Look, SMS marketing works. 98% open rates. Messages read within minutes. You already know this, which is why you're here trying to pick a platform.
But here's the problem. There are way too many options, and they all claim to be the best. So we did the work for you. Tested the platforms. Compared the pricing. Cut through the marketing fluff.
Here's what you'll get for each platform:
- Who it's actually for (not who they say it's for)
- Features that matter (not every checkbox on their feature list)
- Real pricing info (including the hidden stuff)
- Honest pros and cons (because nothing's perfect)
Let's find the right tool for your business.
1. Twilio
Twilio isn't an SMS marketing tool. It's a developer toolkit. You get APIs to build whatever messaging system you want, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, the works.
If you have developers and need complete control, Twilio is unbeatable. If you're a marketer who wants to launch campaigns today, look elsewhere.
Pricing and Features
The beauty of Twilio? Pay only for what you send. No monthly fees for basic messaging. Volume discounts when you scale up.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-message. Volume discounts available. |
| Best For | Tech companies, SaaS, enterprises with dev teams. |
| Omnichannel | SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, Voice, Email. |
| Why Choose It | Total control. Build exactly what you need. |
The Verdict
Pro: Infinitely scalable. Cheap at high volume.
Con: You need a developer. Period.
This is for building custom systems. If you need email and SMS working together, you'll probably want something more marketer-friendly.
Website: twilio.com/pricing
2. Attentive
Attentive is the Rolls Royce of SMS marketing. Enterprise pricing, white-glove service, and it's built specifically for big retail and DTC brands.
They don't just give you software. They give you a team. Dedicated support, onboarding specialists, the whole package. It's expensive, but you get what you pay for.
Pricing and Features
No published pricing. You talk to sales, they build a custom quote. Classic enterprise move.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Custom, usage-based. Talk to sales. |
| Best For | Large ecommerce and retail brands. |
| Omnichannel | SMS, MMS, Email, Push. |
| Why Choose It | Enterprise support. AI-powered revenue focus. |
The Verdict
Pro: Best-in-class service for retail.
Con: Overkill (and too expensive) for smaller brands.
If you're doing $10M+ in revenue and want SMS to be a major channel, talk to Attentive.
Website: attentive.com/pricing
3. Klaviyo (SMS and Email)
Here's the thing about Klaviyo. It's not just an SMS tool. It's email AND SMS in one platform with a single customer view.
That matters. A lot.
You can build flows that send an email, wait a day, then text if they didn't open. All based on what they bought, browsed, or abandoned. For Shopify stores, this is the gold standard.
Pricing and Features
Klaviyo uses credits for SMS. You pay monthly for email contacts, then buy credits for texts. Simple once you understand it.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Monthly email fee + SMS credits. |
| Best For | Shopify stores. DTC brands. |
| Omnichannel | Email, SMS, MMS. |
| Why Choose It | One platform for email and SMS. Insane segmentation. |
The Verdict
Pro: Unified email + SMS is genuinely powerful.
Con: Costs climb fast with big lists or lots of MMS.
If you're already on Klaviyo for email, adding SMS is a no-brainer. Check our Klaviyo flow strategies for setup ideas.
Website: klaviyo.com/pricing
4. Postscript
Postscript does one thing: SMS for Shopify. That's it. And because they're laser-focused, they do it really well.
The Shopify integration is native. Your customer data, order history, abandoned carts, it all syncs automatically. Revenue attribution actually works, so you can see exactly how much money your texts are making.
Pricing and Features
Free plan to start, then usage-based credits plus monthly fees for advanced features. They're transparent about carrier fees too, which is refreshing.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Platform fees + credits. Free plan available. |
| Best For | Shopify and Shopify Plus stores. |
| Omnichannel | SMS and MMS only. |
| Why Choose It | Best Shopify integration. Clear revenue tracking. |
The Verdict
Pro: Shopify stores get insanely good segmentation and tracking.
Con: Only for Shopify. Not useful otherwise.
Running a Shopify store? Postscript should be on your shortlist. Pair it with solid abandoned cart flows for maximum impact.
Website: postscript.io/pricing
5. Omnisend
Omnisend bundles email and SMS together with a twist: your paid plan includes SMS credits.
That's a nice perk. Instead of paying separately for two tools, you get both in one package. The ecommerce automations are pre-built and ready to go. Connect your store, customize the templates, and you're sending within an hour.
Pricing and Features
Pro plans include monthly SMS credits equal to your plan price. Pretty clever pricing model.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid plans include bundled SMS credits. |
| Best For | Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce stores. |
| Omnichannel | Email, SMS, Push. |
| Why Choose It | Simple pricing. Pre-built ecommerce workflows. |
The Verdict
Pro: Bundled credits make budgeting easy.
Con: Free plan's SMS is basically useless. Need to upgrade.
Great choice if you want one tool doing everything without complexity.
Website: omnisend.com/pricing
6. EZ Texting
EZ Texting is exactly what the name suggests. Easy.
It's for US businesses that want to send texts without learning a complicated platform. Buy credits, send messages, done. Setup takes about a day. No developer required.
Pricing and Features
Credit-based plans with rollover. You know what you're paying, no surprises.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Monthly plans with credits. Extras available. |
| Best For | US small businesses, retail, franchises. |
| Omnichannel | SMS and MMS only. |
| Why Choose It | Fast setup. Simple credit system. |
The Verdict
Pro: You can be sending texts tomorrow.
Con: MMS eats through credits fast. Carrier fees add up.
Perfect for businesses that just need reliable texting without the fancy stuff.
Website: eztexting.com/pricing
7. SimpleTexting
SimpleTexting lives up to its name. Simple platform, simple pricing, and genuinely excellent support.
What sets them apart? Live support seven days a week. They'll actually help you with 10DLC compliance and campaign setup. If you're new to SMS and want hand-holding, this is your platform.
Pricing and Features
Credit-based with rollover. Free incoming messages. They even offer nonprofit discounts.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Monthly credits with rollover. |
| Best For | SMBs, nonprofits, first-time SMS users. |
| Omnichannel | SMS and MMS. |
| Why Choose It | Outstanding support. Easy compliance help. |
The Verdict
Pro: Best support in the SMB category.
Con: MMS and carrier fees can inflate costs.
If you want someone to actually help you succeed with SMS, SimpleTexting delivers.
Website: simpletexting.com/pricing
8. SlickText
Here's what's different about SlickText: every feature is available on every plan.
No upselling you on "advanced" features. No enterprise-only tools. Pay for credits, get everything. Text-to-win contests, drip campaigns, QR codes, all included from day one.
Pricing and Features
Credit bundles with rollover. Annual discounts available. All features unlocked immediately.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Monthly credit bundles. Annual discounts. |
| Best For | SMBs wanting full features without enterprise pricing. |
| Omnichannel | Primarily SMS and MMS. |
| Why Choose It | No feature gating. Everything included. |
The Verdict
Pro: No "upgrade to unlock" nonsense.
Con: Carrier fees are extra. MMS uses more credits.
Refreshingly straightforward. You get what you pay for, nothing held back.
Website: slicktext.com/pricing
9. Textedly
Textedly keeps it simple. Clear pricing tiers, 14-day free trial, and a platform that anyone can figure out in an afternoon.
No learning curve. No bloated features. Just send texts, set up auto-replies, run contests. That's it.
Pricing and Features
Monthly plans based on volume. Annual plans give you bonus credits. Free incoming messages on all plans.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Volume-based monthly plans. Annual bonuses. |
| Best For | SMBs and nonprofits. Basic SMS needs. |
| Omnichannel | SMS and MMS. |
| Why Choose It | Dead simple. Good free trial. |
The Verdict
Pro: Learn it in an hour. 14-day trial to test everything.
Con: Limited automation compared to bigger platforms.
If you need basic SMS without complexity, Textedly works.
Website: textedly.com/pricing
10. Salesforce Marketing Cloud
Salesforce is for enterprises that already live in Salesforce. Everything connects, email, SMS, WhatsApp, all tied to your CRM data.
The personalization possibilities are wild. Send an SMS when someone opens an email. Trigger texts based on support tickets. Build journeys across every channel.
But. Big but. It's expensive, complex, and takes months to implement.
Pricing and Features
Annual contracts. Quote-based pricing. SMS credits are add-ons. You'll need their sales team and probably an implementation partner.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Quote-based annual contracts. Add-on credits. |
| Best For | Large enterprises on Salesforce. |
| Omnichannel | Email, SMS, WhatsApp, Push, Social. |
| Why Choose It | CRM integration. Enterprise-grade everything. |
The Verdict
Pro: Unmatched for Salesforce shops.
Con: Expensive. Long setup. Overkill for most businesses.
Only consider this if you're already deep in Salesforce.
Website: salesforce.com/marketing/engagement/pricing
11. Shopify App Store (SMS Marketing Category)
Not a platform. A marketplace.
The Shopify App Store has 120+ SMS apps. Klaviyo, Postscript, TxtCart, you'll find them all. Filter by ratings, pricing, features. Install with one click.
Why It's Useful
For Shopify merchants, this is the fastest way to compare options. Real reviews from real store owners. Direct integration with your shop.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Varies by app. Many free plans available. |
| Best For | Shopify merchants comparing options. |
| Why Use It | Central comparison. One-click install. Real reviews. |
The Verdict
Pro: Compare everything in one place.
Con: Only for Shopify users.
Start here if you're on Shopify. It'll save you hours of research.
Website: apps.shopify.com/categories/marketing-sms-marketing
12. G2 (SMS Marketing Software)
G2 doesn't send texts. It collects reviews.
Before you commit to any platform, check what real users say. G2 has thousands of reviews, ratings, and side-by-side comparisons. Filter by company size, features, or satisfaction scores.
Why It's Useful
Vendor websites are marketing. G2 is peer feedback. Big difference.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free to browse. |
| Best For | Anyone researching SMS tools. |
| Why Use It | Real user reviews. Side-by-side comparisons. |
The Verdict
Pro: Honest feedback from actual users.
Con: Pricing info sometimes outdated.
Use G2 to verify what vendors claim. Don't skip this step.
Website: g2.com/software/sms-marketing
Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Pricing Model | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twilio | Developers | Pay-per-message | Total customization |
| Attentive | Enterprise retail | Custom quotes | White-glove service |
| Klaviyo | Shopify stores | Email fee + SMS credits | Unified email/SMS |
| Postscript | Shopify only | Platform + credits | Best Shopify integration |
| Omnisend | SMB ecommerce | Bundled SMS credits | Simple all-in-one |
| EZ Texting | US SMBs | Credit plans | Fast setup |
| SimpleTexting | SMBs, nonprofits | Credit plans | Great support |
| SlickText | Feature-seekers | Credit bundles | No feature gating |
| Textedly | Basic needs | Volume plans | Super simple |
| Salesforce MC | Enterprises | Annual contracts | CRM integration |
| Shopify App Store | Shopify merchants | Varies | App comparison |
| G2 | Researchers | Free | User reviews |
How to Actually Choose
Stop overthinking this. Ask yourself three questions:
1. What's your main goal?
Recovering abandoned carts? Get Klaviyo or Postscript. Sending appointment reminders? SimpleTexting works fine. Building custom systems? Twilio.
2. What's your tech level?
Developers available? Twilio's your playground. Marketer who wants to launch today? Go with Omnisend, Postscript, or Klaviyo.
3. What do you already use?
On Shopify? Postscript or Klaviyo. On Salesforce? Marketing Cloud. Using nothing? Start simple with Omnisend or SimpleTexting.
After You Pick: What Actually Matters
The platform is just a tool. Your strategy is what makes money.
Here's what separates winners from everyone else:
Permission and value first. Make your opt-in clear. Give people a real reason to subscribe, exclusive discounts, early access, useful content. Not just "sign up for texts."
Mix up your messages. Don't just blast promotions. Send order updates, ask for feedback, offer support. Keep the relationship human.
Track everything. Click rates. Conversion rates. Unsubscribes. If your unsubscribe rate is climbing, you're texting too often or sending garbage content.
Want to go deeper on automations? Check out our guides on drip campaigns and marketing automation workflows.
Picking the right SMS platform is step one. Building a strategy that actually makes money is where it gets interesting.
If you want help setting up SMS flows that convert, or connecting SMS with your email marketing, book a call with Inbox Connect. We'll build a system that works.