Introduction

An SMS and WhatsApp Marketing Platform is a computer program that manages and automates the sending of text messages and WhatsApp chats. Instead of typing out messages one by one on a handheld phone, a business can use these tools to send a single message to thousands of people at once. These platforms also handle the “smart” side of messaging, such as remembering a customer’s name, knowing what they bought last week, and automatically replying to common questions.

In 2025, these tools are more important than ever because they offer an “open rate” of nearly 98%. This means that almost every message you send will be seen. Businesses use these tools for many things, such as sending a discount code to a loyal customer, confirming a doctor’s appointment, or giving a shipping update on a package. When choosing a tool, you should look at how easy it is to use, whether it can connect to your existing store or website, and how well it protects your customers’ private information.

Best for: Small-to-medium businesses (SMBs), online shops (E-commerce), and service-based companies like clinics or law firms. It is essential for marketing managers who need to reach customers quickly and support teams who want to answer questions on the apps customers already use.

Not ideal for: Very small, local hobbies with only a few customers, or businesses that only need to send one or two messages a month. For those users, the free “WhatsApp Business” app on a mobile phone is usually enough.

Top 10 SMS & WhatsApp Marketing Platforms

1 — Twilio

Twilio is the biggest name in the world of messaging. It is a “developer-first” platform, which means it provides the “pipes” for messaging. It is designed for companies that want to build their own custom messaging apps or need to send millions of messages with total reliability.

• Key features:
  • Programmable SMS and WhatsApp APIs for custom coding.
  • Global reach with phone numbers in over 180 countries.
  • A “Verify” tool to send safe login codes (Two-Factor Authentication).
  • Integration with major software like Salesforce and Segment.
  • Detailed logs that show exactly when a message was delivered.
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing so you only pay for what you use.
• Pros:
  • It is incredibly reliable and can handle massive amounts of traffic without slowing down.
  • It offers total freedom to build exactly the kind of messaging system you want.
• Cons:
  • It is very difficult to use if you do not know how to write computer code.
  • There is no “pretty” dashboard for non-technical people to just click and send.
• Security & compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS compliant.
• Support & community: Excellent technical documentation and a massive community of developers who can help.

2 — Attentive

Attentive is built specifically for retail and online stores. It focuses on helping brands grow their list of subscribers and turning those subscribers into buyers through highly personalized text messages.

• Key features:
  • High-performing “Sign-up Units” that pop up on your website.
  • Advanced segmentation (sending different texts to big spenders vs. new visitors).
  • Automated “Journeys” like abandoned cart reminders.
  • Integrated “Two-Way” messaging for customer service.
  • Detailed ROI tracking to see exactly how much money each text made.
• Pros:
  • The platform is designed to make money; it is very good at “selling” via text.
  • Their team provides a lot of help in setting up your first campaigns.
• Cons:
  • It can be more expensive than other tools because it focuses on high-end retail.
  • It is focused mostly on SMS rather than being a “WhatsApp-first” tool.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and CCPA compliant; supports SSO for teams.
• Support & community: High-touch customer success managers for larger accounts and a strong library of retail guides.

3 — Bird (formerly MessageBird)

Bird is a global platform that is particularly strong in Europe and Asia. It is an “omnichannel” tool, meaning it puts your SMS, WhatsApp, Email, and Instagram messages all in one single place for your team to see.

• Key features:
  • A “Flow Builder” that lets you create automations by dragging and dropping boxes.
  • Official WhatsApp Business API partner with fast approval.
  • A shared inbox for your team to answer messages together.
  • Tools to verify phone numbers before you send messages to them.
  • Integration with Google Sheets and Zendesk.
• Pros:
  • It makes it very easy to manage many different chat apps in one dashboard.
  • The “Flow Builder” is easy to learn even if you aren’t a tech expert.
• Cons:
  • Some users find the pricing structure a bit confusing as they change their name and plans.
  • Customer support can sometimes be slow for smaller businesses on the free tier.
• Security & compliance: ISO 27001, SOC 2, GDPR, and HIPAA compliant.
• Support & community: Good online help center and technical support available for enterprise users.

4 — Klaviyo

Klaviyo is famous for email marketing, but in 2025, it has become a powerhouse for SMS as well. It is the best choice for businesses that want their email and text messages to work together as one “brain.”

• Key features:
  • Unified profiles that show a customer’s email and SMS history in one view.
  • “Smart Send Time” which waits for the hour a customer is most likely to check their phone.
  • Predictive analytics that guess when a customer will buy next.
  • Pre-built templates for things like “Happy Birthday” or “Order Confirmed.”
  • Deep integration with Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.
• Pros:
  • It prevents you from “spamming” customers because it knows if you just sent them an email.
  • The data and reporting are the best in the industry for online shops.
• Cons:
  • It is primarily an SMS tool; its WhatsApp features are still growing compared to others.
  • The price can get very high as your list of phone numbers grows.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, and CCPA compliant.
• Support & community: A very active user forum and a huge library of “Klaviyo Academy” training videos.

5 — Wati

Wati is a tool built purely for WhatsApp. It is designed for small-to-medium businesses that want to use WhatsApp for everything: marketing, sales, and helping customers with their problems.

• Key features:
  • A shared “Team Inbox” so multiple employees can respond from one WhatsApp number.
  • A no-code Chatbot builder to answer common questions 24/7.
  • Bulk broadcasting to send thousands of WhatsApp messages at once.
  • Integration with tools like Shopify, Zoho, and HubSpot.
  • “Click-to-WhatsApp” ad tracking to see which Facebook ads are working.
• Pros:
  • It is very easy to set up and get approved for the Official WhatsApp API.
  • It is much more affordable than the big enterprise tools.
• Cons:
  • It only does WhatsApp; if you want to send regular SMS texts, you need a different tool.
  • The mobile app can sometimes be a bit slower than the desktop version.
• Security & compliance: GDPR compliant and built on the official Meta (WhatsApp) infrastructure.
• Support & community: 24/7 chat support and helpful onboarding for new users.

6 — SlickText

SlickText is one of the easiest SMS tools to use. It is great for businesses in the US and Canada that want to get started with text marketing in less than ten minutes.

• Key features:
  • “Text-to-Join” keywords (e.g., “Text PIZZA to 55555 to get a coupon”).
  • Mobile coupons that customers can scan at a cash register.
  • Automated drip campaigns to send a series of texts over time.
  • A “Birthday Club” that automatically texts people on their special day.
  • A simple mobile app to manage your campaigns on the go.
• Pros:
  • The interface is very clean and simple; you don’t need a manual to use it.
  • They have a “Free Forever” plan for very small businesses.
• Cons:
  • It is mostly for the North American market; international reach is limited.
  • It does not have built-in WhatsApp features.
• Security & compliance: TCPA and GDPR compliant; supports SSO for larger teams.
• Support & community: Excellent customer service with real people you can talk to on the phone.

7 — AiSensy

AiSensy is a popular choice for businesses that want an all-in-one WhatsApp solution. It is known for its “Smart” features, like an AI chatbot that can learn about your business and answer customers like a human would.

• Key features:
  • AI-powered Chatbot (using Google’s Dialogflow or ChatGPT).
  • Broadcast scheduling to send messages at a specific time in the future.
  • Automated payment reminders and shipping alerts.
  • “Click-to-WhatsApp” ads integration for lead generation.
  • Multi-agent support with a shared team dashboard.
• Pros:
  • The AI features are very advanced for the price point.
  • They offer a “No Setup Fee” model which is great for startups.
• Cons:
  • The interface can be a bit busy because it has so many features.
  • It is heavily focused on the WhatsApp API, so it’s not for regular SMS.
• Security & compliance: GDPR compliant and uses official WhatsApp Business API channels.
• Support & community: Very responsive support via WhatsApp (appropriately!) and email.

8 — Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo is a general marketing tool that added SMS and WhatsApp as its platform grew. It is perfect for businesses that want a simple, budget-friendly way to send messages alongside their email newsletters.

• Key features:
  • Pay-as-you-go credits for SMS and WhatsApp (no monthly fee for the messages).
  • A “Campaign” builder that looks exactly like an email builder.
  • CRM features to keep track of your customer names and notes.
  • Transactional messaging (like sending a password reset code).
  • Landing pages to help people sign up for your texts.
• Pros:
  • It is very cost-effective because you only pay for the messages you actually send.
  • Having Email, SMS, and WhatsApp in one place saves a lot of time.
• Cons:
  • The automation logic is a bit simpler than tools like Klaviyo.
  • The WhatsApp setup can sometimes take a few days to get approved.
• Security & compliance: ISO 27001 certified and strictly follows European GDPR laws.
• Support & community: Multiple languages supported and a very helpful blog for beginners.

9 — EZ Texting

EZ Texting is designed for the “non-techie.” It focuses on helping local businesses, schools, and non-profits send out alerts and promotions without any complicated setup.

• Key features:
  • Access to a library of professional images for your texts (MMS).
  • Two-way texting so you can have a real conversation with a customer.
  • “Polls” to ask your customers questions via text.
  • Integration with Constant Contact and Mailchimp.
  • Contact management with easy “grouping” of customers.
• Pros:
  • It is very reliable and has been around for a long time.
  • The “Image Library” makes it easy to send texts that look great.
• Cons:
  • It is strictly for SMS; it does not support WhatsApp.
  • Some of the better features are only available on the more expensive plans.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II and HIPAA compliant (on specific plans).
• Support & community: Phone support is available and they offer very clear “Getting Started” guides.

10 — Interakt

Interakt is a WhatsApp-first CRM. It is built for companies that want to turn their WhatsApp chat into a full-scale sales machine, allowing customers to browse products and even pay inside the chat.

• Key features:
  • “Product Catalogs” inside WhatsApp so customers can shop.
  • Automated “Abandoned Cart” recovery for WhatsApp users.
  • A “Shared Inbox” with smart routing (sending a lead to the right salesperson).
  • Verified “Green Tick” application support.
  • Integration with Shopify, WooCommerce, and payment gateways.
• Pros:
  • It is the best tool for “WhatsApp Commerce” (selling directly in the app).
  • The pricing is very competitive for the amount of features you get.
• Cons:
  • It is built specifically for WhatsApp; no SMS support.
  • It is mostly popular in India and may have fewer support hours for US-based businesses.
• Security & compliance: GDPR compliant and officially authorized by Meta.
• Support & community: Good documentation and a dedicated support team for technical setup.

Comparison Table

Evaluation & Scoring of SMS & WhatsApp Marketing Platforms

To help you decide, we have evaluated these platforms based on a “weighted” score. This means we think some things (like the core features) are more important than others (like the user community).

Which SMS & WhatsApp Marketing Platforms Tool Is Right for You?

Choosing a tool depends on who you are and what you need to achieve.

Solo Users vs. SMBs vs. Enterprises

If you are a solo user or a very small business, SlickText or Wati are perfect because they are simple and don’t require any coding. If you are an SMB looking to scale, Klaviyo (for E-commerce) or Brevo (for general use) offer more power. Enterprises with developers should almost always look at Twilio or Bird for the best reliability.

Budget-Conscious vs. Premium

If you are on a tight budget, Brevo is excellent because you only pay for the messages you send. If you have a larger budget and want a “done-for-you” experience with high-end sales features, Attentive is the premium choice for retail.

Feature Depth vs. Ease of Use

If you want something that “just works,” EZ Texting and SlickText are the winners. If you want complex AI chatbots that can handle human-like conversations, AiSensy is the tool with the most depth.

Security and Compliance

If you are in a sensitive industry like Healthcare (HIPAA) or Finance, ensure you choose a platform like Twilio or EZ Texting that specifically mentions HIPAA compliance on their website. Never use a “unofficial” WhatsApp sender that doesn’t use the official API, as this can get your business number banned.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it legal to send marketing texts to anyone?

No. You must have “explicit consent,” which means the customer must have checked a box or texted a keyword saying they want to hear from you.

2. What is the difference between SMS and WhatsApp marketing?

SMS uses the cellular network and works on every phone without an app. WhatsApp uses the internet and allows for “richer” messages like images, buttons, and long conversations.

3. Do I need a special phone for this?

No. These platforms work on your computer or through an app on your current phone. You do not need to carry a second physical device.

4. How much do these messages cost?

SMS usually costs a few cents per message. WhatsApp uses “conversations,” where you pay a small fee (usually around $0.01 to $0.05) to talk to a customer for 24 hours.

5. What is the “WhatsApp Business API”?

It is a professional version of WhatsApp for medium-to-large businesses. It allows you to automate messages and have many team members use the same number.

6. Can I send images and videos?

Yes. WhatsApp supports high-quality images and video. SMS supports them too (called MMS), but they are usually more expensive to send than plain text.

7. Will my messages be marked as spam?

If you use an official platform and only message people who “opt-ed in,” your messages will arrive safely. If you send too many messages to people who don’t know you, your number might get blocked.

8. Can I use my current business landline?

Many platforms (like SlickText or Wati) allow you to “text-enable” your existing business phone number so customers can call or text the same number.

9. How long does it take to set up?

SMS can be set up in minutes. The WhatsApp API usually takes 24–48 hours to get your “Business Profile” approved by Meta.

10. What is a “Keyword”?

A keyword is a word like “JOIN” or “SAVE” that a customer texts to your number to automatically join your list or get a coupon.

Conclusion

Choosing the right SMS or WhatsApp Marketing Platform can change your business overnight. By moving away from cluttered email inboxes and onto the phone screen, you ensure your message is heard.

The “best” tool isn’t the most expensive one; it’s the one that fits your specific needs. If you sell online, Klaviyo or Attentive are your best friends. If you want to use WhatsApp for customer service, Wati or Interakt are the leaders. Always remember to prioritize customer consent and data security above all else to build a brand that your customers trust.