Cheap SMS Marketing for Small Businesses: Costs, Fees & Compliance

Looking for Cheap SMS Marketing Services?

When done right, SMS marketing is one of the most cost-effective ways to connect with your audience. But "cheap" doesn't always mean what you think it does. While some providers offer low per-message rates or attractive packages, the true cost of SMS marketing is hidden in failed deliveries, tiered feature restrictions, poor support, SMS compliance missteps, and clunky platforms that waste your time.

So, what really makes SMS marketing cheap, and what only looks cheap on the surface?

Pay-as-You-Go vs. Tiered Plans vs. Packages

Let’s start with the obvious: price per message. Most online SMS services offer one of the following models:

At first glance, prepaid SMS or tiered plans may appear cheaper. But if you're not using the full allowance or need advanced features like SMS automation, templates, or reporting locked behind expensive tiers, it ends up costing more.

Pay-as-you-go models, like Notifyre offer full feature access (no feature gating) and the flexibility to scale sending which is perfect for marketers trialling SMS marketing as part of their strategy or for those increasing their SMS budgets over time as their contact list grows. 

With Notifyre You Only Pay for What You Use

Once you've registered your brand and campaign for 10DLC compliance (a small one-off and monthly fee required by US carriers), you only pay for the SMS you send, no contracts, no commitments.

So if you want to send a bulk SMS to 500 opted-in subscribers, your total cost might be:

(500 x $0.02) + ~$30 → around $40 total. 

Notifyre Offers Flexible Top-Ups for Growing Lists

As your subscriber list grows, Notifyre makes it easy to scale your campaigns without needing to upgrade plans or negotiate contracts. You can simply top up your account funds and send more messages on demand.

For Example:
Let’s say your subscriber list grows from 500 to 2,500 contacts in a month after a new promotion. Instead of having to renegotiate your plan or hit a monthly limit, you can:

1. Log into Notifyre
2. Top up your account with additional funds
3. Send to your full list with no restrictions

You’re always in control of your spend, and you’ll never pay for unused credits or capped features. And the best part? If you top up and don’t use the funds that month, they won’t expire.

Unlike some SMS providers that force you into “use it or lose it” prepaid packages, Notifyre gives you complete control and flexibility. Your funds stay in your account until you're ready to send, no pressure, no wasted credit.

SMS Marketing Compliance Fees (10DLC)

In the US, businesses sending SMS to American mobile numbers must now register their brand and campaigns under the 10DLC (10-digit long code) system. Introduced to reduce spam and improve message deliverability, 10DLC also comes with carrier-imposed fees charged to SMS service providers, costs that are often passed on to you. 

While some providers have increased their overall pricing or remain vague about these charges, others, like Notifyre, are committed to full transparency. We clearly outline all carrier fees so you know exactly what you're paying for, no surprises, just honest pricing.

Low-cost SMS marketing isn’t just about message rates, it’s about providers who include SMS compliance management in their service, and help you register correctly from the start. Otherwise, you risk message blocking, penalties, and poor delivery rates.

Notifyre helps its customers remain compliant when sending SMS by providing a combination of tools, features, and support that address both regulatory requirements (like 10DLC in the US and spam laws globally) and best practices for responsible SMS marketing.

True Value of Customer Support

Many cheap SMS marketing platforms save money by cutting corners on support. But when something goes wrong, like a campaign failing to send, or 10DLC compliance paperwork being rejected, you’re on your own.

Poor support doesn’t just cause frustration, it can delay time-sensitive campaigns, increase failed messages, and ultimately cost your business more than you saved. Choosing a provider with locally based, responsive support such as Notifyre.

At Notifyre, every customer receives a personal welcome call and onboarding support to help set up their account. We know 10DLC registration and carrier compliance can be complicated so we off all Notifyre customers support throughout the registration process. 

SMS Deliverability Costs

A cheap SMS provider might promise great rates, but if messages don’t reach your audience, you’re throwing money away. Every failed message still costs you, and over time that adds up.

Cheap SMS marketing platforms often:

• Use grey routes or unreliable carriers.
• Lack real-time delivery tracking.

• Don’t alert you to sending errors, invalid numbers, or opt-outs.

   

The result? A platform that looks cheap upfront but slowly drains your marketing budget with poor performance and wasted sends.

Why Choose Notifyre's SMS Marketing Platform?

1. 10DLC Registration Support

Notifyre guides customers through the brand and campaign registration process required for sending SMS via 10DLC numbers in the United States.

This ensures compliance with US carrier regulations and improves delivery rates.

Customers are made aware of carrier fees and compliance obligations upfront, full transparency with no hidden costs.

2. Built-in Opt-Out Management

Notifyre automatically handles unsubscribe (opt-out) requests by monitoring replies like "STOP".

When a recipient opts out, their number is automatically excluded from future sends, helping you stay compliant with anti-spam laws (like the TCPA).

4. Live Campaign Reporting & Delivery Status

Real-time reporting helps identify issues like undelivered messages or high opt-out rates, allowing businesses to take corrective action fast, a key part of maintaining responsible sending behavior.

5. Secure Messaging Infrastructure

Notifyre is ISO 27001 certified and offers encryption in transit and at rest. Supports privacy compliance with HIPAA, and TCPA.

6. Local Support for Compliance Questions

Notifyre’s local support team is available to help customers navigate regulatory questions and compliance obligations.

When you choose a platform like Notifyre, you're not just saving on price per message, you're investing in a solution that protects your budget, your brand, and your ROI.