Bulk SMS Service Provider Australia Comparison

ClickSend Is The 2017 Best Value Bulk SMS Service Provider

Based on a number of criteria that matters to Australian businesses, Clicksend was the leading Bulk SMS provider based on their:

• Low bulk text message prices from 4.9c per SMS
• Capability of mass distribution of SMS within a short period of time
• 100% Reliability SLA guarantee
• Uses reliable, direct telecommunication carriers
• Australian based customer service (based in Perth)
• Availability of SMS distribution globally

How Does ClickSend Bulk Text Message Pricing Compare?

Clicksend have exclusive pricing pricing for Australian businesses with the prices of outbound SMS messages shown to the right. All inbound text messages are free with the provider.

The only additional fee for bulk SMS services is associated with a dedicated number. This costs $19 a month with no setup fees. A provider can also choose their own number when available. Getting a dedicated number also only takes minutes with Clicksend.

All prices shown on the table to the right and the ClickSend website excludes GST and is in Australian Dollars.

When the Clicksend prices were compared to the other bulk text message providers the finding was they offer some of the lowest costs.

When comparing the pricing schedules for a range of bulk SMS providers, the price variance can be as high as 60%. This variation can be based on the networks (grey vs major providers) and service level agreements offered by the provider. It can also be based on set-up fees, contract duration requirements and other fees charged on-top of usage. It should be noted that Clicksend has no contract or set-up fees. Two-way SMS service where both an SMS is sent and received also have no additional charge. This means that it can reduce overall text messaging costs as some providers charge for each text message received for such type of communications.

Overall, ClickSend charges that are advertised are extremely competitive at most usage brackets compared to their competitors. This is also reinforced with large batches of text messages where ClickSend is prepared to discuss possibly of matching against any other bulk SMS providers to win the business. If course, such cheaper pricing is based on comparable volume. ClickSend ensures that their prices are regularly checked against competitors and adjusted so customers always get the best deal. They state they will beat any cheaper quotes.

Is ClickSend Suitable For Premium Text Message Requirements?

While Clicksend offers the lowest prices (as proven by their price beat guarantee), they also have the best service level agreement of 100% up-time guarantee.

The 100% SLA is why not only Australia companies but some of the largest global companies including Uber, Siemens and Intel rely on Clicksend. They also have a high capacity network ensuring that critical time-sensitive text messages are delivered promptly. This network is not only Australia-wide but global allowing for international SMS delivery also leading ClickSend to be one of the leading providers.

What Business SMS Customer Support Does ClickSend Offer?

ClickSend head office is based in Perth, Australia. There is no need to visit the location to setup an account with a 1800 number operating on a 24/7 basis. This is much more superior than other similar type of SMS bulk providers who either offer a 1300 number or available only during business hours Monday to Friday.

It’s worth noting that ClickSend may appear to be a cheap ‘no frills’ provider but they do have all services equivalent of what appears to be more premium providers with a lower per unit text message cost. Their customer service personnel are well trained and will provide all the technical assistance for developers setting up their SMS campaigns or an SMS API.

What Is A Bulk SMS Service?

A bulk SMS service provides business SMS solutions through:

• Web SMS – Go online to upload contacts and send mass text messages to the list
• SMS API – Integrate CRM software to automate SMS campaigns
• E-mail SMS Gateway – Integrate programs such as MS Office to send text messages
• 2 Way SMS – Allow users to respond to messages with customised options

Some Bulk SMS service providers offer SMPP (Short Message Peer-to-Peer). This protocol used by the Australian telecommunication providers allows exchanging text messages between Short Message Service Centres and External Short Messaging Entities. This protocol is level 7 TCP/IP and can minimise latency of text messages sent. Version 3.3 SMPP is the most widely used within Australia while version 3.4 has transceiver support allowing 2 way SMS solutions.

What Are Examples of Bulk Text Message Services Used in Australia?

Australian companies are quickly learning the benefits of using a mass SMS service within their organisation. Bulk text message services are most commonly associated with SMS marketing campaigns, providing special deals to customers who opt-in to receive special deals and alerts.

More recently, governments and councils have discovered the immediacy and cut-through of SMS when used as an information tool. With Australia’s diverse weather conditions it became apparent that a reliable and scalable alert system was required. SMS provide to be more than just a mobile marketing solution. With the ability to reach hundred of thousands of mobile phones on multiple networks with seconds, mass SMS has quickly become a trusted and reliable tool used by hundreds of councils and authorities across the country.

Purchasing SMS in bulk is an effective method of keeping the overall per message cost to a minimum. Most mass SMS providers will offer very low rates per SMS when you make a bulk purchase, allowing you to use as many or as few SMS per send without the worry of an expiration date. For this reason organisations from gyms and social clubs through to online services prefer to purchase their SMS in bulk and keep their customers and consumers happy with regular offers and updates.

What SMS Gateway And Bulk Text Message Services Does ClickSend Offer?

When it comes to bulk distribution and the use of reliable gateway provider, it can be seen that ClickSend provides a high-speed connection through their direct telecommunication carriers rather than using both direct and hybrid carrier networks. Their gateway routes are through Optus, Vodafone and Telstra. The SMS Gateway capacity is able to match major SMS firms with over 7 millions text messages delivered weekly. ClickSend states that text messages are delivered within a matter of seconds with an SMS Gateway up-time of 100%, which is a real asset compared to other similar bulk providers.

Bulk SMS can be distributed in a number of different ways such as:

1) Web SMS

The Web SMS option allows companies to send bulk SMS messages from their PC with no software download requirements. All the core features to send text messages exist with individual or mass text message options available. For mass SMS campaigns a business just needs to upload a contact lists online and a large-scale SMS broadcast can commence.

2) SMS API

Businesses that have their own CRM software or messaging infrastructure the SMS API may be the optimal solution. The SMS API integration is relatively easy allowing firms to automate messages using the companies existing software systems. The SMS API can be accessed using the majority of programming languages with a SDK in PHP available on their website.

3) Email To SMS

The Email to SMS gateway is compatible with Microsoft Office or Apple Mail. Using these e-mail packages SMS marketing campaigns or even SMS reminders can be send which include free deliverability reports. No extra software is required to use this method with users just requiring to forward the message to the number in the subject line.

Consider some of the offers made by Bulk SMS Australia providers

1. Free SMS trial

A number of Bulk SMS Australia service offer a trial session where you can see the way the whole text messaging service process transpires from start to finish. There is a range of free trial offers ranging from a time period of 14 days available from Burst SMS to a free trial through a number of SMS, whether it is 5 SMS to 35 SMS. Other bulk SMS providers do charge such as Nexmo with a minimal cost of two euro to international company MessageBird which does not offer a free trial period. By checking Bulk SMS Australia providers’ websites, you will see what free trial they offer.

2. Business SMS

Bulk SMS Australia companies provide a range of featured Business SMS platforms for sending text messages to customers, clients or employees in a cost-effective, efficient and secure manner. They can be sending a SMS online, importing contacts and managing lists of customers and staff. Bulk SMS Australia services are able to integrate their SMS gateway with your website or software using SMS API tools and add text messaging to your business workflow. Business SMS services that are also offered by Bulk SMS Australia providers include two-way, online text messaging chat, which is ideal for remote communications and using dedicated SMS numbers to receive inbound SMS and replies to your text messages from customers and employees.

3. SMS Marketing

SMS is very effective as a marketing tool for reaching out to large numbers of present and potential customers through Bulk SMS Australia providers. SMS messages are more likely to be opened when received or within just five minutes of being received. This makes SMS marketing a reliable form of communications particularly for marketing campaigns, promotions, contest, and appointment reminders, as some examples. Through the engagement of Bulk SMS Australia companies, you can evaluate how to improve your campaign or promotion by reviewing detailed reports that will assist you to boost better responses. SMS marketing can assist in organising campaigns creations, automated personalisation and unsubscribed management.

Background To This Bulk Text Message Table

Every SMS service provider in Australia uses an SMS gateway to send SMS from one point to another point whether it be to individuals, clients, customers or/and organisations.

A SMS comparison table has been developed to identify and compare the services and products offered by these SMS providers by means of an independent yet well analysed SMS Bulk Comparison Table. The information has been summarised into a simplified, readable, and easy to follow tabulated format so as to provide you with key information on selection criteria such as message distribution costs, networks availability, composing online to single and bulk recipients, credit availability, service support and so on.

It should be stressed that the information provided in the table should only be used as a guide as prices and features may be updated at any time by the SMS Gateway providers’ websites without any prior notification. This table also originally had Burst SMS, SMS Broadcast and Clicksend but they did not make the short-list to five providers.

About This Text Message Comparison Table

After working with SMS providers over several years, the authors of this site understood how time consuming comparing providers was. To simplify the process, a set of criteria was created to suit most Australian businesses needs. While ideally exact prices would be provided, the way the industry has moved with negotiated rates meant only a rough guide to costs could be provided. The information on the table came from the Australian text message websites. In some occasions the providers were contacted to verify information and some providers recommended provide an affiliate payment for traffic to their inventory. We also have a how to guide and a companies guide on our site.

Updated on 25 April 2017