9 Best SMS (text message) marketing software for 2023

Amidst all the different modes used for marketing communication, SMS marketing is still considered one of the best channels.

The average click-through rate on SMS marketing is about 80% and what’s more interesting is that it has a whopping opening rate of 98%. 

Undoubtedly, SMS is an evergreen medium of communication. Prospects prefer to interact with those companies which constantly stay in touch with them.

And your business needs SMS marketing software to scale your marketing efforts and close more leads.

Before we explore the best 9 SMS marketing software and their features, let’s take a quick look at what an SMS marketing tool really is and how it helps your businesses in marketing.

What is SMS marketing software?

SMS or text messaging software help businesses send informational or promotional messages in bulk.

Business text messaging tools can help you design and automate bulk SMS outreach campaigns to achieve marketing goals like brand recognition, promotions, sales, and more.

SMS marketing software provides you with a combination of features that you can use to send flash sale notifications, abandoned cart reminders, onboarding SMS messages, and much more.

The best text marketing platform would allow you to send automated SMS campaigns based on your desired actions, triggers, and conditions. 

So, if you want to take your marketing to the next level, you must start using one of the best SMS marketing software right away to gain an edge over your competitors. Recent data says that about 61% of marketers still don’t use SMS marketing, which could be your chance.  

Now, let us quickly jump to the best software that are available out there for SMS marketing. 

Best SMS Marketing Software in 2023 

Based on the features, pricing, unique propositions, and reviews, here are our best SMS marketing platforms recommendations.

1. Salesmate

Salesmate is the best SMS marketing platform that helps businesses connect with their prospects and customers through text messaging. With its user-friendly interface and advanced automation features. 

Salesmate makes creating and sending personalized SMS marketing campaign easy to increase sales, boost engagement, and drive growth. Whether you’re looking to promote a new product, run a sale, or simply stay in touch with your customers, Salesmate has the tools you need to succeed. 

Features: 

• Create unlimited lists and segments for targeted sales and marketing campaigns 
• Send automated SMS with personalization 
• Text sequencing feature to schedule your messages  
• Send personalized text messages to make your clients feel special and create trust  
• With the conversation history feature, you’ll have clear and contextual conversation with prospects  

• Text template library to save time of drafting messages 
• Combine SMS and email marketing using Sequences and Automation Journeys 
• Monitor your performance through powerful insights using the text report feature  
• Mobile phone applications for iOS & Android to send and receive text messages 
• Single tool for sales, marketing, and service teams to manage all your organizational data 

• Use the Text Pilot feature of Salesmate to send messages using local numbers and increase the chances of getting a response. 

Pricing: 

Salesmate is highly affordable, and the Starter plan starts from $12/user/month. 

2. Omnisend

Omnisend provides one of the best SMS marketing solutions in the market. 

Omnisend allows you to send SMS to users and create a personalized and continuous experience by combining automated emails and text. 

It comes in with a library that has already created workflows for all major events like SMS for cart abandonment, birthdays, etc. There is no limit on the use case, and you could engage with your loyal customers in any part of the world. 

The tool saves your time and helps you increase engagement to improve retention. 

Features: 

• The prebuilt automation helps you streamline the marketing process  

• Marketing automation will help you in building relevant SMS marketing campaigns   
• Use integrated web forms to build a contact base seamlessly  

Pricing:  

• The product’s pricing depends upon the number of messages you send, and the plans begin from $16/month. 

3. SlickText 

SlickText is one of the most popular text marketing platforms and comes with rich features that allow you to use the software to send multiple forms of messages. With this tool, you can also send quick SMS messages to prospects.   

It offers you a wide variety of options to connect with the customer. SlickText is suitable for restaurants, schools, churches, eCommerce businesses, and many other industries. 

Features: 

• Two-way text messaging system 
• Allows series-based text messages, making promotional campaigns easy to execute  

• Integrate your eCommerce and email platforms with SlickText 
• Create web opt-in forms and links 
• QR code opt-In facility 

Pricing: 

• The Basic plan starts at $29 and allows 500 text messages per month. 

4. Trumpia

Trumpia is multifaceted marketing software offering SMS and voice messaging features. The tool is best for systemizing all the processes in a singular platform. The tool also offers an automated workflow builder where you can create custom workflows or use the existing templates. 

It comes with multiple features, right from automation to functioning mobile solutions and so much more.  

Features: 

• With the automation feature, you can streamline the process   

• Workflow automation for the custom flow of messaging  
• Can integrate with other tools via Zapier 

Pricing: 

• The pricing structure is quite confusing, but The Core plan starts at $76/month with 3000 text messages. 

5. Sakari 

The tool Sakari is a cloud-based SMS marketing service that covers your entire text messaging needs in one place. You can reach over 200 countries with Sakari. It is also the best SMS marketing software for small business. 

It is a business text message service that allows businesses to send reminders, alerts, confirmations, and marketing campaigns.   

Features: 

The two-way texting for lead qualification and customer engagement 

Send multimedia messages with GIFS, audio, and videos 

Design text marketing campaigns and schedule SMS at your desired time in bulk 

Integrates with CRM and VoIP systems 

Pricing: 

The Starter plan for the United States starts at $16 /month, which lets you send 500 SMS per month.

6. TextMagic

TextMagic is an easy-to-use best SMS marketing tool that allows you to send alerts, notifications, and confirmations. You can send multiple messages with the mass text messaging software to your leads, staff, and suppliers.   

Moreover, TextMagic has a unique Email to SMS feature where you can send emails as text messages to your customers. 

You can also integrate SMS gateway API into your existing application. 

Needless to say, TextMagic is among the top sms marketing software and suitable for marketing agencies, SaaS businesses, and SMBs. 

Features: 

Buy toll free numbers and start receiving text messages 

Schedule SMS at your desired time 

Send personalized messages in bulk text messages with Mail Merge SMS 

Pricing:  

The pricing is purely based on how many SMS you send. As per the pricing calculator by TextMagic, it costs $40 to send 1000 SMS to the US.

7. EZ Texting 

This tool comes with a template editor and design tools where you can create image-based texts and send them with personalization. EZ Texting has a partnership with Shutterstock, so you can find high-quality images for your text campaigns. But this is only available in higher plans. 

Just like many other SMS marketing tools in this list, EZ Texting offers automation and text scheduling facilities. 

It’s an easy-to-use platform that offers a resource center and video guides on best practices with multiple materials available out there to use for text messages.  

Features:  

With the keywords for opt-ins, you secure more lead generation  

The one-on-one communication feature allows personalized communication  

Has native and Zapier integration facilities  

Web forms and drip campaign facilities in higher plans 

Pricing: 

All plans come with 200 credits per month. That means you can send 200 SMS per month in any plan. The basic plan starts at $24/month/user.

8. ClickSend

ClickSend is a marketing platform that lets you send SMS, MMS, rich content, and online posts! 

Through their SMS service provider, tasks such as customer support and event management could be easily carried out.   

It provides API support and allows integration with third-party apps. Their services are robust, and you could easily manage your marketing needs.   

Features: 

The tool provides you with a global getaway; you can send messages to any part of the world   

The tool allows you to merge your email templates into messages    

With lightning-fast delivery, there is the ease of quick delivery of messages  

Pricing: 

The pricing for the tool comes in various packages and would depend on the number of messages you send. 

9. Podium 

Last but not least is Podium, an all-in-one messaging platform for your business. It is a combination of live chat, video chat, and text messages, where you can manage all your communication in one place. 

Podium is also useful in taking surveys, collecting payments, and managing a common inbox. This tool can be a great addition to your marketing strategy. 

Features: 

The contact management features allow ease of managing the contacts  

It sophisticates internal communication through the Team Chat feature  

With automated workflows and readily available templates, you can easily send messages  

Pricing: 

The Essential plan starts at $189/month.

Benefits of SMS Marketing Software 

Below are some of the best SMS marketing software: 

1. Fast and efficient audience reach:

SMS marketing software enables businesses to reach a large audience quickly and effectively. 

2. Targeted personalization and segmentation:

The software allows businesses to segment their audience and send personalized messages to specific groups, increasing the effectiveness of the campaign. 

3. High open and response rates:

SMS marketing typically has higher open and response rates than email marketing, leading to better engagement and conversions. 

4. Cost-effective:

SMS marketing is relatively inexpensive compared to other marketing channels, making it a cost-effective option for businesses of all sizes. 

5. Tracking and measurement capabilities:

SMS marketing software typically includes tools for tracking and measuring campaign success, enabling businesses to make data-driven decisions. 

6. Integrate your existing tech stack:

Many SMS marketing software can be integrated with other marketing tools and platforms, such as CRM systems, to streamline and automate processes. 

7. Scheduling and automation:

SMS marketing software enables businesses to schedule and automate messages, saving time and effort. 

8. Easy setup and management:

SMS marketing software is typically easy to set up and manage, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes and skill levels. 

9. Versatile use cases:

SMS marketing can be used for a variety of purposes, such as promotions, reminders, and customer service. 

10. Reach customers on the go:

SMS messages can be received on mobile phones, which most people have with them at all times, enabling businesses to reach customers wherever they are.

Features of SMS marketing software 

1. Bulk SMS:

The ability to send bulk messages at once, either to a pre-defined list of contacts or to segments of contacts based on certain criteria.

2. Pre-built templates:

The ability to create and save message templates that can be easily edited and reused.  

3. Scheduling and automation:

The ability to schedule messages in advance, or to automate sending messages based on certain triggers or events.

4. Personalization:

The ability to include personalization elements such as the recipient’s name or other data in the message text. 

5. Text campaign reports:

The ability to track and analyze key metrics such as deliverability, engagement, and conversions.

6. Opt-in/opt-out management:

The ability to manage opt-in and opt-out requests from contacts, to ensure compliance with regulations and best practices.  

7. Integrations:

The ability to integrate the SMS marketing software with other tools such as CRM software, for improved efficiency and data management. 

8. Multi-language support:

The ability to send SMS messages in multiple languages, to reach a broader audience.

9. Two-way communication:

The ability to enable two-way communication through SMS, allowing prospects to reply to messages or initiate a conversation.

10. Advanced features:

Additional features such as A/B testing, drip campaigns, and more, to enable more targeted and effective SMS marketing.

Best Practices for using SMS Marketing Software

1. Get consent before sending messages:

Always obtain explicit consent from recipients before sending them SMS messages. This can be done through opt-in forms, double opt-in procedures, or other methods. 

2. Personalize messages:

Personalized messages are more likely to be opened and acted upon, so include the recipient’s name or other relevant information in the message text. 

3. Make sure your message is relevant:

Send messages that are relevant to the recipient and offer value in some way. Avoid sending generic or irrelevant messages, as these are more likely to be ignored or deleted.

4. Use clear and concise language:

Keep the message text short and to the point, using language that is easy to understand. Avoid using jargon or technical terms.

5. Schedule messages at appropriate times:

Schedule messages to be sent at times when they are most likely to be seen and acted upon. 

6. Use A/B testing:

Test different message variations to see which ones perform best, and use the results to optimize future campaigns. 

7. Monitor and analyze results:

Use the reporting and analytics features of the SMS marketing software to track the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

8. Use short codes and keywords:

Use short codes and keywords to make it easy for recipients to opt-in or opt-out, and to interact with your business. 

9. Respect opt-out requests:

Always respect opt-out requests and remove recipients who have asked to be removed from your list. 

10. Follow the legal requirements:

Be familiar with and follow all relevant laws and regulations related to SMS marketing, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) in the US

Make the right call!

Every SMS marketing software in this list is either too costly for SMS features or has limitations. 

I’d highly recommend you choose a system that houses much more than SMS marketing services. No doubt, text facilities are crucial to your business, but you’re adding another tool to your suite, which is always painful to manage. With Salesmate, you can really solve this issue. 

Salesmate is an intuitive CRM and Customer Journey tool, which can streamline your sales, marketing, and customer service processes. Automation functionalities like Sequences, Workflows, and Marketing Automation are game-changers. 

And the good thing is, you can take a 15-days free trial and experience all the features! If you find Salesmate suitable, then the pricing starts at just $12/month, which is far more affordable than almost all the tools mentioned in this list.