Reaching your customers shouldn’t feel like a constant struggle. But let’s be honest—it often does.

You send emails that go unread, make calls that go straight to voicemail, and post on social media only for algorithms to overshadow your content.

If you’re tired of chasing customers down and missing valuable opportunities to engage, it’s time to try something different. 

SMS software gives you a direct, instant, and reliable way to reach customers right on their phones.

But without the right SMS platform, you might find yourself wasting time on manual messaging, losing track of customer interactions, or struggling to stay compliant with texting regulations.

The best business text messaging software helps you send messages tailored to customer behaviors, preferences, and even special dates like birthdays. Direct engagement with your audience boosts loyalty and increases sales potential.

In this article, we will explore SMS marketing’s advantages and how it complements your existing digital strategies. We will also list the best SMS software options and discuss strategies for maximizing the impact of your business messages.

The Business Impact of Using SMS

Text marketing is one of the most effective and direct ways to reach your customers. With most people checking their phones throughout the day, text messaging ensures that your business stays at the top of people’s minds.

However, SMS is more than just a promotional tool. It can also improve customer service, simplify scheduling, and increase engagement.

Improved Customer Engagement

If you want to connect with customers in a way that actually gets their attention, SMS marketing is the answer. Text messages have a high open rate, often reaching over 98%. Therefore, your target audience will see almost every message you send.

Higher Open and Response Rates

Text messages are much more likely to be opened and responded to than emails. Emails can often get lost in crowded inboxes or be marked as spam.

However, text messages are typically read within minutes of being received. This immediacy can be essential for time-sensitive promotions or important updates.

Instant Communication

Speed matters in business. If you need to send out appointment reminders or promotional SMS, your message will be read almost immediately.

If your business relies on real-time interactions, SMS is the most reliable way to ensure that your message gets through at the right moment.

Cost-Effectiveness

Using SMS software for your business is also a cost-effective marketing solution. SMS marketing cost per message is relatively low. 

Moreover, the return on investment can be impactful because it has high open and response rates. It’s an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

Better Customer Service and Support

If customers have to wait hours for an email response or spend time on hold, their frustration builds. SMS can also be used to improve customer service and support.

With SMS, you can resolve issues faster, send proactive updates, and keep your customers informed without requiring them to call or email.

Top 5 Best SMS Marketing Software in 2025

Choosing the right SMS marketing platform can impact your business’s SMS marketing strategy. Here, we compare the best SMS marketing tools in 2025 with their advantages and drawbacks.

1. Textellent

Textellent stands out as the best SMS software for businesses with its set of features that make it easy to automate, personalize, and simplify communication.

Textellent

Unlike many other SMS marketing services, Textellent integrates seamlessly with the tools your business already uses, from calendars to customer lists.

Key Features of Textellent

One of the standout features is its ready-made campaigns, which allow you to configure and launch SMS campaigns without any technical skills. You can also set up drip campaigns that automate messaging, keeping your audience engaged over time with minimal effort.

Textellent’s list growth tools make it easy for customers to subscribe by texting a specific keyword. It includes an advanced scheduling app where customers can book appointments or make reservations with ease.

Managing communications is hassle-free with Textellent’s management tools, which allow you to filter messages by name, tag, incoming, outgoing, and more. To reduce no-shows, automated reminders ensure customers don’t miss appointments or events.

For large-scale messaging, Textellent supports bulk messaging using shortcodes. You can easily provide updates or promotions to thousands of contacts at once.

Textellent also offers two-way communication, with free incoming messages, allowing you to engage directly with customers. It even supports MMS with a media library, so you can send images or use pre-built templates to make your messages more visually appealing.

This automated text message service offers integration with apps like Zapier, and direct APIs let you connect Textellent to your existing business tools. You can text-enable your landline or VOIP lines for added convenience.

Textellent provides unlimited tagging to help organize and segment your audience with ease, as well as automatic replies to handle sales or customer inquiries. 

Plus, it ensures 10DLC compliance and works directly with phone carriers to resolve any issues.

Textellent Pricing Plans

This automated SMS service offers flexible pricing plans to suit businesses of all sizes.

  • The 14-day free trial includes one user and 25 SMS credits.
  • For more frequent messaging, the Essentials plan is $49/month with one user and 750 SMS credits.
  • The Standard plan, at $99/month, includes two users and 2,000 SMS credits, perfect for larger campaigns.
  • For businesses with unique needs, the Premium plan offers customizable options for users and SMS credits.

Cut your SMS costs and try Textellent with a free trial, or request a demo consultation today!

2. Twilio

Twilio is a development platform with tools to build out text messaging services. It provides a flexible API that lets businesses integrate various communication methods into their services, including SMS.

Twilio

Image Source: twilio.com

Pros

  • Allows businesses to build the custom functionality they need
  • Only allows execution of code from Twilio requests
  • Some features built within the Twilio console, including the Twilio Node.js Helper Library
  • Provides a familiar development setting using Node 14

Cons

  • Users who encounter 10DLC registration difficulties have limited support
  • Requires technical knowledge and resources to implement
  • Requires technical staff to maintain the code
  • Costly if the business needs to switch to another service
  • Costly for large-volume use
  • Charges for incoming messages

Twilio Pricing

Twilio offers a flexible pay-as-you-go pricing model starting at $0.0079 per message, with volume discounts and customizable solutions for businesses with extensive messaging needs.

3. EZ Texting 

EZ Texting is a pre-built texting application known for its user-friendly interface and focus on simplicity. This SMS messaging app is a decent choice for small- to medium-sized businesses that are starting with SMS marketing.

EZ Texting

Image Source: eztexting.com 

Pros

  • Access a suite of tools for crafting and sending SMS messages
  • Use customizable templates for multimedia messaging
  • Easily integrate with other systems via API
  • Hi-Volume lines available

Cons

  • Limited advanced features for scaling
  • Basic automation tools

EZTexting Pricing

  • The Launch plan is $25/month for up to 500 contacts.
  • The Boost plan starts at $75/month for 500 to 2,000 contacts.
  • The Scale plan begins at $125/month for 2,000 to 50,000 contacts.
  • For businesses with over 50,000 contacts, the Enterprise plan starts at $3,000/month.

4. TextMagic

TextMagic provides a versatile text messaging service with strong tools for both inbound and outbound SMS campaigns.

TextMagic

Image Source: textmagic.com

Pros

  • Extend communication through SMS, email, and voice services
  • Send messages to thousands of recipients simultaneously with a single click
  • Builds lists through smart import features

Cons

  • Higher pricing for premium features
  • Limited support for smaller businesses

TextMagic Pricing

TextMagic offers a pay-as-you-go pricing model, so you only pay for the messages you send. Each text message costs $0.049 per SMS in the United States (pricing may vary for other countries.)

5. SimpleTexting

SimpleTexting is a text message marketing platform emphasizing customer engagement through text messaging campaigns and SMS surveys.

Simple Texting

Image Source: simpletexting.com

Pros

  • User-friendly platform
  • Good integration capabilities
  • Strong analytics tools
  • Effective automation features

Cons

  • Limited customization options
  • Can be expensive for high-volume users

SimpleTexting Pricing

SimpleTexting offers various monthly plans beginning at $39 for 500 credits, with options scaling to custom enterprise solutions for higher volumes.

Hidden Costs of the Wrong SMS Software

While some platforms may seem affordable at first, they often come with hidden expenses in the form of lost customers, wasted time, or compliance risks. Here’s what you should watch out for before committing to an SMS platform.

Low Deliverability Rates

If your SMS software isn’t delivering messages, you’re paying for texts that never reach your customers. Some platforms use low-quality routes or lack strong partnerships with carriers, causing messages to get delayed, flagged as spam, or blocked altogether.

You could be losing potential sales, missing time-sensitive alerts, and damaging customer trust while still getting charged for those undelivered messages.

Overpriced Plans with Limited Functionality

Many SMS providers lure you in with low starting prices, only for you to realize later that the features you need, such as automation, scheduling, and integrations, come at an additional cost. What seemed like an affordable option then quickly turns into an overpriced, underperforming solution.

Some platforms charge per feature. If you want to schedule messages, set up automated campaigns, or integrate with your CRM, you’ll be forced to upgrade to a higher-tier plan.

Also, if you send a high volume of messages, some providers also charge excessive per-message fees that make costs unpredictable and hard to control.

Textellent provides simple pricing with built-in features, so you don’t have to pay extra for essentials. Automation, CRM integration, and compliance tools are included at every plan level, so there is no need for costly upgrades.

Lack of Compliance

Choosing an SMS provider that doesn’t prioritize compliance can put your business at risk.

Text message marketing is regulated by laws like the TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) to protect consumers from unwanted messages. If your SMS platform doesn’t help you stay compliant, you could face legal consequences, fines, and potential lawsuits.

Non-compliant messaging can lead to penalties as high as $500 to $1,500 per message for violations under the TCPA. If you send marketing messages without proper consent, fail to honor opt-out requests, or use misleading tactics, it can put you in legal trouble.

Beyond fines, a lack of compliance damages your brand’s reputation. Customers expect businesses to respect their privacy and preferences. If your SMS campaigns feel intrusive or spam-like, you risk losing customer trust and engagement.

No Integration Capabilities

If your SMS software doesn’t integrate with your CRM, marketing tools, or customer support platforms, you may end up doing double the work.

Without connections to your CRM and other business tools, you may have to constantly export and import contact lists, track conversations, and update customer interactions one by one.

Textellent eliminates manual work by integrating with top CRM and marketing platforms, including Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and other business software. You can manage SMS communications within their existing workflows rather than juggling multiple platforms.

Limited Automation

Limited automation also means your SMS strategy isn’t optimized for engagement. Without scheduled campaigns or triggered messages based on customer actions, you risk sending generic, untimely messages that fail to connect with your audience.

Textellent lets you set up drip campaigns, recurring reminders, and behavior-based triggers to engage customers. Messages can be scheduled and sent automatically based on customer interactions.

What makes Textellent different is its robust tagging and segmentation features. You can categorize contacts based on customer preferences, past interactions, purchase history, or events attended.

Poor Customer Support

Some SMS providers rely on limited email support or chatbots that don’t address complex issues. Others charge extra for priority assistance, meaning you have to pay more just to get the help you need.

When messaging is a critical part of your business operations, slow or ineffective support can lead to lost revenue and damaged customer relationships.

With Textellent, you get more than just an SMS platform. Their team is invested in your success and provides help with any troubleshooting issue.

What Should You Look for in an SMS Marketing Solution?

The right SMS software for your business should improve direct customer communication. Here’s what you should prioritize when selecting an SMS marketing platform.

Mass Texting Capabilities

If you need to reach a large audience, bulk messaging guarantees that you can reach a wide audience with minimal effort.

Some bulk messaging platforms like Textellent even let you personalize bulk text messages using the recipient’s name or past purchase history. This helps make the message feel more personal, even if you’re sending it to hundreds or thousands of people.

Automated Responses

With automation, you can schedule messages in advance, set up drip campaigns, and trigger responses based on customer actions.

Many SMS marketing solutions, such as Textellent, allow you to schedule messages in advance or set up automated campaigns. For example, you might want to schedule a message wishing your customers a happy birthday or send out a promotion for an upcoming holiday.

Another great feature is triggered messaging. This means certain actions—like a customer signing up for your newsletter or making a purchase—can automatically trigger an SMS response.

Two-Way Messaging

Two-way messaging allows customers to reply to your messages, opening up a direct line of communication, which is helpful for customer service or getting quick feedback.

If you’re sending out a survey or asking for input on a new product and receiving real-time responses—it’s much more interactive than traditional marketing methods.

If you’re using SMS for customer support, this feature is even more critical. Customers can reach out with questions or concerns, and your team can respond directly in the same thread.

Segmentation and Targeting

Not every customer should receive the same message. A great platform will allow you to segment your SMS contact list, where you can group customers based on their behaviors, interests, or demographics.

You might have one segment for customers who recently made a purchase and another for those who haven’t bought anything in six months. This way, you can send more relevant messages to each group.

A segmented approach increases engagement because customers receive messages relevant to their interests.

Integration with CRM Systems

Integration with customer relationship management (CRM) systems is another essential feature. SMS CRM allows you to sync customer data across platforms to track conversations, automate follow-ups, and personalize SMS campaigns.

With Textellent’s CRM integration, you can connect your texting efforts with Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and other business tools. Customer interactions are automatically logged, which makes it easier to optimize your messaging strategy.

Analytics and Reporting Tools

Understanding the performance of your SMS campaigns helps you see if your messages were successfully delivered, failed, or even blocked by carriers.

Tracking delivery rates allows you to identify issues like incorrect phone numbers or carrier problems and address them promptly.

Being able to see delivery rates in real time can also help you optimize your future campaigns. If certain types of messages are being blocked or undelivered, you can tweak your strategy to improve your success rate.

Compliance with Regulations

Compliance with TCPA  regulations is important for any SMS marketing. This guarantees that your business is only sending messages to people who have agreed to receive them.

A compliant SMS solution will protect you from these headaches by keeping everything above board.

Textellent helps your business stay compliant while maintaining strong customer relationships.

Many platforms depend on basic opt-out mechanisms. However, Textellent’s AI-powered sentiment analysis automatically detects and responds to messages that indicate dissatisfaction or a desire to opt out.

Customers don’t have to manually text “STOP” or “X,” as this technology recognizes phrases like “I don’t want these messages” or “I had a bad experience last time” and either automatically opts them out or flags the conversation for review.

Why Switch to Textellent’s SMS Solutions?

If you’re looking for a smarter, more efficient way to communicate with your customers, Textellent’s SMS software for business is designed to help you get results.

Traditional SMS platforms often require you to build campaigns from scratch, spending valuable time on formatting messages and setting up SMS workflows.

With Textellent’s ready-made templates and automated campaigns, you can launch professional, high-converting SMS marketing campaigns without the guesswork, trial or error. 

It gives you the tools to send personalized, effective messages for appointment reminders or promotional messages.

Adopting a new platform shouldn’t slow your business down. Many SMS solutions come with complicated dashboards and difficult setups. But Textellent offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface for setting message sequences and managing conversations.

If you want an all-in-one solution that simplifies SMS marketing while delivering measurable results, it’s time to switch to the best SMS marketing service.

Textellent is a complete solution for boosting business communications and customer engagement. Start a free trial today!

How to Integrate Textellent into Your Existing Systems

Integrating Textellent into your business operations is a quick process that simplifies communication and increases customer engagement. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Step 1: Get On Board with Textellent

First, sign up for a Textellent account. Fill in your business details and choose a plan that fits your needs. Textellent offers flexible pricing plans tailored to various industries.

If you’re an accountant or tax professional, there’s a special calculator to estimate your costs.

Step 2: Consider Integration Options

Textellent’s text messaging service can be integrated with your existing website or CRM system. This setup allows for SMS marketing automation, such as sending texts based on specific customer actions on your site. 

Check out the API guide on Textellent’s website or contact their support team for assistance with the integration process.

Step 3: Craft Your Message

Log into your Textellent dashboard and draft your SMS using the message creation tool. 

Keep it concise and aligned with your marketing goals. Personal touches and images can make your messages feel more special and engaging.

Step 4: Choose Your Recipients

Select who will receive your message by filtering your audience based on previous interactions or manually selecting contacts. Tags can be used to represent a variety of information, including events attended, products purchased, preferences, and more.

Ensure you have consent from your contacts to comply with SMS regulations, which helps maintain trust and legal compliance.

Step 5: Schedule Your Message

Decide when to send your message. With Textellent, you can send messages immediately or schedule them later. 

Consider when your customers are most likely to read it—timing can significantly impact engagement.

Step 6: Track and Tweak

After sending your message, monitor its performance and keep an eye on delivery rates, open rates, and responses. Use this data to refine your future messages and improve your SMS campaigns continually.

Ready for Effective SMS Marketing? Switch to Textellent!

Running a business means constantly finding ways to connect with your customers.

If you’re manually sending messages or using multiple disconnected tools, it’s easy to lose track of conversations and waste valuable time.

A powerful SMS software allows you to send instant, direct, and personalized messages that get seen. However, not all SMS platforms are built for your needs. You need a solution that’s easy to use, integrates with your systems, and ensures compliance with texting regulations.

Textellent Features

Textellent helps you automate messaging, integrate with your CRM, and personalize customer interactions. With advanced segmentation, AI-driven automation, and built-in compliance tools, you can send the right messages without the manual work.

Textellent makes it easy to scale SMS marketing while keeping conversations personal. Don’t let the wrong SMS software cost you more in the long run.

Start a free trial, or request a demo consultation today!

FAQs About SMS Software for Business

What is the best text messaging service for business?

The best SMS platform depends on your needs. Textellent stands out by offering a full suite of SMS marketing and customer engagement tools, including automation, AI-powered segmentation, and seamless CRM integration.

How do I automate text messages for my business?

You need a platform that offers scheduling, drip campaigns, and triggered responses.

Textellent lets you schedule reminders, send follow-up messages, and create workflows that automatically respond to customer actions. Its segmentation tools also let you target specific groups based on behavior.

Customers who make a purchase or miss an appointment can receive automated SMS responses based on their behavior. Textellent’s mobile-friendly platform works on both iOS and Android apps to manage messaging on the go.

What is replacing SMS?

While RCS (Rich Communication Services) serves as a richer alternative to multimedia messaging, SMS remains the most universal and reliable method of business communication.

RCS requires internet access and compatible devices. Meanwhile, SMS works on any phone, anywhere, without additional mobile apps or connections. Textellent combines SMS automation with AI-driven engagement to keep your business connected with customers now and in the future.