RCS vs SMS: What Is the 

In 1992, the short messaging service, aka SMS messaging, was commercially deployed. Most handset manufacturers at the time didn't hesitate to incorporate this groundbreaking innovation into their software, as it was a simple, fast, and effective way to send messages between cell phones.

It has been over 30 years since the inception of SMS technology, and the mobile and telecommunications landscape has changed extensively during this time. The social media explosion in the 2000s encouraged people to communicate on a massive scale with new features like 'group chat'. Through all this, many SMS alternatives have come and gone, but the good old SMS has stayed the same.

Although SMS is still fully functional and widely used, with over 23 billion text messages being sent every day, people want a rich messaging service that is modern and non-restrictive, without the old-timey limitations such as requiring a cellular signal connection to send messages or a 160-character limit.

To meet this demand, smartphone manufacturers and carriers have started adopting a service that enriches the traditional SMS. This new texting protocol is called RCS (full form: Rich Communication Service(s)).

This article will compare RCS vs SMS and talk about the advantages and challenges of each type of messaging protocol.

What is RCS messaging?

RCS was the result of a collaborative effort between the Groupe Spécial Mobile Association (GSMA) and other members of the telecom industry. It was built with the aim of improving upon the basic messaging capabilities that the short message service and the multimedia messaging service (SMS and MMS) offered.

The RCS protocol offers more modern features, such as branded messages, sharing content like high-resolution video and audio clips, group chats, typing indicators, and read receipts. Furthermore, the end-to-end encryption makes RCS secure compared to SMS. These and other features make RCS very close to instant or OTT messaging apps such as Facebook Messenger and WhatsApp.

Rich Communication Services (RCS) is an upgrade to the traditional SMS message. You wouldn't be entirely wrong to call it the new SMS protocol. It has been coined 'SMS 2.0', and many say it is set to replace SMS and MMS in the coming years. A bold claim, one met with a mix of resistance and skepticism.

In recent years, the adoption and popularity of RCS messaging have shot up, largely thanks to Google, who has provided a platform to RCS by integrating the technology into the Messages app on Android devices. RCS offers mobile device users a competitive alternative to iMessage, WhatsApp, Viber, and other similar instant messaging apps.

Apple's proprietary iMessage service is a well-known rich communication messaging app that offers capabilities similar to RCS features. Many mobile devices that aren't produced by Apple also wished to upgrade their messaging capabilities, making way for the development and adoption of RCS text messaging.

RCS texts make it easier for customers to interact with their favorite brands and businesses. You can buy a product, send a review to a business, or vote on feedback polls, all without leaving the native messaging app.

SMS vs RCS: What are the differences?

RCS text messages can do more for both individuals and businesses compared to SMS. Let’s explore both personal and business aspects.

Differences for users

RCS messaging offers end users a more engaging and interactive messaging experience compared to traditional SMS. Let’s go over some key enhancements.

• Message length: While SMS only allows a limited length of 160 characters per text message, RCS does not have any such strict limit on the length of a single message.

• Rich media support and more advanced messaging features: While SMS was designed for simple text communication, RCS supports high-quality images, audio, and video sharing. It also enables the use of emojis, GIFs, stickers, and other creative elements.

• Interactive capabilities: RCS offers group chats, in-call and post-call features, and other interactive functionalities such as real-time read receipts and typing indicators that do not exist in SMS, helping create a more dynamic conversation.

• Connection type: The RCS chat service needs an internet connection via mobile data or WiFi, which enables the exchange of richer content. RCS text messages don't require a cellular connection from a cell tower as SMS does, which can be both a blessing and a curse for RCS texting. It means SMS messages will have better coverage in off-grid areas or on occasions where a user is unable to connect to the WiFi.

• Improved delivery and experience: With RCS, messages are delivered faster and with more reliability. There are generally no delays, offering a smoother user experience.

• Security: With its end-to-end encryption mechanism, RCS messaging offers enhanced security against cyberattacks like interception.

The table below summarizes the key differences between SMS and RCS for personal messaging.

Differences for businesses

RCS can do much more for businesses than SMS. Here is what RCS messaging offers businesses that SMS doesn't.

• Campaign analytics: Analyze marketing campaigns by measuring transactions and engagement more effectively.

• Native app integration: Communicate directly to the customer's native messaging app, ensuring a smooth experience.

• Targeted communication: Businesses can target specific groups of customers for tailored messaging, enhancing relevance.

• Real-time updates: Keep customers informed with real-time order confirmations and updates, ensuring immediate and clear communication without unnecessary delays.

• Enhanced engagement: Due to RCS business messaging offering better targeting and creative opportunities, businesses may have a higher chance of boosting their open rates, user engagement, and, subsequently, their conversion rates.

The table below summarizes the key differences between SMS and RCS for business messaging.

Cost considerations of SMS vs RCS for individuals and businesses

Another important aspect we must discuss for both personal and business contexts is the cost of traditional SMS vs "rich SMS".

With such widespread acceptance and adoption, one might wonder, is RCS messaging free? Technically, yes, if you compare it against the cost per SMS model. However, we can't ignore the fact that RCS messaging uses data, so you are still paying your internet provider for WiFi or your wireless carrier for cellular data. These costs can also quickly increase if you send too many media-heavy messages.

On the other hand, despite the per SMS fee generally charged to both individuals and businesses sending SMS messages, you can still cut SMS costs. For P2P SMS messaging, many providers offer SMS packages or bundles, i.e., a fixed number of SMS messages over a fixed time period for a fixed nominal price. As a business needing A2P messaging, all you need is a quality SMS API provider, and you'll be able to get the best rates possible!

It can thus be tricky to outright state which is cheaper, RCS or SMS. It greatly depends on your usage.

Can RCS replace SMS?

Rich communication services (RCS) are meant to replace SMS as the default native text messaging service for all phones in the future. Most Android devices today already have the RCS chatting feature built in.

When talking about RCS chat vs SMS, the latter was designed for simple communication, but RCS was developed to improve and modernize communication. And it has been successful, to a large extent.

For instance, with features like high-quality audio and video sharing, secure text communication, group chats, and both in-call and post-call options, RCS offers a far more robust service than the SMS system.

RCS texting outperforms SMS when it comes to business capabilities, too. From marketing to simple notifications, RCS is the way forward for businesses to communicate with their customers. Even before its launch, 74% of consumers (as per a 2018 market research report by the GSM Association) had expressed that they would be more likely to engage with a brand through an RCS message. So, it got off to a great start.

One more key point to consider is the delivery mode. Unlike SMS, RCS requires an internet connection, either through mobile data or WiFi. This dependency is a double-edged sword: while it enables advanced messaging features, it also means that in areas with poor internet connectivity, you can’t deny the reliability SMS offers by relying solely on the cellular network.

As mobile communication continues to evolve, RCS is steadily gaining ground. Its rich content messaging capabilities offer significant benefits for both consumers and businesses alike, making it a worthy alternative to SMS now and in the future.

Is RCS available on iOS? A rollercoaster of a question

Yes! RCS is finally available on iOS.

Until recently, Apple hadn't made many comments relating to RCS and didn't seem to be considering it for adoption at all. There were a few possible reasons behind their silence, which, to be fair, anyone comparing iMessage vs RCS would understand.

First and foremost, iPhones have, for years, had many of the rich text messaging features that RCS offers. Via iMessage, users can share high-resolution images, videos, and more. It made perfect sense for Apple to not want to prioritize something they've already been offering for quite some time.

Another possible reason was that Apple may have feared that RCS would make iMessage obsolete. A major reason why iPhones are so popular is the iMessage function, and RCS messages would allow iPhone users to communicate with Android phones, undercutting Apple's customer base.

Putting an end to all sorts of speculation, Apple finally broke its silence in November 2023. While a specific date was not promised, the statement said that Apple would adopt RCS "later next year," i.e., sometime in 2024. Apple's spokesperson, speaking with 9to5Mac, expressed that the company was looking forward to the interoperability this decision would bring to all smartphone users, allowing convenient cross-platform messaging for all.

Apple admitted that it was willing to give the RCS protocol a shot despite it falling far behind iMessage in terms of security. In fact, their teams worked out a plan to collaborate with members of the GSMA to bring significant improvements to the protocol for the betterment of both Android and iPhone users.

As promised, in September 2024, Apple eventually added RCS messaging to iOS. At no point did this indicate the end of iMessage. So far, the transition has gone smoothly and RCS and iMessage have been working well alongside each other!

How can I enable RCS messaging on my phone?

RCS messaging is now supported on both Android and iOS devices. Scroll to find the specific instructions according to your device type.

How to enable RCS on Android phones

Here is how to enable RCS messaging on your Android device.

(Note: In Google Messages, the RCS feature is called RCS chats.)

1. If you haven't already got it, download the Google Messages app. If you do, update it to the latest version.

2. Once installed/updated, open the app.

3. Tap the Account symbol 👤 on the right side of the screen.

4. Tap Messages settings.

5. Tap General.

6. Tap RCS chats.

7. If the Turn on RCS chats toggle is turned off, turn it on. If it is already on, you're good to go.

How to enable RCS on iOS phones

On iPhone, RCS messaging runs through the native Messages app. Also, it requires iOS 18 or later, along with carrier support. Here’s how you can enable it.

1. First, make sure your iPhone is updated to iOS 18 (or later) and that your carrier supports RCS messaging.

2. Next, open Settings.

3. Tap Apps.

4. Locate the Messages app and tap it.

5. Tap RCS Messaging.

6. Toggle RCS Messaging on, if it isn’t already on. That’s it!

The state of SMS and RCS in 2025

Where does RCS currently stand?

In 2023, RCS was commonly used on Android and Google devices. According to a tweet by Hiroshi Lockheimer, SVP of Android, Chrome, ChromeOS & Play at Google, 800 million people were using RCS globally around mid-2023. By the end of the year, this figure jumped to 930 million, according to Juniper Research. They have also predicted that the number of global RCS users will surpass 1 billion in 2024.

In September 2024, as part of iOS 18, Apple added RCS support to its native Messages app. 2025 is the first full year of iPhone users being able to send and receive RCS messages without the use of any third‑party apps. Based on Apple’s decision, some industry experts predicted the number of RCS users to go as high as 2.5 billion this year. We have yet to see the exact figures for the 2024-2025 cycle.

Additionally, Juniper Research projects that 50 billion RCS business messages will be exchanged globally in 2025. This is a massive 50% increase from the 33 billion RCS messages exchanged in 2024, signaling the growing use of RCS in the business context.

Regardless, any device that does not have RCS support still cannot send or receive RCS messages at all.

Let's say you were a business using RCS to contact a customer. Your messaging service must support RCS, and so must your customer's phone, the carrier, and the messaging app. As you can imagine, this can cause headaches for the business and all its customers involved in the interaction.

Many major players in the United States, like AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile, have gradually implemented RCS, with new partnerships still being formed to further facilitate the adoption process. So, while RCS adoption has been on the rise, it could still take a bit of time for your messaging app or carrier to flawlessly support this rich communications service.

Where does SMS currently stand?

In 2025, SMS remains the default choice for communication between many phone users. Maybe not because it is a better way to communicate, but surely because it is simple and everybody has access to it.

Although the fundamental features that SMS offers haven't changed since the 90s, we still cannot count out the classic communication channel. A large portion of the world's population still relies on SMS messages, prominently for personal communication. Additionally, big and small businesses use SMS to promote their products or send notifications directly to their customers. A report by Statista predicts the global A2P SMS revenue to be around $50 billion by 2025. So, you can imagine the difficulties of trying to make RCS the new norm.

Even after Apple finally launched RCS on iOS, putting a stop to the constant RCS messaging vs iMessage debate, the advantages that SMS has over RCS cannot be denied or downplayed. For instance, traditional cellular networks being sufficient for sending SMS messages make the protocol a staple in areas with poor data coverage or on legacy devices.

Therefore, it's safe to say that the future of SMS is secure. It will remain the indispensable fallback platform for all inter-OS and inter-device text messaging.

RCS vs SMS: What should you choose for your business

Choosing between RCS and SMS ultimately comes down to your business goals and your particular audience.

If you need complete reliability, instant reach, and cost‑effective scaling for sending out content like critical alerts, OTPs, or important reminders, particularly targeting users in low‑connectivity areas, SMS is the obvious choice. Its universal compatibility and support, along with the budget-friendly pricing, make it ideal for high‑volume, transactional messaging where every message must reach the intended recipient.

On the other hand, if you’re running a brand-driven campaign that relies on visual storytelling, RCS is your go‑to. It is ideal for product launches, flash sales, interactive surveys, and similar campaigns. You can embed rich images and videos, add links, and track user engagement in real time. The trade‑off is that only subscribers on devices and carriers supporting RCS will get the full experience. So you need an SMS fallback plan to cover everyone else.

Therefore, for most businesses, the smartest plan is a hybrid approach. You can default to RCS where possible for maximum impact and easily switch back to SMS when needed. That way, you can deliver the right message in the right format to every customer.

Conclusion

For consumers, now on both Android and iOS, RCS is a tool that makes SMS messaging more modern, offers the same features that iMessage does, and is great for marketing campaigns. The RCS message enhances how customers interact with businesses and opens the door to more complex marketing strategies.

For businesses, RCS is the best way to optimize their marketing campaigns to a modern standard. Your business can add high-quality images of products with no character limit or other such restrictions. Alas, if the customer's phone is not RCS-enabled, it won't work. Ultimately, this is an ongoing and very real barrier to entry in terms of RCS deliverability.

As of 2025, things are looking up for both SMS and RCS messages, and big companies like Google aim for RCS to replace SMS. If each party involved in communication has an RCS-compatible device, they can experience interaction far more modern and complex than traditional SMS messaging and make customer interaction that much better.