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The 6 Best SMS Apps for Small Businesses: In-Depth Reviews
Let’s explore each of the six leading SMS platforms tailored for small business use cases.
1. SimpleTexting — The All-Round Marketing Powerhouse
Overview
SimpleTexting is designed with marketers in mind, offering powerful campaign management, automation workflows, and two-way texting capabilities. Its rich feature set is ideal for businesses running promotions, surveys, and contests.
Key Features
- SMS and MMS messaging support
- Keyword-triggered opt-ins and autoresponders
- Built-in surveys and polls
- Scheduled and recurring messaging
- Contact segmentation and list management
- Zapier integration for workflow automation
Ease of Use
SimpleTexting has an intuitive dashboard with drag-and-drop campaign builders. The onboarding process is straightforward, making it accessible for non-technical users.
Pricing
Plans start around $39/month, which includes a set number of messages. Additional messages are billed per SMS, and MMS costs extra.
Ideal For
Small businesses focused on marketing campaigns that require advanced automation and customer engagement.
2. Textmagic — Affordable and Flexible SMS for Everyone
Overview
Textmagic offers a straightforward approach with pay-as-you-go pricing, making it flexible for businesses with fluctuating messaging volumes. It’s a solid choice for transactional texts and customer support.
Key Features
- Bulk SMS sending and scheduling
- Contact management
- Email-to-SMS gateway
- Two-way conversations
- API for custom integrations
Ease of Use
Its simple web app lets users quickly upload contacts and send messages. The platform also provides mobile apps for texting on the go.
Pricing
No monthly subscription required; pay per SMS (approximately $0.049 per message) plus fees for virtual numbers.
Ideal For
Businesses wanting flexibility without monthly commitments or those who prefer pay-as-you-go billing.
3. Textla — The Budget-Friendly SMS Solution
Overview
Textla stands out for its ultra-low SMS costs and basic but efficient features. It’s ideal for startups and nonprofits with tight budgets looking to send high volumes of messages affordably.
Key Features
- Basic SMS and MMS sending
- Campaign registry support
- Zapier integrations
- Simple contact lists and scheduling
Ease of Use
While the platform is less feature-rich, it is straightforward and functional. Textla focuses on the essentials to keep costs down.
Pricing
Plans start at $19/month with an SMS rate as low as $0.005 per message, making it the most affordable option on this list.
Ideal For
Budget-conscious businesses sending large volumes of SMS without needing advanced marketing features.
4. SlickText — Great for Lead Generation and Engagement
Overview
SlickText specializes in helping businesses grow their subscriber lists through easy-to-use sign-up forms and pop-ups, combined with SMS marketing tools.
Key Features
- Mobile-friendly sign-up forms and landing pages
- Automated drip campaigns
- Coupons and loyalty program support
- Contact segmentation and analytics
- Integrations with popular marketing platforms
Ease of Use
SlickText’s marketing-oriented tools make it easy for businesses to capture leads and engage with customers via SMS without coding.
Pricing
Plans start at $29/month for 500 messages, with additional pricing tiers based on message volume.
Ideal For
Businesses focusing on list building, promotions, and customer retention programs.
5. Salesmsg — Local Business and CRM Integration Focus
Overview
Salesmsg is tailored for local businesses and sales teams needing reliable two-way texting with CRM integration.
Key Features
- Local phone numbers for personalized outreach
- Two-way messaging with desktop and mobile apps
- Integration with CRM platforms like HubSpot, Pipedrive, and Salesforce
- Call forwarding and voicemail drop
- AI-powered text assistants in beta
Ease of Use
Salesmsg offers a clean interface and easy CRM syncing, perfect for sales reps and small teams.
Pricing
Starts at $25/month for 500 messages plus per-message fees; local numbers cost extra.
Ideal For
Local service businesses and sales teams relying on personalized customer communications.
6. EZ Texting — Beginner-Friendly SMS Marketing
Overview
EZ Texting appeals to users unfamiliar with SMS marketing by offering guided onboarding and excellent customer support.
Key Features
- Text blast and drip campaign capabilities
- Contact segmentation and list management
- Keyword responses and web forms
- Reporting and analytics dashboards
- Integrations with tools like Mailchimp and Zapier
Ease of Use
Known for its helpful onboarding and support, EZ Texting lowers the learning curve for new users.
Pricing
Plans start at $25/month with 500 messages included.
Ideal For
Small businesses new to SMS marketing looking for support and simplicity.
Bonus: Twilio — For Developers and Custom SMS Solutions
Though not designed as an out-of-the-box SMS marketing tool, Twilio offers unparalleled flexibility through its programmable SMS API, ideal for businesses with development resources.
Key Features
- Fully programmable SMS, MMS, and WhatsApp messaging
- Global phone number provisioning
- Voice and video APIs
- Advanced automation and chatbot support
Ease of Use
Requires programming knowledge to set up and customize.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go pricing starting around $0.0079 per SMS, with additional fees for phone numbers.
Ideal For
Tech-savvy businesses wanting custom SMS workflows or integrations.
How to Choose the Right SMS App for Your Business
Consider your budget — Low-volume senders may prefer pay-as-you-go options like Textmagic or Twilio, while marketers may value SimpleTexting or SlickText’s advanced features.
Think about your technical skills — Non-technical users should look at EZ Texting or SimpleTexting, which offer guided setups and customer support.
Assess your communication goals — For interactive two-way messaging and CRM integration, Salesmsg and Textmagic shine.
Plan for growth — Choose platforms that scale with your needs, offering automation, segmentation, and multi-channel support.
Wrapping Up
SMS remains one of the most direct and effective channels for engaging customers. The right SMS app can transform your marketing, improve customer relationships, and streamline business communications.
The six SMS platforms covered here offer a range of pricing, features, and usability to fit diverse business needs. By carefully evaluating your priorities and matching them with these tools’ strengths, you can unlock the full potential of SMS communication in 2025.