Trying to narrow down the best SMS marketing solution for your business can be challenging, especially when SimpleTexting doesn't entirely meet your evolving customer communication needs. Whether you're looking for advanced features, API integrations, improved customer engagement, or competitive pricing without hidden fees, several SimpleTexting alternatives can enhance your business communications strategy and lead to better overall results.
This article provides a detailed analysis of the SMS marketing tools and communication platforms available, including comparison tables outlining capabilities, competitive pricing, automated campaign features, and actual user reviews from trusted sources. We summarized actual user reviews from G2, Capterra, and other software review sources to compare the advantages and disadvantages of each platform, aiming to maximize business communications and enhance customer relationships.
Why should you look for a SimpleTexting alternative?
Our analysis of actual user reviews and feedback reveals that several major issues, stemming from the experiences of current and former SimpleTexting users, are driving them towards other SMS platforms.
Long-term SimpleTexting customers and new clients have shared similar views on the pricing model, which they ultimately struggle with. Unlike most competitors, SimpleTexting imposes volume limits on all plans, making it crucial for organizations to monitor their usage through the application at all times.
What’s more, users frequently encounter undisclosed message delivery issues that directly impact customer engagement and interaction. Numbers are marked as 'Invalid' for no reason whatsoever. Apparently, one organization has had its executive staff numbers randomly marked as invalid, causing them to miss critical communications.
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Users report delays in the delivery of text messages, with some users noting that critical text messages were delayed due to review holds. The lack of transparency in message delivery leaves businesses uncertain about why their SMS campaigns are not delivered to customers.
Their hyperfocus on a single channel and neglect of vital channels for interactive communication, such as WhatsApp Business API or Viber, leaves customers seeking a simple texting alternative. Also, users indicated they had "ZERO compliance" features to start, which prompts businesses to re-examine more compliance-led solutions.
As businesses transition beyond their startup phase and enter a growth spurt, SimpleTexting's basic texting features become insufficient for more sophisticated messaging campaigns.
In most reviews, users seek better message personalization functionality to help schedule more targeted campaigns. Additionally, most people opting for alternatives seek better inbox filtering and segmentation functionality.
These issues, consistently raised across several users' reviews, indicate why businesses are looking closely at an alternative to SimpleTexting's SMS platform that offers better value, reliability, and advanced features to engage customers.
Criteria for Evaluating Messaging SimpleTexting Alternatives
Suppose you're evaluating SMS marketing software and communication tools as potential replacements for your current SMS provider. In that case, there are several factors you should focus on based on the universality of what users are looking for:
Advanced automation: Select platforms that enable automated text messages, drip campaigns, recurring messages, and message personalization. The goal is to maximize the efficiency of messaging campaigns while increasing communication flow.
Seamless integration: Make sure that the platform you choose offers solid API integrations, a robust API, and CRM integration options. Additionally, verify that integration with third-party tools is seamless and that email marketing platforms are connected for a unified business communications experience.
User experience: You should also consider a platform's user experience, which includes whether it has an easy-to-use interface, whether there is onboarding for new users, and whether it offers stellar support, including technical support.
Transparent pricing: Select providers with flexible pricing, affordable plans that include complimentary options, and transparent pricing. This means no hidden costs or tied-in fees, ensuring you're not locked into a monthly plan you didn't ask for or expect.
Communication method: Ensure the platform supports communication blocks beyond the typically expensive mass texting. Leverage MMS messages, voice calls, direct mail, and interactive communication methods.
Customer data and analytics: It is essential to find platforms that offer advanced customer data management, detailed customer segmentation, and tracking of customer actions. Please take note of the analytics and how they treat your messaging as a real business asset.
Top 7 SimpleTexting alternatives at a glance
1. Messente
Messente is a full-service SMS advertising and communication solution built for dependability, providing a truly engaging experience across SMS, WhatsApp Business API, and Viber through one omnichannel API.
With partners spanning over 1,000 mobile operators and operating in more than 190 countries, Messente boasts some of the industry's highest delivery rates, at 98%, and offers transparent pricing with no hidden fees, along with flexible options.
Key features
Multiple channels (SMS, WhatsApp Business API, and Viber) all in one seamless messaging platform.
A 98% global delivery rate achieved through direct partnerships with thousands of operators.
Pricing that's flexible with visibility into their costs, and offers volume discounts when possible.
Real-time delivery status and detailed customer interaction reporting.
Fully automated drip campaigns and repeat messages.
Fast customer support with a response time of less than an hour and technical experts on hand.
Emergency fallback on channels such as SMS if the customer does not receive the message in the channel selected by the business.
Communication with rich media and interaction features.
Seamless flow and synchronization with other CRM and email marketing platforms.
No hidden recurring charges or surprises of restrictive plans (no yearly commitments or monthly plans).
Pros | Cons |
Well-documented and industry-leading delivery rates of 98%, with complete visibility of customer engagement reporting. | Regional pricing variations are a significant roadblock. |
One unified messaging platform for SMS, WhatsApp, and Viber that automatically falls back to the preferred channel, offering a truly omnichannel experience. | Setting up a custom caller ID on Messente may take some time due to its rigid compliance norms. |
Comprehensive API support with technical experts, extensive resource documentation, and clear readability of API behavior. | Messente's lack of a mobile app may prove to be a deal breaker for many organizations that have a demand to send text messages on the go. |
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees, no surprise costs, no required minimum plans, or required monthly minimum spend. | |
A responsive support team where you can directly reach humans with technical expertise who respond within one hour. | |
Personalized messaging, automated campaigns, and detailed segmentation options offer the advanced features often demanded by growing enterprises. |
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go with services starting from €0.0312, with discounts for volumes above. No monthly fees and no setup costs.
Best for
Businesses requiring reliable global messaging for sending OTPs, notifications, and marketing campaigns, particularly those seeking multi-channel solutions and user-friendly APIs for developers.
Customer testimonials
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How Messente offers value where SimpleTexting falls short
Messente offers a hybrid pricing model where businesses can choose between flexible pricing tiers and a pay-as-you-go model. The monthly subscription plans are affordable, offering volume discounts with no hidden costs, including no monthly minimums. Also, Messente offers excellent customer service, with human agents responding within one hour.
While SimpleTexting only allows basic SMS/MMS, Messente is a multi-channel messaging service. Messente offers the WhatsApp Business API and Viber messaging through a single API, enabling customers to enjoy better, more interactive experiences without the need for multiple integrations.
Messente offers an API with comprehensive integrations, including easy CRM integrations and numerous integrations with third-party tools. It also understands the API's behavior and, most importantly, provides real-time visibility into the delivery of your messaging.
2. Twilio
Twilio, a Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS), is the largest and most well-known CPaaS platform. The platform enables developers to utilize a combination of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) to communicate via SMS, voice calls, video conferencing, and email marketing. Twilio is designed for developers who want to build a fully customized communication platform with enterprise capabilities, a global footprint, and messaging services for comprehensive business communications.
Key features
Comprehensive list of APIs for SMS, voice calls, video conferencing, email marketing, and interoperable chat
Access to global coverage and reliability with carrier relationships
Workflows and automation capabilities for automated campaigns
Security and compliance features for business communication requirements
Documentation for developers and a technical community of expertise
Compatibility with current developer frameworks and third-party tools
Customer data management and data-rich segmentation capabilities
Pros | Cons |
Its developer ecosystem offers unmatched documentation and community with technical expertise. | Its inherent technical complexity demands a high level of technical knowledge and substantial development resources. |
The breadth of its platform makes it a comprehensive CPaaS solution, extending beyond just an SMS marketing tool. | There are mixed reviews regarding the quality of customer support, particularly in terms of their technical expertise. |
It offers full-service API integrations for customer engagement. | Cost predictability is a common factor, as the complex pricing of messaging campaigns can be difficult to predict. |
Excellent global reach for text message delivery. | |
It offers voice calls, video, and messaging options through a single communication platform. |
Pricing
Pay as you go, beginning at $0.0083 per SMS message. Rates vary depending on the destination for the client's global messaging services.
Ideal for
Engineering-led organizations creating custom communication platforms that need API integrations, advanced capabilities, and an enterprise-grade messaging services infrastructure.
Customer Testimonials
"The Twilio API integrations documentation is very clear, and the pricing is easy to understand. Their messaging services are reliable and easy to integrate with."
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3. EZ Texting
EZ Texting is a dedicated SMS marketing platform supporting SMS campaigns with an easy-to-use interface, automated campaigns, AI-powered features, and campaign management features specifically for marketers who want to reach customers through SMS messages.
Must have features for SMS Marketing success
Bulk SMS and MMS messages for complete messaging campaigns
AI-powered SMS written and optimized messages for personalized messaging
Campaigns and automated responses based on keywords for customer engagement
Automated or scheduled drip campaigns for ongoing messages
Customer data management with lists and detailed segmentation
Integration with other marketing tools and customer engagement analytics
Pros | Cons |
Its special focus on SMS marketing ensures that it comes with a ton of specialized features tailored for marketing | Many users share delivery issues with text messages, impacting customer communication |
Its inbuilt AI capabilities help create and automate text messages | Primarily US and Canada-focused, which can limit the growth of global customer relationships |
New users can engage with the platform with ease and set up SMS campaigns quickly | Users share that the pricing can go way up with hidden fees via high-volume messaging campaigns |
Comprehensive SMS marketing automation features for customer engagement | Some users mention account limitations in features where a paid upgrade would be needed, which impacts the ability to serve customers |
Pricing
EZ texting's monthly plan starts from $25 for 500 texts, with tiers, add-ons, and support for multiple users.
Ideal for
Marketing teams who are working on SMS marketing campaigns, with a focus on automated campaigns, segmentation, and customer engagement tools, to develop relationships with customers.
Customer Testimonials
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"EZ texting changed the account features in the last year, which now requires an upgrade to send messages instantly... now we have a delay of 40 minutes that is impacting our customer support."
4. Plivo
Plivo offers cloud messaging services that focus on developer-friendly pricing and flexibility, with affordable plans for international business communications through robust products and API interfaces.
Key features
SMS and voice calls APIs with unlimited global coverage for total messaging.
Lower pricing and inexpensive international text messaging.
A real-time performance analytics and reporting dashboard to measure how your customers are engaging with your messages easily.
Comprehensive SDK and developer documentation with support for a wide variety of programming languages for easy-to-use and technical support.
Scalable infrastructure for high-volume bulk SMS and messaging campaigns.
Pros | Cons |
Plivo's pricing is low for international messaging and customer communications. | Compared to other texting platforms, Plivo has a limited number of built-in SMS marketing and automated campaigns tools. |
It provides comprehensive documentation for API interfaces and technical support options, as well as comprehensive SDKs for multiple programming languages to facilitate seamless integration. | Their new user dashboard buttons may not be user-friendly, and most users claim that navigating the messaging options is confusing. |
It has good uptime and delivery performance rates, enabling effective customer engagement. | Reviews have shown that Plivo's customer support provides varying responses in terms of responsiveness, technical support expertise, and ability to help with questions. |
They offer strong global capability and routing for international business communications. | In-depth usage is less comprehensive than all-in-one SMS marketing tools for managing customer relationships. |
Pricing
Cost-effective SMS pricing, starting at $0.0070 per message in the US, enables you to pay as you go with affordable plans for messaging services.
Ideal for
Developers and organizations seeking cost-effective pricing and flexible API integrations for SMS or voice calls with a messaging service that reaches worldwide.
Customer Testimonials
"What I like most about Plivo is that they offer both technical soundness plus great customer service. The API integrations are easy to understand and thoroughly documented with technical savviness."
"They overcharge us and will not provide any refunds for messaging services they do not provide since their system is not working correctly, and this affects our customer communication."
5. TextMagic
TextMagic provides a straightforward solution for business communications. It offers SMS and email marketing functionality, transparent pricing, a user-friendly interface, and dependable delivery options for messaging in customer service.
Key features
Multi-channel SMS and email marketing functionality to connect with your customers.
Sleek segmentation and personalization capabilities with customer data.
Capable campaign workflows and scheduling for automated messages that recur.
Available messaging coverage of over 190 countries for developing international business communications.
Integrations with 3rd party tools and access to integrations through their API.
Pros | Cons |
A clean, intuitive platform that has a very low learning curve for new users. | While TextMagic offers two-way communication messaging tools, it lacks the advanced automation and marketing capabilities found in specialized SimpleTexting alternatives. |
TextMagic has stable message delivery for text messages, and customers count on them for consistent service. | TextMagic offers basic messaging and marketing capabilities. However, if your business communications for customer engagement are more complex, consider the next product/service. |
With TextMagic, you pay as you go, with no commitment to a monthly plan or hidden fees. | There are reports from users of text messages being delayed or not sent. This can be troublesome for customer communication. |
With plenty of countries to choose from, you can create effective messaging campaigns and manage customer relationships more efficiently. | Some TextMagic users have reported negative experiences with customer support. |
Pricing
A pay-as-you-go structure with competitive per-message costs, no hidden fees, and flexible pricing without monthly plan commitments.
Ideal for
Small to mid-sized companies seeking a platform with an easy-to-use messaging service and a user-friendly interface, characterized by a straightforward messaging service and minimal complex advanced features, without the need for extensive platform learning.
Customer Testimonials
"It was so easy to use the messaging platform. I was hesitant about buying a monthly plan, so I opted for a month-to-month plan for several years... The feature of messaging services is excellent for customer communication."
6. Attentive
Attentive focuses exclusively on SMS and email marketing for consumer brands, particularly e-commerce brands. They specialize in AI-powered message personalization, complex multi-thread automated campaigns, and advanced program automation that drives revenue growth through customer engagement.
Key features
AI-powered message personalization and targeting of customer data
Advanced automation and segmentation using behavioral triggers
Automated campaigns, workflows, and customer journeys
Integration capabilities with eCommerce platforms (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.)
Revenue attribution and ROI analysis, treating messaging as a real business asset
Pros | Cons |
It is a purpose-built SMS marketing solution for retail and consumer brands | Because of the custom nature of the price, it could be cost-prohibitive for smaller businesses that require affordable plans |
It has advanced message personalization and targeting abilities through customer data | Slightly less applicable to business communications - it generally serves larger consumer brands |
It integrates easily with e-commerce ecosystems and CRM systems | Primarily limited to the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, so customer relationships are limited globally |
It has a proven track record in driving high SMS marketing ROI and customer engagement | Slightly advanced features come with a steep learning curve. |
Pricing
Custom pricing based on the size of the business, volume of messaging campaigns, and advanced feature level, so little room for affordable plans.
Ideal for
Mid-market to enterprise eCommerce brands with large SMS marketing budgets looking for advanced automation, message personalization, and engagement features.
Customer Testimonials
"The main benefit to using Attentive is that they allow you to create personalized SMS marketing campaigns at scale and help you to grow your revenue and customer relationships."
"Its pricing could be an issue for small businesses looking for affordable plans... It has a learning curve to leverage its advanced features."
7. Textline
Textline is a business communications solution that specializes in team collaboration, shared inboxes, message assignments, and workflow management to facilitate organized SMS customer support and interactions.
Key features
Shared Team Inbox for SMS Conversations and Customer Support
Message Assignments and Collaborative Workflows for Multiple Users
Template Management and Canned Automated Responses
Customer Data Management and Customer Conversation History
Third-Party Tools and Business Applications Integration
Mobile and Desktop Accessibility for Customer Interactions
Pros | Cons |
Shared inbox and multiple user management are top-notch. | Fewer automated campaigns and SMS marketing functionalities are available. |
Intuitive platform built for team productivity and for customer support. | Per-user costs can become expensive for larger teams. |
A clear system for managing conversations with customers and for assigning tasks. | Primarily targeting the US and Canadian markets, with a focus on limiting international customer relationships. |
Easily connects with several popular third-party tools and business communications systems. | Less suited for complicated messaging campaigns and advanced automation. |
Pricing
Custom-priced, monthly subscription tiers that accommodate multiple users and offer team collaboration features.
Ideal for
Customer support teams that require collaborative SMS management, incorporating shared inboxes and assignment capabilities for customer interactions and workflows that involve business communications.
Customer Testimonials
"Textline makes texting a business as easy as it is to text friends and family... It's excellent for team collaboration and managing shared customer support conversations."
"The pricing scales based on seats, which can get expensive if you have a lot of users; less suited for heavy development customization and complex automated campaigns."
Conclusion
In summary, the alternatives to SimpleTexting in this guide are all leading solutions, which can help alleviate common pain points such as pricing transparency, global reach, multi-channel versatility, and robust automation. Each platform has unique strengths and weaknesses that can effectively address business messaging needs, ranging from developer tools to eCommerce functionality or enterprise security.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to your priorities: budget, technical requirements, geographic area focus, or team size. The best solution depends on your specific requirements, including the channels you need, integrations, future growth, and whether you require the cross-channel capabilities of an SMS aggregator. When assessing options, we recommend considering the trials and demos each provider offers to evaluate their solutions in the real world.
Discover how a global SMS platform can enhance your communication strategy and lay the groundwork for sustainable growth by signing up for a free trial of Messente’s omnichannel messaging platform today.
Sign up for free today and see for yourselves how Messente can seamlessly fit into your existing messaging workflows!
