SMS Marketing Software for Business: Choosing the Best Solution

If you think SMS marketing is something from the 2000s, you can’t be more wrong: almost 50% of consumers across generations, including millennials and Gen Z, liked being contacted by brands via text messages. And why not? SMS is always on point – 160 characters are only enough to convey the gist of the message, a great thing for consumers. No spam, no nonsense.

But we’re marketers, alright. We need engagement, clicks, conversions, and – ideally – also insights into the customer interaction with our messages so we can ensure omnichannel coverage for them, not repeating the same information twice.

The good news is that you can do all of that with the right SMS software for business.

Don’t have one?

The Features You’d Like to Have in Your SMS Marketing Software

Bulk SMS Messaging	For bigger brands, it’s paramount to be able to send dozens and hundreds of thousands of SMS messages at once while ensuring 100% deliverability and customization. For smaller brands, you just need software that supports bulk email campaigns.
Two-way SMS messaging	Two-way SMS messaging is a must to ensure smooth communication and compliance. Through inbound SMS messages, a consumer can make an order, leave feedback, or opt out.
Segmentation	Paving an individual customer journey is crucial. The more granular the segmentation, the better you can craft marketing messages for a specific user.
Opt-out management	With new FCC regulations coming into force on January 27, 2024, ensuring the ability to opt out of your marketing campaigns is a mandatory compliance requirement. Likewise, you must obtain prior written consent before sending robotic marketing SMS.
Automation	The more automated SMS campaigns are, the easier it is to craft compelling messages and focus on strategic goals.
Integrations	Marketing isn’t limited to SMS campaigns, so you need software integrated with other lead management and CRM solutions, including the ones you may use in the future.
Compliance	Whether your software only sends SMS or also collects and analyzes data, these practices must comply with CAN-SPAM, CCPA, CPRA, and TCPA.

The features indicated in the table are not exhaustive to SMS marketing software. For example, you may need two-way MMS for smoother storytelling, or you may need suppression list management to make sure you don’t send SMS to consumers on a Do-Not-Call Registry.

What You Can Expect from Your SMS Marketing Campaigns

SMS marketing campaigns are known for high engagement, high open and click-through rates, and ease of communication. In addition to making sales, which is an obvious end goal, you can collect feedback and learn more about your consumers and their habits.

Here’s why marketers use SMS messages:

Source: Statista

Phonexa vs. Other SMS Marketing Software Suites

	5 out of 5	4.6 out of 5
	4.9 out of 5	4.7 out of 5
Bulk SMS Messaging	✅	✅
Bulk SMS messaging is the ability to send thousands of SMS messages at a time while keeping the deliverability rate at 100% and the sender’s reputation intact. Bulk messaging allows you to deliver the right message at the right time to the right consumer.Bulk SMS messaging is a common feature among SMS marketing software providers.With Phonexa, the price per SMS transaction is $0.0002.
Score	5 out of 5	5 out of 5
Two-Way SMS Messaging	✅	✅
Two-way SMS messaging is the ability to process incoming SMS, enabling two-way communication with consumers. One-to-one communication maximizes engagement rates and conversion potential.Two-way SMS messaging is a common feature among SMS marketing software providers.With Phonexa, the price per two-way SMS is $0.007 plus additional carrier fees, if any.
Score	5 out of 5	5 out of 5
Two-Way MMS Messaging	✅	⛔
Two-way MMS messaging is the ability to process incoming media messages for higher engagement and conversion rates.Two-way MMS messaging is a rare feature among SMS marketing software providers. Phonexa provides two-way MMS messaging at $0.02 per SMS plus additional carrier fees, if any.
Score	5 out of 5	2 out of 5
Multiple ESP Integration	✅	⛔
Multiple ESP integration is the ability to operate several email service providers (EPS) under one roof within a comprehensive marketing strategy while ensuring consistent branding.Multiple ESP integration is a rare feature among SMS marketing software providers. Phonexa allows you to integrate with 2, 5, or 20 ESPs, depending on the subscription plan.
Score	3.5 out of 5	2 out of 5
Summary Report Data Storage	✅	✅
Summary report data storage is the ability to collect and store your campaign data so you can analyze your SMS campaigns in real-time and strategically. The more data you accumulate, the easier it is to reveal marketable patterns that can help you drive more revenues.Summary Report Data Storage is a common feature among SMS marketing software providers. Phonexa saves your SMS campaign data for 180, 365, or 1,100 days, depending on the subscription plan, with detailed reports saved for 90, 180, or 365 days.
Score	4 out of 5	4 out of 5
Segmentation	✅	✅
Segmentation is the ability to automatically reveal consumer patterns and group SMS recipients accordingly so you can send the right types of messages to the right audience. Depending on the software, segmentation can be fully automated or require permission.Segmentation is a common feature among SMS marketing software providers, and Phonexa also supports automated in-depth segmentation.
Score	4.5 out of 5	4.5 out of 5
Automation	✅	✅
SMS campaign automation is how well the software can execute SMS campaigns on its own. The higher the level of automation, the less effort needed for large-scale SMS campaigns, and – all other things being equal – the higher the ROI.SMS campaign automation is a common feature among SMS marketing software providers, and Phonexa also supports automated SMS marketing campaigns.
Score	5 out of 5	4.5 out of 5
A/B Testing	✅	✅
A/B testing of SMS campaigns allows you to understand what strategies and elements are the most profitable or fit a particular audience. By continuously testing your campaigns, you can effectively reflect the changing nature of the market.A/B testing is a fairly common feature among SMS marketing software providers, and Phonexa supports A/B testing in its Premium and Enterprise subscription plans.
Score	5 out of 5	4 out of 5
Opt-out management	✅	✅
Providing the consumer with the ability to opt out of your campaigns is a mandatory compliance requirement for all types of campaigns, including SMS. Proper opt-out management helps you keep your SMS list up to date, sending messages to interested customers.Opt-out management is a common feature among SMS marketing software providers, and Phonexa also ensures straightforward opt-out for your SMS campaigns.
Score	5 out of 5	4.5 out of 5
Suppression Management	✅	⛔
Suppression management is the ability to store a list of phone numbers that should not receive your marketing SMS. SMS list suppression management is just as crucial as opt-out management: you are only allowed to message interested consumers. For example, if the phone number is on the Do-Not-Call (DNC) Registry, you are not allowed to message them.SMS suppression lists are a rare feature among SMS marketing software providers, but Phonexa supports them in all three subscription plans.
Score	5 out of 5	2 out of 5
Compliance	✅	✅
Compliance is how accurately the SMS campaign follows CAN-SPAM, CCPA, CPRA, and TCPA regulations. SMS marketing compliance is absolutely necessary to operate legally in the United States, so all SMS software providers try to update their policies regularly.Phonexa ensures all your SMS, email, and call campaigns comply with CAN-SPAM, CCPA, CPRA, and TCPA, including the 2025 FCC update.
Score	5 out of 5	5 out of 5
Integrations	✅	✅
Integration is how many third-party products the SMS software can integrate with and how complex the setup process is. For comprehensive software suites, though, you may not even need many third-party integrations.Integration is a common feature with all SMS marketing software providers. Phonexa’s E-Delivery SMS and email marketing solution integrates with seven other Phonexa’s software products and all popular CRM and lead management systems.
Score	5 out of 5	5 out of 5
SMS Cost
The less expensive SMS messaging is, the more messages you can send within your budget and – other things being equal – the higher the ROI of your campaigns.Phonexa offers one of the lowest rates in the industry – $0.0002 per SMS, $0.007 per two-way SMS, and $0.02 per two-way MMS. Additional carrier feed may apply to inbound and outbound messages.
Score	5 out of 5	4.5 out of 5
Value for Price
Total Score	76.9 out of 80	65.8 out of 80

How To Choose Your Best Marketing Software in 3 Simple Steps

Step 1 – Define the Features You Need

There are features you’ll likely need – say, two-way SMS messaging – and the ones you’re unlikely to use or may only use in the distant future. Make sure you know your features and the scale at which you need them – this way, you can pick a solution that fits your budget.

Step 2 – Research the Market for the Solutions that Provide These Features

Next, research the market for the solution that satisfies your needs. There are a few dozen worthwhile SMS marketing solutions in the market, but if you want to stay on the safe side, you might only consider the biggest names like MailChimp or Phonexa.

Important: Make sure your SMS marketing platform is FCC-compliant. On January 27, 2025, the new TCPA requirements will come into force, obliging businesses to obtain prior written consent before sending robotic text messages or making robotic calls.

Step 3 – Compare the Shortlisted Software to Choose the Best One

Once you have a few options to choose from, it’s up to your personal preferences and budget. Among other things, though, keep in mind that texting is only one marketing dimension, so you need your software to integrate with your other marketing solutions.

Bulk Email & SMS Marketing Automation with E-Delivery

Whether you are an affiliate, advertiser, or an affiliate network, E-Delivery – Phonexa’s proprietary SMS and email marketing software – can guarantee all your SMS get to the destination point at the right time while staying compliant with TCPA, CAN-SPAM, CCPA, and CPRA.

As part of E-Delivery, you get:

• Behavior segmentation
• Email campaigns and template editor
• Automated A/B testing
• Multi-ESP integration
• Suppression list management

No matter the volume, you’ll get all your SMS sent on time to the right consumer while being able to track how they interact with your messages and analyze what you can do better to grow conversions.

 

Phonexa – Your Eight-in-One SMS and Performance Marketing Software Suite

Having a single comprehensive marketing software suite is much more effective than juggling different systems and reports. 

And this is exactly what Phonexa offers – an eight-in-one performance marketing software suite that unites solutions for SMS, email, social media, affiliate, referral, and other marketing campaigns under one roof.

Here’s how Phonexa can grow your SMS and performance marketing:

 

Here are the eight proprietary solutions you get at a single price (online price calculator):

Get your all-in-one performance marketing software suite now, or book a demo to learn more about Phonexa.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SMS marketing software?

SMS marketing software is a set of tools that automate and improve your SMS marketing campaigns, allowing you to send thousands of SMS in seconds without risking your reputation or having compliance issues. For example, Phonexa allows marketers to run heterogeneous SMS campaigns – any niche, scale, or circumstance – while staying TCPA compliant.

What is the best SMS marketing platform?

Phonexa is arguably the best SMS marketing software for omnichannel coverage. You can synergize SMS, email, social media, affiliate, and other campaigns and track results from a single dashboard. Phonexa is a convenient solution for lead generators, affiliates, and advertisers.

How much does SMS marketing cost?

SMS marketing usually costs around $0.25 to $0.5 per message, but Phonexa allows you to send messages at a fraction of that cost, charging $0.007 per two-way SMS. With Phonexa, sending 1,000 SMS would cost you only $7.

Isn’t SMS marketing outdated?

Not at all. Even though SMS advertising isn’t one of the most rapidly developing marketing avenues, it still grows by 1.95% annually on average, forecasted to reach $0.87 billion by 2029. Moreover, the United States is the biggest SMS advertising market, accounting for over $300 billion in 2024.

What are the engagement rates for SMS?

The engagement rate for an SMS campaign might be as follows: 5% to 10% click rate and 0.05% to 0.5% conversion rate. This may not seem much, but the price of sending an SMS is so low that even if you convert 1 out of 1,000 customers, it’s still worth it. And don’t forget: for a well-thought-out SMS marketing campaign, the sky’s the limit.