I Compared Best SMS Marketing Software of 2025
Shehriar Awan●
December 16, 2024
●
17 min read
Did you know 29% of people respond to SMS messages, and 47% of those who respond actually make a purchase?
That’s how powerful SMS marketing is—it’s fast, direct, and gets results.
But how do you send SMS at scale? You need SMS sending tools.
With so many tools out there, figuring out the right one has been a headache for most. Trust me, I’ve been there.
So I decided to test and compare the best SMS marketing tools for 2025.
| Tool | Rating | Price per 1k SMS | Ease of use | Is Scalable | Has API |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textla | 5 | $5 | Top 💯 | ✅ | ❌ |
| Postscript | 4.7 | $7 | Bad 👎 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Textedly | 4.6 | $15 | Good 👍 | ✅ | ❌ |
| SimpleTexting | 4.7 | $18 | Good 👍 | ✅ | ❌ |
| SlickText | 4.8 | $18.8 | Good 👍 | ✅ | ✅ |
In this article, I’ll share everything I found to help you pick the one that works best for you.
But first, what exactly is SMS marketing?
What is SMS marketing?
SMS marketing means sending text messages to your potential leads and existing customers to promote your business, share updates, or just keep them in the loop.
It's super-direct and the fastest way to communicate with your potential customers. Your message goes straight to their phone.
But does it work anymore?
Does SMS marketing still work?
I bet it does!
Around 5.6 billion people own a mobile phone and an average user spends over 5 hours a day glued to their device.
That’s why SMS is the perfect way to reach them. How?
Texts are super direct. They land right in your lead’s inbox, and that’s why SMS has a 98% open rate. That's 3.5 times higher than email!
Plus 60% of people read texts within 1 to 5 minutes.
But is it even legal?
Is SMS marketing illegal?
Yes, SMS marketing is legal—but only if you play by the rules.
It depends on how you send it and whether you have the recipient’s permission. Let me explain.
There are 2 types of outreach or promotional SMS you usually send as a business.
Solicited SMS
Solicited SMS are texts sent to people who’ve explicitly given you permission to receive promotional text messages from your business.
These are perfectly legal in both the US and the EU as long as you follow the regulations.
In the US, The Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) sets strict rules for promotional SMS.
- You must get prior express written consent
- Texts must include an opt-out option
- You can only send messages between 8 AM and 9 PM
Violation of any of these rules can result in fines of $500 to $1,500 per message.
In the EU, The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is even stricter. Here’s what you need to do:
- Obtain explicit, informed consent from the recipient
- Clearly explain how their phone number will be used
- Allow recipients to easily unsubscribe
Non-compliance can lead to fines of up to €20 million or 4% of your annual revenue—whichever is higher.
Unsolicited SMS
Unsolicited SMS are messages sent to people who haven’t given you permission or opt-in to receive any sort of promotional or outreach text from your business.
Are they legal? That’s the trickier part!
In promotional cases, these are considered spam, and they’re illegal in both the US and the EU.
As per TCPA, sending promotional texts without written consent is prohibited.
Similarly, In the EU, unsolicited marketing messages violate GDPR’s requirement for explicit consent.
So you can’t just get someone’s phone number and bombard them with promotional messages. It’s illegal and unethical.
But what if I’m trying to reach out to a business whose contact number is publicly available (meant for being contacted) with a business proposal?
Is B2B cold texting legal?
The information provided in this section is based on publicly available facts and is for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice.
For professional legal guidance specific to your situation, please consult a qualified legal expert.
Texting a publicly listed business number might be okay because the number is public. If your message is strictly professional, it’s often allowed.
But the moment you add promotional content—like discounts—it’s classified as marketing, which requires consent.
Similarly, informational messages (like reminders or updates) are generally allowed.
But even small promotional hints can turn an informational text into a marketing message, and a promotional message without consent is—illegal.
So as long as you’re not explicitly promoting a service or product and stick to information, introduction, or building a connection, it might be ok to send SMS.
But still, I’d recommend following these best practices:
- Get consent if possible – Even if the rules allow it, getting permission is the safest way to avoid trouble
- Stay professional – Keep cold texts strictly professional
- Include an opt-out option – Add a line like, Reply STOP to unsubscribe, even for non-promotional messages
- Respect business hours – Don’t send messages early in the morning or late at night
Now as I said earlier, you need an SMS marketing software to send SMS at scale.
But what is it exactly and how to choose the best one?
What is SMS marketing software and how to choose the best one?
SMS marketing software is a tool that helps you send bulk text messages to your customers or prospects.
It makes SMS marketing super easy, especially when you’ve got thousands of people to reach.
But what features a mass SMS marketing tool should have?
How to find the best SMS marketing software for your campaign?
I did some digging on what people who do SMS marketing look for in a tool. The common features people look for are:
- It should be affordable
- It should be easy to use
- It should be compliant to local laws
Besides these, people are looking for tools that can scale according to their needs, offer 3rd party integrations, and customer support.
Based on these factors and after spending time analyzing pain points, I identified 7 key factors to look for in an SMS marketing software.
- Affordability (top priority)
- Ease of use
- Compliance
- Scalability
- Integrations
- Reviews
- Customer support
To confirm affordability, I found out the price per 1000 messages, where each message length is 160 characters.
To check ease of use, I usually check onboarding process, ease of access to key features, and reporting dashboard.
For compliance, I didn’t want to take any risks, so I simply skipped the tools that don’t have a clear compliance policy in their terms of use.
Scalability in this context means how many SMS can you send per month or per day. To verify this, I checked the highest pricing tiers and custom plans.
Integration, in this context means ability to sync with popular CRM, project management, and automation tools.
To verify, I checked what popular platforms a tool can sync with directly. Some users prefer programmatic access, so I also checked API availability.
I checked user reviews of each tool on Capterra and G2. I prefer these platforms because of their verification process and transparency.
I also got a good idea of customer support from the reviews.
Now based on these factors, let me introduce you to the tools I’ve finalized.
Best SMS marketing software of 2025
| Tool | Rating | Price per 1k SMS | Ease of use | Is Scalable | Has API |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textla | 5 | $5 | Top 💯 | ✅ | ❌ |
| Postscript | 4.7 | $7 | Bad 👎 | ✅ | ✅ |
| Textedly | 4.6 | $15 | Good 👍 | ✅ | ❌ |
| SimpleTexting | 4.7 | $18 | Good 👍 | ✅ | ❌ |
| SlickText | 4.8 | $18.8 | Good 👍 | ✅ | ✅ |
Let’s do a short breakdown of each tool.
1. Textla
Capterra rating: 5 G2 rating: 5
Textla is a US based company. It’s relatively new compared to others in the list. Founded in 2022, it’s one of the most affordable and scalable SMS tools in the market.
Features
- Auto contact list cleaning
- Organizing contacts in groups, keywords and tags
- SMS content personalization
- Integration with Zapier
- Deliverability and response reporting
- SMS scheduling
It’s super easy to set up and use. You can complete the setup and create a campaign in less than 5 minutes.
It integrates with Zapier only. You can find a lot of pre-made Zapier + Textla workflows in the dashboard too.
The main problem I have with this tool is that you can’t use your own local phone number. You’ll have to get a toll-free US number from Textla to send SMS.
Another issue is, it takes more than 24 hours to verify and activate the number.
Lastly, if you’re a nerd and looking for a programmatic solution, this tool is not for you. It doesn’t offer an API.
Pricing and scalability
- 100 free SMS
- $5 per 1000 SMS
It’s super scalable. There’s no limitation on how many SMS you can send. It offers unlimited SMS in all pricing plans.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | No advanced marketing features |
| Scalable | Doesn’t support local numbers |
| Most affordable | |
| Offers SMS delivery report | |
| Offers contact list cleaning |
Expert review
I was going to find a way to send text messages cheaper and to have more control instead of using somebody else's service. Textla really solves the standard B2C question.
My opinion
If you’re just getting started with SMS marketing and need an affordable solution, Textla is handsdown the perfect tool for you.
It’s scalable too, which makes it a good choice for both B2B and B2C SMS marketing.
2. Postscript
Capterra rating: 4.5 G2 rating: 4.9
Postscript has been around since 2018 and is considered one of the best SMS solutions providers for e-commerce and B2B.
Features
- Opt-in tools for SMS list building
- Personalized texts
- Scheduling, sequence building, and auto-reply
- Deliverability optimization features
- Segmentation of contacts into groups
- Numerous integrations including Shopify, Zapier, Mailchimp
It’s hands down the perfect platform for SMS marketing. The user interface is smooth and clean.
The onboarding process is a bit lazy and long. Launching a campaign and building sequences takes a little time, but that’s because of so many useful features.
I found it a little complicated for beginners. It does have a steep learning curve.
In fact the ease of use and pricing are 2 main reasons why this tool is not on #1 in my list.
It offers tons of features for SMS marketing like opt-in kits, segmentation, automation triggers, filters, and flow builders.
You can call it the Lemlist or SalesHandy of SMS marketing.
Compliance is one of the major reasons I loved this tool. It offers top-notch compliance with TCPA and also provides guidance.
It integrates to literally dozens of 3rd party platforms including email marketing tools. If that’s not enough, it also offers an API for nerds.
But the API documentation is not developer-friendly.
Pricing and scalability
- 30 days free trial
- $7 per 1000 (excluding carrier charges if you’re using a local number)
It’s a scalable solution. It doesn’t put any restrictions on SMS sending. You can send as many messages as you want with a pay-as-you-go plan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable pricing | Steep learning curve |
| Scalable | Bad API documentation |
| Best SMS marketing features | |
| API access for developers | |
| Best compliance solution |
Expert review
I can see that everyone at Postscript focuses on the feedback we provide. Every time I've had an ask, I can tell it’s heard and taken seriously. Postscript really listens to the customer.
My opinion
It’s a great tool for e-commerce businesses who need customer engagement at scale. It has everything you need for a B2C SMS marketing campaigns.
For services based and B2B businesses, I think it’s complicated and offers many extra features that you won’t need.
3. Textedly
Capterra rating: 4.5 G2 rating: 4.6
Textedly is another popular SMS marketing service operating since 2015. It’s one of my personal favourites.
Features
- Conversation triggers
- GPT powered messaging
- Scheduling and autoresponder
- Up to 455 characters SMS
- Integrates to Zapier, Hubspot, Salesforce, and many others
It’s easy to use and offers a clean interface. It offers one-click-access to all key features and creating a campaign is also pretty straightforward.
It offers a toll-free US number for SMS marketing. I didn’t find the option to use a local number and the number they provide is short code, not a 10 digit number.
Which was good for me but many users seem to complain about it.
Just like all the other tools in the list, Textedly also has a pretty brief compliance and anti-spam policy.
Another thing I loved about this tool is its pricing structure. There are a lot of pricing plans, which makes it suitable for businesses of all sizes.
The only drawback is customer support. The customer support is quite lazy and takes forever to answer your queries.
Pricing and scalability
- 50 free text messages
- $15 per 1000 SMS
It’s a scalable tool and you can send up to 200k SMS per month without needing a custom plan. You can also get a tailored plan according to your business needs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | No local number |
| Scalable | Lazy customer support |
| Affordable pricing | No API |
| Many integrations | |
| Toll-free number |
Expert review
Textedly has one of the least-expensive per-message rates among the top text message marketing providers. The platform makes it easy to build subscriber lists and send messages, so it's ideal for companies with simple texting needs.
My opinion
It’s a great tool for SMEs. For individuals or small businesses on budget, I won’t recommend this tool due to high pricing.
If you’re looking for a tool that can handle SMS sending in bulk while staying compliant, this one does it pretty well.
If you’re looking for fancy features and detailed reporting, this might not be a good fit.
4. SimpleTexting
Capterra rating: 4.7 G2 rating: 4.7
SimpleTexting is the oldest tool in my list. Operating since 2010, it’s one of the OGs and most recommended tools for SMS marketing.
Features
- AI message generator
- Scheduled messages and auto-reply
- Segmentation
- Multiple number types support
- Salesforce, Zapier, Hubspot and many other integrations
The user interface meets my criteria i.e. one-click-access to every key feature. You can complete onboarding and launch a campaign in minutes.
It gives you segmentation, keywords, and top-notch analytics. Basically, you have all the key features needed for a good SMS tool.
The problem I personally faced and some users also highlighted is that the opt-in is sometimes glitchy and you might lose a good lead due to this.
The best part of the tool is its reporting dashboard. Reports and metric visualization is pretty amazing and easy to understand.
Pricing and scalability
- 14 days free trial
- $18 per 1000 SMS
It’s not as scalable as the top 3 tools but you can send 50k SMS per month without needing a custom plan. It does offer a custom plan for higher requirements.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy to use | Glitchy opt-ins |
| Pretty scalable | Little expensive |
| Good reporting | |
| Good customer support | |
| Lots of integrations |
Expert review
SimpleTexting is our pick for the best text message marketing service for flexibility. It gives you the tools to communicate with customers how you want, including unlimited keywords and a stellar mobile app.
My opinion
Again, a great choice for bulk SMS sending with pretty awesome analytics. It’s suitable for medium sized businesses and enterprises who have a good budget.
For individuals and small businesses on a tight budget, I recommend exploring the other options from the list.
5. SlickText
Capterra rating: 4.8 G2 rating: 4.8
SlickText, operating since 2012, is the all-in-one SMS marketing tool. It’s the only tool in my list that’s fully focused on marketing SMS instead of bulk sending.
Features
- Phone number collection
- Workflows and drip campaigns
- Scheduling and auto-reply
- Detailed analytics
- Hubspot and Zapier integration
- SMS marketing API
The user interface looks outdated but it’s easy to use. It feels like ‘too many things stacked in one place’.
The campaign setup is pretty easy and made simple for newbies. You can set up a campaign, schedule it, and even segment everything in a few clicks.
Since it’s made for SMS marketing specifically, you’ll see many marketing related features like web forms, opt-in buttons, pop-ups, landing pages, sign-up forms, and templates etc.
It integrates with platforms like Zapier, Hubspot, and many email services too. You can use the SMS API to integrate it to your own apps as well.
Pricing and scalability
- 30 days free trial
- $18.8 per 1000 SMS
Just like SimpleTexting, SlickText allows you to send up to 50k SMS per month without needing a custom plan. It also offers a custom plan for higher requirements.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| SMS marketing features | Outdated UI |
| Easy to use | Little expensive |
| Scalable | |
| Multiple integrations | |
| SMS API |
Expert review
SlickText is one of America’s best mass text message providers for small businesses due to their range of SMS features, the ease of use, and affordable pricing plans.
My opinion
I found it relatively expensive compared to other tools. If you have a good budget and need a full-fledged SMS marketing tool, definitely go for it.
If you’re looking for a bulk SMS sending tool and don’t need a lot of fancy features, there are better options in my list.
Which SMS marketing platform is best for me?
If you’re looking for a straightforward tool for bulk SMS sending, without any fancy features, I suggest Textla, it’s affordable and scalable.
If you’re looking for a proper solution tailored for SMS marketing, I suggest Postscript and SlickText. They offer the fancy marketing features you might be looking for.
Now before wrapping up, let me answer some FAQs.
FAQs
Can I create my own SMS sending tool using Twilio?
Yes, you can! Twilio lets you build your own SMS tool with its Programmable Messaging API.
If you know how to code, you can create a fully custom solution for sending and managing SMS. Twilio offers a lot of features.
- Customizable messaging
- WhatsApp messaging
- Global reach to 180+ countries
- Scales from a few texts to millions
- Easy API integration with apps and CRMs
- Built-in compliance tools
Can I use EZ Texting for SMS marketing?
Yes, you can use EZ Texting. I didn’t include it in my final list because of some bugs in the UI and expensive pricing.
Can I use Textmagic for SMS marketing automation?
Yes, Textmagic is also a good option for business texting. It offers a user-friendly and intuitive interface.
I didn’t include it in my list due to very expensive pricing plans and bad reviews by users about the customer support team.
What is two-way messaging?
Two-way messaging lets you send texts and receive replies, making it easy to have real conversations with your customers.
Two-way conversations are perfect for feedback, real-time support, and building relationships.
If you want two-way messaging, my personal recommendation is Textedly, it has the best two-way messaging functionality among all tools I have tried.
How to use SMS for marketing?
SMS can level up your marketing efforts as it delivers your message directly to your audience’s inbox.
You send texts to your customers to share offers, updates, and reminders. Keep it short, personal, and action-driven for the best results.
Does Mailchimp do SMS?
Yes, Mailchimp now supports SMS marketing, but it’s not their main focus.
You can use their platform to send SMS campaigns, but the features are limited compared to dedicated SMS tools.
Conclusion
That’s a wrap on best SMS marketing software of 2025. You can try these tools on your own to find out which one suits your needs.
You can level up your SMS outreach with Lobstr.io’s Google Maps Search Export and our social media scrapers. Do check out our top class no-code automation tools.
Shehriar Awan Self-proclaimed Head of Content @ lobstr.io. I write all those awesome how-tos, listicles, and (they deserve) troll our competitors.
