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SMS vs. MMS
Taylor Tunnison • November 18, 2022

If you’re interested in text marketing, then you might be curious about the pros and cons of SMS vs. MMS. Both are commonly used methods of mobile marketing, but there are key differences between the two. Let’s take a moment to outline these differences so you can make an informed decision about which one is right for your business goals.

What Is SMS?

SMS, or Short Message Service, is a text-based communications protocol. It allows users to send and receive short messages of up to 160 characters. SMS messages are delivered through a cellular network and can be sent to and from any mobile phone with or without internet access.


One of the main benefits of SMS is its incredible versatility. Companies can use it to send anything from appointment reminders to event invites and discount codes. SMS marketing is so common these days that you’ve probably received a few messages from your dentist or favorite retailer.


Another advantage of SMS is its low cost. In many cases, businesses can send an SMS message for about a penny per recipient. Plus, text marketing also produces useful data and reports on user engagement. That way, there are no mysteries when it comes to deciphering how effective your campaigns are.

What Is MMS?

MMS, or Multimedia Messaging Service, is a similar text-based communications protocol. It allows users to send and receive multimedia messages of up to 1600 KB. Unlike SMS, MMS messages can include things like videos, photos, GIFs, and audio files.


MMS messages are also delivered through the cellular network, but they require a device that supports multimedia text messages. One of the main benefits of MMS is that it allows companies to send richer, more engaging content than SMS. However, because MMS messages are more complex, they're also more expensive. They’re often several cents more per recipient than an average SMS message.

SMS and MMS Marketing

It should come as no surprise that text marketing is a multibillion-dollar industry. It’s more popular than ever, and this trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Text marketing is especially popular with Millennials and Generation X, and the United States was the global leader in mobile advertising in 2019.


There are many benefits of text marketing worth mentioning. For one, the average American adult spends upwards of 6 hours on their smartphone each day. Also, over 80% of the U.S. population frequently uses mobile devices to browse the internet. Finally, mobile users open their texts up to 99% of the time. Email simply can’t compete with that open rate.


These facts highlight a clear opportunity for companies to engage with vast audiences of diverse individuals. It’s no wonder many major online retailers already use some form of text marketing. Since most people have their smartphones with them all day, text marketing is one of the best ways to reach them at a moment’s notice. Companies can easily design SMS or MMS campaigns to meet a wide variety of specific goals.


They can send out updates for new products or services, limited-time offers, seasonal events, and just about anything else. The sky’s the limit when it comes to text marketing content, and with an MMS platform, you can even include custom-created graphics and branded videos to really capture your audience’s attention.

Mobile Marketing Is Here to Stay

Don’t sleep on text message marketing. If you're looking for a quick and easy way to send basic text messages, then SMS is probably your best bet. However, if you'd like to include captivating images and videos, then MMS is even better.


Whatever you decide, mobile marketing is a great way to meet your current (and future) customers where they already are: on their smartphones. We encourage you to contact us with any questions or concerns about SMS vs. MMS—we’d love the chance to give you more information.

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