ClickSend is a cloud-based business communications platform that enables companies to send and receive messages across multiple channels, from SMS and MMS to email, voice calls, fax, and even digital postal mail, all through a single interface.
The platform has grown popular as an all-in-one solution for outreach, prized for its versatility and ease of use. Users have noted that ClickSend makes it quick to set up campaigns and integrate with other tools, allowing even small teams to launch messaging workflows in minutes.
However, many users have pointed out some shortcomings that eventually led them to seek other options. They’ve mentioned issues such as:
Rising costs for large-scale messaging
Occasional delivery failures
Limited features or missing integrations
Mixed experiences with customer support, including slow responses or account-related frustrations
In this article, we’ll explore the best ClickSend alternatives that can deliver more reliable, scalable business messaging and better meet your business needs.
A quick feature comparison of ClickSend alternatives
First, here’s a side-by-side look at which features each ClickSend alternative offers, so you can quickly see how they stack up.
Key features to look for in a ClickSend alternative
When searching for an ideal ClickSend alternative, start by identifying your specific messaging requirements and goals. Different use cases (for example, promotional SMS campaigns versus time-sensitive alerts) will prioritize different features, so it’s crucial to understand what you need upfront.
Reliability and deliverability rates are an especially important pair of factors. A good platform should consistently get your messages through to recipients. Responsive customer support is also vital for timely assistance when issues arise.
Next, consider providers with broad messaging capabilities. Ideally, the alternative should support global messaging coverage and multiple channels (SMS plus options like WhatsApp or Viber) for maximum reach, while offering easy integration (via robust APIs or plugins) into your existing systems.
Additionally, evaluate the platform’s cost and security aspects. Transparent pricing (e.g., a reasonable pay-as-you-go model) that fits your budget is crucial. Sure, you want flexibility, but it shouldn’t come with hidden fees.
If your business operates in a regulated industry, make sure the provider has strong data security measures and adheres to compliance standards. Non-compliance, even if it’s accidental, can not only land you in legal trouble but also damage your reputation.
Finally, consider any extra features that might benefit your use case, such as delivery tracking and analytics, number lookup tools, or built-in fraud detection measures.
By weighing all these factors, you’ll be better equipped to choose a ClickSend alternative that aligns perfectly with your needs.
1. Messente: Global omnichannel messaging made easy
Messente is a comprehensive business messaging solution that offers a unified omnichannel API that enables organizations to send SMS, Viber, and WhatsApp messages worldwide.
Founded over a decade ago in Estonia, Messente has become known for its high delivery rates (around 98% globally) and hands-on customer support, serving as a reliable alternative for companies seeking scalable messaging solutions.
Main features
One API – Multiple channels
Messente’s unified API allows businesses to reach customers via SMS, WhatsApp, and Viber without the need for multiple standalone integrations. In practice, you integrate once and gain access to all three channels.
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By consolidating channels into one API, Messente saves development time and ensures a consistent messaging experience across channels. You can cover different messaging needs on one platform, e.g., sending richer content through WhatsApp or Viber and falling back to SMS if needed.
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Enterprise-grade deliverability and reliability
Deliverability is a core focus for Messente. The platform delivers a global SMS delivery rate of around 98%, reflecting its intelligent routing and diverse telecom partnerships. Messente can also deliver high throughput (up to 9,000 messages per minute) to support urgent or high-volume campaigns.
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With this level of reliability, you can rest assured that time-sensitive OTPs, alerts, and marketing texts will be delivered promptly and consistently.
Scalable for mid-sized to large businesses
Messente’s infrastructure is built to scale. It can grow with your needs, from regional campaigns to global messaging operations.
Messente can handle large volumes (sending thousands of messages per minute) and connects with almost 1,000 mobile operators to reach more than 190 countries globally. These capabilities make it suitable for mid-sized and enterprise businesses.
The platform provides features for team management as well. You can generate multiple API keys with role-based permissions for different teams or applications.
Messente also integrates with thousands of apps (via native integrations and Zapier) to fit into complex workflows.
Easy to use for marketers
Despite its technical capabilities, Messente is designed to be marketer-friendly. It offers an intuitive web dashboard and no-code tools that allow non-developers to send SMS marketing campaigns independently.
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You can easily carry out contact management, segment audiences, create message templates, and even view real-time analytics, all through a simple, user-friendly interface.
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Focus on security and compliance
Messente takes security and data protection seriously, which is crucial when handling customers’ phone numbers and sensitive communications. The service is fully compliant with GDPR and also meets newer standards like DORA (for operational resilience) and ISO/IEC 27001:2022. The team also assists customers in understanding and adhering to key SMS compliance regulations so that their campaigns never get flagged.
On the security front, Messente employs fraud detection systems to guard against SMS scams and abuse such as AIT attacks. It even allows users to enable features like hiding message content from Messente’s logs for extra privacy.
Responsive customer support
One area where Messente particularly stands out is its customer support. Every Messente client, big or small, gets access to real, human support. Higher support tiers get the fastest turnaround time (under an hour) for support tickets, along with dedicated account managers. Help is also available through your own private Slack channel.
This level of responsiveness can be critical when your messaging campaigns are tied to revenue or security, where you can’t afford downtime, unanswered questions, or long wait times.
Why Messente is better than ClickSend
ClickSend, while versatile with SMS, email, and other communication channels, has limited built-in support for chat apps. Messente, on the other hand, provides an all-in-one API for SMS as well as OTT channels like WhatsApp and Viber, which are fully integrated into its platform.
According to user reviews, Messente is easier to use for day-to-day messaging operations. ClickSend, in comparison, is often described as being more developer-oriented. So if you value a smooth, user-friendly interface, Messente holds an advantage.
Furthermore, Messente is built with strict European security standards at its core, which can be a deciding factor if compliance is critical for your use case.
Perhaps one of the most important advantages you get with Messente is its transparent, volume-based charges. There are no hidden fees for features like support, delivery reports, or fraud protection.
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Exact prices can only be determined based on destination, expected volume, and channel, and the website has a calculator where you can get realistic estimates from. You can choose from pay-as-you-go pricing or one of the fixed volume packages, both of which are listed on the pricing page.
Potential drawbacks
Messente’s user interface, while simple, had some clunky aspects in the past, though there have been continuous improvements over the years, many of which have addressed earlier usability complaints. Another common critique is that the platform currently lacks a mobile app. In one review which was mostly positive, a user noted a specific issue with international messaging, but that was an isolated incident.
2. Project Broadcast: Mobile-first business messaging
Project Broadcast is a marketing platform that enables small businesses to send personalized SMS messages along with email and even voice (ringless voicemails) to their audience.
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Launched in 2017 by founders experienced in direct sales, it was built to support network marketing and direct sales professionals with affordable, easy-to-use tools for customer engagement.
Main features
Multichannel messaging
Text broadcasting and scheduling
Unlimited contacts
Automated replies and keyword triggers
A full-featured mobile app on iOS and Android
Why Project Broadcast is better than ClickSend
Project Broadcast differentiates itself with specialized features and ease of use tailored to relationship-based marketing. It focuses on streamlined SMS marketing for small business owners. Unlike many other SMS services, Project Broadcast includes team-oriented features such as Spaces (collaboration hubs), which is a key benefit for network marketing groups and small teams.
Users often report that Project Broadcast is easier to customize and use for campaigns, especially compared to other services they’ve tried. They also seem to like the extra features they get, such as ringless voicemails and AI assistance, which ClickSend doesn’t offer.
Another important advantage is that Project Broadcast was launched as a mobile app first, which means its smartphone experience is highly refined. Their web platform is also designed with a mobile-first approach.
Potential drawbacks
A number of customers mention that it can be overwhelming at first to learn all of Project Broadcast’s features. Setting up integrations or automated campaigns takes some time to understand, and the interface can feel “kind of hard to figure out” initially. Non-technical users might need to watch training videos or spend a few days experimenting to become comfortable.
Customer support has also been an area of critique in a few reviews, particularly in terms of live support being absent. While many users have had positive interactions with Project Broadcast’s team, some have not liked having to depend on self-serve video tutorials instead of receiving proper guidance on setup.
3. Emitrr: All-in-one customer engagement platform
Emitrr is a customer engagement solution designed to streamline communication through text messaging, calls, and automation. It advertises itself as a virtual receptionist for small businesses, handling customer queries (like booking appointments and answering FAQs) around the clock so business owners never miss an opportunity.
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Main features
Two-way conversations from SMS, webchat, Facebook, and more, consolidated into one inbox
Automated drip sequences and text blasts
VoIP phone system
Reputation management tools
Why Emitrr is better than ClickSend
Emitrr offers a wider feature set than ClickSend, going beyond basic texting. It includes extras like webchat-to-text, appointment scheduling, voicemail transcription, digital forms, and review management, which are capabilities ClickSend either lacks or limits.
Unlike ClickSend, Emitrr integrates natively with hundreds of customer relationship management tools (CRMs), electronic health records (EHRs), and practice management systems, which is especially valuable for healthcare and dental offices. Furthermore, it offers a feature that converts missed calls to texts and uses AI-driven workflows. Both help businesses capture leads and respond faster, giving the platform an edge over ClickSend in terms of productivity.
Potential drawbacks
While Emitrr is packed with features, some users felt there was a lack of tutorials or documentation for new users to be able to fully utilize everything. A few requested more video training and user manuals.
Some minor usability issues have also been brought up, such as incoming texts not popping to the top of the conversation list, causing an occasional missed reply. There were also complaints of feature gaps for team chat, but Emitrr’s team has since addressed these concerns.
One of the international users wished for pricing in local currency (Emitrr displays pricing in USD only). There was also a report of being mistakenly charged for incoming text credits, though the support team corrected it once alerted.
4. Twilio: Developer-centric, global coverage
Twilio is a massive cloud communications platform built with developers in mind. It offers a wide range of programmable APIs for messaging, voice calls, video, email, and more. Twilio provides global reach and reliable deliverability, enabling businesses to embed communications into their apps on a scalable, pay-as-you-go basis.
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Main features
APIs for SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, voice, video, email (via SendGrid)
Scalable infrastructure with high uptime and deliverability across global regions
Deep customization and integration
Extensive documentation and code samples in multiple languages
Extra features beyond basic messaging, e.g., Twilio Flex and Twilio Verify (Authy)
Why Twilio is better than ClickSend
While ClickSend primarily focuses on SMS (along with email, fax, etc.), Twilio can power a wider range of communication use cases under one umbrella. It is also favored for its powerful API and extensive customization options, making it a popular choice of development teams.
Twilio’s flexibility and rich feature set scale up to enterprise-level needs without hitting any major blocks. In contrast, ClickSend’s simplicity, while user-friendly for small teams, may be limited in its capabilities and thus unable to match a growing business’s needs.
Potential drawbacks
Twilio is not the most beginner-friendly service. It typically requires some degree of software development and engineering skills to implement. Several reviewers, as well as our own analysis, have revealed that for non-technical users, Twilio’s setup can be complicated and its dashboard/UI is not as intuitive for basic tasks compared to simpler services. The vast set of features can also make it difficult for less savvy users to get what they want out of the platform.
Secondly, costs can quickly add up when you’re using Twilio. It requires careful monitoring, especially for small businesses that are on tight budgets. Many small business users have also complained about slow or unresponsive support responses, which is unsurprising, given the scale at which Twilio operates.
5. Textmagic: Established, dependable SMS service
Founded in 2001, Textmagic is one of the oldest business text messaging platforms currently on the market. It is focused on customer communication and engagement, enabling companies to send SMS campaigns to customers and staff in a fast and cost-effective way.
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Main features
Mass text messaging
Scheduled messages and recurring texts
Shared team inbox for two-way conversations
Pre-built SMS templates and custom fields
Recently launched email and voice features
Why Textmagic is better than ClickSend
Textmagic is considered more feature-rich than ClickSend, and not just because of the recent addition of email to their portfolio. It also offers built-in campaign management, engagement tracking, and other value-added services.
Despite the extra features, it remains one of the easier-to-use platforms. Several users have praised Textmagic’s clean and easy-to-navigate interface.
Another plus is that many customers report fast, helpful responses from Textmagic’s support team. One user stated that the team solved their problem in a “simple, quick, and easy” manner.
Potential drawbacks
While their quality of support is rated high, Textmagic does not provide round-the-clock live support. There is no 24x7 live chat, and phone support is limited to certain hours on weekdays. Thus, naturally, a few customers have complained about slow responses. If your business needs instant support at any hour, this could be a problem.
Another potential downside is that being an SMS-centric platform, Textmagic is very focused on text messaging and basic omnichannel features. If you need advanced marketing automation or a wide array of channels (social messengers, advanced chatbot flows, etc.), you might want to look elsewhere.
6. Omnisend: Ecommerce-focused marketing automation
Omnisend is an omnichannel marketing automation platform built specifically for eCommerce brands. It combines email, SMS, web push notifications, and more into one solution and offers one-click integrations with popular online store platforms.
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Main features
Pre-made automation workflows for common eCommerce scenarios
Drag-and-drop email editor with templates
Built-in signup forms and pop-ups
Advanced segmentation
Sales and performance tracking
Why Omnisend is better than ClickSend
The first factor that gives Omnisend an edge over ClickSend is its full-feature marketing suite. For example, Omnisend offers native integrations with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce and comes with built-in email marketing tools, pre-designed automations, and segmentation.
Features like the Product Picker, sales tracking, and advanced targeting also put Omnisend in a favorable position as a platform that focuses on the eCommerce niche. ClickSend would require custom work or additional software to achieve similar functionality or outcomes.
Potential drawbacks
Omnisend offers 24/7 live chat support even on free plans, but the quality of support has been inconsistent, according to some reviews. There have been a few reports of slow or unhelpful support responses.
There is also the fact that Omnisend is expressly focused on eCommerce businesses. Many of Omnisend’s features (e.g., Product Picker, Shopify sync, cart automations) are irrelevant to other industries. So, if you’re a business that’s anything but an online store, this might not be the best provider for you to choose.
7. Podium: Engagement platform for local businesses
Podium is a communications platform that helps local businesses with customer engagement. It offers assistance with customer acquisition and improved interactions using easy-to-use messaging and payment tools. The AI-powered lead management system unifies communication from several major channels, streamlining the entire customer journey from initial contact to final sale.
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Main features
Consolidated conversations from SMS texts, phone calls, website chats, and more
Automated review collection and reputation management
Webchat widget that continues conversations via text
Built-in payment collection tools
AI automation and assistance
Why Podium is better than ClickSend
Podium is an all-in-one platform that offers messaging along with extras like review management, webchat, feedback collection, and text-based payments. This surpasses ClickSend’s feature set.
Quite a few users have also reported that Podium’s platform is easier and simpler to set up and manage than ClickSend. One reason is its focus on simplicity for non-tech business owners. It’s been noted as more user-friendly and quicker to get started with.
Potential drawbacks
Customer support is one area Podium could improve in. There have been some reports of getting passed around from one support representative to another, causing delayed resolution, which can be frustrating if your business relies heavily on Podium’s tools.
Also, Podium is not a pocket-friendly solution. Even its starter plans might overburden small businesses, especially given that some alternatives charge much less. This is likely due to the fact that it sells an expansive package of features, many of which you may or may not use fully. To add to that, their cancellation policy has also been criticized, with some users reporting that they were asked for a 30-day notice period, which was a bit too much. A few reviewers felt the contract terms were too rigid.
Lastly, while Podium offers a plethora of features, it’s really tailored to customer-facing local businesses. So if you are not engaging in face-to-face commerce, Podium might be overkill.
8. SlickText: UX-focused text marketing platform
SlickText was founded in 2012 as a full-featured text message marketing provider focused on user experience. It helps businesses connect with their audiences through targeted messaging, offering tools like bulk SMS messages, two-way conversations, and automation.
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Main features
Bulk SMS campaigns
MMS messaging
1-on-1 conversations with a collaborative inbox
Subscriber growth tools, including text-to-join keywords and tap-to-join links
Visual workflow builder
Integration with popular apps like Shopify and Mailchimp
Why SlickText is better than ClickSend
If you’re super-focused on SMS marketing features, SlickText’s specialization can benefit you greatly. It provides more SMS-specific features that many marketers like you might prefer, such as SMS autoresponders and built-in marketing tools.
SlickText also does well in the user-friendliness department. The platform guides you with tutorials, and common tasks are just a click or two away. Plus, the company’s support team is known for being highly responsive. They’ve been praised for quick, personal replies.
Potential drawbacks
Some users have mentioned facing difficulties when managing larger contact lists and campaigns. There’s also a slight learning curve in understanding SlickText’s terminology and workflow. The disconnect sometimes tends to add extra steps and time to otherwise regular day-to-day operations.
There has been some mention of SlickText being slightly pricier than other equivalent alternatives. A few users also seem upset about the time it takes to go through the whole approval process before they can start sending text campaigns, though that may have more to do with general compliance standards in the SMS marketing industry.
9. Salesmsg: Texting and calling platform for sales teams
Designed with sales and support teams in mind, Salesmsg is a cloud-based SMS messaging service. It enables businesses to engage leads and clients in real-time through texts or voice calls on one unified platform. The company focuses on simplicity and scalability, offering integrations with popular CRM and marketing tools to fit seamlessly into sales workflows.
Main features
Two-way SMS and MMS messaging via local, toll-free, and text-enabled landline numbers
Inbound and outbound calls with forwarding options
Shared and private inboxes
Integrations and automations
Multi-device access via web portal, mobile app, and browser extension
Why Salesmsg is better than ClickSend
Salesmsg offers more comprehensive SMS features for interactive texting compared to ClickSend. If your goal is ongoing text dialogues with customers (e.g., for sales follow-ups or support), Salesmsg provides a super-tailored inbox experience. It also offers the voice calling option, which ClickSend does not.
Salesmsg natively connects with sales and marketing systems like Salesforce, HubSpot, and ActiveCampaign. This tight integration, allowing texts and call activities to sync with your CRM, is ideal for sales teams.
If you have a sales or support team all texting customers, you will appreciate the team collaboration Salesmsg offers. You can easily assign individual local numbers to each team member and use shared inboxes so multiple people can handle incoming texts together.
Potential drawbacks
One area where Salesmsg could show some improvement is its mobile apps. Many users report that the apps can lag or struggle when handling a high volume of messages. Others reported having trouble with attachments. A glitch or two were also reported about the accuracy of the URL tracking feature.
Another prominent issue seems to arise in the support area. Some customers complained about not being able to get in touch with a support representative in a timely manner, or at all. Ironically, another user pointed out that the tutorial instructions were a bit intrusive and stuck around for a good while after they started using the platform.
Summarizing the best use cases and pricing for 9 ClickSend alternatives
Compare the essentials – target users, pricing models, and free trials – to find the service that best fits your business.
Best for | Pricing | Free trial | |
Messente | Global SMS and OTT messaging (WhatsApp/Viber) with high deliverability and compliance focus | Pay-as-you-go and fixed monthly volume options; custom volume-based quotes for larger campaigns | Yes (free credits available) |
Project Broadcast | Relationship-based marketing (e.g., network/direct sales teams) needing easy personalized texting | Pay-as-you-go; starts from $8/month (Business) + bundles of varying prices, e.g., $12.5/month for 250 credits) | Yes (limited trial available) |
Emitrr | Small businesses (e.g., clinics, home services) needing an all-in-one text and call platform with automation | The website mentions three tiers, but the difference between them is not mentioned; exact figures vary across the website | No (book demo) |
Twilio | Developers and enterprises requiring highly customizable, scalable communications APIs globally | Pay-as-you-go, starting from $0.0083 per SMS message in the US | Yes (free trial credits) |
Textmagic | General business SMS campaigns with a user-friendly platform and reliable support | Prepaid pay-as-you-go, with bundles for the US starting from $34.5/month (500 SMS, 0 emails) | Yes (30-day trial of paid features) |
Omnisend | Ecommerce brands seeking integrated email and SMS marketing automation in one platform | Paid plans start at $16/month (Standard); pricing scales by number of contacts | No (free plan but with only $1 worth of SMS to try) |
Podium | Local businesses (especially retail and services) that need texting, reviews, and payment tools in one CRM-like app | Custom/quote-based pricing; no information available on the official website | Yes (typically 14-day free trial) |
SlickText | Small and medium businesses needing a full-featured yet easy SMS marketing service | Starts from $29/month (for 500 texts); higher tiers add more messages | Yes (14-day free trial) |
Salesmsg | Sales and support teams requiring two-way texting and calling with ample CRM integrations | Starts from $25/month (500 credits); higher plans for more credits | Yes (14-day free trial) |
Wrapping up: Finding the right ClickSend alternative
Choosing a ClickSend alternative depends on your priorities. For instance, some platforms, like Omnisend or Podium, lean heavily into marketing and customer engagement features. Others, like Twilio, are built for developers who want maximum customization. Project Broadcast and Emitrr appeal to small businesses looking for straightforward automation and personalization.
For companies that need a rich feature set, global reach, consistent deliverability, and strong compliance, Messente stands out as a solid choice. Its focus on reliability, support responsiveness, and multi-channel coverage (SMS, WhatsApp, Viber) makes it well-suited to mid-sized and larger businesses sending time-sensitive or high-volume messages.
The next step is to explore the free trials and demos from providers who offer them. This way, you can evaluate which platform’s strengths align most closely with your goals.
If you’re ready to experience what reliable global customer communication feels like, you can start a free trial for Messente’s omnichannel messaging platform today and see how it fits into your workflows. Sign up today!
