Best SMS marketing software 2026: our comparison
SMS marketing software lets you send text campaigns to your opted-in subscriber list (promotions, reminders, order confirmations, re-engagement) with open rates that can top 90%, far ahead of email. We continuously benchmark the leading platforms on the US market. Here is our 2026 shortlist, ranked on deliverability and carrier routes, cost per SMS, campaigns and automation, compliance (opt-in, STOP, TCPA and 10DLC), e-commerce and CRM integrations, and value for money.
Our pick at a glance
Our pickPostscript, native Shopify SMS with two-way messaging and one of the lowest entry costs, backed by strong support and transparent per-message billing.
See ↓ Easiest to useSimpleTexting, the most SMB-friendly platform: clean interface, top-tier delivery and a free trial, powered by Sinch carrier relationships.
See ↓ Best all-in-oneKlaviyo, unified email and SMS with powerful segmentation and a free plan, though US-hosted with extra cost on international sends.
See ↓ Most powerfulAttentive, the enterprise choice with patented opt-in tech and AI send-time optimization, but no public pricing.
See ↓ Best on a budgetTextedly, the lowest entry cost with inbound SMS always free and no contract, ideal for SMBs and nonprofits.
See ↓At a glance
The best SMS marketing software compared
| Platform | Score | Positioning | Entry price | TCPA ready | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Postscript Our pick | ★★★★★ 4.9 | Native Shopify | $0 + $0.009/SMS | ✓ Built-in | E-commerce | See → |
 SimpleTexting Simple | ★★★★½ 4.7 | SMB generalist | $39/mo (500 credits) | ✓ Built-in | Simplicity | See → |
 Klaviyo | ★★★★½ 4.6 | Email + SMS unified | Free ($5 SMS/mo) | ✓ Built-in | Data-driven | See → |
 Textedly | ★★★★½ 4.6 | SMB low-cost | $29/mo | ✓ Built-in | Budget | See → |
 Attentive Enterprise | ★★★★½ 4.5 | Enterprise e-commerce | Custom quote | ✓ Built-in | Scale | See → |
 EZ Texting | ★★★★½ 4.5 | SMB legacy | $25/mo (500 credits) | ✓ Built-in | Agencies | See → |
Entry paid-plan prices, indicative and checked in July 2026, excluding tax, in US dollars. Billing is usually monthly, with annual discounts common. Every platform here includes TCPA compliance features (consent handling, STOP keyword management) and assists with 10DLC registration. Attentive does not publish pricing; the others are credit-based or per-message. Prices scale with volume and change often, so confirm on the official pricing page before committing.
Want to start SMS without enterprise pricing?
Postscript combines Shopify-native SMS, two-way conversation and the fastest time-to-first-send in the comparison, with no upfront minimum and transparent per-message billing.
The top in detail
Our top 6 SMS marketing tools, analyzed
Postscript
The best all-round choice for a Shopify e-commerce store
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Deep Shopify integration: it syncs purchase history and browsing behavior to trigger SMS automatically. The vendor positions it as an “SMS revenue platform”, meaning texts driven by your e-commerce data.
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No upfront minimum: a $0 base fee, then just $0.009 per SMS and $0.045 per MMS plus carrier fees, with a $100 onboarding credit in the first 30 days.
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Native two-way SMS: customers reply directly to your messages, so you get real conversations, not just broadcasts.
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Tightly tied to Shopify, so it is much less useful outside the e-commerce ecosystem.
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A smaller independent review sample (only a handful of Capterra reviews) than its rivals, so less third-party validation at scale.
Our verdict
Postscript tops the ranking for Shopify merchants: native data sync, genuine two-way SMS and the most transparent billing here, with no monthly minimum and $0.009 per SMS. The trade-off is that it lives inside the Shopify world and has a thinner independent review base than older players.
SimpleTexting
The simplest way to launch reliable SMS campaigns
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SMB-friendly interface: you can launch a first campaign in minutes with no technical skills, backed by Sinch’s global carrier relationships for strong delivery.
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Measured 99.1% delivery rate in an independent 50,000-message benchmark, among the highest in the industry.
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AI message writer bundled from the entry plan, plus an API for transactional SMS.
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Credit-based pricing with overage: extra credits cost $0.055 each beyond your monthly bundle, raising the per-unit cost on volume spikes.
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A local (vanity) sender number is an extra $10 a month.
Our verdict
SimpleTexting is our pick to get a clean campaign out fast: it has the friendliest interface here and the best measured delivery rate, with a free trial to test it. Watch the credit overage cost and the paid add-on for a local number if you send at scale.
Klaviyo
One platform for email and SMS with shared customer data
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One platform for email and SMS with a shared customer data layer: fire an SMS from an email workflow, segment on cross-channel behavior and read unified reporting.
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Free plan with credit: up to 250 profiles, 500 emails a month and $5 of SMS/MMS credit monthly, enough to test both channels.
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Powerful segmentation inherited from its mature email engine: RFM, behavioral and predictive churn scoring, all native.
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US-hosted with extra SMS cost on international sends: a text to a non-US number burns several credits, quickly inflating global-campaign bills.
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SMS is secondary to the email engine, and pricing is tied to contact count rather than SMS volume, making high-frequency SMS expensive next to SMS-first tools.
Our verdict
Klaviyo is the pick when you want a single tool for email and SMS with best-in-class segmentation and a free tier to start. It loses ground on cost for SMS-heavy or international programs, where its contact-based pricing works against you.
Need one tool for email and SMS?
Klaviyo bundles email and SMS in one interface with cross-channel automation and a free tier to start testing, a fit for e-commerce brands building multichannel campaigns.
Textedly
Low-cost SMS for SMBs and nonprofits with no contract
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Lowest entry price of the six: $29 a month, scaling with message volume and no surprise minimums.
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Inbound SMS always free: customers reply at no cost, so two-way conversation is not penalized.
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Feature parity across tiers: the same capabilities on every plan, with nothing important locked behind higher prices, plus 3,000+ integrations.
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The interface is not intuitive for everyone per G2 feedback, with some users finding navigation clunky.
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It can feel expensive for very low-frequency senders (nonprofits mailing a few times a year) despite the budget tagline.
Our verdict
Textedly is the value pick for SMBs and nonprofits on a tight budget: the lowest entry cost, free inbound and no contract. The interface polish and heavier automation trail the leaders, so power users will feel the limits.
Attentive
The enterprise SMS platform with AI optimization and patented opt-in
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Patented two-step mobile opt-in: markedly higher consent quality and alignment with evolving TCPA rules, backed by deep mobile-UX research.
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AI send-time optimization: the platform learns when each subscriber is most likely to engage and tunes timing accordingly, beating static scheduling.
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Premium support and onboarding: a dedicated customer-success team, hands-on setup and ongoing optimization advice.
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No public pricing: a custom quote after a demo, a hurdle for a price-comparison site and for SMBs that want transparent estimates.
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Cost is reported to scale fast with list size and is widely seen as expensive for smaller budgets.
Our verdict
Attentive is the enterprise choice: the strongest opt-in tech, AI-tuned timing and white-glove support for brands sending at scale. It ranks lower here only because pricing is quote-only and steep, which rules it out for most SMBs.
EZ Texting
A veteran SMB platform with rock-solid delivery and an agency program
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Long pedigree (founded 2005) with deep carrier relationships and a proven 98.7% delivery rate in independent testing, trusted by thousands of SMBs.
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Easy configuration: campaigns go live in minutes, plus an agency partner program with white-label, a dedicated account manager and custom pricing.
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Affiliate program via Impact.com: a bounty of up to $500 per new paying customer referred, tracked in the Impact dashboard.
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A credit-based cost structure that can compound: unused credits expire and overage runs $0.04 per credit, costly on volume spikes.
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A notable gap between G2 (4.5) and Trustpilot (3.3) ratings, a signal of friction around billing or support for some users.
Our verdict
EZ Texting is the choice for agencies and resellers: two decades of carrier know-how, dependable delivery and a real partner program. The credit model and mixed Trustpilot reviews keep it just behind the leaders for direct SMB use.
Our criteria
Comparison: deliverability, cost per SMS and TCPA compliance
Beyond the sticker price, it is deliverability, real cost per message and TCPA compliance that separate these platforms day to day. Here is our criterion-by-criterion analysis to help you decide.
Our method. We cross our hands-on interface tests (campaign builder, automation, opt-in flows) with official pricing grids and public delivery benchmarks, re-checked at every price change. Last verified: July 2026.
Deliverability and carrier routes
Deliverability is the share of your texts that actually reach the handset rather than getting filtered by carriers. It depends on the vendor’s carrier relationships, 10DLC registration and message hygiene as much as on your own list quality.
Measured delivery rate · indicative
Indicative figures from independent delivery benchmarks and vendor disclosures (July 2026). The longer the bar, the better.
- SimpleTexting and EZ Texting post the highest measured rates, backed by Sinch and long-standing carrier ties.
- Attentive and Postscript hold a very good level on high e-commerce volumes with well-registered A2P routes.
- The gaps stay small: your real delivery hinges most on clean 10DLC registration and a well-consented list.
Key takeaway. No tool guarantees 100% delivery. Register your brand and campaign for 10DLC, keep opt-in clean and honor STOP instantly: that is what matters most.
Cost per SMS and plans
SMS pricing comes in two flavors: per-message billing (Postscript, Textedly) that rewards low-frequency senders, and credit packs or subscriptions (SimpleTexting, EZ Texting) that economize high volume. Carrier surcharges (roughly $0.0025 per message) apply on top and vary by destination.
✓ free tier available · ✗ none. Scroll the table horizontally if needed.
| Platform | Entry cost | Per message / credit | Free tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Postscript | $0 base | $0.009/SMS, $0.045/MMS | ✗ $100 credit |
| SimpleTexting | $39/mo | $0.055 overage | ✓ trial |
| Klaviyo | Free | Contact-based + SMS credit | ✓ $5 SMS/mo |
| Textedly | $29/mo | Volume-based, inbound free | ✗ trial |
| Attentive | Custom | Not public | ✗ demo |
| EZ Texting | $25/mo | $0.04 overage | ✓ 14-day trial |
Key takeaway. For low, spiky volume, per-message billing (Postscript, Textedly) is cheapest. For steady high volume, credit packs (SimpleTexting, EZ Texting) win. Klaviyo only makes sense on cost if you also run email there.
Campaigns and automation
Automation fires texts based on subscriber behavior: sign-up, purchase, cart abandonment, inactivity. Here is what each platform covers.
✓ available · ✗ absent or limited. Scroll the table horizontally if needed.
| Platform | Two-way SMS | Triggers | Segmentation | API |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postscript | ✓ | ✓ Shopify events | ✓ | ✓ |
| SimpleTexting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Klaviyo | ✓ | ✓ cross-channel | Advanced | ✓ |
| Textedly | ✓ inbound free | ✓ | ✗ basic | ✓ |
| Attentive | ✓ | ✓ AI timing | ✓ | ✓ |
| EZ Texting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Key takeaway. For behavior-driven e-commerce sends, Postscript, Klaviyo and Attentive lead. SimpleTexting and EZ Texting cover the essentials well; Textedly keeps automation simple.
Compliance: opt-in, STOP and TCPA
Any SMS marketing campaign in the US must comply with the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and the 10-Digit Long Code (10DLC) standard. All six platforms include built-in compliance features, but you need to understand what you are signing up for:
- Explicit prior written consent. Get a clear opt-in from every subscriber before sending marketing SMS. Consent is brand-specific and cannot be shared or resold across brands (FCC rule, effective January 2026).
- STOP keyword management. Every text must offer an easy opt-out (usually the word STOP). Anyone who texts STOP must be removed immediately; non-compliance carries fines of $500 to $1,500 per message.
- Sending windows. Avoid sending between 9 p.m. and 8 a.m. in the recipient’s local time zone.
- Prohibited content. No sexual content, hate speech, alcohol, firearms or tobacco promotion, categorically banned under the SHAFT rules.
- 10DLC registration. All application-to-person (A2P) traffic must be registered with US carriers by brand and campaign, typically 1 to 7 business days. All six platforms handle this for you.
Watch out. TCPA exposure is large: class-action filings jumped roughly 95% year over year (mid-2025 data), and a single non-compliant blast to 10,000 subscribers could in theory expose you to millions in statutory damages. The tools automate consent, STOP and 10DLC, but you stay responsible for clean consent and honoring opt-outs.
Quick guide
Which SMS tool for which use case?
| Your situation | Recommended tool | Why |
|---|---|---|
| You run a Shopify store | Postscript | Native data sync, two-way SMS and the lowest entry cost. |
| You want the simplest setup | SimpleTexting | Fastest time-to-send, 99.1% delivery and a free trial. |
| You need one tool for email + SMS | Klaviyo | Unified segmentation and a free tier to start. |
| You are on a tight budget or a nonprofit | Textedly | Lowest entry price, inbound free, no contract. |
| You send at enterprise scale | Attentive | Patented opt-in, AI timing and white-glove support. |
| You are an agency or reseller | EZ Texting | Agency program, white-label and Impact.com affiliate. |
How did we build this ranking?
Each SMS marketing platform is scored on six weighted axes: deliverability and carrier routes (measured delivery, operator relationships, 10DLC readiness), cost per SMS and plans (entry cost, per-message or credit rates, hidden fees, free tier), campaigns and automation (two-way SMS, triggered sends, segmentation, API), compliance (native consent handling, STOP management, TCPA and 10DLC support), e-commerce and CRM integrations (Shopify and platform depth, data sync) and value for money (real cost for your volume, monthly versus annual billing, the true limits of any free tier). We favor tools that put compliance ahead of price, because TCPA violations cost far more than any subscription discount, and we re-check offers every time a pricing grid changes, hence the update date at the top. Attentive’s quote-only pricing is noted but not a disqualifier for enterprise buyers.
How do you choose the right SMS marketing platform?
Start with your e-commerce platform: if you use Shopify, Postscript is native and needs almost no integration work. Next, estimate your monthly send volume and pick a billing model to match: per-message pricing (Postscript, Textedly) rewards low or spiky volume, while credit packs (SimpleTexting, EZ Texting) economize steady high volume. Then decide how much automation you need: behavior-driven, cross-channel campaigns point to Klaviyo or Attentive, while simple broadcasts and reminders are well served by SimpleTexting, EZ Texting or Textedly. Weigh support and onboarding: Attentive offers white-glove help at an enterprise price, whereas the SMB tools are self-serve. Finally, treat compliance as non-negotiable: every tool here is TCPA-ready and manages 10DLC, but you are responsible for clean opt-in, honoring STOP and respecting sending windows and content rules. If you also run email marketing, our best email marketing software 2026 comparison pairs naturally with an SMS channel, and the email marketing hub gathers our full guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best SMS marketing software in 2026?
For most e-commerce businesses, Postscript offers the best balance: native Shopify sync, two-way SMS, no upfront fee and transparent per-message billing from $0.009 per SMS. For the simplest experience, SimpleTexting is the easiest to use with the best measured delivery; for enterprise scale with AI optimization, Attentive leads but needs a custom quote; for data-driven multichannel campaigns, Klaviyo unifies email and SMS.
Is SMS marketing TCPA compliant?
It can be, as long as you follow three rules: collect explicit opt-in consent for each subscriber, include an easy STOP keyword in every message and honor opt-outs immediately. All six platforms here automate these steps, but you stay legally responsible for clean consent. TCPA violations carry fines of $500 to $1,500 per message and class-action risk is real, so verify that your consent collection meets FCC standards before launching.
How much does SMS marketing cost?
Entry-level SMS ranges from $0 plus $0.009 per SMS (Postscript) to a $39 a month minimum (SimpleTexting). Credit-based platforms (EZ Texting, SimpleTexting) charge roughly $0.01 to $0.055 per message depending on volume and carrier; volume-scaled Textedly starts at $29 a month. Klaviyo’s free plan includes $5 of SMS credit a month, with paid plans from around $35. Every platform passes through carrier surcharges (about $0.0025 per message) that vary by destination. Indicative pricing only, so verify current rates on the vendor’s pricing page.
What is 10DLC and why do I need it?
10DLC (10-Digit Long Code) is the US standard for application-to-person (A2P) SMS traffic. It requires you to register your brand name and each campaign with US carriers, a process that usually takes 1 to 7 business days. Unregistered SMS often fail to deliver or get flagged as spam. All six platforms manage 10DLC registration for you: you simply provide your brand details and campaign description. There is no separate charge, but build the registration time into your launch schedule.
Can I use SMS marketing for e-commerce?
Yes, and it is one of the highest-ROI channels for e-commerce: open rates top 90% and triggered texts (cart abandonment, order confirmation, re-engagement) convert well above email. Postscript is purpose-built for Shopify, Klaviyo brings SMS and email segmentation together, and SimpleTexting and EZ Texting work with any platform via API. All include automation to sync purchase data and send time-sensitive alerts. Test a small campaign to your existing customers first to dial in timing and messaging before scaling.