Many companies are quickly finding the benefits of using a bulk SMS gateway service as a cheap and effective communication method.
This independent review of major cheap SMS bulk gateway providers in the UK compares various features, prices, reliability and customer service standards.
Latest update on 20 July 2024
If your business uses bulk SMS to send text messages to your staff, clients, customers or stakeholders, then engaging a premium direct gateway carrier is the way to go. Then, your text messages will be delivered promptly through a major gateway service provider in the UK. However, suppose there is no urgency or need for maximum uptime reliability. In that case, an alternative gateway can be used, which will use cheaper overseas telecommunication carriers known as hybrid or grey gateway systems.
An SMS gateway is a website that allows you to distribute or accept SMS text messages from a web browser directly to customers or clients served by a telecommunications network. Most SMS are transmitted via mobile phone networks.
A reliable SMS gateway assures that text messages will be timely and effective whether they are used for marketing or communication campaigns, to remind people of appointments, or to notify them of a delivery.
Comparing bulk and cheap SMS gateway providers in the UK can quickly be done by accessing this link –Bulk SMS Comparison Table – where you will find a range of features, pricing, reliability and reputation factors to consider before engaging a provider. As you would appreciate, one must understand the different features offered so that a sound judgement can be assessed on the best value for your money when contracting an SMS provider.
One factor that needs to be seriously considered is what type of gateway you wish to use to deliver your messages or announcements. British bulk and cheap SMS providers can offer three major types of services: Carrier Direct, Hybrid (or Grey), or a mixture of both.
SMS providers will offer a range of gateways to ensure your message is distributed. Some will provide an email to SMS gateway, while others may offer a cheap gateway. In contrast, larger SMS providers will provide premium gateway access. The main difference between a Premium gateway and a Hybrid gateway is how the SMS is transmitted to reach the result. A Carrier Direct gateway provider will distribute your text messages directly from your computer system to a major British carrier. Usually, this will mean that your SMS will remain within the UK. However it will mean a higher charge for each SMS sent.
Using Premium gateway service is valued when immediacy is required and when privacy is a concern, whether using PIN numbers or notifying people of a major catastrophe or a dangerous, imminent event.
The alternative is the Hybrid gateway version, which is a cheaper service. These gateways will send your text messages using the most affordable route available. Your message may be transmitted outside the UK through an international carrier and then returned to a British gateway carrier. There may be a delay in receiving the messages, or the delivery times may not be met by a specific time. However, gateway carriers, such as marketing or communication campaigns, are cheaper and good for mass distribution and do not rely on a particular time requirement.
Comparing the different SMS gateway service providers, SMS Broadcast provided the best mix of use for both kinds of gateways. Any SMS service offering cheap text messaging will most likely use a hybrid gateway.
Our Cheap Bulk SMS review looks at the key strengths of the text message service providers. They are reliable and can deliver using premium British telecommunication networks, allowing businesses to send small to large numbers of text messages anytime. Also, if you do not want to send your SMS immediately, you can schedule a time or date to ensure that your SMS message is delivered when the customer or client needs it most.
The review found that most providers’ networks support various software platforms such as Outlook Mobile Service, Email to SMS, Online SMS and SMS Gateway UK. The ability to send thousands of messages at once will give virtually instantaneous information to people. Similarly, replies can be directed directly to your email or mobile phone. Merging data into messages personalized messages, whether they are reminders or improving engagement with people or customers, will improve your marketing or communication campaign. These providers can type in destination numbers and relay copies from Excel or similar software to a format you can understand and interpret.
As can be seen on the representation chart below, SMS Tech, Cellcast, and WholesaleSMS provide a very solid range of features that will service customers and have, therefore, been ranked from the mid-80s upwards for their feature presentations.
WholesaleSMS offers the best financial value. Compared to other bulk SMS service providers, WholesaleSMS offers significantly cheaper charges for small mass numbers or large volumes of SMS sent over a monthly period.
Several providers offer unlimited credit for a time, which provides another advantage over other cheap SMS gateway service providers. While WholesaleSMS does not offer a service level agreement around its gateway service, its low pricing scale makes it perfect for sending large bulk messages, such as marketing campaigns.
Undelivered messages are never charged, so pricing doesn’t become an issue when sending bulk SMS to clients, customers and employees.
Based on the graphical table representation provided below, Cellcast offers the cheapest rate. SMS Broadcast followed this with rates about 10% more expensive than the most affordable.
As can be viewed from the graph below, the review shows that many cheap SMS bulk gateway providers deliver reliable mass SMS solutions using state-of-the-art software platforms and technology supported by technical-based personnel.
SMS Broadcast, like other SMS providers, ensures that SMS texting is simple to use—from start to finish, everything can be done within 30 seconds. Individuals and businesses can access SMS texting from anywhere, as no specialized software is required. You must log in from anywhere with an internet connection in the UK (or overseas), and the rest is done. It is efficient, easy to use, and managed.
SMS Broadcast has a powerful gateway to access and support your SMS delivery, whether you want to send a bulk or single message at any time. It has complete documentation and provides assistance capacity for SMS gateway UK implementation. A full reporting service will allow you to clean up your database if numbers are no longer active or required.
SMS Broadcast guarantees its service and delivery as a provider of a reliable SMS solution to businesses, organisations and individuals who need to communicate fast and effectively with their customers, clients or/employees at any time.
They don’t have an up-time guarantee, which may be an issue if you need almost 100% of text messages delivered. They charge a cost for a virtual number, which may rule out some smaller businesses. The carrier is ideal for an SME, but a large company may want to consider another provider on our SMS Gateway Comparison Table.
SMSTech gained the best support and help rating, followed closely by SMS Central, DirectSMS, and Cellcast. SMSTech provides customer care services during business hours, phone and email, as well as a free trial service to show how it can support businesses and government organisations that want to send and receive SMS text messages from PCs and web browsers through various platforms.
These top-ranking cheap bulk SMS gateway providers are long-established companies that send bulk SMS to clients, customers, and employees for promotions, reminders, and updates throughout the UK. They offer a complete online SMS messaging service that is user-friendly.
As emphasized above, these providers have the latest IT technology and provide strong technical support. Factors like good customer care and service are important for businesses wishing to achieve high quality and good reputation.
The cheap, bulk SMS Gateway Comparison table was produced because people were encountering difficulty in trying to gain all the essential elements in contracting an SMS provider with the ability to compare features, costings, and reliability in a simple yet easy-to-understand and interpret. This comparison table will make your life more disciplined in determining which text messaging provider best fits your requirements.
Our team of SMS professionals has worked in this industry and knows the important tools you need to decide which cheap, bulk SMS gateway provider would suit your needs.
The information covered in the comparative table is presented as a guide to prices and features by the SMS providers. Sometimes, such details may be updated on the providers’ websites without prior notification. If this is the case, the authors would be most appreciative if you could notify them to make changes to this site immediately.
The Table and site are free of charge to assist in your decision-making process. This site does not use advertising.
This page was last updated on 20 July 2024.