Short Code, Toll-Free, and Long Code Comparison

Choose the best sender for your SMS Marketing

Stay compliant, get high deliverability, and limit carrier filtering!


SHORT CODE

NO FILTERING! | Highest throughput
100+ SMS/second (or higher)
Pre-approved, so no carrier filtering
40+ MMS/second, the highest available
2-way messaging capability
No voice capability
Carriers setup fee and annual fee
8 to 12 week application process
Great for branding, short and memorable
Short code numbers are a popular choice for high-volume A2P messaging. Short codes can send SMS at 100+ MPS (message segments per second) by default, and this high throughput is perfect for applications needing to send time-sensitive messages to many users at once. Short codes are shorter and more memorable, and can be used in a variety of marketing channels to attract higher Opt-in rates.

Examples of applications that are well-suited to a short code include: marketing communications, large one-to-many notification bursts, and high volumes of one-to-one transactional notifications.

A Short Code is a little more expensive than other channels, but it's still the ULTIMATE way to make sure your messages get through. If you want the highest deliverability a Short Code is the way to go.

TOLL-FREE

SOME FILTERING | Medium throughput
3 SMS/second (can apply for higher)
Carrier filtering applies
3 MMS/second
2-way messaging capability
Voice enabled
Lower cost compared to Short Code
Good branding, not as memorable as Short Code
Toll-Free numbers are designated for business messaging use by all major carriers in the United States, although carrier filtering is still possible for messages sent from Toll-Free phone numbers, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of filtering by complying with all rules and regulations, and following best practices.

Toll-Free SMS can also be used for promotional or marketing-type traffic, however it is extremely important to ensure that all users have opted-in and that you maintain a low opt-out (“STOP” reply) rate to avoid filtering.

It's critical to avoid “load balancing” by sending the same or similar message contents using multiple Toll-Free numbers. Carriers call this “snowshoeing” and it is specifically targeted for filtering.

LONG CODES (10DLC)

A2P FILTERING | High throughput
75+ SMS/second
A2P carrier filtering applies
25 MMS/second
2-way messaging capability
Voice enabled
Lower cost compared to Short Code
Local area code, more trusted for calls
Daily sending rates increase based on a “Trust Score” system (see below)
A2P 10DLC refers to a system in the United States that allows businesses to send Application-to-Person (A2P) type messaging via standard 10-digit long code (10DLC) phone numbers. Carriers’ A2P 10DLC offerings provide better delivery quality and lower filtering risk than long code SMS of the past, using the same phone numbers. If you are already using long code numbers, there is no need to buy new numbers. We will enable your existing numbers to use the new A2P 10DLC service.

We handle the entire registration process for you. When we complete the registration of your Campaign(s) use type for A2P Messaging we submit that information to The Campaign Registry (TCR), a 3rd party at the center of this new registration system.

Once the TCR completes secondary vetting, it uses a reputation algorithm to review specific criteria relating to your company, and assign a Trust Score that will determine your messaging throughput and daily message limits.

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