{"id":84980,"date":"2025-05-08T20:11:19","date_gmt":"2025-05-08T20:11:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/glossary\/sending-sms-platform\/"},"modified":"2026-10-06T23:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T23:16:13","slug":"sms-sending-platform","status":"publish","type":"glossary","link":"https:\/\/mailrelay.com\/en\/glossary\/sms-sending-platform\/","title":{"rendered":"SMS sending platform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An SMS sending platform is an online program that lets you send text messages to many mobile phones at once from your computer, without using a phone.<\/strong> It is also called SMS software, an SMS program or an SMS<\/a> sending service.<\/p>\n\n

From a web dashboard you import the numbers, write the message, choose the sender and send it or schedule it. Afterwards you can see how many SMS were delivered.<\/p>\n\n

What is an SMS platform used for?<\/h2>\n\n

Businesses use it for two types of messages:<\/p>\n\n

Type<\/th>Used for<\/th>Example<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Promotional<\/td>Selling or promoting an offer. Requires the customer’s consent<\/td>\u201cToday only, 20% off the whole store with the code AUTUMN\u201d<\/td><\/tr>
Transactional<\/td>Notifying the customer of something they are expecting<\/td>\u201cYour order 4512 ships today. It will arrive on Thursday\u201d<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n

Promotional messages are part of SMS marketing<\/a>. Transactional messages include confirmations, appointment reminders and verification codes or OTPs<\/a>. You can find more details in our entry on transactional SMS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

Some platforms handle both types. Others are designed for automated sending from an application and barely have a dashboard.<\/p>\n\n

What features should an SMS sending platform have?<\/h2>\n\n

These are the features worth looking for:<\/p>\n\n

Feature<\/th>What it lets you do<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Import contacts<\/td>Paste a list, upload a file or use the mobile numbers in your email lists<\/td><\/tr>
Custom sender<\/td>Have the message arrive under your company name, from 3 to 11 characters<\/td><\/tr>
Editor with character counter<\/td>See whether the text goes over 160 characters, or 70 with emojis, and will be charged as several SMS<\/td><\/tr>
Personalization<\/td>Include each contact’s name or other details<\/td><\/tr>
Scheduling<\/td>Set up the send in advance for a specific date and time<\/td><\/tr>
Short links<\/td>Add a link without using up characters and track the clicks<\/td><\/tr>
Statistics<\/td>See delivered messages, failed messages and clicks<\/td><\/tr>
Unsubscribe management<\/td>Remove anyone who no longer wants to receive messages from the list<\/td><\/tr>
API<\/td>Send automated SMS from your website, your store or your app<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n
\"Features<\/figure>\n\n

Not every platform has everything. For one-off campaigns, a simple dashboard is enough. If you want to send automated notifications, you will need an API<\/a> or an integration.<\/p>\n\n

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Looking for one platform for your SMS and your emails?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Send your SMS from the same dashboard as your newsletters, using the mobile numbers in your contact lists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create a free account<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

How to choose an SMS platform<\/h2>\n\n

Before signing up, compare several providers using these criteria:<\/p>\n\n

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  1. Coverage and price per country.<\/strong> The cost of each SMS varies depending on the destination. Also ask whether credits expire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Payment model.<\/strong> Some sell credit packs and others charge a monthly fee. Check whether there is a minimum commitment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Delivery rate.<\/strong> Ask to see their delivery reports and run a test before a large send.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Integrations.<\/strong> Check whether it connects to your CRM, your online store or your email marketing tool.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Ease of use.<\/strong> If you are going to send campaigns yourself, try the dashboard before deciding.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Support in your language.<\/strong> Find out which channels they offer support through and during what hours.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n

    If you want to compare prices and steps for a large send, check out our guide to mass SMS<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n

    SMS and email from the same platform<\/h2>\n\n

    Using the same tool for email and SMS has clear advantages:<\/p>\n\n