The 7 things to check before choosing a bulk SMS provider
1. Price per SMS and sliding scale
Look for a provider with transparent, published pricing and a sliding scale that rewards volume. Be wary of providers who don’t show prices publicly or require a quote for basic packages. SMSMessenger publishes all prices from R0.12/SMS.
2. Delivery rate and network coverage
Your provider must deliver to all four major SA networks — Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom. Ask for published delivery rate statistics. SMSMessenger maintains a 98% delivery rate with direct connections to all SA networks.
3. POPIA and WASPA compliance
Your provider must be WASPA-registered and POPIA compliant. This protects you legally and ensures opt-out requests are handled correctly. Always check for built-in opt-out management.
4. Credit expiry policy
Many providers expire unused SMS credits after 12 months — this can cost you significantly if your usage is seasonal or variable. SMSMessenger credits never expire.
5. Contracts and minimum spend
Avoid providers that require long-term contracts or minimum monthly spend commitments until you are confident in your usage levels. SMSMessenger operates on a pure pay-as-you-go basis with no contracts.
6. API quality and documentation
If you plan to integrate SMS into your systems, evaluate the API carefully. Good documentation, a sandbox environment and responsive developer support are essential. SMSMessenger’s API is free with full documentation.
7. Customer support
Assess the quality and availability of support before signing up. SMSMessenger provides a free personal account manager on every account — a real person you can call or WhatsApp directly.
See how SMSMessenger compares to other SA providers or start your free trial today.
