5 SMS Marketing Software Tools That'll Actually Get Your Messages Read in 2025

Look, I'll cut straight to it—your email marketing is probably getting ghosted. With open rates hovering around 20%, most of your carefully crafted messages are ending up in digital purgatory. But SMS? That's a different story entirely, with 98% open rates

that make email marketers weep into their analytics dashboards.

The problem isn't whether SMS marketing works (it absolutely does). The real question is: which software should you actually use to run your campaigns without losing your mind or your budget?

I've spent weeks diving into SMS marketing platforms, and I'm not just going to throw another boring list of the "top 20 enterprise solutions" at you. Instead, I'm showcasing five solid tools that real businesses are using right now—including some you might not have heard of yet. Because honestly, not everyone needs the industry giant that charges enterprise prices for small business needs.

Let's get into it.

Before we jump into the tools, let's talk about why SMS marketing has become non-negotiable for businesses in 2025.

90% of SMS messages are read within three minutes of delivery. Three minutes. When was the last time you opened an email that fast? Exactly.

But here's the thing—sending effective SMS campaigns isn't as simple as blasting "HEY BUY OUR STUFF 50% OFF" to everyone on your contact list. (Please don't do that.) You need proper software that handles:

• Compliance management (because TCPA violations aren't cheap)

• Segmentation (so you're not annoying people with irrelevant messages)

• Automation workflows (because manually sending texts doesn't scale)

• Analytics (to actually know what's working)

• Integration (with your existing CRM and e-commerce stack)

According to HubSpot's 2024 SMS Benchmark Report, brands saw a 27% jump in revenue per recipient when they added texts to existing email flows. That's not a rounding error—that's real money.

Not all SMS tools are created equal. Here's what separates the winners from the "why did we pay for this?" disappointments:

You shouldn't need a three-week training course to send a text message. The best platforms are intuitive enough that your team can start sending campaigns on day one.

The whole point is to save time. Look for platforms with visual workflow builders, trigger-based messaging, and the ability to set up sequences that run on autopilot.

Sending the same message to your entire list is amateur hour. Key features like scheduling, personalization, automation, and analytics should be standard, not premium add-ons.

Nobody likes surprise bills. The best platforms are upfront about costs—both platform fees and per-message rates.

What good is a 98% open rate if your messages don't actually get delivered? Look for platforms with proven delivery infrastructure and carrier relationships.

Alright, enough theory. Let's talk about actual tools you can start using today.

Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses that want reliability without complexity

Pricing: Starting at $26/month for 600 monthly texts when paid annually

Here's why Textedly keeps showing up in conversations: it's remarkably uncomplicated. While other platforms are trying to be everything to everyone, Textedly focuses on doing SMS marketing really, really well.

You can connect Textedly to popular business and product review platforms, then send text messages asking happy customers to leave a rating. This feature alone has helped businesses build social proof on autopilot.

The platform includes mass texting, MMS marketing, and text scheduling without making you click through seventeen menus to find what you need. Their dashboard is clean, the setup process takes minutes, and you're not bombarded with upsells for features you don't need.

• E-commerce brands use it for abandoned cart recovery with impressive conversion rates

• Service businesses send appointment reminders that drastically reduce no-shows

• Retail stores blast flash sale announcements that drive immediate foot traffic

Textedly isn't trying to be a full-blown CRM or marketing automation platform. If you need deep integration with complex workflows, you might outgrow it. But for straightforward SMS campaigns? It's hard to beat.

No long-term contracts, and monthly text messages and keywords determine the price. You can pay month-to-month or annually for more texts per month. The transparency is refreshing.

Best for: E-commerce brands on Shopify who want SMS to feel native to their store

Pricing: Pay as you go plan with minimum $30/month, plus a 30-day free trial

If you're running a Shopify store and not using Postscript, you're leaving money on the table. This platform was built specifically for e-commerce, and it shows in every feature.

It pulls in real-time product, order, and customer data from Shopify with zero hassles. Everything syncs automatically—order history, product views, loyalty status, cart contents. This means you can create hyper-personalized campaigns without spending hours on data imports.

The Click-to-Buy functionality is genius. Customers can make purchases directly through SMS links, streamlining the shopping experience. No app required, no complicated checkout process—just tap, buy, done.

Postscript shines with its e-commerce-specific automation workflows:

• Abandoned cart recovery that triggers at optimal times

• Post-purchase upsells when customers are still in buying mode

• Back-in-stock alerts for products people actually care about

• VIP segments that reward your best customers automatically

One user reported "SMS is the perfect channel to both reliably reach our best customers and build our brand".

Postscript's strength is also its limitation—it's really designed for Shopify. If you're on BigCommerce or WooCommerce, you'll want to look elsewhere. Also, as your list grows, costs can scale quickly. Budget accordingly.

Best for: Bootstrapped businesses that need SMS and email without the enterprise price tag

Pricing: Starts at $7/month for the Standard plan with SMS campaigns and $14/month for SMS with advanced automation

Sender might not be the household name in SMS marketing, but that's exactly why it's interesting. While the big players charge premium prices, Sender delivers solid functionality at prices that won't make your CFO cry.

Sender throws complicated setups out the window—setting up campaigns is quick, the user interface is clean, and its SMS delivery rates are consistent.

But here's the real value proposition: you get both SMS and email marketing in one platform. No juggling between tools, no duplicate contact lists, no separate logins. It offers email and SMS marketing, including a multichannel automation solution that's easy to set up and affordable too.

• Multichannel workflows that combine SMS and email sequences

• E-commerce integrations with major platforms

• Behavioral triggers based on customer actions

• MMS support for sending images and GIFs

• Built-in TCPA compliance tools

Many clients use it for flash sale promotions and enjoy prompt delivery rates, even during peak hours.

Sender's forever free plan is email-only—you'll need to upgrade for SMS. Also, while the platform covers the essentials well, power users might find some advanced features missing. But for the price? It's hard to complain.

Best for: Tech-savvy businesses that want complete control and customization

Pricing: Text messages start at $0.0079/message sent and received, with dedicated phone numbers starting at $1.15/month</parameter>

Twilio isn't technically a marketing platform—it's a communications API that developers use to build custom solutions. And that's exactly why it's powerful.

Think of Twilio as the engine, not the car. You're not getting a pretty dashboard with drag-and-drop campaigns. <cite index="18-4,18-5">It's a cloud communication platform offering a wide range of functionality for a good price, allowing users to send emails and SMS messages, make calls, and integrate with other useful software.

The advantage? For most use cases, Twilio should work out cheaper than other SMS marketing services if you're prepared to do the work to get it up and running.

You should consider Twilio if:

• You have developers on staff who can build custom integrations

• You need SMS embedded in a larger application or workflow

• You're sending high volumes and every fraction of a cent matters

• You want complete control over the user experience

Twilio's ability to integrate with mainstream social media messengers like Telegram and Facebook messenger has strengthened the effectiveness of SMS marketing operations

for businesses with technical resources.

Unless you're technical or have developers, Twilio might be overkill. The learning curve is steep, and the time investment to get started is real. But for companies that can leverage it? The cost savings and customization possibilities are unmatched.

Best for: E-commerce brands that want email, SMS, and push notifications in one platform

Pricing: Basic SMS rates start at $0.015 per message, with the Free Plan including $1 SMS credit (about 60 messages)

Omnisend keeps popping up in "best of" lists for a reason—it's genuinely good at what it does. Omnisend enables you to engage with customers at key points in their customer journey, supports all country codes, and its SMS for one-off campaigns is ideal for time-sensitive messages.

What sets Omnisend apart is its all-in-one design—you don't need to bolt on SMS or switch platforms to manage omnichannel campaigns. Everything lives in a unified dashboard, which is a bigger deal than it sounds when you're trying to run campaigns at scale.

The platform offers:

• Visual automation builder that's actually intuitive

• Pre-built e-commerce workflows (welcome series, abandoned cart, browse abandonment)

• Advanced segmentation based on purchase history and behavior

• A/B testing for both SMS and email

• Real-time reporting that shows what's actually working

Users report "Overall, my experience with Omnisend has been good", which in the world of software reviews is actually high praise. The platform consistently delivers on its promises without the usual SaaS disappointments.

Some users wish SMS pricing were clearer upfront. The credit-based system works well but requires some math to understand your actual costs. Also, if you're not doing e-commerce, much of Omnisend's power is wasted on your use case.

Still unsure which platform fits your needs? Here's a quick decision framework:

• Shopify e-commerce? → Postscript or Omnisend

• Budget-conscious with basic needs? → Sender or Textedly

• Technical team wanting customization? → Twilio

• Multi-platform e-commerce? → Omnisend

• Simple SMS without frills? → Textedly

Be honest about your team's capabilities. The most powerful platform is useless if nobody can figure out how to use it.

Don't just look at the monthly platform fee. Platform fees include per-message pricing as well as a monthly subscription, with some providers charging extra for custom keyword setup, compliance tools, and additional features like MMS messaging.

Do the math:

• Monthly platform fee

• Cost per message × your expected volume

• Integration costs (if any)

• Setup fees for phone numbers

Most platforms offer free trials. Actually use them. Send test campaigns. Check the interface. See if it integrates with your existing tools. Many offer 14-day free trials with no credit card required.

High open rates don't matter if your messages don't get delivered. Look for platforms with proven carrier relationships and transparent deliverability metrics.

Having the right tool is only half the battle. Here's how to use it without annoying everyone:

This isn't optional. You must always get permission for SMS before you send—if you don't, it could mean thousands of dollars in fines. Make sure subscribers actually opt in to SMS specifically.

Nobody wants a text novel. Get to the point fast and make it worth their time. Every SMS should have a clear, compelling call-to-action like "Shop Now" or "Book Your Appointment".

40% of people feel that one text message per week from businesses is enough, with 30% open to receiving texts a few times a week. When in doubt, send less.

Mass blasting your entire list with the same message is lazy and ineffective. Use your platform's segmentation features to send relevant messages to specific groups.

Data shows you should send SMS campaigns between 1pm-5pm EST to maximize revenue and click-through rates, with weekdays typically driving more revenue than weekends.

Allow recipients to unsubscribe at any time—you don't want to waste sends on someone who doesn't want to hear from you.

Let's talk numbers, because that's what actually matters.

SMS offers $4 for every dollar spent, and automated flows generate up to 30x more revenue per recipient than one-off blasts. That's not a typo.

The average response rate for SMS campaigns is 45%

—compare that to email's 6% and you'll understand why businesses are shifting budget to SMS.

But here's the thing about ROI: it's not automatic. You need to:

1. Build your list strategically (quality over quantity)

2. Send relevant messages (segmentation is your friend)

3. Test and optimize (what works for other brands might not work for you)

4. Integrate with other channels (SMS + Email is more powerful than either alone)

5. Track everything (you can't improve what you don't measure)

One real campaign example: 3000 messages monthly at $0.049 per text, resulting in an SMS ROI of about 680%. But your results will vary based on your industry, offer, and execution.

Even with great software, you can still mess this up. Here's what not to do:

Just don't. It's illegal, ineffective, and will get you banned from most platforms. Build your list organically.

Don't send messages with content that mobile carriers deem questionable, including explicit mentions of SHAFT (sex, hate, alcohol, firearms, and tobacco). Know the rules.

Respect people's time zones and sleep schedules. Aim for midday to be considerate to those who sleep in and those who go to bed early, and don't forget to factor in time zone differences.

Use your platform's built-in link shortener, not third-party services that will likely break the link.

Mix in value-add content: order updates, helpful tips, exclusive content. Not every message needs to be "BUY NOW."

Look, I get it. There are dozens of SMS marketing platforms out there, and analysis paralysis is real. But here's the truth: the best platform is the one you'll actually use.

Start with your specific needs:

• Shopify store? Try Postscript

• Tight budget? Go with Sender

• Want simplicity? Textedly has you covered

• Need multichannel? Omnisend is solid

• Have developers? Explore Twilio

Most of these platforms offer free trials. Pick one, test it for two weeks, and see if it fits your workflow. If it doesn't, try another one. The cost of waiting and overthinking is higher than the cost of trying and switching.

SMS stands as the most effective way to reach customers directly, with unmatched open rates, high engagement, and proven ROI. Your competitors are already using it. The question isn't whether to add SMS marketing to your strategy—it's how soon you can get started.

Stop reading reviews and start sending campaigns. Your 98% open rate is waiting.

compromised. If you're not paying for the product, you are the product.