts via WhatsApp. Published June 22, 2026 * [Why send your OTP codes by WhatsApp instead of SMS?](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/otp) Deliver one-time passwords and two-factor codes via WhatsApp. Published June 22, 2026 * [Can you really send unlimited WhatsApp messages? Here is how](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/unlimited-whatsapp) Send unlimited messages from your own WhatsApp number. Published June 22, 2026 * [WhatsApp marketing in 2026: how to run campaigns that get read](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whatsapp-marketing) Run WhatsApp marketing campaigns and bulk messaging. Published June 22, 2026 * [WhatsApp REST API: your first message from code, step by step](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whatsapp-api) Programmatic WhatsApp messaging via a simple REST API. Published June 22, 2026 * [How to send WhatsApp messages to any number in 2026](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/whatsapp) Send unlimited WhatsApp messages to any number with a personal account. Published June 22, 2026 * [What is a WhatsApp MCP server? The 2026 guide](https://unlimitedmessaging.app/en/articles/mcp) Connect any MCP-compatible AI assistant to WhatsApp via OAuth 2.0. Published June 21, 2026