Bulk SMS vs WhatsApp Marketing South Africa 2026
| Factor | Bulk SMS | |
|---|---|---|
| Device requirement | Any mobile phone | Smartphone required |
| Data required | No | Yes |
| Cost | From R0.12/SMS | Higher per message |
| Open rate | 98% | 98% |
| Rich media | Text only | Images, video, docs |
| Setup | Simple | Requires Business API |
Recommendation
Start with SMS — it reaches 100% of your list regardless of device or data. Critical in South Africa where data costs remain high. Add WhatsApp later for richer content to your most engaged audience.
