5 Best SMS Marketing Software Tools for Targeted Campaigns

What if you could connect with your customers in a way that feels personal, grabs their attention instantly, and guarantees they see your message? You can—with SMS marketing.

Text messaging gives you a direct and immediate way to communicate with your audience. That’s why businesses use SMS to send promotions, reminders, and updates right when customers need them.

With people checking their phones, SMS marketing is one of the most reliable ways to engage your audience.

In this guide, you’ll learn why SMS is powerful and how the right SMS marketing software can help you automate messages, increase conversions, and build stronger customer relationships.

Benefits of Using Text Message Marketing

Text message marketing offers several advantages, making it a powerful tool for businesses. Here are some key benefits:

High Open Rates and Engagement

Text messages boast incredibly high open rates of 98%. Most people read their text messages within minutes of receiving them. This immediacy ensures that your message gets seen quickly, which leads to higher engagement than other marketing channels, such as email.

Cost-Effectiveness

The cost of sending a text message is low, especially when purchased in bulk. Most SMS marketing platforms offer pricing plans based on the number of messages sent.

Traditional advertising often targets broad audiences, and businesses pay to reach people who may not be interested. SMS marketing, on the other hand, targets specific audiences who have opted in to receive messages. Therefore, the budget is spent on reaching engaged customers.

Beyond the immediate cost benefits, SMS marketing saves money in the long run by maintaining customer relationships. Sending regular, affordable updates or offers to existing customers is often cheaper than constantly spending on campaigns to attract new ones.

Immediate Delivery and Response

When a business sends a text message through an SMS marketing platform, it is routed through mobile networks and delivered to recipients’ phones in seconds.

Text messages are delivered almost instantly, which makes them perfect for time-sensitive information such as announcing a flash sale or sending appointment reminders.

Not only are text messages delivered quickly, but they also generate faster responses compared to other marketing channels. Many people respond to texts immediately, whether replying to a question, clicking a link, or taking advantage of a promotion.

Easy Tracking and Analytics

When you send an SMS campaign, tracking tools collect data on how recipients interact with your messages. The information is presented in simple reports or dashboards to show what worked well and where improvements are needed.

Unlike traditional advertising, where results can be hard to quantify, SMS marketing provides clear and actionable data.

Tracking results helps businesses improve over time. If analytics show that personalized messages perform better, you can focus on adding more personalization to your campaigns.

Personalization and Targeting

Text message marketing allows for high levels of personalization. You can customize messages with the recipient’s name, past purchase details, or other personal information. 

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, personalized and targeted SMS campaigns can resonate with your customer’s interests, needs, and behaviors.

Also, you can segment your audience into segments based on demographics, preferences, or purchase history. Messages are crafted to address the specific interests or needs of each group.

5 Best Text Marketing Platforms in 2025

Choosing the right business SMS marketing platform can improve your marketing efforts.

Here are the five best SMS marketing tools and platforms to consider in 2025:

1. Textellent

As a business owner, you know how important it is to stay connected with your customers. Textellent gives you the tools to automate and personalize customer communication. You can focus on growing your business while your messaging runs on autopilot.

Textellent is a feature-rich and user-friendly SMS marketing platform designed to help you speed up customer communication while automating key marketing and engagement processes.

With its powerful suite of tools, businesses can personalize interactions, enhance lead generation, and ensure compliance with SMS regulations.

Quick Setup & Familiar Interface

Switching to a new SMS provider shouldn’t mean losing your business phone number. With Textellent, you can keep your existing number, so customers instantly recognize your texts and trust your messages.

Getting started is fast and easy. The platform’s user-friendly design means you won’t need technical expertise. You can launch SMS campaigns in minutes and connect Textellent to your marketing and communication systems without any hassle.

Rich Media Support

Plain text messages don’t always grab attention. With Textellent, you can send images, videos, and branded templates to make your text campaigns more engaging.

Instead of sending a generic text reminder, you can include a visually appealing coupon, a product image, or an event flyer. With professionally designed templates, you don’t have to worry about creating content from scratch. You just need to customize it and send it.

Advanced Appointment Management

Missed appointments cost your business money. Textellent automates the entire appointment process rather than relying on manual reminders.

You can schedule text reminders, confirmations, and rescheduling notifications to keep your customers on track. The platform integrates with popular scheduling tools, so you won’t need to jump between apps.

Smart Audience Segmentation

Textellent lets you group customers based on their behaviors, preferences, and past interactions so you can send personalized messages that feel relevant.

If you run a salon, you can target returning customers with exclusive deals while reminding new customers about their first appointments. If you manage a real estate agency, you can segment buyers, sellers, and leads and send tailored messages to each group.

Lead Generation & Automated Campaigns

Capturing leads is just the first step. The real challenge is keeping them engaged until they’re ready to buy.

With Textellent, you can automate follow-up messages so leads never go cold. When a potential customer texts a keyword, it automatically responds and adds them to a customized drip campaign.

Automated & Data-Driven Engagement

You can use intelligent automation to send the right message at the right time without manual intervention.

Whether responding to customer inquiries, sending order confirmations, or running seasonal promotions, Textellent’s automation tools keep your audience engaged. Plus, built-in analytics provide real-time performance tracking, which helps you refine strategies and maximize ROI.

Regulatory Compliance & 10DLC Registration Assistance

Sending promotional texts comes with legal responsibilities. If businesses fail to meet compliance requirements, they risk blocked messages or fines. Textellent helps you follow SMS marketing regulations by handling 10DLC registration and providing direct support.

Starting December 1, 2024, U.S. carriers started blocking business messages from unregistered numbers. Many businesses struggle with understanding and completing this process, leading to message disruptions.

Pricing Plans

Every plan starts with a 14-day free trial, which includes 25 SMS credits and one user account. This gives you a chance to explore Textellent’s features before committing.

• The Essentials plan is $49/month, including 750 SMS credits for one user—ideal for small campaigns.
• The Standard plan costs $99/month and provides 2,000 SMS credits for two users, perfect for growing businesses.
• For larger businesses, the Premium Custom Plan lets you choose the number of users and SMS credits based on your needs.

Start with a free trial or schedule a demo with Textellent to see how it can improve your SMS marketing strategy.

2. Twilio

Twilio is a powerful platform that offers a wide range of tools that help businesses improve communication and manage customer interactions across different platforms. 

Image Source: twilio.com

With Twilio, you can build the features you need to create a better experience for your customers. Here are some of its advantages and drawbacks:

Pros

• Pay-as-you-go pricing
• Supports mass texting with scheduling and personalization
• Integrates easily with existing systems
• Compatible with voice platforms and VoIP tools

Cons

• Difficulties with 10DLC compliance and limited support
• Upfront licensing fees may apply
• Requires IT expertise for setup and development
• Long-term maintenance can be challenging for smaller businesses

Pricing

Image Source: twilio.com

Twilio charges $0.0079 per message for incoming and outgoing texts. It uses a pay-as-you-go pricing model and offers volume discounts.

3. EZ Texting

EZ Texting provides a variety of features designed to improve SMS marketing through better engagement and compliance. 

Image Source: eztexting.com 

A key feature is its two-way SMS texting capability, which allows businesses to send automated and personalized text message sequences to their customers.

Pros

• Detailed data insights for marketing
• MMS templates for multimedia messages
• Tools for growing your subscriber base
• Built-in link shortener for cleaner messages
• Access to Shutterstock images for campaigns

Cons

• Limited CRM integration options
• Few pre-designed templates available
• No support for multi-site texting

Pricing

Image Source: eztexting.com 

EZ Texting provides pricing plans designed to fit different contact list sizes:

• Launch: $25/month for up to 500 contacts, ideal for smaller campaigns
• Boost: Starting at $75/month, suitable for managing 500–2,000 contacts
• Scale: Starting at $125/month, perfect for businesses with 2,000–50,000 contacts
• Enterprise: Starting at $3,000/month, tailored for businesses with over 50,000 contacts

If you want to learn more about EZ Texting, its features, pricing, and how it compares to other competitors, check out this guide on EZ Texting alternatives.

4. SimpleTexting

SimpleTexting is an SMS marketing tool designed to help businesses and organizations connect with their audience through a user-friendly user interface and powerful features.

Image Source: simpletexting.com

Pros

• Easy setup for keyword-specific messaging
• Supports one-on-one customer conversations
• Allows unlimited keywords and follow-up sequences

Cons

• Issues with receiving media messages
• No robust integration with scheduling apps

Pricing

Image Source: simpletexting.com

SimpleTexting’s plans start at $39/month for 500 credits, with costs adjusting based on your messaging volume. You’re charged only for outgoing messages, and carrier registration is available for an extra fee.

5. ClickSend

ClickSend is a flexible communication tool that helps manage user access and ensures security and compliance. 

Image Source: clicksend.com

It supports multiple communication methods, including SMS, MMS, voice calls, letters, postcards, and chat, all of which can be integrated into your existing software. This makes it easy to reach your audience through their preferred communication channels.

Pros

• Easy to manage team contacts and track messages
• Quick and hassle-free setup process
• Cost-effective pricing with no onboarding fees
• Simple billing tracking for better cost management

Cons

• Lower user ratings (4.1/5 on Capterra)
• Lacks scheduling features or calendar integrations
• No robust support for scheduling applications

Pricing

Image Source: clicksend.com

ClickSend uses a flexible pay-as-you-go pricing structure, starting at $0.0085 per text message. For businesses sending large volumes, discounted rates are available. With no monthly subscription fees, you only pay for the messages you send.

Features to Look for in SMS Marketing Software

When selecting SMS marketing software, it’s important to focus on features that will maximize the effectiveness of your SMS marketing campaign. Here are the top features to consider:

Bulk Messaging

Bulk messaging allows you to send a single message to hundreds or even thousands of people at the same time. This saves an amount of time and effort compared to sending individual messages manually.

Bulk text messages are perfect for situations where you need to inform or update a large group of people at once. Some examples include:

• Sending reminders for an upcoming event
• Announcing flash sales or promotions
• Sharing holiday greetings or special offers
• Notifying customers about changes in operating hours

Most SMS software platforms charge based on the number of messages sent. Bulk messaging often costs less per recipient compared to other communication methods like direct mail.

Personalized Messages

Personalized messages let you include details like the recipient’s name, past purchases, or even their location.

The software uses the information stored in your customer database to insert specific details into the message automatically. While the message feels personal, it’s sent to thousands of people, each with their unique details inserted.

People are more likely to read and respond to messages that feel personal. Adding their name or referencing their recent activity makes the message stand out.

Automated Campaigns

SMS marketing automation saves time and ensures consistent communication. It can send scheduled messages in advance and automate responses based on specific triggers. 

You can plan and set up messages for a specific time or date. Messages are sent automatically when a specific action occurs. For example:

• A new customer signs up for your services and immediately receives a welcome text
• A customer abandons their shopping cart, triggering a reminder to complete the purchase

Certain campaigns can repeat regularly, such as monthly payment reminders or yearly birthday offers.

Two-Way Communication

Two-way communication allows customers to respond to messages, and you can address those responses through the SMS platform. This feature is useful for handling inquiries, confirming appointments, gathering feedback, and providing customer support.

Unlike one-way communication, it opens a direct line between the business and its audience. It turns your SMS marketing into a conversational SMS tool, fostering stronger customer relationships.

Analytics and Reporting

Analytics and reporting provide detailed insights into how text messaging campaigns are performing. It measures the effectiveness of your communication and makes sure your efforts lead to real results, such as higher engagement, more sales, or improved customer retention.

The analytics dashboard might show the following:

• Delivery rate: 98% (messages successfully sent to customers)
• Click-through rate: 35% (recipients who clicked the sale link)
• Conversion rate: 10% (customers who purchased items after clicking the link)

From this data, the store can conclude that the campaign was effective but might consider experimenting with different wording or timing to improve the conversion rate further.

Integration With Other Tools

Integration capabilities are important for creating a seamless marketing ecosystem. Choose software that can integrate with your existing tools, such as CRM systems, scheduling systems, email marketing platforms, and e-commerce solutions. 

If your CRM system collects customer data like phone numbers, purchase history, and preferences, an integrated SMS platform can use that data to send personalized messages. 

Similarly, integration with an e-commerce platform can trigger automated SMS updates about orders or abandoned carts.

How to Set Up and Use SMS Marketing Software

Setting up and using an SMS marketing service can initially seem daunting, but it can be straightforward with the right steps.

Here’s a detailed guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Choose Your SMS Marketing Software

Start by selecting the software that best meets your business needs. Consider factors like features, pricing, and customer support. 

Identify what you want to achieve with SMS marketing. Are you looking to send appointment reminders, run promotional campaigns, or grow your customer base?

Textellent’s features, like appointment management, rich media support, and advanced segmentation, make it a great fit for most business needs.

You can also take advantage of Textellent’s 14-day free trial to explore its interface and functionality. Use this time to send test messages, set up a campaign, and get familiar with its dashboard.

Step 2: Register Your Phone Number

You have to establish credibility and prioritize compliance with messaging regulations, such as 10DLC compliance (for U.S. carriers). Without proper registration, your messages may be blocked by carriers or fail to meet legal standards, which could result in fines or communication disruptions.

This step makes sure your messages are sent from a recognized and legitimate source. Your texting provider will handle this part of the process, which can usually be completed within a day.

Business text messaging solutions like Textellent allow you to use your existing business phone number or set up a new one. Using a recognizable number ensures customers know who is contacting them.

Step 3: Organize Your Contact List

Always ensure that customers consent to receive messages. Textellent provides tools like SMS keywords and web sign-up forms to make it easy for customers to opt in. For example:

• Use a keyword like “JOIN” for customers to text and subscribe to your updates
• Embed a sign-up link on your website or social media profiles for quick access

If you already have a database of customer phone numbers, you can upload them directly to Textellent. The platform supports seamless imports from spreadsheets or CRM systems.

You should also organize your list by grouping customers based on factors like purchase history, location, or preferences. Textellent’s advanced segmentation tools help you target specific groups with personalized messages for improved customer engagement.

Step 4: Create a New Campaign

Decide what you want to achieve with your campaign. You can determine ahead of time what type of campaign you want—informational, transactional, or promotional SMS. 

Having a clear goal will help you craft a more focused and effective message.

You should also choose the best time to send your messages. Retail promotions may perform better in the late morning, while appointment reminders work best the day before. Textellent’s scheduling tool makes it easy to set the perfect timing.

Step 5: Craft Your Message

Your message should deliver the essential information without making it long or overly detailed messages. Focus on the main purpose of your message and avoid unnecessary words to avoid losing the reader’s attention.

Personalization makes your message feel more relevant and engaging. Every SMS should encourage the recipient to take action, such as clicking a link, replying, or visiting your store.

Step 6: Personalize Your Message

When messages are personalized, they feel more genuine and less like generic advertisements. It helps build trust and encourages customers to act.

For example, instead of sending a generic message like:

“Enjoy 20% off at our store this weekend!”

You could send:

“Hi [Name], enjoy 20% off your favorite items this weekend! Shop now: [link].”

Slight personalization makes the message more engaging and relevant.

Recognizing your customers’ special occasions, such as birthdays, anniversaries, or important milestones, is also a thoughtful way to build stronger relationships.

Step 7: Schedule Your Campaign

Sending messages too early or late can lead to customer frustration or missed opportunities.

Textellent allows you to set specific dates and times for your campaigns. You can draft your message, select your audience, and choose when you want the campaign to go live. Once scheduled, Textellent will automatically send the messages at the specified time.

Best Practices for SMS Marketing

Implementing best practices in SMS marketing makes sure your SMS campaigns are effective, engaging, and compliant with regulations.

Here are some essential tips to follow:

Obtaining Proper Consent (Opt-In)

Always ensure that recipients have explicitly agreed to receive messages from you. Use straightforward language when asking for consent, such as “Sign up to receive text updates from us.” Implement a double opt-in process where recipients confirm their subscriptions. 

This helps verify that they genuinely want to receive your messages. Provide an easy way for recipients to opt out of receiving messages. Use phrases like “Reply STOP to unsubscribe” at the end of your messages.

Crafting Effective Messages

SMS messages aren’t limited to 160 characters, but you should keep them short and to the point. You can include a clear and direct call to action. 

Also, personalize your messages by using the recipient’s name, store manager’s name, and/or other personal details. Customized messages have higher engagement rates.

Timing Your Messages

Schedule messages based on the recipient’s time zone to make sure they receive them at appropriate times. Avoid sending messages early in the morning or late at night. 

Research suggests that mid-morning (10 AM) and mid-afternoon (2 PM) are good times to send promotional messages. Test different times to see what works best for your audience.

Segmenting Your Audience

Group your audience based on age, gender, location, and other demographic factors. Tailor messages to each segment for more relevance. 

Implement customer segmentation based on past purchases, website activity, or engagement with previous SMS campaigns. Send targeted messages that cater to their interests and behaviors.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls and Mistakes

One of the most common business texting mistakes is overwhelming your audience with too many messages. Stick to a reasonable frequency, such as bi-weekly or monthly updates. Make sure your messages are relevant and valuable to the recipients. 

Special promotions or urgent updates may warrant more frequent messaging, but quality over quantity should always be prioritized.

Avoid generic or off-topic messages that may annoy your audience. Regularly review campaign performance through analytics. Use insights to refine your SMS marketing strategy and improve future campaigns.

Grow Your Business Faster With Smart SMS Marketing Software

Your customers are always on their phones. Reach them instantly with Textellent!

Textellent is the SMS marketing software your business needs to stay connected with customers and grow. With Textellent’s powerful text message marketing service, you can schedule appointments, launch promotions, and personalize every customer interaction.

Textellent stands out because it’s both powerful and easy to use. You can customize messages to fit your audience, send them at the best times, and even include images or other media for a more engaging experience.

Join businesses of all sizes that are already using Textellent to simplify their marketing and boost their results. Start with a free trial or schedule a demo today!

FAQs About SMS Marketing Software

What is the best SMS marketing platform?

The best SMS marketing platform depends on the needs of a business. Some platforms focus on bulk messaging, while others specialize in automation and CRM integration.

Textellent is a strong choice for businesses that need automated messaging, appointment reminders, and personalized customer journeys.

What is an SMS marketing tool?

An SMS service tool is software that allows businesses to send text messages to customers. These tools help with bulk messaging, automated responses, scheduling reminders, and two-way messaging for customer support.

Many platforms also integrate with mobile apps and CRM software. Unlike phone calls, SMS marketing tools provide a faster and more convenient way to reach customers.

Is SMS marketing legal in the USA?

SMS marketing is legal in the USA but is regulated by laws such as the TCPA and CAN-SPAM Act. You must obtain consent before sending promotional messages and must provide an opt-out option in every SMS.

What is replacing SMS?

SMS is still one of the most reliable ways to reach customers, but some businesses are using new technologies alongside it.

RCS messaging offers richer features like images and buttons but requires carrier and device support. Push notifications work through iOS and Android apps but require users to install an app.

Messaging apps like WhatsApp and Messenger are popular but do not have the universal reach of SMS. AI chatbots are also growing in use but work best alongside SMS rather than as a replacement.