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Do you treat SMS marketing as a mere supplement to your marketing strategy?

SMS marketing is highly effective, driving over $33 million in sales for Omnisend merchants in 2023 .

With it, you can send personalized and relevant messages to your customers. You can also boost your conversion and retention rates, and build long-lasting relationships.

SMS marketing software doesn’t just help you send promotional texts. It also lets you create interactive and engaging campaigns with two-way SMS marketing .

If you want to reap the benefits of SMS marketing, you need to choose the best SMS marketing software. Here, we compare some of the top SMS marketing platforms available to help you find one that suits your needs and goals.

In this post :

• How to choose the best SMS marketing software
• Best SMS marketing software
• Quick email provider pricing comparison
• SMS marketing software: Wrap up

How to choose the best SMS marketing software

There are plenty of software you can use for text message marketing. On the surface, all SMS marketing services might look the same. However, once you compare features, user interface, and pricing, you’ll quickly see that some are better suited for your business than others.

To help you make the best decision, here are a few features to look for when choosing among the top SMS marketing providers for your ecommerce business:

• Ecommerce platform integrations – Not every text marketing service integrates seamlessly with ecommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce. Make sure to check if the tool you’re considering is compatible with the ecommerce platform you’re using.
• Channel integration – Text message marketing works best when used as part of an omnichannel campaign. It will definitely be more efficient for you to find a tool on which you can manage campaigns across all your channels.
• Automated workflows – Some tools will allow you to set up messages to send automatically when triggered by certain actions or situations (e.g. a visitor subscribes through your website or a shopper abandons a cart). Making sure that your text message marketing tool supports automation can help you provide more engaging and personalized customer experiences.
• Detailed personalization – Look for detailed segmentation and precise targeting features, as these are critical to your CRM and your ability to enhance the customer experience through personalization. This leads to better engagement and, ultimately, higher conversions.
• List building tools – Several SMS marketing providers offer TCPA-compliant list-building tools to integrate into your website and help you collect your visitors’ mobile phone numbers. Such tools might include popups , landing pages , and interactive signup forms .
• Worldwide reach – If your ecommerce business has a global audience, make sure the SMS marketing tool you choose supports text messaging to international contacts.
• Competitive pricing – Make it a point to compare not only the cost of plans, but also what you get in exchange. Are you expected to pay per SMS? Or are there packages that will make your campaigns more cost-efficient? Also, determine what additional value you can gain per package.

Best SMS marketing software

• Omnisend — Best for small and mid-sized ecommerce stores
• SMSBump by Yotpo — Best for SMS communication only
• Postscript SMS & MMS marketing — Best for small and medium businesses
• Salesmate — Best for small and medium businesses
• EZ Texting — Best for small, medium, and multinational businesses
• Twilio — Best for small and medium businesses
• Tatango — Best for nonprofits
• Heymarket — Best for small and large businesses
• SlickText — Best for small and medium-sized businesses

1. Omnisend

• Best for : Small and mid-sized ecommerce stores
• Pricing : $0.015/SMS in the US
• Top features : Segmented SMS/MMS campaigns, bulk SMS blasts, automation including SMS and other channels
• Shopify app store rating : 4.8

Omnisend provides robust SMS marketing capabilities designed specifically for ecommerce brands. With it, you can send targeted promotional and transactional SMS campaigns to engage customers throughout their journey.

Omnisend’s SMS builder, shown below, makes it easy to create and personalize mobile messaging while getting a preview of how the final version will look. Plus, since Omnisend is one of the best email and SMS marketing platforms , it allows the integration of SMS with email and other channels. This helps you deliver timely, relevant omnichannel messaging.

Features :

• Simple editor
• Signup forms and landing pages to capture phone numbers
• Segmented SMS/MMS campaigns and bulk SMS blasts
• Automated workflows via SMS only or with other channels integrated
• Integrates with Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and more
• Advanced segmentation
• Personalization
• 24/7 Support

Omnisend pros

• Easy-to-use campaign builder
• Ecommerce-centric design
• Pre-built sequences, including welcome texts
• Natively integrates with many popular ecommerce platforms
• Affordable pricing, with free SMS credits on Pro plan
• 24/7 award-winning customer support
• Supports international texting

Omnisend cons

• Limited free SMS credits

Who uses Omnisend?

Omnisend is a popular SMS marketing software for small and mid-sized ecommerce businesses across a wide range of industries. Its customers include Amundsen Sports, Snatcher, INGLOT Canada, and Divatress. In fact, Divatress leveraged Omnisend’s SMS capabilities to drive $123,000 in sales in the first year of using the channel. To see how, read this Divatress case study .

Pricing :

Users on the Free and Standard plans get a $1 credit for SMS, which translates to 60 SMS/month for U.S. and Canadian numbers (with the option to top up at any time). Pro users get free SMS credits equal to the price they pay for the pricing plan.

If you need to send more texts, Omnisend allows you to easily buy SMS credits, no matter your current plan. A text message costs $0.015/SMS in the U.S. For more details, please see Omnisend pricing or check our SMS pricing calculator below.

2. SMSBump by Yotpo

• Best for : SMS communication only
• Pricing : Free to try. Paid plans start at $19 + $0.0149/SMS in the U.S.
• Top features : Signup keywords and SMS chat
• Shopify app store rating : 4.9

After taking SMSBump for a test drive, it’s clear that this SMS marketing software is solely built for text messaging. It focuses on SMS as a separate marketing channel versus taking an omnichannel approach. SMSBump is a great alternative to Omnisend if you’re not looking for an omnichannel approach and need only text messages.

It’s one of the SMS marketing providers that comes with a comprehensive set of features purpose-built for SMS marketing. First of all, you can send both SMS and MMS. It is also an automation platform that’s capable of sending bulk SMS , discount codes, A/B testing, etc.

SMSBump works fine with Shopify, Shopify Plus, BigCommerce, and Adobe Commerce.

Features :

• Signup keywords
• SMS chat
• A/B Testing
• SMS and MMS
• Messaging based on time zones

SMSBump pros :

• Easy to use interface
• Affordable pricing plans
• Focused specifically on SMS marketing
• Segmentation and personalization options

SMSBump cons :

• Limited to SMS and MMS only
• No customer support via phone
• Limited integration with major ecommerce platforms

Pricing :

There’s a starting plan to test out that’s free, with SMS costing $0.0165 per text. Paid plans start at $19/month + $0.0149/SMS in the U.S.

3. Postscript SMS Marketing

• Best for: Small and medium businesses
• Pricing: Starts at $0.015/SMS
• Top features: Campaigns and segmentations
• G2 rating: 4.9

Postscript impresses as a sophisticated SMS marketing software that makes it easy to create targeted campaigns. It stands out with its powerful segmentation capabilities, a game-changer for effective CRM. Postscript can automatically segment Shopify and Shopify Plus customers based on their purchase history and more.

Postscript supports SMS and MMS, so you can send images and videos along with your texts. You can also use its live chat function to interact with your customers in real-time and provide support or sales assistance.

Like all tools on this list, Postscript SMS Marketing follows US TCPA regulations. However, it’s not for everyone. It only works with Shopify and Shopify Plus, so if you use a different platform for your ecommerce business, you will need to look for another solution.

Features :

• SMS campaigns
• Segmentation
• SMS Campaign Automation
• Live Chat

Postscript pros :

• Live chat functionality
• SMS list growth tools
• Robust customer support
• Compliant with U.S. regulations

Postscript cons :

• Doesn’t support international texting (US and Canadian markets only)
• Testing and reporting could be improved
• Exclusive to Shopify

Pricing :

SMS pricing starts at $0.015/SMS for the Starter plan, which doesn’t charge monthly fees. Paid plans start at $100/month, with texts costing $0.01/SMS + carrier fees.

4. Salesmate

• Best for : Small and medium businesses
• Pricing : 15-day free trial. Pay as you go, based on country and carrier
• Top features : Text scheduling, text sequences, personalization, text template text reports, text pilot and many other CRM features
• G2 rating : 4.6

A hands-on exploration of Salesmate reveals the platform to be a robust all-in-one CRM and customer engagement platform with excellent SMS marketing capabilities. You can send campaigns, capture and nurture leads, and also deliver exceptional customer service after closing the deal. Salesmate has it all.

Salesmate offers great built-in calling and text messaging features. You can send personalized bulk messages and generate more qualified leads directly from your CRM.

You can also automate your messages with Sequences and customize them for each recipient. To build brand credibility, the Text Pilot feature allows you to select the most relevant local phone number based on your client’s location.

Salesmate has all the communication channels covered in a single platform, so that you can reach out to your customers at the right time using the right communication channel and never miss any opportunity again.

Features :

• Send personalized bulk SMS without any hassle
• Use Text Sequencing feature to send messages at regular intervals
• With the conversation timeline inside Salesmate, have a clear insight on your past conversations and accordingly draft your messages to close more deals
• Use predefined SMS templates for specific use-cases and save time
• Combine SMS and email marketing using Sequences and Automation Journeys to scale your business
• Use the Text Pilot feature to send messages using local numbers based on customer’s location
• Automatically send offers and promotions to the right customers at the right time
• Offer special discounts to customers on their special occasions to retain and turn them into brand promoters

Salesmate pros :

• Robust CRM and customer engagement platform
• Built-in calling and text messaging feature
• Supports international texting for 80+ countries
• Apple iOS and Android mobile apps

Salesmate cons :

• Users have reported an occasional lag
• Steeper learning curve
• Could support more integrations

Pricing :

With Salesmate you get pay-as-you-go pricing for sending and receiving text messages. It differs per country and per mobile carrier.

For a U.S. audience, you can expect to pay $0.0133 per message, while texting contacts in the UK will cost $0.044 per SMS.

5. EZ Texting

• Best for : Small, medium, and multinational businesses
• Pricing : Starts at $25 per month with 6,000 messages per year
• Top features : Advanced reporting, plus poll and surveys
• G2 rating : 4.5

This SMS platform stands out as the most comprehensive on the list. For one, it offers a unique suite of tools that extends beyond basic text messaging.

Features like polls, surveys, and contests allow the creation of engaging SMS campaigns that mimic social media interactions. The platform also provides enterprise-level SMS tools for segmentation, automation, and advanced analytics reporting.

EZ Texting helps small and multinational businesses engage with their audiences by launching captivating SMS marketing campaigns. It helps you expand your customer base, as well as increase profits.

Features :

• SMS and MMS
• Keywords
• Advanced reporting
• Segmentation
• Automation
• Poll and survey features
• Generative AI SMS
• Live Chat

EZ Texting pros :

• Excellent analytics and reporting
• Proven track record and effectiveness
• Comprehensive suite of tools beyond basic SMS
• User-friendly interface
• Affordable pricing

EZ Texting cons :

• Only operates in the U.S. and Canada
• Contacts and data must be imported
• May be overkill for simple SMS needs

Pricing :

You can start using EZ Texting for free to test it out. Pricing plans start at $25/month and include 500 free messages per month (or 6,000 annually). Higher volume SMS pricing starts at $0.030/text.

6. Twilio

• Best for : Small and medium businesses
• Pricing : Pay-as-you-go, based on country and carrier
• Top features : Automated responses and modular platform
• G2 rating : 4.2

Twilio is a powerful cloud communications platform with APIs that enable businesses to integrate various types of messaging into their own applications.

Unlike all-in-one platforms, Twilio empowers you to cherry-pick the channels you need and scale up as you go. So, you can start with SMS and then expand to MMS, chat, and WhatsApp when you’re ready. It also offers solutions for email, voice calls, and video.

With this SMS marketing tool, businesses can send bulk text messages to an extensive list of contacts. You may even add pictures, additional promotional material, and track viewers who click on your links.

Twilio’s Bulk SMS marketing facilitates two-way conversations without any roadblocks, whether you’re using new numbers or leveraging old ones. You’ll find Twilio is an innovative SMS marketing software with simple, accessible, and intuitive text messaging features.

Features :

• Developer-friendly APIs
• Modular platform
• Pay-as-you-go pricing
• Automated responses
• Two-way messaging
• Message personalization

Twilio pros :

• Includes delivery insights and opt-out protection
• Flexible APIs make custom integration easy
• Robust developer tools and support
• Volume discounts available
• Bulk SMS capabilities

Twilio cons :

• Hands-on approach requires developer resources
• Learning curve for non-developers
• No native ecommerce integrations

Pricing :

Twilio offers pay-as-you-go pricing for text message marketing. Different rates apply per country and sometimes even per mobile carrier.

For a U.S. audience, you can expect to pay $0.0079 per message, while texting rates in the UK start from $0.04 per SMS. Twilio automatically applies volume discounts as you scale your SMS usage.

7. Tatango

• Best for : Nonprofits
• Pricing : Contact sales
• Top features : SMS/MMS/RCS messaging and automation
• G2 rating : 4.5

Tatango is a leading SMS marketing software that specializes in fundraising for political and nonprofit organizations. We found it to be a powerful tool that enables cause-based organizations to leverage SMS for fundraising and donor engagement. It offers many features tailored to messaging supporters and growing your donor base.

Features :

• SMS and MMS messaging
• Automation
• A/B testing
• Custom SMS keyword
• 2-way messaging
• Integration with other marketing tools
• Contact management and segmentation
• Advanced reporting

Tatango pros :

• Specialized for fundraising
• Scalable and reliable platform
• Built-in link shrinking
• Automatic list monitoring
• Simple and easy to use
• Highly-rated customer service

Tatango cons :

• Less focus on ecommerce use cases
• Limited omnichannel approach
• Isn’t the cheapest option for SMS marketing

Pricing :

You must get in touch with Tatango’s sales team to request a demo and pricing information.

8. Heymarket

• Best for : Small and large businesses
• Pricing : Paid plans start at $23/user per month + $0.03/SMS segment
• Top features : Automated replies and custom fields
• G2 rating : 4.6

After our hands-on exploration of Heymarket, we found it to be an excellent SMS marketing platform for boosting customer support and engagement.

It’s no secret: brands are bombarded with similar questions about shipping and delivery services, opening and closing hours, and whether a product is in stock. This revolutionary SMS marketing ecommerce software curates shared inboxes to answer your customers’ queries efficiently and on time.

But Heymarket isn’t just for customer service. It also allows you to design and launch SMS marketing campaigns to engage your audience and promote your products. You can send personalized messages, drip campaigns, and bulk texts to your contacts, and monitor their performance with analytics.

A bonus is that you can easily integrate Heymarket with multiple marketing and social media applications to help you expand your reach. These include Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram Messaging.

Features :

• Allows users to set reminders for messages so that Heymarket automatically notifies you to follow up on customer support requests
• Supports a wide variety of platforms, including Android, iPhone, and Web
• Various support options including email, help desk, and chat
• You can organize contacts into extensive lists, as well as send targeted messages
• Access to a customizable website chat widget to exchange messages from viewers that visit your website
• This SMS and email marketing software also allows you to respond to Facebook messages

Heymarket pros :

• Shared inboxes to streamline customer support
• List segmentation and outreach reports
• Time and event-based automations
• Efficient customer support
• Omnichannel integrations

Heymarket cons :

• Leans more towards service (hence requires a minimum of 2 users)
• Software can get glitchy

Pricing :

Heymarket provides businesses with a decent selection of plans to ensure you can easily find the perfect match. Its Standard plan starts at $23/user per month, with messages being charged $0.03 per message segment (160 characters).

In addition, you can choose between a Plus and Pro package billed at $47/user per month and $71/user per month, respectively. You can contact sales to unlock high volume messaging, which is available on the Enterprise plan.

9. SlickText

• Best for : Small and medium-sized businesses
• Pricing : Paid plans start at $29/month for 500 texts + carrier fees
• Top features : Automated workflows and subscriber growth tools
• G2 rating : 4.8

SlickText is a capable SMS marketing platform with a focus on ease of use. The tool provides a straightforward way for small businesses to create and send SMS campaigns. They can collect keywords (Textwords) and opt-ins, and track performance. We established that SlickText also enables building automated workflows based on customer actions.

Features :

• Easy-to-use and powerful platform that allows you to create targeted, action-driving text messages
• Subscriber growth tools like website popups, landing pages, custom QR codes, and third-party integrations
• Automated workflow tool that lets you create automated SMS sequences that engage people one-on-one
• Intuitive, easy to navigate platform with responsive customer service and knowledge of compliance and best practices

SlickText pros :

• User-friendly interface
• Text blasts service
• Segmentation capabilities
• Meaningful SMS performance insights
• Seamless integrations, including with Zapier
• Provides scalability to meet evolving SMS marketing needs

SlickText cons :

• Can get expensive for bigger lists
• Textwords are fewer for lower-tier plans

Pricing :

SlickText offers U.S. and Canada pricing plans. The Basic plan starts at $29/month, where U.S. users get 500 texts (1 text is equal to 1 SMS to 1 person). A 14-day trial is also available, offering up to 50 text messages. You can also contact sales for a custom solution. Carrier fees apply.

Curious how you could turn texts into $123,000? This video provides expert insights and recommendations for the top SMS marketing platforms to boost sales, engagement, and retention.

SMS marketing software: Wrap up

These are some of the best SMS platforms available today. All have a bold presence and positive social proof. So none of them would probably disappoint you.

However, your decision should be made concerning your business scope, goals, and priorities.

If you seek SMS marketing software for standalone text messaging, pick SMSBump, as it seems to have the most reasonable pricing. But if your company has already reached a sustainable stage, and you are looking for more advanced marketing means, consider omnichannel marketing with Omnisend.