Not all SMS platforms are created equally. Learn about the top options to find the platform that best fits your needs.

Your SMS program’s success is closely tied to the platform you choose. The right SMS platform will help you create genuinely engaging customer experiences that build lasting customer relationships and drive meaningful revenue.

But there’s a lot of options to choose from. It can be hard to know what to look for and how to choose the SMS platform that's the best fit for your needs—both now and as you grow. 

Whether you’re looking to tap into the power of SMS for the first time or upgrade from your current SMS platform for more features and better results, you’ll find an option that suits your needs on this list.

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Key factors to consider when choosing an SMS platform

You’ll want an SMS platform with the right features to support your brand’s unique needs and objectives. So start by determining the most important factors you want in an SMS solution.

Here are the essentials to consider:

• Robust list growth capabilities: Your SMS platform should make it easy to grow a healthy subscriber base from different places—like your website, email, social media, and in-person interactions.
• Advanced messaging capabilities: Your platform should offer SMS and MMS formats—and be working towards RCS Business Messaging capabilities. Additionally, the best SMS platform will enable you to send dynamic triggered flows and two-way messaging to engage subscribers effectively.
• RCS readiness: Rich Communication Services (RCS) is the next generation of messaging that will deliver highly engaging experiences via text, including preference sharing through Suggested Replies and Actions, browsable product carousels, add to cart and more—right in customers’ text messaging app. If an SMS platform isn’t already building out RCS Business Messaging capabilities, you’ll get left behind when it becomes available in the US and won’t be able to maximize the impact of your program.
• ‍AI and automation: AI enables marketers to improve their results beyond what humans can do alone. An SMS platform with sophisticated AI capabilities can help automate copywriting, build dynamic segments, and optimize campaigns and behavioral flows to increase engagement and conversion rates—all while staying true to your brand.
• Sophisticated personalization: Did you know that 71% of consumers want brands to learn from their shopping habits over time? The best SMS platform will enable you to deliver hyper-relevant experiences by leveraging your customer data with a variety of flows, triggers, and automation features.
• Flexible integrations: The SMS platform you choose should work seamlessly with any other tools that house customer data—like your CRM, e-commerce platform, loyalty provider, ESP (if you don’t opt to combine your programs), and CDP. Then you can activate your data effectively for a cohesive customer experience.
• Compliance expertise: SMS is a regulated channel with strict rules and requirements. Your SMS provider should be well-versed in compliance laws and offer built-in tools to help you stay compliant.
• Reliable deliverability: You need to trust that your messages will reach your subscribers consistently—especially during high-volume sending times like Black Friday/Cyber Monday (BFCM). Look for an SMS platform with a strong delivery network and robust infrastructure to ensure your messages get delivered.
• Comprehensive analytics: It should be easy to understand how your SMS program is performing so you can make data-driven decisions. Look for intuitive dashboards, real-time performance insights, and flexible reporting to focus on the SMS marketing metrics that matter most to your brand.
• International reach: If you have global customers, verify the platform you choose supports messaging in the countries your subscribers are based in and can help you comply with local regulations. 
• Expert guidance and support: The right SMS tech partner will offer strategic support beyond the software, helping you implement best practices and optimize your program over time. Bonus if they have a resource hub or knowledge base to help you level up and make the most of the platform's features.

Ultimately, the most successful SMS marketing programs are built on a platform that grows with them. You don’t want to get stuck with a solution that works now but won’t as your program expands. So opt for an SMS platform that can support you in the long term.

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At a glance: The best SMS marketing platforms

	What they're known for	Key features	Support
	Best-in-class SMS and email marketing with sophisticated AI-powered personalization	Industry-leading AI tools that significantly improve performance; innovating with RCS for next-generation texting capabilities	Strategic guidance and optimization; 24/7 customer support with response times under 20 minutes
	Enterprise customer engagement platform	Multi-channel platform including SMS, email, push, social, and in-app messaging; AI for content creation and optimization	Self-service help resources and limited compliance guidance
	CRM for small to mid-sized e-commerce brands	A jack-of-all-trades for channels with less specialization & innovation in any area; AI for campaign creation and predictive analytics	Self-service focus with email and live chat available on some plan tiers; strained resources due to broad approach
	Legacy ESP with SMS capabilities for retail brands	Identity resolution; generative and predictive AI capabilities	Longer response times and limited SMS-specific expertise
	Basic SMS-only solution for small Shopify stores	SMS-only; CashBack incentive as alternative to traditional discounts	Self-service focus; small team with limited resources
	Identity platform focused on anonymous visitor conversion through email campaigns	Identity resolution technology; designed to work with a brand's existing ESP	Limited self-service tools and resources
	Reviews platform with SMS for Shopify merchants	Includes reviews and loyalty tools; AI tools center around reviews and UGC	Self-service help center with tiered support based on plan level

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A detailed look: 7 top SMS marketing platforms

Each SMS marketing platform has unique strengths, limitations, and specializations that make it suitable for different types of businesses and marketing objectives.

Compare the core capabilities of these seven leading SMS marketing tools to your business needs. From enterprise-grade solutions with advanced AI to simple Shopify-specific platforms, this detailed analysis will help you identify which solution aligns with your brand's specific needs, technical resources, and growth ambitions.

Attentive SMS review

Attentive (hi, that’s us!) is the leader in mobile messaging, trusted by more than 8,000 global brands to deliver exceptional results. Named to Forbes’ Cloud 100 for four years running and recipient of a 2024 Merit Award for Best AI Application in Retail, we’ve built a comprehensive platform that delivers personalized experiences at scale across SMS and email.

With rising customer expectations, we’re committed to innovation. We’ve invested heavily in AI to enable true 1:1 personalization, leading brands to:

• 200% more triggered message revenue
• 10–15% lift in abandonment journey revenue through smart identity resolution
• 15–20% boost in campaign revenue through AI-optimized segmentation

And we’re pioneering RCS Business Messaging in the US to help brands maximize engagement.

Pros

Attentive combines powerful technology with strategic expertise to help brands maximize their messaging performance and gain a competitive edge in customer engagement:

• Best-in-class AI capabilities: Attentive AI™ transforms how brands connect with customers by enabling true 1:1 personalization that boosts performance. It combines customer, product, and brand data to craft personalized messages that match each subscriber’s unique journey with your brand. With Attentive AI™, you can personalize the content, timing, and tone of behavioral flows and campaigns to reach each subscriber with the right message at the right time.
• Unified messaging: Our platform orchestrates cohesive multi-channel campaigns and flows on SMS and email that adapt to individual engagement patterns and maximize impact. And push notifications are on the way.
• Enterprise-grade deliverability: We’ve invested in a robust infrastructure and phone carrier partnerships to ensure reliable SMS delivery—even during high-volume sending periods like BFCM.
• Comprehensive list growth tools: Our patented two-tap sign-up technology makes opting in effortless on mobile. Customizable website sign-up units, landing pages, social media integrations, and post-purchase flows enable acquisition across all your digital touchpoints. QR codes and Text-to-Join options let you capture subscribers through physical touchpoints and in-person interactions.
• Conversational commerce: Attentive Concierge™ lets you provide instant support, answer buying questions, and help shoppers discover new products with live agents and conversational AI.
• Enhanced identity resolution: Attentive Signal improves customer recognition across devices and browsing sessions for more accurate targeting, detailed customer profiles, and more personalized experiences.
• Industry-leading compliance expertise: Our in-house legal team, which includes TCPA (Telephone Consumer Protection Act) specialists, ensures platform compliance. Our comprehensive built-in SMS compliance tools include audit trails for TCPA defense, automatic opt-out keyword recognition, fuzzy opt-out detection, and accessibility-focused sign-up units with proper color contrast and keyboard navigation. Attentive’s Litigator Defender automatically suppresses known litigator phone numbers, reducing legal risk.
• Leading RCS provider: We’re on the forefront of RCS Business Messaging in the US—a technology 90% of consumers say increases their likelihood to purchase—and have brands actively testing RCS Business Messaging on the Attentive platform. You’ll be able to leverage these enhanced capabilities as soon as they become widely available.
• Best-in-class team: We have a large team of 1,000+ (and growing) dedicated to innovating the platform, ensuring deliverability, helping brands remain compliant, and supporting your success. We provide unmatched expertise and support to help you scale your messaging program and maximize performance. 

These capabilities and our focus on innovation work together to help brands grow high-performing messaging programs—driving higher engagement, conversion rates, and customer lifetime value.

Cons

Attentive is built to serve a wide range of consumer brands who are ready to build a winning SMS program. However, there are some instances where our platform might not be the perfect fit:

• Best for committed messaging programs: Our comprehensive feature set and strategic support are designed for brands serious about making SMS and email a significant revenue channel. That makes us less suited for businesses that want to only send simple SMS campaigns every now and then.
• Limited global coverage: While we’re actively expanding internationally, Attentive currently focuses primarily on the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. If you need to send texts to Asia or Africa, we might not be the best fit.
• Growth-ready platform: Our robust solution is designed to deliver maximum value for brands that are ready to invest in their messaging programs. Businesses with very limited marketing resources may find our comprehensive solution offers more capabilities than they currently want to invest in.

Ultimately, we want your SMS program to succeed. If you’re wondering whether Attentive is right for your brand, get in touch and we’ll help you determine if we’re a good match for your specific needs.

Who Attentive is best for

Attentive is an ideal SMS platform for mid-market to large, enterprise brands serious about using messaging as a revenue driver and looking to create personalized shopping experiences across SMS, RCS, and email in one platform. It’s particularly well-suited for consumer brands including e-commerce, retail, food & beverage, travel & hospitality, entertainment & media, fitness & wellness, and professional sports.

The platform’s industry-leading AI capabilities, sophisticated personalization, reliable deliverability, and strategic support make it the top choice for brands prioritizing data-driven marketing strategies. Leading brands like GUESS, Crocs, SixFlags, and Hot Topic trust Attentive to power their high-performing messaging programs.

Ready to launch a winning mobile messaging strategy? Get a demo to see how Attentive can transform your SMS and email marketing into your highest-performing revenue channels.

Braze SMS review

Braze is a comprehensive customer engagement platform that includes SMS as one component of its multi-channel offering. The platform appeals to enterprise organizations looking to coordinate messaging across several touchpoints.

Pros

Braze provides several capabilities that benefit enterprise brands that want to incorporate SMS within a complex multi-channel messaging strategy:

• Enterprise infrastructure: Built to support large organizations with complex implementations across multiple channels and markets.
• Cross-channel engagement: Provides multiple messaging channels including email, SMS, push notifications, in-app messages, WhatsApp, social media integrations, and more, enabling coordinated marketing campaigns across touchpoints.
• Moderate AI capabilities: Offers tools for generating campaign content, predicting customer behaviors, and delivering content on customers’ preferred channels.
• Keyword-based conversational messaging: Supports two-way texting with custom responses triggered by keywords, allowing for basic automated interactions.
• Global SMS reach: Supports SMS messaging in more than 200 countries, making it suitable for brands with international customer bases.

Cons

Braze’s mult-channel approach creates several limitations for brands focused on maximizing the potential of SMS as a revenue channel:

• Divided platform focus: The breadth of channels spreads development resources thin, resulting in fewer SMS-specific features and less specialized expertise.
• Complex implementation: Requires significant time and resources to fully set up and utilize, particularly for brands wanting to activate Braze’s many channels.
• Limited SMS acquisition tools: Offers more simplistic subscriber growth options compared to dedicated SMS platforms.
• Basic compliance safeguards: Provides minimal built-in safeguards for SMS compliance beyond double opt-in, automatic opt-out processing, and configurable fuzzy opt-out detection without advanced features like litigator screening. 
• Restricted conversational capabilities: Limits two-way messaging to predefined keyword triggers without supporting natural language responses or live agent augmentation.
• Steep learning curve: Features a complex interface and workflow that can be challenging for marketing teams to manage effectively.

Who Braze is best for

Braze will work for enterprise brands with global reach that want to incorporate SMS as one component of their marketing mix alongside multiple other messaging channels.

The platform’s cross-channel orchestration capabilities, international coverage, and enterprise-level infrastructure make it appropriate for established companies with complex messaging needs, dedicated resources, and the budget to support a comprehensive engagement platform.

Klaviyo SMS review

Klaviyo is an email-first marketing platform that expanded to SMS in 2020. The platform has continued evolving to include additional services like reviews and a CDP, now positioning itself as a CRM for B2C businesses.

Explore the differences between Klaviyo and Attentive.

Pros

Klaviyo offers several advantages for brands looking for multiple marketing functions under one roof:

• History with small e-commerce brands: Klaviyo has built its customer base primarily among small Shopify merchants.
• Multi-channel coordination: Allows brands to coordinate communications across email, SMS, and push notifications.
• Essential list growth tools: Provides sign-up forms, pop-ups, and landing pages to help brands collect subscriber information.
• Moderate AI capabilities: Offers AI capabilities focused around productivity and time-savings to create campaigns, segments, and flow sequences, along with predictive analytics for personalization.
• Self-service accessibility: Designed for marketers to manage their programs independently through a user-friendly interface.
• Credit-based pricing structure: Provides tiered subscription models based on subscriber count and number of sends, making it an affordable option for smaller brands.

Cons

While Klaviyo offers an accessible way to get started with SMS marketing, the platform comes with several limitations that could impact program performance as brands grow:

• Deliverability challenges: Users have reported issues with message delivery reliability, particularly during high-volume sending periods like BFCM when the platform has experienced outages.
• Jack-of-all-trades approach: By attempting to offer many features across several channels, Klaviyo sacrifices sophisticated capabilities, support, and reliability in any single area, including SMS.
• No 1:1 personalized customer journeys: The AI tools Klaviyo has developed lack the ability to personalize customer journeys at the individual subscriber level.
• Limited AI dataset: Klaviyo works with smaller brands that have fewer SMS sends overall, so their AI model isn’t trained on a large volume of high-performance SMS marketing campaigns.
• Limited strategic support: While offering a help center and educational resources, Klaviyo's self-service model provides minimal hands-on strategic guidance for optimizing messaging programs. Depending on your plan, you may have access to onboarding support and email and chat support.
• Minimal RCS preparation: Klaviyo has shown little public progress toward implementing RCS Business Messaging capabilities, potentially leaving brands behind as messaging evolves.

Who Klaviyo is best for

Klaviyo is well-suited to small to mid-sized e-commerce brands, particularly on Shopify, looking for an affordable multi-channel solution. It’s a good fit for businesses in the early stages of their SMS marketing journey who prefer a self-service approach and have simpler personalization needs.

Listrak SMS Review

Listrak is an integrated customer engagement platform founded in 1999 that began with email marketing and expanded to include SMS as part of their cross-channel approach. The platform serves primarily enterprise retail brands.

Pros

Listrak offers a few benefits to brands looking to add basic SMS capabilities to their messaging strategy:

• Cross-channel orchestration: Enables coordination between email, SMS, and push notifications for more cohesive customer journeys.
• Identity resolution: Unifies customer data across devices to improve targeting and personalization, tracking anonymous users to unify data with their customer profile once they become subscribers.
• Customizable flows: Includes preset flow templates for common scenarios like cart abandonment, as well as the ability to create custom-triggered sequences.
• Moderate AI capabilities: Offers product recommendations, send time optimization, and audience segmentation assistance powered by AI.
• RCS-ready: Has begun testing RCS Business Messaging with select customers.

Cons

Despite its strengths, Listrak has several significant limitations for brands that want to scale their SMS programs beyond a supplementary channel:

• Legacy ESP: Prioritizes reporting insights, integrations, and product development for email rather than SMS, resulting in less sophisticated text messaging capabilities.
• Basic conversational capabilities: While brands can manage conversations within the platform, there's no agent support or AI augmentation to help scale these interactions.
• Compliance vulnerabilities: They have fewer built-in compliance tools, a smaller team for support and guidance, and self-service tools for brands to learn on their own. This puts brands at risk for making compliance mistakes.
• Resource constraints: Smaller support team results in longer wait times and potentially four-month implementation timelines for new SMS programs.
• Lack of SMS innovation: Listrak’s SMS features are tablestakes. Because this channel isn’t a focus for the company, they haven’t developed anything new or impactful to help brands drive growth.

Who Listrak is best for

Listrak is well suited for enterprise retail brands that are already using their email marketing platform and want to add basic SMS capabilities without managing multiple vendors. The platform works well for companies with simple text messaging needs who prioritize cross-channel coordination over advanced SMS-specific features.

Postscript SMS Review

Postscript is an SMS-only platform founded in 2018 that caters specifically to Shopify merchants. The platform offers a budget approach to text message marketing for small e-commerce businesses without significant complexity or cost.

Explore the differences between Postscript and Attentive.

Pros

Postscript offers several advantages for small Shopify merchants entering the SMS marketing space:

• Shopify-specific platform: Built exclusively for Shopify merchants with a native integration that enables quick set-up and focused features tailored to e-commerce needs.
• Essential personalization tools: Includes basic segmentation capabilities and triggered messages to target subscribers based on their behavior and characteristics.
• CashBack incentive option: Offers a unique sign-up incentive allowing brands to provide cash or store credit after a customer’s first purchase instead of upfront discounts.
• Built-in compliance features: Helps merchants stay compliant with SMS regulations through automated compliance language on sign-up forms and opt-out management.
• Customer reply management: Offers SMS sales associates as an option to handle incoming customer messages, though this service lacks AI augmentation.
• Simple interface: Features a user-friendly dashboard for merchants who want a straightforward way to send text messages without a steep learning curve.
• Budget-friendly pricing: Provides affordable plans accessible to small businesses with modest SMS needs.

These features will get a Shopify store started with their SMS marketing programs without significant investment.

Cons

Postscript’s focused approach creates several limitations that may hinder brands’ growth as they develop more sophisticated messaging needs:

• SMS-only focus: Functions solely as a text messaging platform with no native email capabilities, making cross-channel coordination more challenging.
• Not built for scale: Operates on a smaller infrastructure that isn’t designed for high-volume messaging periods, risking delays and outages for brands.
• Smaller AI investment: Postscript lags behind industry leaders in AI development and implementation, limiting access to cutting-edge personalization and optimization capabilities.
• Limited strategic guidance: Offers minimal hands-on support on entry-level plans, leaving many brands to develop their SMS strategies independently.
• Less experienced with larger marketing programs: Postscript is used by very small DTC businesses, so they have limited knowledge of what it takes to grow successful complex messaging strategies.
• Minimal RCS development: Shows little public progress toward RCS Business Messaging capabilities, potentially leaving merchants at a disadvantage as messaging evolves.
• Behind in innovation: A smaller team with fewer resources means they are unable to innovate, iterate, and ship product developments quickly.

Who Postscript is best for

Postscript is best suited to small Shopify merchants who are new to SMS marketing and looking for a simple, cheap way to get started. It’s a good fit for brands who are beginners to SMS and aren’t necessarily looking to scale their programs.

Wunderkind SMS Review

Wunderkind is a performance marketing solution that specializes in identifying anonymous site visitors. The company added SMS in 2020 to support retailers during the e-commerce boom.

Explore the differences between Wunderkind and Attentive.

Pros

Wunderkind offers basic SMS functionality for brands interested in their identification technology:

• Identity resolution technology: Uses data from across their client base to identify anonymous site visitors.
• Cross-channel coordination: Provides an email designer to allow for basic orchestration between these channels.
• Works with existing ESPs: Designed to integrate with a brand's current email service provider (ESP) rather than requiring platform migration.
• Essential AI features: Gives brands the ability to generate copy and images as well as create segments.
• Customer service integrations: Connects with Zendesk and Gorgias to enable brands to handle customer inquiries via text message.

Cons

Wunderkind’s approach as an identification platform creates several limitations for brands that value strong customer relationships and want a comprehensive SMS marketing solution:

• Not a standalone solution: Requires integration with a separate ESP to send messages designed in their platform.
• Secondary SMS focus: Wunderkind views SMS as an add-on channel, rather than a primary way to drive revenue, so this service is tacked on to their other offerings and the team has less experience and less investment in SMS.
• Cross-brand data sharing: Uses customer data across brands to target site visitors who haven’t directly opted in to a brand’s list—potentially increasing opt-outs, harming deliverability and performance, and damaging brand reputation.
• Privacy considerations: Cross-shared customer data may create privacy and consent issues as regulations evolve.
• Poor support quality: Wunderkind usually has longer service level agreements (SLAs) and requires brands to get in touch with their success manager for even basic requests.
• Not ready for RCS: Shows no public preparation for RCS Business Messaging capabilities, making it harder for brands to compete as technology and consumer expectations evolve.

Who Wunderkind is best for

Wunderkind is best suited for brands that are interested in the platform’s identification technology and want to add SMS as a supplementary channel. The platform works for companies primarily focused on capturing anonymous site visitors and converting them through email, with text messaging serving as a secondary touchpoint rather than a primary revenue driver.

Yotpo SMS Review

Yotpo started as a reviews and ratings platform in 2011 but acquired SMSBump in 2020 to expand their offerings. The platform is built for Shopify, and the company says, they will “always be Shopify-first.”

Pros

Yotpo is a good option for Shopify merchants looking to add SMS capabilities within their existing Yotpo ecosystem alongside their reviews and loyalty program:

• Shopify-first integration: Built specifically for Shopify, providing streamlined set-up and focused features.
• Multi-solution approach: Combines SMS, email, reviews, and loyalty programs in one platform, allowing brands to manage multiple aspects of customer engagement without switching between vendors.
• Select AI capabilities: Includes tools that can suggest SMS copy, build audiences, optimize send times, and recommend products.
• Compliance foundation: Certified CTIA partner to ensure the platform meets industry requirements and standards.
• RCS-ready: RCS Business Messaging capabilities have been built into the platform in preparation for broader availability of this new messaging format.

Cons

Yotpo’s position as a multi-solution platform rather than an SMS specialist has several limitations that could impact brands that want to launch a sophisticated SMS marketing strategy:

• SMS is secondary: The platform’s origins in reviews means SMS receives less development attention and resources compared to dedicated messaging platforms.
• Limited AI development for SMS: Focuses AI innovation primarily on review capabilities rather than sophisticated SMS personalization and performance.
• External compliance expertise: Relies on outside legal resources rather than an in-house team, potentially slowing action on compliance issues.
• Infrastructure constraints: Not built for high-volume sending, potentially causing slower delivery during peak periods like BFCM.
• Tiered support model: Offers limited assistance on lower-priced plans, with comprehensive support and dedicated optimization specialists available only at the premium pricing tier.

Who Yotpo is best for

Yotpo is best suited to small to mid-sized Shopify merchants looking to manage multiple marketing functions—including reviews, loyalty, and messaging—through a single platform. The solution works well for brands that view SMS as a complementary channel rather than a primary revenue driver, particularly those who already use or plan to use Yotpo's reviews and loyalty programs.

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Which SMS marketing platform is best for your business?

Attentive: Best-in-class SMS, email, and AI

Best for: Mid-market to large, enterprise brands ready to maximize SMS and email as primary revenue channels through sophisticated 1:1 personalization, cutting-edge AI-driven optimization, and comprehensive strategic support.

This unmatched combination enables brands to create meaningful connections with customers that drive exceptional engagement and revenue—with brands regularly seeing 2x+ higher conversion rates and significant increases in customer lifetime value when switching to Attentive from other platforms.

With our substantial investments in RCS Business Messaging and advanced AI capabilities, we ensure brands stay ahead of evolving consumer expectations.

“Attentive stood out as a company that was an expert in this channel. We were looking for a partner that [could] help us grow… And that’s the reason why we’re staying with them. Year over year, they come up with new ideas and solutions that help us evolve in this channel.”

Attentive Customer
Senior Director, Direct Marketing
& Personalization, Retail

Postscript: Basic SMS-only Shopify solution

Best for: Small Shopify merchants looking for a straightforward, affordable way to get started with SMS marketing without managing complex features or requiring specialized expertise.

If you’re considering Postscript, just keep in mind that its SMS-only nature means you’ll need separate solutions for email marketing, and its infrastructure may struggle during high-volume periods like BFCM.

Klaviyo: CRM platform for B2C brands

Best for: Small to mid-sized e-commerce brands seeking to consolidate messaging with other marketing functions like reviews, a CDP, and CRM in a flexibly-priced platform.

If you’re thinking about choosing Klaviyo, consider that the platform has historically experienced deliverability issues during high-volume periods and that Klaviyo’s catch-all approach results in less sophisticated capabilities for each individual channel.

Braze: Multi-channel messaging for global enterprises

Best for: Large organizations that need to coordinate customer experiences across numerous channels and markets, with SMS being tacked on as a low-investment channel amidst a broader engagement strategy.

If you’re looking at Braze, consider that Braze spreads resources across many different channels, so there are fewer SMS-specific features and less specialized expertise.

Yotpo: Reviews-focused solution for Shopify stores

Best for: Small Shopify merchants who want to manage SMS alongside reviews and loyalty programs through a single vendor with a native integration to their e-commerce platform.

If you’re evaluating Yotpo, consider that Yotpo's roots in reviews mean SMS receives less development attention and resources compared to dedicated messaging platforms.

Listrak: Email-centric programs for retail marketing

Best for: Enterprise retail brands already using Listrak for email who want to add basic SMS capabilities without managing multiple vendors or investing in specialized SMS expertise.

If you’re considering Listrak, remember that the platform’s email-first approach means fewer resources are dedicated to SMS, resulting in less sophisticated text messaging capabilities and limited SMS-specific support.

Wunderkind: Anonymous visitor identification

Best for: Brands prioritizing anonymous visitor identification and conversion who want to incorporate basic text messaging as a secondary channel to their core identity resolution strategy.

If you’re considering using Wunderkind, remember that their targeting practices can lead to higher opt-outs and damage to brand reputation.

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Frequently asked questions about SMS marketing platforms

1. How do SMS and email marketing platforms work together?

SMS and email marketing platforms work together by creating coordinated customer journeys across both channels. They share subscriber data and engagement metrics through an integration to deliver consistent, personalized experiences.

Platforms that unify SMS and email into one channel can provide:

• More seamless orchestration
• Better identity matching across devices and browsing sessions for cleaner data
• Improved efficiency and ROI by avoiding redundant messages
• Consistent reporting

Many brands eventually consolidate to a unified platform that handles both channels to improve coordination and create more cohesive customer experiences.

2. What is the success rate of SMS marketing?

SMS marketing consistently delivers impressive performance metrics compared to other digital channels. According to internal Attentive data, brands using SMS marketing experience:

• 18x higher LTV in the first 30 days compared to email
• 30x greater likelihood for subscribers to buy in the first 30 days compared to email
• 54% of subscribers to an Attentive SMS program are repeat purchasers on average, i.e. buy a second time

SMS performance metrics will vary by industry, audience demographics, and messaging strategy. Brands implementing best practices like segmentation, personalization, compliance adherence, and proper frequency management typically see the highest performance.

3. What features should I look for in an SMS marketing solution?

When evaluating SMS marketing platforms, prioritize these essential capabilities:

• List growth tools: Several ways to collect subscriber information online and offline, including multiple options for incentives.
• Robust compliance features: Built-in safeguards to help maintain TCPA compliance and reduce legal risk.
• Personalization capabilities: Dynamic content, triggered flows, and segmentation tools that create relevant, targeted messages.
• AI capabilities: Tools for optimizing send times, audience targeting, and message personalization.
• Two-way messaging: Support for subscriber replies and conversational commerce.
• Comprehensive analytics: Clear metrics on performance, conversions, and ROI.
• Essential integrations: Seamless connections with your other marketing tools.
• Deliverability infrastructure: Reliable message delivery even during high-volume periods.
• Strategic support: Access to SMS experts who can help optimize your program.

These features will help you build a high-performing SMS program that drives engagement and revenue while fostering valuable customer relationships.