17 Texting Platforms for SMS Marketing & How to Choose

Most of the day, your audience is probably not at their computer, but they probably have their cell phone on them. Roughly 90% of cell phones in the U.S. have unlimited texting and 97% of US adults text (Pew Research, 2015 SMS stats, and 2018 stats). That's why SMS is such an important channel to invest in because it reaches people whenever and wherever they are. Luckily, that investment doesn't have to be huge to get started in SMS marketing.
Here are our favorite free (and cheap) mass texting tools for nonprofits. Plus, how to choose an SMS platform for your organization!
Find the full list here: www.wholewhale.com/tips/free-...
1. Twilio.org
Pricing volume discounts, $.0075 per message sent, $500 in-kind grants for nonprofits available (www.twilio.org/benefits/). Twilio studio allows for custom message flows but requires some knowledge of platform to customize.
2. ExpertTexting
Pricing based on $0.0083 per message - so $8.30 for 1,000 messages, unlimited keywords (pending availability). No cost to receive texts.
3. MoboMobix
Pricing starts at $50/month for 2,000 messages, 1 keyword. No cost to receive texts
4. Textmarks
Low-cost texting, simple web interface with pricing starting at $199/month for 3,500 messages, includes 10 keywords. Credits are used to send and receive messages.
5. Eztext
Free messaging tier up to 250 messages per month, then $49/month for 1,000 messages, 1 keyword included. No cost to receive texts.
6. SimpleTexting
Low-cost texting platform starting at $45/month for 1,000 messages, unlimited keywords. No cost to receive texts.
7. Burst SMS
Pricing volume discounts available, $0.016 per message sent, 3 keywords for a shared short code included and free to receive messages.
Text-to-give/Text-to-donate/Text-to-pledge tools
These tools are narrow focused tools that let nonprofits collect donations through texting either via pledge, mobile webform or through direct from mobile bill. Note that giving through cell phone carrier is organized through the Mobile Giving Foundation. Organized by pricing.
1. GiveLively.org
FREE. This is not a typo, they offer free text-to-donate tool with keywords against the shortcode 44321. We didn’t believe this so we did a podcast interview with the CEO of Give Lively.
2. Give by Cell
Allows for text-to-give through the Mobile Giving Foundation ($675 fee) that deducts from the user’s phone bill. Pricing starts at $149/month for just this service.
3. @Pay
Pricing starts at $0/yr and 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. They focus on a seamless and efficient giving experience that lets donors give with two clicks, one to send a text with the donation amount and the other to confirm the payment.
4. Txt2Give
Pricing starts at $25/month + 1% donations or $60/month + 0% fee.
5. Qgive
Pricing starts at $0/yr + 3.95% + $0.30 per transaction.
6. mGive
Pricing starts at $499/year + 2.9% donation + $0.30 per transaction.
7. SecureGive
Pricing starts at $69/month + “competitive processing fees”.
High-End SMS Services
These providers allow for more dynamic segmenting, messaging, and tools for advocacy. Note that carriers do not charge platforms to receive messages so any cost associated with receiving messages is being added by the vendor.
1. Textit.in
Visual interface for structuring texts, pricing starts at $20 for 1,000 credits. Note that credits count for sent AND received texts, most platforms are free to receive messages.
2. Trumpia
Pricing starts at $250/month for 10,000 credits (sent and received count as credits).
3. CitizenInsights
Offers guided surveying for organizations. Has fixed $99/month for 2,500 sent messages, with customizable message flows.
4. Smart as a Fox
Pricing starts $450/month for 5,000 sent messages and includes unlimited keywords for a shared shortcode (free to receive). They also have great activism click-to-call, VoIP #s and segmentation for message targetting.
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[@YOURETHINKINGIT]

Super helpful and loved the questions at the end. Would have never thought of some of these and the consultation/training would be super helpful and needed for my job.

[@nieciabullock2167]

This video was EXACTLY what I needed. Thank you so much for your help. I look forward to learning more from you.

[@Wholewhale]

awesome! We spent a lot of time tracking this info down :)

[@stephaniecastillo4226]

Oh, this video will be helpful to a lot of people! I love SMS, I'm currently texting with Launch Control, and I'm getting more deals than ever! Texting works! Thank you for posting great content!

[@tsmith6985]

Just looked at launch control. Damn it's expensive. Is it the first platform you used

[@tsmith6985]

Just did some research. It's definitely worth it

[@stephaniecastillo4226]

@@tsmith6985 Yes. It's definitely worth it. You should try it! You won't regret it.

[@tsmith6985]

@@stephaniecastillo4226 I signed up the same day I made the comment. Thanks for sharing your tools and knowledge.

[@stephaniecastillo4226]

@@tsmith6985 That's awesome. Happy to shared what really works for me. Enjoy your results.

[@designhub360customapparel]

Thank you so much for this. I been going crazy researching all week.

[@brianahernofficial]

Which one u using brotha u still sending out sms?

[@designhub360customapparel]

@@brianahernofficialI was using SMS-IT

[@derrickbranch7130]

This is exactly what people were looking for

[@desertundergroundx]

Great video thank you for all the detailed information with graphics 👌

[@Wholewhale]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Theworldisaplushplace]

Thank for the content man!

[@Wholewhale]

tryin...

[@noblerichosseiberkoh9196]

Great information bro 💯

[@Wholewhale]

Glad it was helpful!

[@84uniqueness]

Thanks for this!

[@Wholewhale]

My pleasure!

[@buzzufy]

Great video!

[@Wholewhale]

Thanks!

[@a-pro-peau-beauty-co.7768]

Any suggestions for a NEW new small business that wants to start with something realistically affordable to begin with.... and in Canada?

[@martinscoffeeandbakery4559]

Which vendor would you use for a coffee shop with around 10,000 phone numbers that wants to update by weekly through text?

[@ScottDieken]

hopefully, you can update this since its two years old. I expect much has changed in two years.

[@Wholewhale]

wow, can't believe this was already 2 years ago... Biggest change is around the shared short code stuff. And new players too...

[@shankardas3963]

I want to have a console from where I can control my customers SMS marketing.

[@searchbug]

Hi, guys! Just wanna share that you can actually do SMS marketing for free. You only need to have the SMS email of the phone numbers and send the SMS as a regular email. It will still be sent as a text message. There's a tool to get that kind of info, which we provide to people who want to try it.

[@TateBugs]

I’m new to this whole thing, but ideally, I’d love to send out unique coupon codes for new sms subs and even send out promotional coupons. Any tips or direction on where to look for getting that started?

[@Wholewhale]

most platforms should be able to handle with a [variable] field that can be inserted and you can then uploaded that database of codes for each #. Others have native tools for that

[@tsmith6985]

Thanks brother

[@Soulflosociety]

I’m looking to send motivational quotes everyday to my audience. I don’t have a business yet but looking to do so soon but right now it’s just the sending motivational quotes. Which source do you think I should use? Thank you!

[@Soulflosociety]

I would also like the “text call to action” feature

[@cookingwithprincess2254]

I am in the same boat. I am wanting to send out motivational texts everyday. Any luck on figuring it out?

[@BringingPrettyBack]

Me too.

[@anonymousf454]

This is great. Do any of them alow you to send out the initial opt in message?

[@Wholewhale]

if you claim or can proove that they have opted in...

[@anonymousf454]

@@Wholewhale So, if I'm understanding you correctly, you mean that I must get consent from another way first, before sending any SMS message at all....even if that first SMS message was asking to opt in, that would be unacceptable....is that correct?

[@NUCLEARSG]

Sir , which is the best sms sending site , best and cheapest . Please share your opinion

[@heardpromotions]

That's what this video is about

[@Theworldisaplushplace]

Video starts at 2:20

[@Renzov12]

🐐

[@waseembukhari3093]

Sir plz tell me about iprns sms wark how to find app

[@jugg1049]

Best sms platform in the uk that changes sender ID?

[@davidhazen2394]

What a bulk texting to work with my voip phone number. Do you know any services that allows that offers voip and mass texting?.

[@Wholewhale]

tricky one, makes me think you might want whats app or telegram type solution. Using your own personal voip raises some issues. Take a look at twilio that combines VOIP/TEXT options too

[@mcafeeinstallation7557]

which service provider allow us to sign up without putting up many credential like website, address and GST VAT? Please help me

[@Wholewhale]

hmm, not familiar with VAT - sorry!

[@allindia9081]

What if I send 100 random sms as advertisement to any no. In US from my US mobile. Will i be penalised by FCC

[@Wholewhale]

yup, you're playing with fire and will probably be blocked by that platform.

[@designhub360customapparel]

@@Wholewhale Oh wait you cant send mobile to send promotions but you can with apps?

[@brichmon1982]

Is there a platform/website that lets me send automated text messages from my own cell phone number? Everything I see is sent from a generic number which is not ideal for me.

[@Wholewhale]

hmm, a little tricky because it has to be done through your phone, probably a bad idea to do at scale. smallbusiness.chron.com/send-sms-messages-automatically-48180.html

[@Wholewhale]

you may also want to go with WhatsApp or Telegram if it is a network of folks

[@eberekanu2809]

What platforms can I use for SMS marketing in Nigeria ?

[@tobilobaonaleye6312]

Betasms is a high-ranking bulk SMS platform in Nigeria

[@josephhernandez9428]

You forgot #6- low cost

[@ravibhindiprec-realtorinsurrey]

Any text messaging sms platform have AI?

[@Wholewhale]

Twilio can pullin API call responses. So you could use the Flex interface and a JSON call to GPT3 for example

[@davemac2792]

Unless I’m mistaken, $.83 per message for 1k messages is not $8.30. It’s $830. $.0083 per message equals $8.30.

[@keynotez]

You're mistaken .0083 not .83

[@davemac2792]

@@keynotez not sure what you mean Key. If I recall, his graphic said $.83 per message which would be $830 for 1,000 messages. He said “$8.30” for 1,000 messages. So either the graphic was wrong or he was. $.0083 x 1000 messages would be $8.30.

[@veteranbuysproperties8248]

@@davemac2792 Did you subscribe to this service? If so, How's it working for you:) Thanks

[@davemac2792]

@@veteranbuysproperties8248 Sorry, I haven't yet. I was researching pricing for a business plan that I have shelved for now.

[@MarkLipka]

It *SEEMS* he means a fraction of a penny (.83) per msg. *NOT* 83 cents per msg.

[@TFJ2024]

Cheapest way to send 100k texts?

[@Wholewhale]

probably twilio

[@Poundz1killat]

Can you work for me?

[@Wholewhale]

no?

[@mindset4797]

who offer service with cryptocurrency method of top up payment?

[@Wholewhale]

hmm, I think you need to find a seperate donor if I understand the question.

[@mindset4797]

@@Wholewhale I need an texting sms platform bulk sms that i can add credit with crypto currency

[@jugg1049]

Found any that offer crypto as a payment method?

[@robjohnson8861]

What a garbled bunch of crap and then he tops it off with that god awful banjo music. Horrible!

[@Wholewhale]

LoL, yeah can feel like word salad in there... BUT why hate on banjos, they're innocent.

[@conwai]

@@Wholewhale respect to you for that response. Keep up the great video work!

[@Uncle.Krueger]

People like you is the reason why the world is a shit place, the only piece of garbage I see in this video is your stupid comment. I can almost smell your stinky breath from here

[@designhub360customapparel]

Lol

[@leslieadavis00]

I feel so dumb when it comes to all this. I am the president of my neighborhood's old school garden club (circa 1960s). I am using a free mailchimp account to send a monthly newsletter to our members, but am starting a once-a-month text reminder for our meetings. With less than 30 members needing a text each month and no budget for it, I'd love a quicker method than copy/paste/text for each person. It seems like I may need to look into EZtext. (?)

[@Wholewhale]

no judgements here :) Give them a try to see if interface makes sense.